USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1906-1909 > Part 12
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
Rose MacDonald, 36 weeks, 500 00
Grace E. Downing, 34 weeks, 442 00
Mary A. Dewyer, 36 weeks, 468 00
Edith M. Randall, 36 weeks, 360 00
Annie E. Hennessey, 36 weeks, 360 00
Ella L. Dickerman, 20 weeks, 4 days,
249 60
Mildred Packard, 36 weeks, 386 00
" Jenny R. Dunham, 15 weeks, 150 00
« Carrie L. Matthews, 15 weeks, 165 00
" S. E. Merritt, I day,
2 00
B. O. Metcalf, 2 days,
4 40
" M. E. Kenney, 14 weeks 2 days,
158 40
F. L. Nelson, 3 days, 6 00
Mrs. A. G. Dunphe, 7 weeks 3 days 91 20
Miss Laura E. Crocker, 36 weeks,
303 00
Nettie M. Woodbury, 36 weeks, 339 00
Gertrude A. Pierce, 36 weeks, 360 00
Lillian Newman, drawing, 36 weeks, 120 00
Mildred S. Jones, music, 36 weeks,
200 00
Conveyance of music teacher, 60 25
$5,224 25
JANITORS, CLEANING, AND YARDS.
Paid Janitor at Center, $349 61
Janitors at other schools, 130 22
Cleaning, etc., at other schools, 28 35
$508 18
6
FUEL.
Paid L. E. & E. Copeland, I-2 cd., labor, $3 50
S. H. Marshall, 5 cds. hard, 6 ft. pine, labor 36 75
E. H. Thayer, 2 I-2 cds. hard, labor, 18 75
B. Copeland, 4 1-2 cds. hard, 2 cds. pine, labor, 37 00 C. P. Howard, 6 1-2 cds., labor, 44 50
H. E. Weston, 2 I-2 cds. hard, 15 00
E. E. Howard, 3 cds. hard,
19 50
Henry Bartlett, labor,
4 25
Labor, Cochesett,
1 00
Albert Manley, 3 cds. hard, labor,
22 00
G. R. Drake, 60,910 lbs. broken Lehigh coal at $7 a ton, 234 20
G. R. Drake, 25 tons broken Lehigh coal at $7.25 a ton, 181 25
$617 70
CONVEYANCE OF PUPILS.
Paid Evevett Clark, (1907), $2 62
Everett Clark, 36 wks., Cochesett, Jerusa- lem, and Center, 350 26
Everett Clark, 36 wks., East School and Center, 92 00
Electric car tickets, 273 75
$718 63
SUPERINTENDENT.
Paid Superintendent, (12 mos.,) $1,500 00
Rec'd. from State, (12 mos.,) $750 00
" E. Bridgewater (12 mos.,) 350 00
" Raynham, (12 mos.,) 150 00
Town grant, 250 00
$1,500 00
1
7
Due from State, (7 mos.,)
$437 50
" E. Bridgewater, (I mo.,)
29 17
" Raynham, (I mo.,) 12 50
$479 17
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Paid Milton Bradley & Co., general supplies, $16 59
E. E. Babb & Co., books and supplies, 175 65
J. L. Hammett & Co., supplies, IIO 89
Ginn & Co., text books, 55 68
Silver, Burdett & Co., copy and text books,
35 32
American Book Co., music charts, 6 40
Labor on supplies, I 56
Small supplies, 2 71
Periodicals, (Transcripts, Youth's Companion,) 15 55
$420 35
OFFICIAL EXPENSES.
Paid L. A. Tower, committee meetings, $13 50
L. A. Tower, expense to Wilmington, 5 50
W. E. Fay, committee service, (1907-8,) 10 00
W. E. Fay, committee meetings, (1908,) 13 50
S. H. Marshall, committee meetings, (1907,) 3 00
S. H. Marshall, committee meetings, (1908,) IO 50
A. S. LeLacheur, committee meetings, (1907,) 4 50
A. S. LeLacheur, committee meetings, (1908,) 9 50
M. K. Crosby, census, 15 00
M. K. Crosby, clerk of committee
10 00
M K. Crosby, team for census, meetings, and supplies, 22 58
M. K. Crosby, postage, 6 25
J. C. Howard, truant service, ) 1907,) 3 00
.
8
Paid J. C. Howard, truant service, (1908,) $4 00
W. L. Woodworth, truant service, 4 00
E. S. LeLacheur, M. D., medical inspection, 50 00
E. H, Grout, travel in district, 33 34
E. H. Grout, incidentals, 5 99
$224 16
INCIDENTALS AND FURNISHINGS.
Paid C. H. Shaw, labor and stock, $23 40
A. Manley, grading (Jerusalem), 4 25
Expense for Diplomas, 5 00
J. W. Foye, repairs, (chairs and maps), 5 75
Repairs on clocks,
3 00
Express-W. S. Irwin (1907),
IO 30
(1908),
II 50
Express and freight,
4 95
Small furnishings,
12 90
Everett Clark, coach,
25 00
J. B. Howard, coach,
95 00
$201 05
New Building.
Paid for flag, $6 25
Door mats,
5 25
C. Thayer, seats for basement, 12 57
C. Thayer, 2 door springs and labor, 12 03
W. F. Ryder, grading, 15 38
G. H. Stone, dressing seats and desks from primary building, 50 07
G. R. Drake, furnishings, 8 03
Waste baskets and garbage pails, 2 50
H. W. Morse, labor, 3 00
$115 08
$316 13
-
9
REPAIRS AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
Repairs.
Paid Chester Thayer, labor and stock (Center), $15 14
W. E. Fay, labor and stock (Jerusalem), 6 57
N. Bradford. labor and stock (Center), 118 14 E. S. Leonard, labor and stock (Cochesett) 94 36
L. Richmond, stock (Cochesett), 24 22
Repairs and stock (Cochesett),
20 87
Small repairs, 9 56
$288 86
Permanent improvements.
Paid American Seating Co., desks and chairs, $45 60
C. H. Holt, fire escapes (Center and Coch ), 200 00
Labor and hardware (Cochesett,) 7 92
J. L. Hammett Co., Hyloplate board (Coch.), 9 45
66
(Jerus.) 2 70
$265 67
Town grant, $800 00
Expenditure, 554 53
EXPENDITURES, SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Teachers,
$5,224 84
Janitor service,
508 18
Fuel,
617 70
Conveyance, 718 63
Superintendent, 250 00
Books and supplies,
420 35
Incidentals and furnishings,
316 13
Official expenses, 224 16
$8,280 00
Deficit from 1907,
398 40
$8,678 40
10
Advanced for Superintendent,
1,250 00
Repairs and improvements,
554 53
$10,482 93
INCOME, SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Town grants,
$7,650 00
On account of district supervision,
166 67
Tuition of State wards,
108 50
Mass. School Fund, balance, (1907)
1 75
Mass. School Fund, paid, (1908)
1,079 99
Sale of Supplies,
77
From Howard Trustees, (music)
40 00
$9,047 68
For Superintendent's salary,
1,250 00
$10,297 68
SUMMARY.
Expenditures.
Support of Schools,
$8,280 00
Repairs and Improvements,
554 43
Advanced for Superintendent's Salary,
1,250 00
Amount drawn from Treasury,
$10,084 53
Deficit from 1907,
398 40
$10,482 93
Income.
Support of Schools,
$8,247 68
Repair and Improvements,
800 00
$9047 68
Received for Superintendent,
1250 00
$10,297 68
Amount drawn from Treasury,
$10,482 93
Income,
10,297 68
Overdrawn,
$185 25
Due from State, etc.,
$479 17
Overdrawn,
185 25
Balance,
$294 92
Note. - The balance held from Mass. School Fund is 71 cents.
The year 1908 has been a notable one in the school history of West Bridgewater.
At the March meeting the voters cordially granted the request of the school committee for an appropriation sufficient to provide a new building containing four school rooms, on the school lot at the Center, and a committee, consisting of Albert Manley, L. Augustus Tower and Hervey Dunham, was chosen to attend to the erection and furnishing of the building.
The work entrusted to them was accomplished in a manner most creditable to them and to the contractors selected, and it proceeded so rapidly that there was but a week's delay in opening the three schools in the building, after September 8, when the other schools in town began work.
Our Superintendent gave valuable assistance in ex- amining school buildings, and in plans and details of the work. This help, given at times in the summer vacation, was much appreciated.
The building is much approved by the public for its attractive appearance, its commodious and convenient ar- rangements within, and especially for the thorough work furnished by the contractors.
I2
In our financial report, under "Incidentals, etc.," is given a list of furnishings for the building that the school committee had to provide, with no special grant for that purpose.
The appropriation for the building had not been made when our estimates for the year were presented.
It is our intention to ask each year -- as we ought- for an amount sufficient to carry on the schools properly, taking into account the needs of different sections of the town, and also the requirements of the State authorities.
The purchase of a substantial coach for the convey- ance of pupils between Jerusalem, Cochesett and the Center has been made.
You are referred to the Superintendent for informa- tion respecting the transfer of grades that has been made, and of the general condition of the schools, the work at- tempted by them and suggestions for their improvement.
One point of importance is forcibly presented in his report, -- that of adding two or four weeks to the school year. We invite careful consideration of the advantages that would follow such an increase, both to pupils and teachers.
The number of families in which useful occupations can be found for the children in the weeks of vacation is steadily growing less, and consequently more time spent in school work would diminish the chance for idle loiter- ing about the streets. Your Committee is ready to carry out the wishes of the town in this matter.
Visits from parents and friends is much appreciated at any time, and one day is assigned -- called Parents' Day -- when the regular daily program of work can be observed by visitors.
The opening of the schools in the new building was saddened by the death, on July 28, of Miss Ella L. Dick- erman, principal of the Primary school since the autumn of 1905.
I3
At their first meeting after July, the School Board paid their tribute to Miss Dickerman's character and her valuable service to our town in the following resolutions :
RESOLVED, " That in the death of Miss Ella L. Dickerman we have lost one of our most efficient teachers ;-- one whose mental attainments and natural gifts eminently fitted her for the work she loved.
RESOLVED, "That the influence of her gentle presence and tender sympathies, which endeared her alike to pupils and parents, will linger long in the memories of her associates, to whom her daily life was one of inspiration and noble en- deavor.
RESOLVED, " That these resolutions be entered upon our school records, and a copy sent to the family of Miss Dickerman."
With a band of earnest teachers, working under the direction of our able and experienced Superintendent, and with the co- operation of school officials, parents and the community, we may expect our schools to maintain their creditable standing, and to make substantial progress· in the coming year.
We ask for an increase of appropriations under "Text books and supplies " and "Official expenses."
The grant for special repairs provides for outside painting of the North and East buildings, and inside re- pairs at Jerusalem, which includes placing there the slate boards that were removed from the Center primary room, if these can be adjusted to the Jerusalem room.
14
We recommend the following appropriations :
Support of schools, $5,300 00
Conveyance of pupils, 650 00
Text books and supplies, 400 00
Superintendent's salary, 250 00
Incidentals and furnishings,
150 00
Official expenses,
200 00
Medical inspection, 50 00
General repairs,
200 00
Special repairs (painting),
300 00
Respectfully submitted,
Respectfully submitted,
A. S. LELACHURE,
M. K. CROSBY,
C. P. HOWARD,
L. A. TOWER,
W. E. FAY,
S. H. MARSHALL,
School Committee.
SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of West Bridgewater, Mass.
I herewith submit for your consideration my sixth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
TABLE OF STATISTICS, YEAR ,ENDING JUNE, 1908.
Population of the town, census 1905,
2,006
Number of schools,
IO
Number of regular teachers required,
12
Number of different regular teachers employed during the year,
14
Number of special teachers,
2
SCHOOL CENSUS.
1907
1908
Number cf boys between 5 and 15,
196
207
Number of girls between 5 and 15,
192
198
Total,
388
405
Number of boys between 7 and 14,
151
150
Number of girls between 7 and 14,
I37
I35
288
285
16
SCHOOL RECORDS.
Year ending June, 1907.
Number of pupils enrolled,
352
Year ending June, 1908. 383
Number of pupils enrolled between 5 and 15,
348
377
Number of pupils enrolled between 7 and 14,
259
272
Average membership,
348.36
365.84
Average attendance,
322.30
339.83
Per cent. of attendance,
92.52
92.89
Number of different pupils in
attendance during the year,
404
416
ATTENDANCE BY SCHOOLS, YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1908.
Whole No. of Pupils Registered.
Average Member- ship.
Average Attendance.
Per Cent. of Attendance.
Center Grammar
49
40.48
37.46
92.56
Center Sub-Grammar
58
50.12
46.70
93.14
Center Primary
67
57.82
52.98
91.66
Cochesett Grammar
38
33.19
31.24
94.10
Cochesett Primary
43
34.15
31.74
93-34
Matfield
44
40.02
38.37
95.86
Jerusalem
34
29.95
28.83
96.20
North
28
23.79
22.03
92.14
South
29
24.45
22.78
93.16
East
34
31.87
27.70
86.95
REVIEW OF THE YEAR.
The year just closed has been, in many ways, one of the most interesting in the history of our public schools. It has witnessed, among other things, the building of a commodious and well appointed four-room school on the lot at the Center. In their report of last year the school board and superintendent emphasized the need of addi tional school accommodations, and recommended the erec-
17
tion of a four-room building. The citizens of the town became interested, and when the question was brought be- fore them at the March meeting, they were ready to vote intelligently. The sum of $13,500 was appropriated for the erection of a suitable building, and a building commit- tee, consisting of Messrs. Albert Manley, L. A. Tower and Hervey Dunham, was chosen, with full power to act. This committee set about its task with commendable en- ergy, and the new building was ready for occupancy on September 14, only one week later than the time sched- uled for opening the school.
The building is admirably adapted to our needs and is an ornament to the town. The citizens may well take a justifiable pride in it, as all who have expressed then- selves in my presence do. We extend to all a cordial invitation to inspect the building, and to visit the schools while in session.
The additional accommodations thus furnished have made possible a re-adjustmant of the grades, and by means of transportation, a reduction of grades in some of the out- lying schools. At the Center we have retained grades seven, eight and nine in the two-room building under two teachers, and have placed grades one to six in the new building.
Pursuant to their policy of reducing the number of grades in the outside schools as occasion may demand, the Committee voted to transfer the fifth grades from the East and North schools to the Center. The eighth grade from Cochesett has also been placed in the Center school. These arrangements have relieved the pressure at the schools concerned and, by reducing the number of grades, have made more efficient instruction possible. This policy of confining the instruction in the outlying schools, as far as possible, to the primary grades will result in better educational advantages for all and cause but little incon- venience to any.
18
By vote of the town the building formerly occupied by our primary grades has been set aside for the use of the public library, an arrangement which promises to result in much benefit to the schools themselves. Through the courtesy of the library trustees the books will be more accessible to the teachers than they have been in the past, a fact which means much for our work in history and geography.
About the usual number of changes have occurred in our teaching force during the past year. Miss Kenney resigned her position at the Cochessett primary school and was succeeded by Mrs. Alice G. Dunphe as substitute teacher. During the summer vacation Miss Carrie L. Matthews was appointed to this position.
For the first time in years we have been called upon to mourn the loss of one of our teachers by death. In the death of Miss Ella L. Dickerman the town has lost a most effcient teacher and the pupils a loving friend and helper. To fill this position Miss Mildred Packard was transferred from the sixth grade, and Miss Jennie R. Dunham was elected to the vacancy caused by this transfer.
In the re-adjustment of grades Miss Laura E. Crocker, assistant in the Primary school was appointed teacher of grades four and five.
The percentage of attendance given in the table at the beginning of this report is the highest recorded for several years and indicates a desire on the part of parents and pupils to comply with the school attendance laws. Regular and punctual attendance means much to the child practising these virtues ; they mean in general good standing in class work and, above all, the formation of habits which will prove of priceless value in life's work.
The average membership of the schools has increased five per cent. the past year, a fact indicating that the new building was completed none too soon. It is rather too much to expect, however, that the rapid increase of the
19
past five years will continue for another similar period, though the present revival of the building industry may tend to centralize our school population and to that extent modify the educational problems confronting us.
The subject of reading is receiving special attention at present, especially in the primary and intermediate grades. In my report of two years ago reference was made to the use of nursery rhymes in teaching first grade reading. Since that time there has been published and introduced into a large number of schools a system of 'reading based on the use of rhymes and jingles. The system seemed to be adapted to our needs and by vote of the Committee was introduced into our first grades last September. It is claimed for the system that pupils learn to read more easily and especially with better expression. Our experience thus far seems to justify the claim.
Several teachers' meetings have been held during the year, at which matters of general interest have been dis- cussed : e. g., Care of School Buildings and Premises, Econ - omy in Education, Reading for Expression. It is believed that these meetings have proved profitable and helpful, and they would be held more frequently if time and strength permitted. It is planned, however, to supple- ment such meetings as can be held the coming year by a series of bulletins issued at frequent intervals, and distrib- uted among the teachers. These will contain suggestions on the course of study and methods of presenting certain phases of the work.
But little needs to be said in regard to the Howard High school. The attendance is somewhat larger this year than last, and good work continues to be done. It is still my belief that the school can and should be made to serve more fully what seems to be the demands of the community. The equipment is certainly sufficient for car- rying out the suggestions made in previous reports, and those touched upon in a general way in another part of this report.
20
RECENT LEGISLATION.
Attention is called to recent changes in the school laws.
The act relating to the branches which shall be taught in the public schools has been amended, so as to read in part as follows, the portion in italics being new :
** * * Such schools shall be taught by teachers of competent ability and good morals, and shall give instruc- tion in orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, the history of the United States, physiology and hygiene, and good behavior. In each of the subjects of physiology and hygiene special instruction as to the effects of alcoholic drinks and of stimulants and narcotics on the human sys- tem, and as to tuberculosis and its prevention, shall be taught as a regular branch of study to all pupils in all schools which are supported wholly or partly by public money, except schools which are maintained solely for instruction in particular branches."
This modification of the law whereby instruction as to tuberculosis and its prevention shall be given in the public schools, is in harmony with the effort being made to check the ravages of this dread disease. A pamphlet issued by the Massachusetts Board of Education has al- ready been placed in the hands of the teachers, and an- other recently prepared by the State Board of Health, on the " Prevention of the Spread of Tuberculosis," will soon be provided for them. It is important that the schools should share in this campaign of enlightenment, for through the pupils the homes can be reached as in no other way. In our efforts to show that by hygienic living and proper care tuberculosis can be prevented, and at least in its earli- est stages, checked or cured, we shall raise the general health of our pupils, and so make possible a better grade of work. The doctrine of pure food and plenty of fresh
21
air and sunshine must be taught as carefully as the rules of arithmetic or the lessons from history.
An important measure was passed by the last legisla- ture repealing the section limiting expenditures for medi- cal inspection. This loophole, by means of which some towns in the State evaded the law, has now been removed. It is a pleasure to state, however, that our town was among the first to comply with the requirements of the law, and the benefits we have reaped have certainly justified us in the expenditures we have made.
The report of the School Physician follows, and should be given careful consideration by the citizens of the town.
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR.
To the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools in the town of West Bridgewater.
It gives me pleasure to present my report as medical inspector in the public schools for the past year.
As the number of children attending our schools is rapidly increasing there is a consequent increase in the number of pupils afflicted with various ailments.
The method pursued in the examination of each child attending our schools during the school year has been the same as that pursued in the previous year. A health record has been carefully kept of each pupil, which has proved invaluable for comparison and reference. In the following tabulated report it will be noticed that a consid- erable percentage of the pupils attending our schools have carious or badly decayed teeth. Too much emphasis can- not be laid on the care and preservation of the teeth. Tartar and dental cavities are often a source of infection as they offer an admirable soil for the growth of germs of disease, often aggravating or causing indigestion, nose
22
and throat diseases, impairing nutrition and healthy growth. Parents should teach their children the necessity of personal cleanliness for health. The judicious use of the tooth brush is as important as the washing of the face and hands. One hundred and thirty-two pupils were found affected by the following :-
DISEASES.
Total No.
Advised
Treatment.
Treated.
Improved
or Cured.
INFECTIOUS :-
EYES :- Error of refraction,
I
I
EARS :- Otitis (Inflammation of ear,)
5
5
4
4
NOSE AND THROAT :- Adenoids,
IO
IO
6
6
Enlarged tonsils,
19
8
5
4
Slightly enlarged tonsils,
12
7
Deviated nasal septum,
3
2
2
2
Chronic Laryngitis,
I
I
SKIN :- Eczema,
2
2
I
I
BONES AND JOINTS :-
GENERAL DISEASES :- Anaemia,
6
6
5
4
Slightly Anaemic,
4
4
Rheumatism,
2
Sick headache.
7
I
I
Boils,
I
I
I
Enlarged cervical glands,
I
TEETH :- Badly decayed,
33
IO
5
5
NERVOUS AND MENTAL DEFECTS :-
Defective Speech (stammering,)
2
Backward,
3
Mentally deficient,
2
Epilepsy,
I
I
I
Lack of muscular co-ordination,
I
PARASITIC :- Pediculouis (Lice,)
16
16
16
16
-
-
132
64
47 .
53
Evidences have been lately discovered in old Egyptian mummies of tuberculosis or consumption. During the dark ages the "Great White Plague" swept through Europe often taking whole families. It has remained for this
23
generation to prove that consumption is not only a curable disease but can be prevented or avoided. One-seventh of the people who die every year, die of consumption.
The germs of tuberculosis are inhaled into the lungs and there grow and multiply. As the disease advances, a cough sets in with more or less raising. In this sputum raised lurks the danger, as in it are multitudes of tubercular germs. Every consumptive who spits about promiscuously is a menace to the family and community. Tuberculosis itself is not hereditary, but merely the tendency. So the best way to avoid consumption is to keep the body in as healthy a condition as possible, so that the lungs and stomach can resist the action of any germ that may take lodgement. This means fresh air, not part of the time, but all of the twenty-four hours. Everyone's bedroom window should be open at night, and the house freely ventilated during the day time, Second, the proper food at the proper time, no tea or coffee or other stimu- lants should be given a growing child. Third, cleanliness, baths and the proper care of the teeth are essential. Fourth, all children require a certain regular amount of rest and sleep.
Loss of appetite, weakness, pallor, anaemia, loss of weight, enlarged cervical glands in the neck are among;the early symptoms of tuberculosis. Cough, hemorrhage, fever and night sweats develop late in the disease, often too late for treatment to be of avail.
Nasal obstruetion, adenoid growths, enlarged tonsils, chronic catarrhal conditions and decayed teeth all tend toward weakening the resistence of the body against disease as well as offering a favorable soil for the lodge- ment and growth of disease germs, especially tuberculosis.
As an added precaution I should advise every pupil to procure a separate drinking cup or mug for use at school.
Numerous special visits have been made to the schools, and in some cases to the pupils' homes as occasion
24
demanded, especially contagious cases.
The larger proportion of our scholars are strong and well and we hope to maintain a high standard of health.
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.