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 17
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Arthur H. Willis, printing,
4 60
Repairs on clocks,
4 75
Express, W. S. Irwin,
6 20
Express and freight, Center Station, W. B., II 55
Small furnishings, East, North, Jeru., Coch., 6 36
George W. Alden Co., ash barrels, Center,
5 85
Loring & Howard, window shades, Center,
22 80
G. R. Dreke, wheelbarrow, Center,
3 50
G. W. Drake, small furnishings, Center and South, 5 89
Small furnishings, Center grammar, 3 90
G M. Webber, pump, Matfield, 2 60
J. E. Carr, pump, Jerusalem, 4 00
Cleaning well, Jerusalem, 3 00
C. F. Dahlborg, pumps, Center and Cochesett, 5 25
W. J. Cairns, pump and well, Cochesett,
3 50
G. S. Hopkins, cleaning well and stock, Center,
6 00
B. R. Kinney, labor and stock, flag fittings, South and Center, 20 00
G. F. Logue, supplies,
4 10
$186 08
REPAIRS AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
Repairs.
Paid N. W. Bradford, South, $2 21
Isam Mitchell Co., stock, 6 34
C. P. Howard, stock and labor, South, 8 23
E. A. Masefield, slate roof, Center, 2 88
J. I .. Hammett, Co., black board dressing,
3 00
E. E. Crowell, inside painting, etc., Jerusalem,
64 35
G. H. Stone, painting, N. and E.,
86 0I
G. H. Stone, dressing, blackboards, E., N., S.,
5 60
W. J. Cairns, shingling, Cochesett,
57 50
Chester Thayer, labor, Center, E. and N.
15 67
F. H. Redman, labor, N. and Jerusalem,
17 15
J. R. Young, labor, N.,
3 95
Small repairs, 6 42
$279 31
Permanent Improvements.
Paid American Seating Co., desks and chairs, $38 00
J. L. Hammett Co., setting blackboards, Jeru., 16 10
$54 10
$333 41
Total,
IO
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers,
$5,367 15
Janitor service.
634 92
Fuel,
658 26
Conveyance,
806 14
Superintendent,
250 00
Books and supplies,
563 34
Incidentals and furnishings,
186 08
Official expenses,
220 49
Advanced for superintendent,
500 00
Repairs and improvements,
333 41
$9,519 79
FUNDS AVAILABLE.
Town grants,
Support of schools,
$7,000 00
Repairs,
500 00
From State for superintendent,
750 00
From East Bridgewater and Raynham,
250 00
On account of district supervision,
166 67
Tuition of State wards,
88 50
Mass. school fund, balance 1908,
71
Mass. school fund, paid 1909,
1,108 40
High school tuition, refunded (one-half),
16 00
Wood sold town library trustees,
10 00
Sale of supplies,
I 57
From Howard trustees (music),
40 00
$9,931 85
SUMMARY.
INCOME.
Town grant, schools,
$7,000 00
Repairs,
500 00
Received for superintendent,
1,000 00
From Mass. school fund,
1,109 II
From other sources,
322 74
$9,931 85
EXPENDITURES.
Paid by town for schools,
$8,409 72
By town for repairs, 333 45
$8,743 17
Paid from Mass. school fund for schools,
776 62
Advanced for superintendent's salary,
500 00
$9,519 79
Balance of Mass. fund,
332 49
Balance returned to town,
79 57
$9,931 85
Early in the year our Board lost by death the faithful ser- vices of Mr. Seba H. Marshall, whose work as committee was characterized by efficiency and sincerity of purpose, and he spared no thought or labor in the interests of the schools under his care.
The vacancy was filled April 26, by the election of Mr. Frank L. Howard, at a joint meeting of the Committee and the Selectmen, as provided by law.
In addition to having the special care of two schools, he has given valuable help from his necessary connection with the payment of all school bills.
1 2
In the sudden death, March 27, of Miss Laura E. Crocker, a teacher at the Center, whose loss was deeply felt by her pupils, fellow teachers, and all connected with the school, we were deprived of the services of a young teacher of ability, who gave much promise of constantly increasing usefulness in school work.
Our record for permanency in our corps of teachers was lowered by the resignation, in the summer vacation, of three faithful teachers, to take up the more attractive duties of home life.
At the annual meeting in April of the joint committee of our School Union, Mr. Edgar H. Grout was re-elected to continue his highly valued labors as Superinteddent of the Union. His report, including that of our school Medical Inspector, contains information and suggestions of interest and importance to all the citizens of West Bridgewater.
The new school building has met the expectations of the Committee, and three of its four school rooms have been occu- pied with comfort and convenience since the autumn of 1908. The heating has been so well managed by the faithful janitor that there has been no occasion for dismissal for lack of heat, as frequently occurs in buildings with modern heating.
From the rapid building along the electric road, both the North and South schools have increased in membership, and the North school so much so that a transfer to the Center, of enough pupils to relieve its crowded condition, has been made. Further increase at the North can be met in this way for a time (it may not be long), during which our new permanent citizens will become acquainted with the school needs of all parts of the town, and the School Committee can determine, with reason- able certainty, how large a building should be erected upon the commodious lot already provided, to accommodate all the pupils of that section, except the highest grades that are taught at the Center.
In the autumn it will be necessary to occupy the fourth
13
room in the new building, and an appropriation is asked for that purpose.
The conditions in our town are somewhat peculiar, from having to maintain so many one-room schools near its bounda. ries. From these schools the higher grade pupils must be taken to the schools now assigned to these grades, leaving, in each of the smaller schools, from four to six grades that · can attend school nearer home.
In making much needed repairs in the Jerusalem building, it was found that the floor was but a single layer of boards, at no proper distance from the ground. A new floor should be laid over the present one this summer, and, as the desks are very old, and mostly of too great size for the present pupils, we recommend a grant sufficient to complete the renovation of the schoolroom while the floor is in readiness for reseating.
In the Summary of Expenditures and Income, it can be seen that the return of our advances for the Superintendent's salary to May 20, enables us to meet the increased expenses in various departments this year without a deficit, and also retain a portion of the Mass. School Fund that school committees are urged to do by the State Board of Education.
This fund, which is entirely under the control of school boards, cannot be used except for certain specific expenses, and an exact report of its use is required in the April returns to the State. Besides the amount retained in the Mass. School Fund, there has been some return to the town treasury.
For 1910, an increased appropriation will be asked under "Teachers, Janitors and Fuel," as provision must be made for another teacher at the Center, and some increase in the pay of teachers, as well as in the janitor and fuel departments. The cost of fuel has grown steadily higher for the past few years.
As shown in our report, "Conveyance of Pupils" and "Text Books and Supplies" call for larger grants.
The school census for Sept. I, 1909, gives 409 children be- tween 5 and 15 years of age. That for May, 1894, the year fol- lowing the secession of the north part of the town to Brockton,
14
gave 265, -a difference of 144.
The average cost for each of the probable four hundred pupils now enrolled in our schools, would be about $1.25, with an ap propriation of $500, which cannot be considered excessive for books, paper, pencils and other furnishings now made to public schools.
In estimating the appropriations needed for the town, we have taken into account other sources of income (mostly small amounts) that can be depended upon, besides a generous por- tion of the Mass. School Fund.
We recommend the following appropriations:
Teachers, janitors and fuel,
$6,200 00
Conveyance of pupils, 700 00
Text books and supplies, 500 00
Superintendent's salary,
250 00
Incidentals and furnishings,
150 00
Official expenses,
200 00
Medical inspection,
50 00
General Repairs,
200 00
Repairs at Jerusalem,
200 00
Furniture at Center,
200 00
Redressing inside paint, Center,
100 00
$8,750 00
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. A. S. LELACHEUR,
MRS. M. K. CROSBY,
CLINTON P. HOWARD,
L. AUGUSTUS TOWER,
HERBERT HOLMES,
FRANK L. HOWARD,
School Committee.
EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of West Bridgewater, Mass.
Herewith I present my seventh annual report for the con- sideration of the citizens of West Bridgewater.
TABLE OF STATISTICS, YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1909.
Population of the town, census 1905,
2,006
Number of schools,
12
Number of regular teachers required,
12
Number of different regular teachers employed during the year,
13
Number of special teachers,
2
SCHOOL CENSUS.
1908
1909
Number of boys between 5 and 15,
207
205
Number of girls between 5 and 15,
198
204
Total,
405
409
Number of boys between 7 and 14,
I 50
149
Number of girls between 7 and 14,
I35
158
Total,
285
307
16
SCHOOL RECORDS.
Year ending June, 1908.
Year ending June, 1909.
Number of pupils enrolled,
383
392
Number of pupils enrolled between 5 and 15,
377
384
Number of pupils enrolled between 7 and 14,
277
280
Number of different pupils in at- tendance during the year,
416
422
Average membership,
365.84
369.90
Average attendance,
339.83
341.27
Per cent. of attendance,
92.89
92.26
ATTENDANCE BY SCHOOLS, YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1909.
SCHOOL.
Grades.
Total Regis- tration.
Average Membership.
Average Attendance.
Per Cent. of Attendance.
Center
VIII-IX
40
36.73
33.70
91.70
VII-VIII
42
36.99
34.26
92.68
VI
27
24.49
22.89
93.39
IV-V
39
34.52
31.28
92.10
I-III
42
35.10
31.84
90.78
Cochesett Grammar
V-VII
35
29.50
27.60
93.50
Cochesett Primary
I-IV
39
31.17
28.62
91.08
Matfield
I-VI
42
34.00
31.47
92.57
Jerusalem
I-VI
34
25.73
24.1I
93.43
North
I-IV
36
28.18
26.04
92.36
South
I-V
37
29.83
27.87
93 42
East
I-IV
25
23.66
21.59
91.16
17
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES, JANUARY, 1910.
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Totals.
Centre
176
Grade IX
31
31
Grades VII and VIII
13
19
32
Grades VI and VII
21
13
34
Grades IV and V Grades I-III
13
14
12
39
Cochesett Grammar
33
Cochesett Primary
7
13
7
38
Matfield
9
4
8
2
6
5
34
Jerusalem
5
5
5
7
6
4
32
North
II
8
5
4
South
9
3
7.
9
6
34
East
7
1
23
Totals
61
51
54
54
46
38
44
19
31
398
19
21
40
7
8
18
28
6
6
REVIEW OF THE YEAR.
There have been more than the usual number of changes in our teaching force during the year just closed. For the sec- ond time in the past two years we have been called upon to mourn the loss of a teacher through death. Miss Laura E. Crocker, after a short illness, was taken from us March 27. Miss Crocker had been with us less than two years, but in that short time had endeared herself to pupils and associates, and had given evidence of developing into a strong and valuable teacher. Three of our teachers-the Misses Randall, Hennes- sey and Pierce-finished their work with us at the end of the school year in June, to take up the duties of home life.
The problem of filling vacancies increases in difficulty from year to year. Our schools need strong, well-trained and experi- enced teachers, who possess not only skill in teaching, but tact in dealing with the many problems that confront teachers in communities more or less rural in character. To find such teachers means the expenditure of much time and thought, as well as money, in investigating the records of candidates. Be- fore engaging a new teacher, the superintendent must be reason-
18
ably satisfied that the applicant has such qualifications as will in all probability make her a success. Even then he is some- times disappointed, for personality, which counts for so much in a teacher's success, cannot always be correctly judged on short acquaintance.
While the average salary paid to our teachers compares favorably with that paid to teachers in other towns of about the same size as ours, the fact still remains that the margin between a teacher's wage and the cost of living is much too small. Your committee recognizes this fact, and are doing what they can to remedy the evil. We are doing all we can to conduct the schools without extravagance or waste, but the item of teachers' salaries must continue to be a constantly increasing one if the efficiency of our schools is to be maintained.
As a partial solution of this problem of securing good teachers as vacancies occur, I wish to repeat and to emphasize the recommendation made in my last report, that our school year be lengthened to thirty-eight, or even to forty, weeks. This increase in the wage earning period would mean much to the teachers, and would place us, in the matter of salary, more nearly on an equality with other towns.
Parents in general recognize the fact that cordial relations must exist between the home and the school, if the best results are to be obtained, and are loyal in their support. The school officials are always glad to consider suggestions or complaints from parents, when these are based upon personal knowledge of actual schoolroom conditions, gained by visits to the schools and by conferences with the teachers in charge. Hasty judg- ments, formed upon information gained through hearsay, or from the highly colored accounts given by pupils to whom school life and duties have hecome irksome, can and should receive but little consideration, though when pronounced in public they may do incalculable harm. The parent who reserves judgment until he has heard the teacher's account, by so doing best serves the interests of his child and of the school, and very rarely needs to have recourse to the school board or superintendent. The child
19
who is a problem at home is very likely to prove one at school. If, as parents, we are sometimes at a loss to know what is best to be done in dealing with one or two children, surely the teacher who has forty such problems, each one different from all the rest, has a right to expect of us sympathy and co-opera- tion in her work, and patience for mistakes due to human lim- itations.
Much interest has been aroused among the. boys of the upper grammar grades by teaching them the process of caning chairs. Most of this work has been done at spare moments, before and after school, and has been of a character to reflect credit upon the pupils. Other forms of hand-work have been tried, not only at the Center school but at the Cochesett as well. These experiments have been sufficiently successful to warrant the recommendation that some form of hand work be made a part of our regular course of study for the boys and girls of the grammar grades.
There has been a steady gain inmembership the past year, until our enrolment has reached four hundred, with an average membership of nearly that number. More than a year ago the number of grades at the North school was reduced to four, yet the opening of school in September found that school uncom- fortably overcrowded. Temporary relief has been afforded by transferring some of the pupils to the Center school. At the beginning of the next school in September, it will probably be necessary to open the fourth room in the new building at the Center, and to employ an additional teacher. The expense of equipping this room will be approximately two hundred dollars, which amount should be appropriated at the coming town meet- ing. By opening this additional room we shall be enabled to care for any normal increase in school population during the coming year. The time, however, is not far distant when the voters of the town will be called upon to provide additional school accommodations, if building operations continue as they have during the past two years.
Excellent work in music has been done in the various
20
schools under the direction of our talented and efficient super- visor, Miss Jones, whose enthusiasm is contagious, and whose term of service has been long enough to give character and unity to the work.
Early in the year Miss Newman, our drawing supervisor, resigned to accept a position of greater responsibility elsewhere. The work so well done by her was taken up by Mr. Edmund Ketchum, teacher of drawing in the Framingham Normal School. The work is progressing satisfactorily under his super- vision. For details, you are referred to his report.
RECENT LEGISLATION.
One of the important measures passed by the last legisla- ture was an act entitled, "An Act to Consolidate the Board of Education and the Commission on Industrial Education." Ex- tracts from this Act follow.
Chapter 457, Section I. The board of education shall consist of nine persons, three of whom shall annually, in April be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, for terms of three years, except as hereinafter pro- vided. . . . Four of the present members of the board of edu- cation and one of the members of the commission on industrial education, shall be appointed members of the board of educa- tion provided for by this act.
Section 2. The board of education shall exercise all the powers and be subject to all the duties now conferred or im- posed by law upon the present board of education . . . except as may otherwise be provided herein."
Section 3. The board shall appoint a commissioner of education, whose term of office shall be five years. . . . . He shall exercise all the powers and be subject to all the duties now conferred or imposed by law on the secretary of the board of education. He shall be the executive officer of the Board, shall have supervision of all educational work supported in whole or
21
in part by the commonwealth, and shall report thereon to the board. .. . The board shall also appoint two deputy commis- sioners, at equal salaries, one of whom shall be especially quali- fied to deal with industrial education.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Sight and hearing tests have been made in all the schools with the following results : Number of pupils enrolled, 401 ; number found defective in eyesight, 40; number found defec- tive in hearing, 2 ; number of parents notified, 30. From these figures it will be seen that while practically all of our pupils have normal hearing, ten per cent. are found to be defective in vision. The total number with vision more or less impaired is probably somewhat larger than that given above, for from the nature of the sight test we have been unable to apply it to first grade pupils. Of the forty pupils with defective vision, proba- bly the larger part should be fitted with glasses now or in the near future. Experience has shown that in most of the cases of impaired vision corrected by properly fitting glasses there has been a corresponding improvement in school work.
The state board of health, through its representatives and official publications, is carrying on a campaign against the use of the common drinking cup in public places, including the schools of the state. It has been proved conclusively that most human diseases are preventable and that many of the early deaths are avoidable. " At least 700,000 of the million and a half deaths occurring annually in the United States result from the minute parasitic plants and animals gaining access to the body. · The chief avenue by which bacteria enter the body is the mouth. The air, food, water, and especially the drinking cup are the usual means by which the disease-producing parasites are transferred from one person to another. . . . It is an established fact that a considerable number of well per- sons harbor in their mouths the germs of grippe, pneumonia,
22
diphtheria and tonsilitis. Considerable evidence is at hand showing that the germs of sore throat, pneumonia and bronchitis are present in many people who mingle with the well and drink from public cups." The preceding extracts, taken from a paper prepared by Professor Alvin Davison of Lafayette college, point to the danger that lies in the use of the public drinking cup. The committee and superintendent have under consideration at present the question of safeguarding the health of the pupil by abolishing the common cup, and definite action in this direction will be taken soon. Some provision will be made whereby each building or room will be provided with a hygienic water tank and each pupil will have his own individ- ual cup.
The state law in regard to vaccination has not been rigidly enforced in our schools during the past few years. An inquiry into the matter revealed the fact that a considerable number of unvaccinated pupils, or pupils who had been vaccinated, but unsuccessfully, were attending school. Inasmuch as the school committee are under oath to enforce the school laws of the state, there seemed but one course open to them. Accordingly the following circular letter was sent to the parents of children who had not been successfully vaccinated.
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass., December, 1909.
Dear
Your attention is called to the following extract from the Revised Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 44, Section 6 (as amended by Chapter 371, Acts of 1906, and Chapter 215, Acts of 1907). " A child who has not been vaccinated shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certifi- cate granted for cause stated therein, signed by a regular prac- ticing physician, that he is not a fit subject for vaccination."
Also to the following vote of the school committee of the town :
Voted: That the committee expect that all school children
23
not previously vaccinated shall be vaccinated, or present a cer- tificate as required by law, before January 1, 1910.
Respectfully,
EDGAR H. GROUT, Superintendent ot Schools.
It is a pleasure to report that already a large proportion of the parents to whom notices were sent have complied with the requirements of the law. Among these are not a few who are opposed to vaccination, but who have co-operated with the school committee, putting aside their personal preferences for the best interests of the schools and the community at large. It is hoped that the very few who have not as yet responded to the notices sent will give the matter their early consideration. There may be no immediate danger of an epidemic of small pox in our midst, but the fact that the disease has been epidemic in several communities in the state is simply indicative of what may befall any town or city in which vaccination is neglected.
HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL.
In several recent reports I have called attention to what seemed to be a growing demand on the part of the patrons of the school for a modification of the course of study as it has stood for some years past, a course that has emphasized cultural rather than vocational training. From time to time I have also recommended the introduction of studies which should meet the needs of pupils looking forward to a business career.
I am glad to report that the trustees of the school have given this matter serious consideration, and that a beginning has been made this year toward the introduction of a commer- cial course which shall keep pace with the growing needs of the community. Business arithmetic is being taught this year as an elective to members of the freshman class. Next year we hope to add bookkeeping to the course, and the year following
24
such subjects as commercial law, commercial geography, type- writing and stenography.
It is not our purpose in any way to disparage the so-called cultural studies, for our faith in them as essential elements in general education is as great as ever. Rather is it our purpose to offer the boys and girls of our town such a combination of the cultural and vocational studies as shall make them intelli- gent, broad-minded and useful citizens.
It is hoped that the efforts we are making to meet the needs of the community will be rewarded by an increase in membership, not for the sake of a mere increase in numbers, for that is not essential, but because we believe the graduates of our grammar school will find in the high school studies that will prove helpful and attractive.
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR.
Mr. Edgar H. Grout, Superintendent of Schools, West Bridge- water, Mass.
Dear Mr. Grout :
The following is a report of the course in drawing and handwork for the past year:
In starting the work last winter I gave the teachers of the upper grades plans for working drawings, and the lower grades plans for various boxes and baskets to be made of colored cover paper. This was followed by surface designing which was arranged for the different grades, and more of the box making with cover paper. In May and June the spring flowers were drawn with crayons and paints.
The new school year was begun with nature drawing in pencil, studying the growth and structure. In October the same subject was continued in color, and for handwork the older children made and decorated a large envelope to hold their drawings. Besides the nature drawing, the younger children began illustrating simple scenes of every day lite. In Novem-
25
ber they made Indian villages, wigwams, canoes, kettles, cra- dles and headdress ; all this was of drawing paper decorated by the children with the crayons.
The Indian village is an interesting subject to the little people, it gives a good opportunity for careful handwork and is done at a time when they are reading of Hiawatha. At this same time the older pupils were making geometric drawings, requiring exact measuring and accurate work.
In December all of the time for drawing and handwork was taken for Christmas things, such as calendars, boxes and Christ- mas cards. This month we have begun the object drawing with brush or pencil in all grades ; this includes the simplest problems in perspective and will be continued during February.
The use of blue prints, giving definite illustrated plans and printed instructions arranged for each school, help materially in the subject. The work has progressed smoothly and credita- bly. I am quite pleased with the results obtained, and wish to thank you and the teachers for the cordial support given me during the year.
Respectfully yours,
EDMUND KETCHUM. 100 Mt. Pleasant ave., Roxbury, Mass., Jan. 18, 1910.
REPORT OF THE MEDICAL INSPECTOR.
To the School Committee and Superintendent of the Schools in the town of West Bridgewater:
It gives me pleasure to present my report as Medical In- spector in the public schools for the past year.
Medical inspection in the schools of Massachusetts dis- closes the fact that a surprisingly large number of children are affected by some physical ailment. This is true of the country towns as well as the cities.
26
"A healthy mind requires a healthy body." No child, with normal mental powers, can do justice to himself or his studies if suffering from some physical disability. There is a most in- timate relation between a child's physical condition and his abil- ity to study. The observance of the simplest laws of health in early childhood tends to the development of strength and vitality. All children should have good air to breathe, plain food to be eaten regularly sufficient exercise and rest proper clothing, and be kept clean.
During the year 231, or about 65 per cent., of our pupils were found affected by the following:
DISEASES.
Total No. . .
Treatment . .
Advised
Treated .
or Cured ...
Improved
EYES :- Error of refraction,
Conjunctivitis,
3
3
3
3
NOSE AND THROAT :- Adenoids and enlarged tonsils, 53 Slightly enlarged tonsils,
46
Deflected nasal septum,
4
4
SKIN :- Eczema,
6
2
Impetigo contageosa,
3
3
3
3
Scabes,
4
4
4
4
Urticaria,
I
Rhus poisoning (Ivy),
2
BONES AND JOINTS :-
GENERAL DISEASES ;- Anæmia,
3
3
2
2
Slightly Anæmic,
4
Malaria,
I
I
Boils,
I
I
Indigestion,
I
I
Sick headache,
9
Enlarged cervical glands,
I
I
TEETH :- Badly decayed,
83
I2
8
8
NERVOUS AND MENTAL DEFECTS : - Backward, Defective speech (stammering),
2
18
18
1 5
15
260
100
48
55
3
2
I
EARS :- Otitis media (Inflammation of middle ear) Abscess,
7
7
1
I
39
10
9
PARASITIC :- Pediculosis (lice),
4
27
As the foregoing tabulated report shows, many of these pupils suffering from various ailments have had medical treat- ment with good results. Nearly all children's diseases are in- fectious.
As several cases of contagious skin diseases developed among the pupils, I deemed it advisable to recommend drinking water tanks, with faucets,'for the schools, and separate drinking cups for the pupils.
A prolific source of spreading contagious diseases lies too frequently in the use of the same drinking cup by several chil- dren. Pails, into which any cup can be dipped, are being con- demned, and the more progressive cities and towns are replacing them with running water or hygienic water tanks. Many con- tagious diseases, as Impetigo contageosa, respond slowly to cur- ative methods, and for a child thus unfortunately affected to drink from the same cup that others use is to offer a menace to the health of every child in the school.
Numerous special visits have been made to the schools, and in some cases to the pupils' homes, as occasion demanded.
The closing of the year finds the general health of the pupils about normal.
I wish to extend my thanks to the Superintendent and members of the School Committee for their kind co-operation, and to the teachers and pupils I would express my appreciation for their interest and the assistance they have afforded me.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLIS S. LELACHEUR, M. D., School Physician.
West Bridgewater, Jan. 14, 1910.
28
CONCLUSION.
The principal topics considered in this report may be sum marized briefly, as follows :
I. Difficulty in filling vacancies.
2. Teachers' salaries.
3. Longer school year recommended.
4. Co-operation of home and school.
5. Introduction of some form of handwork recommended.
6. Increase in membership.
7. Recent legislation.
8. Use of common drinking cups in school to be discon- tinued.
9. Vaccination.
IO. Howard high school.
II. Reports of medical inspector and drawing supervisor.
In concluding this report I desire to record my apprecia. tion of the continued support given me by the school board and of the co-operation of the teachers during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR HOMER GROUT, Superintendent of Schools.
West Bridgewater, Mass., Jan. 29, 1910.
APPENDIX A.
LIST OF TEACHERS FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR, 1909.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
WHEN FIRST APPOINTED.
WHERE EDUCATED.
Center
Grade IX
Rose L. MacDonald
1890
Bridgewater Normal School
Grades VII-VIII
Grace E. Downing
1902
Fitchburg Normal School
Grades VI-VII
Jennie R. Dunham
1908
Easton High School
Grades IV-V
Annie L. Danforth
1909
Tufts College
Grades I-III
Mildred Packard
1905
Bridgewater Normal School
Cochesett Grammar
Emma A. Morrow
1892
Castine, Maine Normal School
Cochesett Primary
Carrie L. Matthews
1908
Castine, Maine Normal School
Matfield
Mary A. Dewyer
1874
Bridgewater Normal School
East
Nettie M. Woodbury
1907
Middleboro Training School
South
Grace E. Dorman
1909
Castine, Maine Normal School
§ tGertrude A. Pierce
1907
Hyannis Normal School
North
) Mrs Blanche K. Howell
1909
Hyannis Normal School
tEdith M. Randall
1901
Quincy Training School Melrose High School
Jerusalem
Mrs. Ellen C. Pierce
1909
Music
Mildred S. Jones
1901
N. E. Conservatory of Music
( +Lillian Newman
Mass. Normal Art School
Drawing
2 Edmund Ketchum
1909
Mass. Normal Art School
*Died March 27, 1909. tNot in service at end of the year.
29
Bridgewater Normal School
§ tAnnie E. Hennessey
1903
Smith College
*Laura E. Crocker
I 907
30
APPENDIX B.
EXERCISES OF GRADUATION.
CLASS OF 1909. Howard High School, West Bridgewater, Mass,. June Eleven, at Eight O'clock.
"Nulla vestigia retro."
Chorus-Largo. Handel
School.
Prayer-
Rev. H. G. Arnold.
Essay-The Lady of Belmont.
Alice Holmes Ryder.
Essay-A Splendid Failure. Joseph James Pillsbury.
Chorus-a. Uncrowned Kings. b. The Magnolia of Tennessee. School.
Loomis
Bray
Essay-Early Lyrics. Elizabeth Parker Howard.
Essay-An Historic Debate.
Warren Clinton Kinney.
Chorus-Soldiers' Chorus (Faust). School. ·
Gounod
Class Prophecy. Marion Langley Bryant.
Selection from "The Talisman."
Herbert Josiah Pratt.
31
Presentation of Diplomas.
Hon. I. N. Nutter.
Remarks,
Mr. E. H. Grout, Supt. of Schools.
Benediction.
Rev. D. B. Matthews.
Highest honors awarded to Alice H. Ryder. Cover design by Marion L. Bryant.
APPENDIX C.
EXPENDITURES BASED UPON THE AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
TOTAL.
PER PUPIL.
I. Teachers,
$5,367 15
$14 51
2. Janitors and cleaning,
634 92
I 71
3. Fuel,
658 26
I 78
4. Conveyance of pupils,
806 14
2 18
5. Books and supplies,
563 34
I 52
6. Official expenses,
220 49
59
7. Incidentals and furnishings,
186 08
50
8. Repairs,
279 36
76
9. Permanent improvements,
54 10
15
IO. Superintendent,
250 00
68
$9,019 84
$24 38
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