USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897 > Part 25
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
For water rates for 1896, $22,177 96
From town for use of street hydrants for 1896, 4,580 00
From town for water 'for drinking fountains, 200 00
26,957 96
Amount received of Faneuil Hall National Bank, interest on de- posits, 34 73
Received of Estate of H. A. Pitts, interest on cost of laying pipe,
13 50
Amount received of town, balance interest on temporary loans,
34 67
Received of Frank Alderman for pasturing for 1896, 125 00
Received of S. E. Kimball for hay,
16 00
Received of C. F. Winship for grass,
20 00
Received of town, amount loaned,
6,500 00
Received of town, amount appropri-
ated for maintenance and exten- sion, 5,000 00
Amount carried forward, $38,816 07
170
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward,
$38,816 07
Guaranty Fund, received of K. F.
Crowley, Harvard street, $13 00
Michael Clair, Grove street, 32 00
45 00
$38,861 07
EXPENDITURES.
Running Expenses.
Paid M. J. Drummond, for pipe, $2,625 27
Gilchrist & Taylor, " " 252 50
Pittsburg Testing Laboratory, testing pipe, 53 95
Walworth Mfg. Co., unions,
cocks, etc., 450 67
Builders' Iron Foundry, bends, sleeves, etc., 275 68
Ludlow Valve Mfg. Co., valves,
185 79
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co.,
valves, etc.,
175 12
George F. Blake Mfg. Co., valves, etc., 43 24
National Meter Co., meters,
203 00
Hersey Mfg. Co., 101 20
The Bristol Co., gauge and charts, 48 75
S. P. Jones, gauge dial,
16 00
American Steam Gauge Co., repairs, 1 00
A. W. Mitchell Mfg. Co., disc, etc., 3 40
Amount carried forward, $4,435 57
171
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $4,435 57
Paid H. Mueller Mfg. Co., faucets, etc., 31 41
Smith & Thayer Co., bolts,
caps, etc., 24 89
Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., specials, 18 92
Bradley & Knowles, goose- necks, etc., 4 65
F. F. Whitney, goosenecks, etc., 2 10
City of Somerville, clamps, 18 60
H. H. Winchester & Co., fix- tures,
13 03
Braman, Dow & Co., fittings, etc .; 77
Perrin, Seamans & Co., tools, 66 17
Wm. T. Foster & Co., lead, 148 65
Boston Lead Mfg. Co., lead,etc.,
56 46
Revere Rubber Co , hose, etc., 20 50
F. W. Hodgdon, derrick, etc., 15 00
F. E. Foster & Co., lumber, 11 49
J. Breck & Sons, wire,
2 81
Central Dry Goods Co., cloth,
42
George H. Sampson, forcite, etc.,
30 68
Repauno Chemical Co., gela- tine, 7 00
George C. Goodwin & Co., soda ash, etc., 10 77
C. A. Childs, soda, etc.,
1 60
E. Ham & Co., 1 horse, 125 00
Edward Storer, pasturing horse,
10 00
Amount carried forward, $5,056 49
172
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $5,056 49
Paid W. L. Clark & Co., horse cover, 1 75
H. L. Alderman, D. V. S., ser- vices, 26 00
O. W. Whittemore, horse medi- cine, 2 30
Moses Colman & Son, harness, etc., 38 50
A. Lawrence, repairing harness, 1 10
Goldsmith & Peppard, shoeing, 17 77
W. M. Peppard, shoeing,
33 85
Ames Plow Co., cart, truck, etc.,
65 00
Hallett & Son, wheels and axle,
1 50
Charles Gott, pung and sharpen- ing tools, 128 55
Thos. Higgins, repairing tools,
23 60
Peirce & Winn Co., coal and grain, 805 06
F. B. Fletcher, wood, 42 76
A. W. Chesterton, oil, etc., 44 65
Edward D. Bolton, oil, 7 12
Bedford Express, oil, 50
J. P. Wahlstrom & Son, paint- ing stand-pipe, 185 00
A. H. Gill, Ph. D., examining oil and red lead, 5 00
Robert W. Neff, enamel black,
75
Town of Lexington, tax for 1896,
318 47
Thos. Cosgrove, care of brook,
10 00
H. A. Hanscom & Co., exca- vating, 553 26
Amount carried forward, $7,368 98
173
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $7,368 98
Paid H. S. Adams, C.E., surveying, 347 45
E. R. Cheney, use of engine, etc., 213 75
Town of Arlington, concreting, 13 25
Leander Peirce, gravel,
21 90
R. A. Welch, sand,
3 00
S. A. Fowle, rent of land,
62 50
R. W. Hilliard, insurance, 26 25
Jordan, Marsh & Co., matting and shades, 45 50
J. M. Chase & Co., stock and labor, 268 92
R. W. Shattuck & Co., sundries and labor, 57 22
S. Stickney & Co., sundries and labor, 30 68
Geo. D. Tufts, paint and labor, 38 68
C. A. Hardy,
4 75
A. L. Bacon, cement, " 66 3 20
Andrew King, damages, 6 30
G. P. Hodgdon, chest of drawers
10 00
A. J. Wilkinson & Co., ther- mometers, 1 37
A. C. Smith, step ladder,
1 10
M. Rowe, meal,
32
E. W. Noyes, printing,
44 00
C. S. Parker & Son, printing, 12 00
P. H. Foster & Co.,
2 75
C. W. Crawford, copying, 3 00
B. & M. R.R., freight, 402 89
E. J. Sweeney, expressing,
19 45
Amount carried forward, $9,009 21
-
174
WATER WORKS -TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $9,009 21
Paid Curtin's Express, expressing, 15 45
American Ex. Co., 66 11 55
Warner's Express,
4 35
J. C. Fletcher, 66 25
H. M. Chase, use of team, 88 50
George W. Lane, expenses, - 12 03
F. W. Hodgdon,
4 65
C. H. Wilber, 66
2 10
F. W. Damon, services,
21 10
R. A. Swan,
5 00
E. H. H. Bartlett, "
3 20
For labor during year of 1896, 4,852 46
Thomas Roden, services as Supt. 1 year,
1,149 99
Albert C. Smith, services as engineer at pumping station, 1 year,
954 00
J. S. Berry, services at pump- ing station, 46 00
- -$16,179 84
Deduct credits as follows, viz. :
Received of sundry persons for pipe, labor, repairs, etc., $236 51 for old iron, 22 63
Sewer Department, for repairs of pipe, lead, etc., 321 55
Appropriation received for Lex- ington tax, 175 00
755 69
Amount carried forward,
$15,424 15
175
WATER WORKS-TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $15,424 15
Amount transferred to account " Service Pipes," $1,219 80
Amount transferred to account
" Main Pipe," 5,721 54
Amount transferred
to
account
" Stock Materials," 1,108 37
8,049 71
$7,374 44
High Service.
Paid Davis & Farnum Mfg. Co., balance on account standpipe, $720 00 E. Eugene Eglee, balance on contract, 500 00
1,220 00
Service Pipes.
Amount of cost of services laid in 1896,
72 high services, 35 low
107, at average cost of $11.40 each, 1,219 80
Stock Materials.
Amount of materials added to this ac-
count in 1896, 1,108 37
Main Pipe.
Amount of cost of laying pipe per statement on file, 5,721 54
Interest on Water Bonds.
Paid interest on water bonds, in the year 1896, 15,120 00
Amount of temporary loan to town, 6,500 00
Balance of cash on hand, Dec. 31, 1896, 596 92
$38,861 07
Trial Balance, Water Works Books, Dec. 31, 1896.
DR.
CR.
Town of Arlington,
$307,535 23 102,000 00
Interest,
Town appropriation for interest,
Water Rates, 1873,
8,035 83
66 66
1874,
7,913 66
1875,
7,600 52
1876,
8,463 59
66
1877,
8,947 58
1878,
8,857 89
66
66
1879,
9,415 60
66
1880,
9,590 22
66
1881,
9,568 78
66
1882,
10,291 76
66
1883,
10,361 49
:‹
66
1884,
9,832 09
66
1885,
10,187 30
1886,
11,172 42
66
66
1887,
11,845 03
66
60
1889,
12,870 89
1890,
13,475 50
66
1891,
15,493 11
66
66 1892,
16,432 27
66
66 1893,
17,592 66
66
66
1894,
19,360 74
1895,
22,301 62
1896,
26,957 96
Main pipe.
20,081 26
Service pipes .
8,475 51
Stock materials,
5,367 15
Sundry receipts,
9,316 58
Running Expenses,
51,576 40
Cash,
596 92
Guaranty Fund,
45 00
Town of Arlington, maintenance and extension, 5,000 00
$835,743 28
$835,743 28
66
High Service, etc.,
$310,599 74
Construction, 66 High Service, 93,074 81 345,971 49
112,860 00
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Treasurer. ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1896.
1888,
12,417 96
RULES OF WATER WORKS. 177
Extracts from Rules of Water Works.
SECT. 15. The following rates shall be charged annually for the use of water, namely :
DWELLING HOUSES.
Occupied by one family, for the first faucet, $6 00
For each additional faucet, to be used by the
same family, 2 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, one faucet only being used for all, for each family, 4 00
Where a house is occupied by more than one family, the highest rates will be charged for each family, having the water carried into their part of the house :
For the first bath-tub, 5 00
For each additional bath-tub, 3 00
For the first water-closet, 5 00
For each additional water-closet, 3 00
For hopper water-closets,
8 00
Where bath-tubs or water-closets are used by more than one family, for each family,
4 00
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, and both emptying into one basin, but one charge will be
· made for both. Provided, that in no case shall the charge for the use of water by a private family, exclusive of hose and stable, be more than 25 00
BOARDING HOUSES.
For the first faucet, 10 00
Each additional faucet, 2 00
Water-closet or bath-tub, when used by board-
ers, 10 00
Each additional bath-tub or water-closet, 3 00
12
178
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
STORES, OCCUPIED AS OFFICE, SHOP OR SIMILAR PURPOSE.
First faucet, $6 to $20 00
For each additional faucet, 2 50
For water-closet or urinal, 6 00
MARKETS, SALOONS, RESTAURANTS, WORKSHOPS.
For markets, saloons, restaurants, workshops, or for purposes not included in any other classification, and not requiring more than an ordinary supply of water, $6 to $25 00
HOTELS.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers, 3 00
For each bath-tub in a hotel, 10 00
For each water-closet in a hotel, 10 00
PUBLIC BATHS.
For one tub in a public bath-house, 10 00
For each additional bath-tub, 5 00
For one water-closet in public bath-house, 10 00
For each additional water-closet,
3 00
STABLES.
Private Stables. For the first horse, 5 00
66
For each additional horse, 3 00
For one cow, 2 00
For each additional cow, 1 00
Livery, Club and Boarding Stables. For each horse, 3 00
Car and Omnibus Stables. For each horse,
2 00
Truck and Cart Stables. For each horse,
2 00
Provided, that in no case shall any stable be charged less than 5 00
The rates for stables include water for washing carriages without hose ; when hose is used, $3.00 additional.
179
RULES OF WATER WORKS.
HOSE.
For hose of not over three-eighths inch orifice, used for washing windows, sprinkling streets, and watering gardens (and the use of the same shall be limited to two hours per day), not less than $3 00
STEAM BOILERS.
For each boiler in use not over twelve hours a day, for each horse-power, 6 00
BUILDING PURPOSES.
For each cask of lime or cement, 6 cents
ORNAMENTAL FOUNTAINS.
Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year : For a jet of 1-16 of an inch,
$3 00
66 “ 1-8 " 5 00
“ 1-4 66 8 00
To be cut off at discretion of the Superintendent.
SECT. 16. When water is required for purposes which are not specified in the foregoing tariff, the rates shall be fixed by the Board of Water Commissioners, and the rates fixed in the foregoing tariff may be varied by the Water Commissioners whenever in particular cases in their judg- ment the interests of the town shall require.
B. DELMONT LOCKE,
Water Registrar.
AUDITORS REPORT.
The undersigned hereby certify that they have audited the books and accounts of B. DELMONT LOCKE, as Treasurer and Collector of the Town of Arlington, also as Treasurer of the Arlington Water Works, for the year 1896, and find the same correct, with vouchers for all payments, and the balances of cash, as stated by him.
CLARENCE T. PARSONS, Auditors. LEANDER D. BRADLEY,
ARLINGTON, February 2, 1897.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 1896.
FOR THREE YEARS. JOSEPH C. HOLMES, MRS. JOHN I. PEATFIELD, SAMUEL H. SMITH, Chairman to Sept., 1896, S. FRED. HICKS, balance of year.
FOR TWO YEARS.
HERBERT H. CEILEY (Secretary),
J. HOWELL CROSBY, EDWIN PRESCOTT.
FOR ONE YEAR.
GEORGE D. MOORE, TIMOTHY O'LEARY, FRANKLIN WYMAN.
Committee Meetings, third Tuesday of each month, at 7.30 P. M.
Permanent Chairman not elected since Mr. Smith's retire- ment.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
To the Town of Arlington :
As required by statute the School Committee present their Annual Report.
Change in membership of the Committee.
Much to the regret of the other members of the Board, our Chairman, Mr. Samuel H. Smith, on account of ill health, felt compelled to resign from the Committee in September.
We have thus lost a member specially well fitted for the position, and the town loses the services of a valuable and faithful servant.
Mr. S. Fred Hicks was elected to fill the vacancy on the Board, in a joint convention of the Selectmen and School Committee.
Crosby School Building.
Perhaps the most important event of the school year, was the completion of the New Crosby School Building.
By all acquainted with the former lack of school accom- modations in this district, together with the crowded con- dition of the Russell school building, the achievement of this result will be received with satisfaction. Standing near the eastern portals of our beautiful town, on a quiet street, removed from the distractions incident to a greatly travelled thoroughfare, the building impresses the beholder as being a model of beauty and utility and a monument to the zeal and efficiency of the committee having its construction in charge.
183
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
As the features of the new building are doubtless familiar to the citizens of the town, no elaborate description need be attempted at this time. As a modern school build- ing, the structure is all that could be desired. Its heating and ventilating apparatus seem efficient and ample, while its sanitary arrangements from their location and construc- tion must preclude any detriment to the best health of our children.
The building contains eight class rooms, two smaller rooms for principal and teachers, and a large hall on the third floor, remaining at present unfinished. The class rooms all have a southwesterly exposure, thereby obtaining ample light and sunshine. Six of these are furnished with all that pertains to the proper equipment of a school room.
In the basement are two large and airy rooms for the boys and girls, where recess time is passed in cold or in- clement weather. Out of doors the well graded grounds and walks of rock asphalt and artificial stone form a fitting setting for such an edifice.
Miss Mary F. Scanlan, who has served the term of years as a teacher, in this district, proving herself both broad minded and capable, was made principal of this building.
The building was dedicated on the afternoon of Labor Day, September 7, 1896, with the following
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
1. PIANO SOLO,
MRS. S. B. WOOD.
2. PRAYER,
REV. S. C. BUSHNELL.
3. SOLO, MRS. G. W. KIMBALL.
4. DELIVERY OF KEYS,
WARREN W. RAWSON,
Chairman of Building Committee.
184
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
5. ACCEPTANCE OF BUILDING AND TRANSFER TO SCHOOL BOARD,
EDWARD S. FESSENDEN,
Chairman of Board of Selectmen.
6. ACCEPTANCE OF BUILDING FOR SCHOOL BOARD,
SAMUEL H. SMITH, Chairman of School Board.
7. ADDRESS,
HON. JOHN H. HARDY.
8. SOLO,
MRS. G. W. KIMBALL.
9. PRESENTATION OF FLAG,
W. W. KIMBALL.
10. ACCEPTANCE OF FLAG, MISS M. F. SCANLAN, Principal.
11. ACCEPTANCE OF PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON PRESENTED BY THE REV. P. M. O'CONNOR,
SAMUEL H. SMITH, Chairman of School Board.
12. SINGING OF AMERICA, AUDIENCE.
Two pleasing features of the occasion were the presenta- tion to the school of a beautiful flag by Mr. W. W. Kimball, and a fine portrait of Washington tendered by the Rev. P. M. O'Connor. The committee desire at this time, to make due acknowledgment on behalf of the school for these gifts.
At the present time there are 207 pupils attending school in this district. Stimulated, doubtless, by their environment, a feeling of commendable and wholesome pride is noticeable among both teachers and pupils and a determination is ap- parent to preserve to the best of their ability, the beautiful structure that the town has placed in their keeping.
The Committee believe, by the construction of the Crosby School building, the town has afforded adequate school accom- modation to a large and growing section and has also relieved the pressure in the Russell school building, thereby securing
185
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
to both these districts ample school facilities for years to come.
Superintendent.
In our June meeting, owing to existing circumstances it was deemed inadvisable to elect a Superintendent at that time, but the committee feel convinced that trained super- intendence is indispensable if the best results are to be attained in our schools.
High School.
Miss Ella J. Holmes resigned in March to accept a posi tion at a larger salary in the City of Somerville. Miss Susie L. Austin was elected to fill the vacancy, begin- ning her services with opening of the spring term in April.
Miss Greenman declining re-election, Miss Grace H. Perkins was promoted from the ninth grammar grade to fill the vacancy.
The number of pupils and arrangement of classes rendered it necessary to have another teacher in the High School, so Miss Austin was advanced from the ninth grammar grade leaving a vacancy which was filled by the appointment of Miss Caroline H. Weeks.
Through the changes in the Grammar School course, in- troducing Algebra and Latin in the ninth grade, the High School course of study has been revised, distributing the work more evenly through the four years, thus lightening the burden which seemed to rest too heavily on the junior class, the present juniors being the last third year class to take the old course. Hereafter the requirements of that year will not be so exacting.
Russell School.
Miss Stella M. Grimes, we are very sorry to say, has not recovered her health. Her illness being serious, she felt obliged to resign her position in October.
186
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The town loses, through the retirement of Miss Grimes, one of its most faithful and efficient teachers.
Miss Lena H. Abbott who was placed in the school as substitute for Miss Grimes is continuing to fill the position very acceptably.
Miss Lila M. Taylor's resignation to take effect at the end of the June term was received and accepted in our June meeting.
Miss M. Evelyn Potter was transferred to the new Crosby building at the opening of the fall term.
Crosby School.
At the opening of the fall term five rooms in the new Cros- by School building were occupied. Miss Mary F. Scanlan for many years at the head of the school in this district, taking the position of principal and teaching the third grade.
Two new teachers were required, therefore Miss Potter was transferred from the Russell School to take charge of the fifth and sixth grades, Miss Florence Faxon being ap- pointed to the fourth, Miss Snell taking the second, and Miss West the first grade.
The Committee deem it advisable to continue the present seventh and eighth grade scholars of this district in the · Russell School till they enter the ninth grammar grade in the High School building
Cutter School.
No changes of teachers have taken place in this district.
Locke School.
Miss Emma Sawyer resigned at the close of the June term. Miss Stella C. Allen was appointed to fill the vacancy, but was able to teach only one week, resigning on account of sickness in her family.
Miss Nellie J. Wentworth as temporary supply continued to fill the position up to the Thanksgiving vacation, when
187
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Miss Martha Wentworth received the permanent appointment.
The primary rooms at both the Cutter and Locke schools continue crowded. During the fall term the number of scholars in Miss Glidden's room reached sixty. The rooms in that building being rather small, and the ventilation unsatis- factory the committee deemed it advisable to divide the school.
A room in Union Hall has been hired, and it is proposed at the beginning of the January term to open a school there, consisting of the first grade pupils.
This arrangement will afford temporary relief to the Locke school, but the increasing population in these districts, will render it necessary for the town to provide additional school accommodations in the near future.
Reading.
The Pollard System of reading has been continued through the year.
The conditions under which the work has been carried on since the opening of the fall term have been more favorable, for many reasons, than during the former year.
We believe the results justify the action of the committee in deciding to retain the system in our schools. We under- stand that many of the citizens of the town believe that we are sacrificing number work, writing, and expression in reading for the sake of the Pollard System. We desire to correct this erroneous impression. We are giving these subjects their due consideration. In the grades where the Pollard System is used, the average amount of time given to reading is no more than was formerly devoted to that branch.
Many of the teachers from neighboring towns who have visited our schools during the year have expressed surprise and pleasure upon seeing the results which have been obtained.
188
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
We would take this opportunity to earnestly invite all citizens of the town to visit our schools and thus be able to judge for themselves as to the merits of the system.
The following is a minority report on the "Pollard System" prepared by one member of the Board who dissents from the Committee's report on this subject.
THE POLLARD SYSTEM.
This system for teaching reading was introduced into the first four grades of our schools a year ago last September and has now been in use nearly fourteen months. Since the opening of the fall term in September, we have had an opportunity to judge of the result of nearly a full school year's instruction under this system.
More than usual importance might be placed on these observations for two reasons, first :- because during nearly the whole school year the work was under the direct super- vision of its author, Mrs. Pollard, and second :- because much more time was given to it. Each teacher has stated that more time was given by her last year in teaching this system, than she had ever given in any previous year in her experience to teaching the same subject under the previous methods. The experience of our teachers varies from one to twenty-five years.
Visiting the schools frequently in September and October the work was observed and the teachers questioned relative to its effects upon the course of study as a whole, as com- pared with the work of previous years. Not only were those consulted who had taught the Pollard System, but also the principals of the schools and the fifth grade teachers, who, for the first time, had received pupils after a year's instruction in this system. Much dissatisfaction was ex- pressed in regard to continuing the system, and many sug- gestions were given for its modification if it were to be
189
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
retained. All the teachers were unanimous in their opinion that, if left to follow their own discretion, they would not follow Pollard, pure and simple.
As it was recommended that the best results would be obtained by following the Pollard books closely, this was done with few exceptions. During the spring term, sup- plementary reading was used to some extent.
The pupil begins with the sounds of letters, and as soon as possible learns rules for pronunciation. There are a great many rules, and almost as many exceptions.
The spellers contain lists of words adapted to these rules, and the readers also contain adapted lessons. It can readily be seen how the child's vocabulary is affected. The words are selected from all sources as long as they contain the proper sounds and illustrate the rules. In a great many cases they represent no idea to the child's mind. These words he is required to learn, and thus is deprived of many suitable to his age and which he can understand and use intelligently in expressing his own ideas. As a prominent educator has said, " It reaches the wrong end by the wrong means, and the greater the apparent success, the greater the mischief."
The language work depending upon the child's vocabu- lary is thus affected. Not having at command as many intelligent words, he is unable to express his thoughts as freely in sentences, exercises and stories.
As most of the schools had little or no script writing, but the majority had printing, the expression of the language work on slate and paper occupied more time, thus less could be accomplished in a given period. We do not spell as we pronounce nor pronounce as we spell, therefore the spelling is affected by learning rules for pronunciation.
The aim of any method or system of teaching reading, should be to enable the pupil to acquire the art of perusing written or printed matter to obtain the thought expressed.
190
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The result of Pollard has been that the pupil loses the thought in his effort to pronounce each word.
Clear, distinct pronunciation is an important element in good reading and should be sought.
All the teachers have appreciated the phonic drill which is given in Pollard, and would prefer to use it in the future.
A great deal might be said in reference to the readers used in the school room. Instead of readers planned with lessons containing words adapted to rules, we should have other readers designed to bring to the child, the best of heart and mind in the child's language ; to guide his thoughts in the proper channels, and lay foundations for forming his character at a time when he is most easily influenced. Gen- eral information obtained from the reading of books is no slight acquisition.
All the teachers agree, that reading, writing, spelling, language and general information are poorer for having Pollard in our schools last year. The only exceptions being in the case of teachers who, in some respects, did not follow this system as closely as the others,. thus proving that the more closely it is followed, the more harmful the results. The Pollard System is a mechanical device for pronouncing words, and while agreeing with the teachers that we should continue a strong phonic drill for pronunciation, I earnestly recommend that it be dropped at once from our schools, and another system adopted by which good reading may be taught without sacrificing to it alone all the other branches of study.
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.