USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1895-1897 > Part 43
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
8
245
1
+2
3
18
River Street
Russell Street
Mystic Street
Water Street
8
842
3
1
1
6
Russell Terrace
Winslow Street
Russell Street
8
310
1
2
4
18
Sawin Street 66 66
Teel Street
Near Henderson st
6
154
1
3
4
30
Schouler Court
Mass Avenue
End
8
350
1
5
9
84
Swan Place
B. & M Railroad
End
8
539
3
2
2
18
Swan Street
Swan Place
Pleasant Street
8
210
1
1
1
6
Mass. Avenue
8
575
1
6
7
36
End
6
215
1
1
1
6
Mass. Avenue
Court Street Pl.
8
361
1
4
4
39
Russell Street
B. & M. R. R.
8
186
1
1
1
Warren Street
Franklin Street
Webster Street
10
355
1
3
3
18
Wellington Street
Right of Way
Pleasant Street
8
620
3
4
4
24
*Whittemore St.
Way
through
6
191
1
2
2
18
*Whittemore St.
Opposite
Right
Riglit of Way to
Avon Place
10
115
1
*Whittemore St.
Opposite Right of Way to Avon Pl.
Mass. Avenue
6
98
1
Winslow Street
Mystic Street
8
528
3
Winter Street
Mass. Avenne
8
613
2
4
4
24
Totals,
66733
280
241
279
2527
01
12.64 miles
66
..
..
..
..
..
.6
66
..
Decatur Street
Mystic River
10
177
220
1
1
1
6
Teel Street
Cross Street
Sawin Street
8
416
2
66
Teel Street Place Water Street 66 66
Webster Street
Warren Street
Broadway
8
629
2
Opposite Riglit of
B. & M. R. R.
Moore Place
of Way through
Moore Place
Russell Terrace Summit
8
126
1
1
2
12
Moore Place Mt. Vernon Street Mystic Street
Mass. Avenne Chestmit Street ..
Mystic Street ..
Entrance to
Fowle's Mill
Glen Avenue
8
1162
5
1
4
48
Pleasant St. Place
Mass. Avenue Pleasant Street
End
6
367
1
6
6
42
Ravine Street
Academy Street
Avon Place
10
211
18
762
3
River Street
Gray Street
6 310
Whittemore St.
Park Street
Mystic Street
Summer Street
126 feet North
Inch.
10
178
Pleasant Street
..
Gott's Land
End
6
126
*Sewers built in 1897.
14
with fewer.
of persons
Teel Street
REPORT
OF THE
ARLINGTON PARK COMMISSION.
ARLINGTON, Mass., December 31, 1897.
In accordance with a vote of the Town at a Town Meet- ing held on the evening of Dcember 19th, 1895, the Com- mission, on April 9th, 1897, executed an instrument of taking, as described in the second part of Chapter 267 of the Acts of 1896. This included not exceeding 10 acres of land within the specified section bounded by Medford Street, Mount Pleasant Cemetery and other lands of the Town, Lower Mystic Pond and land of Niles, Mystic and Chestnut Streets. It consists of twelve parcels of land, owned or supposed to be owned by the following :- Parcel No. 1, J. O. Goodwin.
2, Warren A. Peirce and others.
60
3, Devisees under the will of Wm. Stowe.
66 60 4, A. E. Aldrich.
66 66 5, Richard Irwin.
66 6, S. A. Fowle.
7, John M. Mulcahey.
. .
8, Bartholomew McGrevy.
66 9, John M. Mulcahey.
" 10, Division 23, A. O. H.
" 11, Heirs of S. G. Damon.
" 12, John J. Williams.
211
REPORT OF PARK COMMISSION.
Of the above twelve parcels of land, the Devisees under the will of Wm. Stowe, Messrs. A. E. Aldrich, S. A. Fowle, John M. Mulcahey, Bartholomew McGrevy, and John J. Williams, have deeded to the Town the land taken, in con- sideration of a release by the Town of Park betterments on account of this taking. Others have signified their intention of doing the same.
Our expenditures on account of the purchase of lands for Public Parks have been -
Teaming and setting bounds, $44 00
Counsel fees, 380 25
Engineering,
1,000 47
In settlement with the former owners, 6,994 50
$8,419 22
Our expenditures for maintenance and construction have been -
Printing Rules and Regulations for
Menotomy Rocks Park,
$7 50
Printing notices, 6 75
$14 25
Sign boards and seats for Menotomy Rocks Park, 87 26
Teaming filling for Cemetery Park,
430 08
Police service, Menotomy Rocks Park,
35 00
Total, $566 59
Respectfully submitted.
W. W. KIMBALL, S. FREDERICK HICKS, S
J. Q. A. BRACKETT, Arlington Park Commission.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK. MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS.
Intentions of Marriages Registered in 1897.
Whole number of couples 78
Average age of male .
30
Average age of female .
Both persons residing in Arlington, couples · 26
33
But one person residing in Arlington, couples . 45
Marriages Registered in 1897.
Whole number of couples 81
Both persons American born couples 30 .
Both persons foreign born couples .
37
American and foreign born couples .
14
Age of oldest person married .
57
Age of youngest person married
16
First marriage of .
151
Second marriage of
.
10
Third marriage of .
.
.
1
Births Registered in 1897.
Whole number 201
Males .
102
Females
99
American parentage 76
Foreign parentage .
87
Mixed parentage .
38
Register of Dogs Licensed since May 1, 1897.
Whole number 329
Males .
306
Females
23
B. DELMONT LOCKE, Town Clerk.
ARLINGTON, Dec. 31, 1897.
213
LIST OF JURORS.
LIST OF JURORS OF THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON.
REVISED BY THE SELECTMEN, JANUARY, 1898.
Abbott Allen,
Winfield S. Durgin,
George G. Allen,
Frank A. Fessenden, William A. Fitzpatrick,
Major Bacon,
Jas. A. Bailey,
Parker H. Foster, Frederick E. Fowle,
Simeon Barker,
William H. Bradley, John H. Beaumont,
Frederick O. Frost. Albert Gooding,
Daniel W. Grannan,
John N. Bennett,
Samuel C. Bertwell, Jacob Bitzer,
George C. Grant, John Gray,
Harry T. Gregory,
Benjamin Hall,
Edmond Reardon, Edwin Robbins, Frank D. Roberts,
John J. Robinson,
Charles H. Carter,
James Higgins,
Thomas J. Robinson,
George Otis Russell,
Michael W. Scannell,
Nathan L. Chaffin, Elbert L. Churchill, William A. Clark, Isaac J. Colbert,
Thomas Hogan, Richard M. Johnson,
Willard C. Schouler, Carl W. Schwamb, Thomas Swadkins, Jr.,
Jeremiah Colman,
William H. Jones,
William K. Cook,
Frederick M. Kirlin,
Alfred H. Knowles,
A. Winslow Trow,
Andrew W. Turner, Farmer R. Walker,
George W. White, Omar W. Whittemore,
James P. Daley,
Oran B. Marston,
William N. Winn,
Michael S. Drew, Henry D. Dodge,
Bernard McGowan,
Charles P. Wyman,
Charles H. Doughty, James E. Duffy, Theodore D. Dupee,
Sylvester Mead, Thomas F. Meagher, William C. Mills.
George D. Moore, Thomas H. Nolan, Timothy O'Brien, Charles A. Parker, Edward L. Parker, Benjamin H. Peirce, George W. Perkins, John H. Perry, Edwin Prescott, Thomas F. Priest,
Darwin A. Proctor,
Edwin P. Bryant,
William H. Butler,
Matthew W. Callahan,
Michael E. Callahan,
James Hanna, Patrick T. Hendrick, Joseph J. Hewes,
R. Walter Hilliard, Jacob F. Hobbs,
George W. Lane, John Lyons, James R. Mann,
Alfred T. Marston,
John McGrath,
William B. Wood,
Franklin Wyman,
Joseph P. Wyman.
EDWIN S. FARMER, GEORGE I. DOE, WALTER CROSBY, Selectmen of Arlington.
William H. Thorpe,
Walter W. Conant, Charles S. Cutter, Warren Cutter, Herbert M. Day, David T. Dale,
Frank Bott,
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 1897.
WILLIAM H. H. TUTTLE, Chairman,
term expires March, 1900 GEORGIANA M. PEATFIELD, Secretary,
term expires March, 1899
TIMOTHY O'LEARY,
1900
PETER SCHWAMB,
66 . . 1900
GRACE E. KIMBALL,
66
66
1899
JOHN H. PERRY, chosen in place of Joseph C. Holmes.
ANDREW F. REED, “ " " Edwin Prescott.
WALTER A. ROBINSON, chosen in place of Herbert H. Ceiley.
AMY B. WOOD, chosen in place of J. Howell Crosby.
The term of office for which Mr. Holmes was originally elected expires March, 1899; the terms for which . Mr. Prescott, Mr. Ceiley, and Mr. Crosby were originally elected expire March, 1898.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING,
December 31, 1897.
1
To the Inhabitants of the Town of Arlington :
The School Committee make the following report for the year ending December 31, 1897 : -
The Committee organized on the third day of March, 1897, with the choice of William H. H. Tuttle as Chairman and Mrs. Georgiana M. Peatfield as Secretary, the Com- mittee then consisting of Mr. Timothy O'Leary, Mr. Peter Schwamb, Mr. Joseph C. Holmes, Mrs. Grace E. Kimball, Mr. Herbert H. Ceiley, Mr. Edwin Prescott, Mr. J. Howell Crosby, and also the persons chosen chairman and secretary.
In the month of March, 1897, Messrs. Holmes, Ceiley, Crosby and Prescott resigned, and at a joint meeting of the Boards of Selectmen and School Committee held on the twenty-ninth day of March, 1897, the vacancies were filled in the following manner : Mr. John H. Perry was elected in place of Mr. Holmes, Dr. Andrew F. Reed was elected in place of Mr. Prescott, Mr. Walter A. Robinson was elected in place of Mr. Ceiley, and Mrs. Amy B. Wood was elected in place of Mr. Crosby.
216
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The recommendation of the former Committee and the appropriation made by the town did not contemplate the employment of a superintendent. The Committee are not prepared to recommend the employment of a superintendent for the coming year.
It seems best to wait until there is a greater certainty of getting superintendence of a good quality for the compensa- tion which the Town can reasonably afford to give, or until more urgent necessity compels action.
The policy of giving one of the principals of the Grammar schools supervisory powers over all the grades below the ninth grade has been considered, and the Committee report that they do not at present recommend such action.
The matter of a course of study for the High School has been considered. By the close of the present school year, a course which is an outgrowth of former courses will have been completed and in operation, comprising three courses, a " general," an "academic," and a " classical " course. Upon the final adoption of a High School course, the Com- mittee will consider carefully whether sufficient regard has been had for work, and methods of work, which will best qualify pupils for practical business life.
A provisional course of study has been prepared by the Committee for use in the first eight grades, and put in use for the present school year. In determining what its final form and requirements shall be, the actual work of the teachers under it will be, and already is, of the greatest help. We have apportioned the amount of teaching-time to the different subjects, so that pupils in the different schools may receive substantially the same amount of in- struction in each subject, and enter the High School with substantially the same amount of knowledge and training. The task of adjusting all matters relating to the true scope of a course of study, the apportionment of time to subjects,
.
217
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
a daily or weekly schedule for the teacher's work, and so giving true progression in school work is not an easy one, and will require time and most careful and intelligent con- sideration.
In the Locke and Cutter schools, what is known as the two-grade system, that is, a system where two grades are in one room and under one teacher for the year, has been in use for several years, the classes there being of such size that two could be combined in one room. This system has also been in use in the Crosby school. In the Russell School, owing to the increase in the number of school chil- dren in the district of that school several classes have become so large that they cannot be successfully handled by one teacher. When a class, as for instance grade 1, is so large that it can be divided into two divisions, each large enough for a single teacher, the difficulty is solved by an additional teacher. In that grade two teachers have been employed for some time past.
When several classes in a school are each too large for a single teacher, and not large enough for two teachers, without an extraordinary outlay for teaching, a two-grade system must be employed in some form. The introduction of this system into the Russell school last September, a matter of pure necessity, as it appeared to the Committee, for the economical management of the school, has caused misapprehension and criticism on the part of some who were not duly acquainted with all the facts. The Committee are adopting no policy in the matter except to relieve present conditions. Some of the Committee however, are of the opinion that the two-grade system or its equivalent is a very great advantage over the one-grade system, as usually managed. In the one grade system where the pupils are all taught together in one class, or where two divisions are made for the purposes of recitation, both making practically
218
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
the same progress in any subject, special promotions are almost impossible.
The evil arising from dividing up the graded course of study into years of work, only, has been felt everywhere, and various attempts have been made to overcome it. It is said to have been remedied in nearly one-half the cities of the country by promoting pupils whenever they have completed the work of the different grades, the different classes being separated by intervals of half a year or less than half a year. It has been proposed by some to remedy the evil by dividing classes into different divisions, in the important subjects, each. division being. allowed to progress as fast as it can. In Cambridge, in some schools at least, the class is divided into what is called an "A" and " B" division, that is, a first and second division, and promotions are made from one division to another as well as from grade to grade. It is not intended to enter upon any new practice here, until it is fully understood and assented to. It is apparent that there is no difference in principle between the two grade system, and a system with its ." A" and " B" divisions. Each gives the pupil a recitation and a study period. A study period, where there are two divisions of the same class at about the same place in any subject, the one division recit- ing, and the other studying, but with its attention neces- sarily drawn away by oral recitation of a similar kind, fails, and must necessarily fail to give the pupil the fullest power over himself, in his effort to master for himself, without aid, a prescribed task and to resist all distracting influences. The pupils who are engaged in the preparation of the next lesson should be " busy each one by himself, studying the book and mastering its facts and ideas, and comparing them one with another and making the effort to become oblivious of their fellow-pupils, the recitation going on, and the teacher." In this language which has been quoted there
219
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
are many who will recognize at a glance the one element which gave strength and power to the willing pupil of the country school with its multiplicity of grades.
The work of the schools has improved during the year, and an increased interest and devotion to their work is plainly visible on the part of the teachers. The Committee have endeavored to recognize and commend good work wherever found, and it has also made due criticism where a school was not up to its proper standard.
The vertical system of writing was by the present board at first permitted in the schools, and shortly afterwards directed to be used in all the schools. The system has worked most satisfactorily. Specimens of writing from the eighth grade pupils, where perhaps the most difficulty would be experienced show that the change was not a troublesome one, and that progress under the new system is easy.
The subject of arithmetic needs a large amount of consid- eration. It is believed by many that better results should be obtained in all schools, i.e .- in schools everywhere. The times seem to call for a more practical and more living and certain knowledge of arithmetic, and a better mastery of its essential principles.
A course of lectures in reading has been given to the High School under the beneficent provisions of the Nathan Pratt Fund. The importance of good reading is not likely to be over-estimated. In the absence of qualifications to judge as experts in matters of education, it is always safe to follow the leadership of the ablest educators in the country, and especi- ally when they are practically all of one mind. The ele- ments of good reading as they have always been taught, are now taught here. The Committee have carried out the wishes of the people and have returned to the former, the appropri- ate, the general, and the true method of teaching reading.
220
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The Committee find that in certain neighboring grammar schools what is sometimes called the " Departmental Sys- tem," has been introduced into the higher grades. Under this system the work of the teacher is specialized, that is, one teacher teaches arithmetic, and another teaches, say, grammar or history, or geography in two or three grades. Finding this system in operation somewhat in the Russell school, the Committee have allowed it to continue without express approval or disapproval.
The " Report of the Committee of Fifteen "-a document written by the United States Commissioner of Education says ; " That the specialization of the teacher's work should not be attempted before the seventh or eighth year of the elementary school, and in not more than one or two studies then." By " elementary school " the report means the grades below the High School. The seventh and eighth grades spoken of in that report are about the equivalent of our eighth and ninth grades. As our ninth grade is in the High School Building and subject to certain specialization of work there, it may be questionable whether there should be any departmental or specialized work in the grammar schools.
The above report contains this language : " In the elementary school, for at least six years, it is better, on the whole, to have each teacher instruct his pupils in all the branches that they study, for the reason that only in this way can he hold an even pressure on the requirements of work, correlating it in such a manner that no one study absorbs undue attention. In this way the pupils prepare all their lessons under the direct supervision of the same teacher, and by their recitations show what defects of methods of study there have been in the preparation.
The ethical training is much more successful under this plan, because the personal influence of a teacher is much
221
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
greater when he or she minutely knows the entire scope of the school work. In the case of the special teacher the responsibility is divided and the opportunities of special acquaintance with character and habits diminished."
A special appropriation should be made for certain extraordinary repairs for the coming year in connection with the Russell School building to wit :- painting or dressing woodwork outside and inside, renewing treads on the stairways and, some flooring, connecting buildings with sewer, filling up of cesspool and changing plumbing inci- dental thereto, new sinks and traps in the halls, and new and suitable furniture for some of the school rooms.
Miss Laura A. Davis resigned from the English Depart- ment of the High School at the close of the spring term, after about three years of very satisfactory work, to accept a call in the English High School of Somerville. Miss M. Cady Roberts was advanced from the ninth grade to fill the vacancy. Miss Caroline M. Weeks resigned at the close of the spring term. Miss Lillian F. Wilkins and Miss Laura M. Sylvester were appointed to fill the vacancies in the ninth grade.
In the Russell School Miss Jane M. Forbush resigned, and the vacancy was filled by Miss Alice B. Hicok. Miss Helen H. Learned was employed as assistant in the first grade from May 17th through June. The increased num- ber of pupils in certain grades in the Russell School, at opening of the fall term, made it necessary to employ an extra teacher, and Miss Cora B. Cook was chosen to assist in these grades.
The increased number of pupils in the Crosby School have made it necessary to open two new rooms there, and Miss Virginia Gray and Miss Maude E. Gilman were elected additional teachers for that school.
In the Cutter School Miss Antoinette L. Canfield was
1
222
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
appointed to Grade I in place of Mrs. Alice M. Bean, who was transferred to Grade II at the Locke School. Miss Esther C. Glidden resigned in July. Miss Ella R. Stearns was elected teacher of Grade I in Union Hall. Miss Margaret Oakes, who was a very successful teacher, resigned in May on account of ill health, and Miss Sara N. Phelps of Bel- mont was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The main items of expense in school management, apart from the matter of teachers' salaries, which will always be the greatest item, are books and supplies, fuel and sundries. The amounts expended for these items are to be found in another part of the Town Report.
Finding it more economical the committee purchased last summer supplies and fuel to last through the school year. In addition to these expenses, there was paid for coal for use up to last summer, $362.75. It is estimated that the supplies purchased which are to be used in the year 1898, amount to about $300. That is to say, in addi- tion to a year's purchase of fuel and supplies the committee have expended some $650. The outstanding unpaid bills amount to about $175, consisting of several small bills, and two months' rent of the Robbins Spring House. The unpaid bills for the year 1896 paid during this financial year amount to about $625.
The income for the year 1897 of the Cutter and Russell Funds being $238.75 and $243.81 respectively, has been all expended for school purposes. Including the $200 paid for the lectures in reading, the Committee have spent nearly all the income of the Pratt Fund for the current year. This fund furnishes an income for the use of the High School only, and for certain limited purposes.
The amount paid for salaries of teachers in the year 1897 is $1,738.46 over the amount paid for the same purposes in
223
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
the year 1896. The amount paid for janitors for the year 1897 is $421.65 over the amount paid for the year 1896. The amount paid for books and supplies in the year 1897, including those paid for out of the Pratt Fund is $692.80 over the amount paid for in the year 1896. The amount paid for fuel in the year 1897 is $271.65 in excess of that paid in the year 1896. The balance of the town's appropriation unex- pended December 31, 1897 is $655.46. To this is to be added $45.17 received for old books, etc., making a total of moneys unexpended Dec. 31, 1897 of $700.63. This amount of $700.63, the Committee recommend to be expended the coming year for the benefit of the schools in addition to the regular school appropriation.
Four new schoolrooms have been opened this year. One in Union Hall, one in the Robbins Spring House, and two in the Crosby Building. The room in Union Hall was mainly equipped with furniture already owned by the town, and one of the two rooms in the Crosby Building was fitted up at the time of the completion of the building.
The other room in the Crosby Building was fitted up this year at a cost of $111.90, and the room in the Robbins Spring House at a cost of $168.51. The rent of Union Hall is $200 per year, and the rent of the Robbins Spring House is $300 from Nov. 1, 1897 to July 1, 1898. Seven of the eight rooms in the Crosby Building are now occupied.
Special mention is made of the interest and helpfulness of the Woman's Club in the matter of beautifying the school- rooms, in furnishing a work of art for each room.
The Committee will heartily co-operate with all efforts to elevate and dignify the surroundings of school life and work.
The Committee have all given freely of their time to the consideration of all matters pertaining to the welfare of the schools, and have endeavored to make the wisest expendi- ture of the moneys placed in their hands.
224
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The accounts and records of the Committee have been kept with the greatest fulness and accuracy, and special acknowledgment is hereby made of the untiring and ex- haustive work of the present Secretary, in reference to the financial part of her duties.
WILLIAM H. H. TUTTLE,
Chairman.
STATISTICS.
The table at the end of this report indicates 1437 pupils enrolled during the year, 1225 average membership, 1138 average attend- ance, and 92 per cent. attendance. In 1896 the record was 1341 enrolled, 1176 average membership, 1092 average attendance, and 94 per cent. attendance. The number of different pupils attend- ing school in town during the year 1897 appears to be 96 more than in 1896, and 178 more than in 1895. The difference shows considerable increase in school population and further growth on the part of the town.
At the end of the year, December 23, 1897, there were 1237 pupils divided as follows .
HIGH SCHOOL, 111; Grade IX, 80, - making 191 in the High School Building. A year ago it was 171.
RUSSELL SCHOOL, 431. A year ago it was 420.
CROSBY SCHOOL, 243. A year ago 203.
CUTTER SCHOOL, 190.
A year ago 169.
LOCKE, SCHOOL, 182. A year ago 185.
The per cent. of attendance for the year is 92 per cent.
15
SCHOOL STATISTICS, FROM JAN. 1, 1897, TO JAN. 1, 1898.
SCHOOLS.
Number Enrolled
Number Dec. 23, 1897
Average Number for the year
Average Daily Attendance
Per cent. of Attendance
HIGH SCHOOL
121
111
109.0
105.4
96.7
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, Grade IX. A
Grade IX. B
35
41
33.7
31.5
93.3
57
54
48.8
44.6
90.6
62
38
45.2
41.5
91.1
46
39
36.
33.1
91.9
16
66
V. & IV. A (a)
50
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.