USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1910-1919 > Part 15
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250 00
James Library
100 00
Fire Department
200 00
Abatement of Taxes
100 00
Discount of Taxes
200 00
Anticipation Note
3,500 00
97
Gypsy Moth
446 38
Superintendent of Schools
250 00
Interest
600 00
State and County taxes
3,100 00
Gaffield Park
25 00
Incidentals
750 00
Spraying Elm trees
200 00
Special Road Work
1,200 00
Transcript of Articles in the Warrant
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, MONDAY, THE THIRD DAY OF MARCH 1913 AT SEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE FORENOON.
Article I. To choose a moderator.
Art. 2. To bring their votes for a Town Clerk for one year one Selectman, one Assessor, and one Overseer of the Poor, for three years a Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes an Auditor, a Surveyor of Highways, five Constables, and a Tree Warden for one year, one member of the School Committee, one member of the Board of Health for three years, and to vote yes or no in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town," all on one ballot. Polls open from 7 A. M., to II A. M.
Art. 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the town and act thereon.
Art. 4 To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the town, and for other purposes and to raise such sums of money as the town shall deem expedient.
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Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize its treasurer under the direction of the selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes, and for disbursement under the pro- visions of the law relating to State Aid and Military Aid, and to defray the expenses of the town.
Art 6 What compensation will the town make for re- moving snow and appropraite money for the same.
Art. 7. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected for the ensuing year.
Art. 8 To make allowance to town creditors.
Art. 9. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial Day.
Art. 10. Will the town cause a statement of its finan- cia) affairs to be printed in February next.
Art. II. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street.
Art. 12. What price will the town pay for labor on the highway for the ensuing year.
Art. 13. What action will the town take in regard to keeping the sidewalks in repair.
Art. 14. Will the town give any instruction to town officers.
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Art. 15. What price will the town pay for work at fires for the ensuing year.
Art. 16. Will the town take any action in regard to the care of parks, squares and triangles and make any appro- priation for the same.
Art. 17. Will the town make an appropriation for the James Library in return for the free privilege of taking books which the townspeople now have.
Art. 18. Will the town act in conjunction with the town of Hanover to have an electric light at the terminus of River street. Norwell, and Broadway, Hanover. at the third Herring brook.
Art. 19. Will the town appropriate the sum of $446.38 for the suppression of Gypsy and Browntail moths.
Art. 20 What sum of money will the town appropriate to pay the Superintendent of Schools.
Art. 21. Will the town raise and appropriate the sum of two hundred dollars for the purpose of fighting fires.
Atr. 22. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the spraying of the elm trees along the highways.
Art. 23. Will the town accept in trust by its Selectmen as Trustees the sum of $200.00 from the estate of Sarah A. Sawyer, the income to be used for the care of the Sawyer lot and grounds in Washington Street cemetery.
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Art. 24. Will the town raise and appropriate a sum of money to oil and repair the several pieces of state road in town, built under the small town act.
Citizens desiring additional articles in the warrant must present them to the Selectmen on or before 4 o'clock p. m., Feb. 15, 1913.
E. E. STETSON, W. D. TURNER, F. W. JONES,
Selectmen of Norwell.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE YEAR 1912
Report of the School Committee of Norwell for the Year 1912
To the Citizens of Norwell :
The year 1912 brought few changes to our schools. The year has been one of steady, rather than rapid growth, cf day by day emphasis rather than end of the term cramming, of patient effort rather than showy results. We believe that the Norwell schools are now on a well-defined system both in regard to methods of instruction and administra- tion.
We have great confidence in our teachers and count it a blessing that we have been able to retain our entire teaching force this year. Our teachers have been loyal, and we have tried to show our appreciation of this by an equalization of salaries based upon conditions of length of service, size of school. etc.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation question, ever present, and hardly more agreeable to your Committee than to the hard work- ing citizen who finds it an element in an unpleasantly large tax bill, came before us in a new form after the March town meeting as a stringent vote was passed, limiting the
106
amount appropriated to $1,000. The matter of continu . ing any general transportation sufficient to keep the schools up to their standard in numbers and efficiency was recog- nized by us as an impossibility. We discussed every plan of action suggested, and could see nothing hopeful in the situation.
Fortunately, however, that saving second thought which is so often better than first thought, came to the voters of the town and at a later meeting the additional sum of $1,500 was voted and plans were at once made for a some- what more simple and less extensive system of transporta- tion which, we believe, has worked very well. Do not censure.us, men and women of Norwell, for so stoutly up- holding our transportation system. We have seen it's good effects so plainly in full membership, interest and attendance that our belief in it for this town is hearty and sincere. Norwell can do no better for her scholars and schools than to continue the present general system, modi- fied. perhaps, but maintained so that no child shall miss the full advantages of the schools. Few towns make it so easy for a child to attend school as Norwell does, but this has often proved an inducement for people with chil- dren of school age to settle here, and at least one real estate firm has featured it in it's circular as an advantage which Norwell offers.
OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1
We ask the privilede of explanation upon items of ex- penditure which may seem unreasonable. A case in point is a two years' coal bill appearing against the High school.
107
Similar peculiarities may occur and some of them may be due to a mistake upon our part. If such is the case, we shall thank you for calling it to our attention.
FOR THE COMING YEAR
We ask the co-operation of all citizens toward the more successful work of this year 1913. Let us have your sug- gestions, your full sympathy, and your charitable judg- ment.
Nothing short of the best that we can give is good enough for the boys and girls of Norwell, and in our efforts to give them that best we confidently expect from you, a helping hand.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN LORING. Chairman. MARY E. CURTIS, Secretary. GEORGE C. TURNER.
Norwell, January 15, 1913.
Expenditures
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1912. TEACHERS' SALARIES.
Paid
John C. Page, 36 weeks
$955 00
Gertrude M. Short, 32 weeks 432 50
Alcina B. Houghton, 32 weeks 412 50
Edith C. Turner, 39 weeks 485 60
Lucy S Williams, 39 weeks 410 50
Margaret S. Towle, 39 weeks 398 00 Grace Field, 39 weeks 616 20
Marion G. Merritt. 39 weeks 445 00
Mabel E. Adams, 39 weeks 398 00
Maria W. Tolman, 39 weeks
445 00
Bertha M Tilden, drawing teacher
125 00
$5,123 30
NOTE-Several payments toward the salaries of the High school teachers were made from the High School fund.
BOOKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES
S. Ward Co. $10 00
C. M. Ford, printing 14 00
109
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
13 35
American Book Co.
63 65
E. E. Babb & Co. 173 49
$274 49
SUPERINTENDENT
Received from state
$250 00
Town appropriation 250 00
$500 00
Paid James S. Hayes
$534 16
TRANSPORTATION
John Whalen, 13 weeks, (191I con-
tract ) $240 50
John Whalen, I week
18 50
L. F. Hammond, 13 weeks, (19II contract ) 195 00
L. F. Hammond, I week 15 00
James L. Litchfield, 13 weeks ( 19II contract) 195 00
James L. Litchfield, I week
15 00
W. R. Durkee. 13 weeks ( 1911 con- tract) 260 00
W. R. Durkee, I week
20 00
Minot Williamson, 13 weeks ( 191I contract ) 195 00
Minot Williamson, I week 15 00
$1.169 00
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TRANSPORTATION
John Whalen, 1912 contract com-
mencing April 15, 1912 to continue 38 weeks $2,489 00
Paid John Whalen, 26 weeks 1,703 00
$786
CARE OF ROOMS
L. F. Hammond, Janitor Town Hall $200 00 H. Earle Ainslie, janitor Dist. No. I 40 00
John G. Robinson, janitor Dis. No. I 24 00 Arthur H. Osborne janitor Dist. No. 2 58 50 Mrs. M. A. Osborne, jan .or Dist. No. 5 64 00 F. L. Thomas, janitor l ist. No. 6 58 50 Wm. C. Tolman, janitor Dist. No. 7 58 50
$503 50
HIGH SCHOOL FUND
Unexpended balance
$190 54
Received from state 500 00
$690 54
Gertrude M. Short, salary
$152 50
Alcina B. Houghton
100 00
John C. Page
110 00
Harvard University, maps
6 40
Houghton Mifflin Co., books 5 25
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co., supplies
12 07
111
D. C. Heath & Co., books 6 71
Allyn & Bacon, books 16 17
DeWolf & Fiske Co., books
6 79
American Book Co., books
64 23
Ginn & Co., books 55 38
E. E. Babb & Co., books and supplies 47 27
582 77
Unexpended
$107 77
FUEL AND FITTING
C. A. Brett, coal, High School (19II and 1912) $220 62
Lot Phillips & Co., wood 6 00
W. D. Turner, wood and measuring 46 33
Geo. F. Welch, coal, High school 8 75
Benj. Loring, wood at Nos. I and 2 (contract ) 45 00
A. W. Pinson, wood at Nos. 5 and 6 (contract) 38 51
Wm. S. Simmons, wood at No. 7 (contract ) 27 90
Phillips, Bates & Co., coal, High school 19 00
F. W. Jones, wood at No. 2 5 00
C. F. Scully, labor on wood 2 75
Geo. H. Turner, sawing wood 8 00
F. D. Lee, sawing and housing wood 8 50
Albert Osborne, labor on wood 4 00
John G. Robinson, labor on wood 3 00
.
112
Arthur H. Osborne, labor on wood 2 75
John F. Osborne, sawing wood Nos.
I and 2 7 00
$453 1I
SUPPLIES AND INCIDENTALS
J. F. Turner, labor and material at Nos. 2 and 6 $7 00
C. H. Jones, labor at Town Hall I 00
H. T. Brooks, labor at Town Hall I 00
Geo. A. Turner, labor and material at No. 2 18 50
W. T. Osborn, freight, carting and express 12 56
Geo. F. Welch, materials for school houses
28 83
W. S. Simmons, repairs of flag pole 2 50 J. P. Henderson, water supply for No. 6 18 00
Curtis & Bates, mdse, cash paid for labor, cash paid for express 20 91
James S. Hayes, expenses 3 60
Jordan Marsh Co., water coolers 33 75
C. A. Bruce, services at Decoration Day exercises and graduation 4 50
John Whalen. transportation for Me- morial Day exercises 15 00
W. R. Durkee, transportation of sick pupil 1 00
W. O. Merritt, transportation of sick pupil 1 00
-
113
C. L. Rice & Son, furniture for school rooms 24 50
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins, desks for
No. 2 and fixtures 73 05
Wm. T. Sylvester, cleaning vaults No. 2. High, 5 and 6 8 00
F. E. Henderson, cleaning vaults No. 7 2 00
Win. H. Spencer, 2 new stoves, ma- terial and labor 82 85
Edwin Osborne, labor on stoves 7 25
Mrs. H. E. Randall, cleaning school house Dist. No. 6 6 00
Mrs. S. L. Mott, cleaning school
house, Dist. No. 2 10 00
Mrs. E. L. Winslow, cleaning school house, Dist. No. 7 8 00
Mrs. E. C. Jones, cleaning school house, Dist. No. I 12 00
Mrs. M. A. Osborne, cleaning school
house, Dist. No 5 12 00
J. F. Wilder, mason work 12 00
C. H. Corlew, clock 5 00
Beal & McCarthy, repairing piano 2 50
W. W. Wade, tuning pianos 4 00
H. S. Merritt, material and labor at Nos. 1, 2, 5 and 6 22 15
C. M. Ford, printing 9 25
Albert Osborne, labor in yard 30
H. S. Turner & Co., zinc for stoves I 44
L. F. Hammond, services as Truant Officer 2 25
114
W. T. Osborne, services as Truant
Officer 2 00
F. L. Thomas, labor at No. 6 2 50
W. C. Tolman, labor and material at No. 7 I 80
A. J. Litchfield & Son, supplies I 02
$481 01
SUMMARY, YEAR OF 1912. EXPENDITURES
Transportation, old contract
$1,169 00
Transportation, new contract
1,703 00
Teachers' salaries
5,123 30
Superintendent
534 16
Care of rooms
503 50
Fuel and fitting
453 II
Supplies, etc.,
481 OI
Books, etc.,
274 49
Payments from High School Fund
582 77
$10,824 34
AVAILABLE FUNDS
Massachusetts School Fund $1,159 47
From State Treasurer acct. Super-
intendent and Teachers' salaries 486 II
Tuition, etc., state children 333 00
High School Fund 500 00
High School Fund balance 19II 190 54
115
Dog tax
334 36
Town appropriations, $4.500 general,
$2,500 Transportation, $250 Sup- erintendent 7,250 00
$10,253 48
Exceeded income $570 86
I have examined the amounts of the School Committee and find them correct.
ELLIOTT W. CROWELL, Auditor.
ABSTRACT FROM REGISTERS
Winter Term, 1912.
Spring Term, 1912.
Fall Term, 1912.
Number enrolled
Average membership
Average attendance
Per cent. of attendance
Number enrolled
Average membership
Average attendance
Per cent. of attendance
Number enrolled
Average membership
Average attendance
Per cent. of attendance
No. I Grammar
28
27.96
23.49
.84 31
28.95
27.21
.94 33
31.08
29.51
95
No. I Primary
32
29.38
20.47
.90 32
29.63
28.01
.98 33
28.69
27.15
.95
No. 2 Primary
20
19.61
18.69
.95 17
17.
16.71
.98 23
21.66
19.91
.92
No. 5 Grammar
17
46.68
40.5
.87 46
45.3
40.84
.90|41
44.15
40.72
.92
No. 5 Primary
30
26.81
22.46
.84 29
26.71
24.82
.93|33
30.13
28.69
.95
No. 6 Primary
19
18.36
14.99
.82 21
19.9
16.9
.85 27
26.44
24.74
.93
No. 7 Primary
37
34.4
29.4I
.85 34
33.15
31.27
.94 36
35.68
34.03
.95
High School
56
54.82
51.96
.95 54
52.31
49.66
.95|63
59.47
57.14
.96
116
Program of Graduating Exercises of Norwell High School
UNITARIAN CHURCH. JUNE 27. 1912.
PROGRAM
Prayer. Rev. Mr. Houghton Salutatory and Essay, "The Legend of Siegfried,"
Essay, "Aviation,"
Song, "Maid Elsie,"
School
Essay, "The Idylls of the King," Dora F. Black School
Song, "Dream Faces,"
Class History. William A. Williams
Essay, "Dickens, the Friend of Mankind,"
Ethel D. Tolman
Song, "Sing Me Some Quaint Old Ballad," Gladys M. Lyons and Chorus
Class Will, Helen S. Farrar
Essay, "Wireless Telegraphy," H. Earle Ainslie
Essay and Valedictory, "The Crusades,"
Dorothy G. Litchfield
Song, "Hail and Farewell," School
Presentation of Diplomas, Mr. James S. Hayes, Supt. of Schools Benediction
Mildred C. Litchfield William E. Leslie
Essay. "The Oregon Plan of Government,".
Lawrence G. Turner
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GRADUATES
Mildred Carlton Litchfield William Edward Leslie
Lawrence Gaffield Turner
Dora Frances Black
Ethel Delano Tolman Helen Southworth Farrar Dorothy Gertrude Litchfield Hatherly Earle Ainslie William Allyn Williams
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee of Norwell :
I herewith submit my fifth annual report.
Work has been done along lines similar to those of last year. We were fortunate to retain the full corps of teachers during the year, and the good effects of their continued efforts have been clearly shown in the general work of our pupils. Local school conditions are good.
School expenses have increased in our town, as they have elsewhere, but the increase given our teachers in sal- aries was merited both from point of service and teaching ability.
The discipline maintained n our schools s of a high standard. and the harmony between teachers and pupils, and teachers and parents, is a thing to be proud of. Very seldom is it necessary to administer corporal punishment to any of our pupils, and when you think of the number of pupils who are almost entirely uncontrolled out of the school room, the work speaks volumes for the teachers.
ATTENDANCE
This matter has been called to your attention, and through you and the teachers to the pupils and parents many times. I think it is bearing good fruit as shown
120
in better attendance of certain pupils who have, hereto- fore, placed school matters in a secondary position. Per- haps the "strength" with which the committee spoke to some parents has helped. Whatever the cause we can point to a greater percentage of attendance in some schools. Sickness is not always preventable, but when better knowl- edge of hygienic living is obtained and enforced we can look for increased interest and attendance.
Pupils who are kept in the same grades for two years are known as "repeaters" or "retarded pupils." and every educator is seeking methods as to the "why" of it, and what to do for such pupils best interests. We have a very small number of such in our schools. Lack of effort, and poor attendance on their part, seems to be the complaint- but an arrested mentality shows itself in some cases. It is the policy to promote every pupil who seems to have a chance in the next grade.
EYE AND EAR TEST
Number of pupils enrolled 282
Number deficient in eyesight I1
Number deficient in hearing 2
Number of parents notified II
Compared with previous years these defects seem to be growing less. One good feature is the attention given to the reports sent out by the teacher, and action taken in many cases.
121
MEDICAL INSPECTION
The necessity of safeguarding school children from diseases likely to be contracted during school hours is re- ceiving a good deal of attention, and the principle of medical inspection has won its place.
The medical profession is realizing more and more that their greatest work is not to cure disease, but to educate the people how to prevent it. The object the Greeks kept constantly before them in their schools was to produce a sound mind in a sound body. and "the" important one was the sound body.
Co-operation on the part of the teacher with the in- spector has kept our schools free from epidemics the past year.
Once more I must say-"Parents, take a little more interest in the condition and care of your children's teeth."
COURSE OF STUDY
Frequent changes are necessary in the elementary course, and if we are to meet the ever changing spirit of the times, we must make corresponding changes. Pamphlets containing suggestions for a course of study were sent to all our schools by the Board of Education. We could not use the course as mapped out in its entirety, and did not expect we could. A course in Geography and
122
History based partly on the above "Suggestions" has been prepared and explained to each of our teachers and is now in operation in the schools. Courses in Language and Grammar are under way and will be ready early in the year. Arithmetic and Spelling were previously out- lined and need very few changes. A thorough course in Hygiene with a standard text book as a guide will be one of the necessities of the new year. "The ability to meet new conditions and to adapt one's self to varying circumstances are requisites for success in our complicated modern life."
HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. McDonald, Agent of Board of Education, visiter the school in May. He commended the teachers for their efforts, but criticized the work along certain lines, and suggested changes that might be made. Later in consulta- tion with Mr. Orr, Deputy Commissioner of Education these changes were talked over-a new program adopted and an elastic course in electives prepared-these things are working out well. Mr. McDonald passed from this life early in August-bluff, brusque, honest. I shall miss his friendly visits, and although he had a way of doing and saying things all his own-he did those things that seemed for the best.
"Under the present policy of the state the High school is not primarily a fitting school for college, but a school
123
intended to train the boys and girls for useful occupations in life." In many High schools vocational subjects are given in the course, especially along business or agricul- tural lines-those along agricultural lines and domestic science are to be expanded in our school, and good re- sults arc looked for later.
Continued faithful service on the part of the principal and his assistants, and earnest effort on the part of the pupils are the worthy things mentioned. Some of our later graduates are now holding responsible positions.
In closing, I wish to thank you for your most generous support, the teachers for their faithfulness and the towns- people for many courtesies.
Respectfully, JAMES S. HAYES, Superintendent.
Norwell, Mass., Dec. 30, 1912.
Report of High School Principal
To Mr. James S. Hayes, Superintendent of Schools .
Dear Sir :
In this my second yearly open letter I shall depart some- what front that custom that seems to make the principal's report chiefly a potpourri of the success, the wants, and the plans in the local high school. Already the taxpayers and other citizens know much of the material side of their school, but otherwise they know little or nothing of it. Understanding this fact, and realizing its most natural reasons, I have been led to choose it as the leading idea of my theme, speaking, however. in a general way, and en- deavoring to show the mistaken standards which are uy- fortunately often consequent.
As T begin I am reminded of Professor William James' well known talk on "A Certain Blindness;" and those who lave read it will find it applicable. It must be confessed as true that the average citizen has no adequate concep- tion of what is or is not being accomplished in the very institution which he supports. At first sight one may wonder at this statement. But then, -- by what practical
125
opportunity may he learn? A thousand of his personal interests press themselves before him, and school life is far removed from the world in which he lives Yet I do not need to mention the one virtual opportunity that as a matter of fact he does take. It is the time of public graduation. Highly fitting is it then that I should pause a moment to talk in general about graduation and its rela- tion to the efficiency of a school,-and specifically of these things in Norwell. Anybody who knows anything about a high school knows that graduation essays are no part of its regular work. Further than this, the amount of containing "Suggestion For a Course of Study" were energy that has been spent in preparation shows exactly the amount that has been stolen from the real work of the school at the most important season,-id est, the last two or three weeks. The essay subjects are usually read up specially for the occasion as anybody, even a freshman for example, could do, and are often so many times corrected by the teacher that they amount to his or her composition. In what I choose to call an insincere country high school, the principal lays aside regular work in June, and the pupils attend merely,-wasting precious days. And to what end? That the unthinking portion of the public may form a good opinion of the work of the school in the same way that it judges of a college from the foot- ball games. The time will of course come when the peo- ple will have learned not to want the present commence- ment system, and when Norwell High School graduation
126
will be carried on in the same way as are graduations from the larger high schools at present; or at least, if the time- honored custom of graduation essays is still retained. that the seniors with essays will get through early, as college seniors with theses do, and then be trained by some one in the same way that they would be trained for any performance The desire of the public or of the parents to see the graduates actually perform could in the latter case be satisfied in a legitimate way.
1 have said, Mr. Hayes, that the average citizen is blind to the successes or failures in his own high school, and this because he is absorbed in his own affairs so thoroughly. Among average citizens, however, I do not include those fine mothers and others with broad interests who somehow seem always to understand and to get to the quick of things. It is they who stop to realize that school is five days a week and that during this time there is overwhelming opportunity for good or other growth. Realizing this. they observe and can tell you whether or not the school is performing its function .- standing for more and better knowledge, for discipline, for integrity, for refinement, and for the making in general of good citizens. They do not expect wonders, but they see the direction of the growth and know what to blame the school for or what to credit it with.
Now a word as to our plans in Norwell High School. We are trying to serve two classes of children .- that class which will go to a higher institution and that class which
127
will not .. The former class is getting the special work needed; and those citizens who do not know that a bright ambitious scholar from our school is fitted to pass the ex- aminations to any regular college are simply out of touch with conditions as they exist today. To the latter class of children we are endeavoring to give that sort of work which will afford them the best basis for life. This problem is a harder one, for our task is less definite. But we are trying, at least, not to be too utilitarian. Every one has a life to live beyond his humble duties.
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