USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1910-1919 > Part 19
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Levi N. Osborne & Son, mason work
21 50
W. W. Wade, tuning pianos 4 00
Mrs. H. E. Randall, cleaning Dist. No. 6 6 00
Mrs. E. C. Jones, cleaning Dist. No. I 12 00
Mrs. R. F. Powers, cleaning Dist. No. 2 IO 00 Mrs. M. A. Osborne, cleaning Dist. No 5 12 00
Eva L. Winslow, cleaning Dist. No. 7 8 00
F. E. Henderson, cleaning vaults 4 00
Wm. H. Spencer, labor and material 51 35
C. C. Hook, painting and repairs, Dist. No. 6° 23 95
C. H. Corlew, clock, Dist. No. I 5 00
Stanley H. Blanchard, floor dressing 12 05
C. L. Rice & Son, curtains and fixtures 19 77
104
C. S. West & Son, paint and supplies 19 05
J. Frank Turner, labor at Dist. No. 6 and High 43 75
Geo. N. Damon, carting freight 2 00
Timothy Sheehan, cleaning vaults, 1912 and 1913 5 00
W. R. Durkee, trans. of sick pupil I 00
James S. Hayes, carfare, expressing, etc. 6 40
John G. Robinson, lock and keys
12
1
$819 15
SUMMARY-YEAR OF 1913 EXPENDITURES
Transportation, old contract
$786 00
Transportation, new contract
1660 00
High School Fund
344 97
Superintendent
555 00
Teachers' Salaries
5200 40
Janitors
487 00
Fuel and Fitting
273 94
Books and School Supplies
357 35
Incidentals
819 15
$10483 81
AVAILABLE FUNDS
Massachusetts School Fund
$1220 05
State on acct. of Supt. and teachers'
salaries
416 66
Tuition, etc., state children
421 00
High School Fund
500 00
105
High School Fund, balance of 1912
107 77
Dog tax 332 27
Town appropriations
7000 00
Superintendent
250 00
$10247 75
Exceeded income
$236 06
Examined and found correct
ELLIOTT W. CROWELL.
Auditor.
ABSTRACT FROM REGISTERS
Winter Term, 1913.
Spring Term, 1913
Fall Term, 1913.
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. 1 Grammar
29
29
26.73
.92
29
28.12
26.05
.93
28
26.58
24.91
94
No. 1 Primary
29
28.28
26.17
.93
26
25.18
22.94
.92
32
31.57
30.16
.96
No. 2 Primary
24
23.57
21.04
.89
24
23.75
21.58
91
23
20.90
18.28
.87
No. 5 Grammar
42
37.08
34.45
91
34
30.54
26.35
.86
35
33.41
29.65
.88
No. 5 Primary
33
29.98
27.90
93
27
23.05
21.88
.92
27
25.
23.69
.94
No. 6 Primary
26
23.60
21.47
,91
24
23.27
20.77
.89
27
24.24
22.84
94
No. 7 Primary
34
33.39
31.07
.93
34
31.72
30.36
.96
30
29.04
27.08
.93
High School
58
56.66
54.19
96
55
53.43
50.84
.95
60
55.20
52.4
.95
Total
275
253
262
106
Program of Graduating Exercises of Norwell High School, June 19, 1913
Prayer Rev. E. L. Houghton School Double Trio
Song, "Lift Thine Eyes"
Salutatory and Essay, "The Message of the Poets"
Louise M. Whiting Edna J. Osborn
Class History Birthday Song Miss Anna C.Cambridge
Essay, "Town History in the Early Days"
Annie I. Olson Florence G. Brown
Class Prophecy Songs,
a "Lovely Night" b "Nursery Rhymes"
School Double Trio
Essay, "Glimpses of Hawthorne as Seen Through His Books" Edna W. Farrar Sadie E. Black
Class Will Songs, a "Wind in the Tree" b "Will o'the Wisp"
Miss Anna C. Cambridge Margaret W. Tolman
Valedictory Presentation of Diplomas Song, "Yesterday and Today"
Miss Anna C. Cambridge
Benediction
108
GRADUATES
Sarah Elizabeth Black Edna Winifred Farrar
Edna Josephine Osborne
Florence Genevieve Brown Annie Isabel Olson Margaret Wade Tolman
Louise May Whiting
Superintendent's Report
To the School Committee of Norwell :
I herewith submit my sixth annual report.
A report of this kind has much sameness year after year when written by the same person. To you in meeting, and as individuals, has been told the story of coditions. and your advice and assistance asked. The purpose of this report is to place before the citizens in condensed form a record of those conditions in our schools.
The amount for support of schools is constantly growing and necessitates a little larger appropriation year by year, but as long as this money is expended wisely in support of schools no taxpayer will find just cause for complaint. We cannot see at this time the value of the expenditure, but the training and education of our youth will develop good citi- zens of the future, and after all, that is one of the funda- mental aims of the public school. Our transportation problem has always been a source for argument I know of no way to make school teaching easy. If teachers keep from worrying they will not be worn out. If they do their full duty toward their pupils they should be happy.
Some years the teacher is elated because she has such a good class, others she is fretful because of a poor class. Do your duty by each one and your work cannot be failure. "If we make progress in the future, every teacher must in some degree secure greater self-activity on the part of the
110
pupils in work that is really worth while. From this point of work and self-activity we shall measure our progress."
The following from Supt. Greenwood of Kansas City is to the point. "The best plan of getting good work from children is to explain clearly what is wanted and then set them at it, and to inspire them to do their best."
Our progress is upward and steady, and though many times we know our efforts have gone for little, or nothing, yet our nature is such that we dare whisper to ourselves the hope that the future will help solve the problem. We shall keep before us our ideal though we never attain it.
TESTS OF SIGHT AND HEARING
The tests of sight and hearing as required by law were made by the teachers this year with the following results : Number of pupils tested 280
Number defective in eyesight I7
Number defective in hearing
2
Parents and guardians notified I7
Some of the above have had medical advice, others re- ported before, and again this year, have done nothing. At- tention may be called to them by the school physician later and to others as to the care of their teeth.
ATTENDANCE
The majority of our children are prompt and regular in attendance, but to a very small minority it is necessary to call their attention to the law governing attendance.
Sec. I. Chapter 44. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age ...... „shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the en- tire time the public day schools are in session.
111
Sec. III. Chapter 46. A child between seven and four- teen years of age who wilfully and habitually absents him- self from school contrary to the provisions of Sec. I, Chap- ter 44, shall be deemed to be an habitual truant and
may on complaint of a truant officer and conviction there- of be committed to a county truant school.
GENERAL REMARKS
A new Child Labor Law went into effect Sept. 1, 1913, its enforcement is under control of Board of Labor and Industries. All minors were obliged to obtain certificates of their ability to read, write and spell equal to fourth grade work in our schools. Not one from Norwell applied for certificate to be given to children between fourteen and sixteen years of age, and who could work but eight hours a day, and but one Illiterate who could not pass the tests.
A Teachers' Retirement System goes into effect July I, 1914, which necessitates some extra labor on the part of the Committee and Town Treasurer. A pamphlet issued by the Board of Education explaining the law has been handed each teacher, with the request that she make herself familiar with its content.
We have been free from serious epidemic in our schools the past year, and close attention on the part of the teachers and school physician to appearances and conditions of our children will, we hope, keep us free in the future.
---
HIGH SCHOOL
A great change was made in the course of study in our High School this year. A confrence was held with the Agent of the Board of Education who suggested a progra:n for state-aided high schools with two or three teachers. The
112
suggestion was carried out by the principal and is now in operation. Certain subjects are required, others are elec- tive. Two new assistants were elected at the beginning of the school year, and they are working hard for the best wel- fare of the school. The principal will enter into details in his report.
There can be no question but conditions are changing. The townspeople have not considered as yet these changes nor how our children are to be affected by them.
One writer says : "The high schools belong to all the peo- ple and must serve the children of all the people. What- ever any considerable number of people wish to have taught must be taught."
I wish to thank you for your advice and assistance, the teachers for their faithful service and the townspeople for many kindnesses.
Respectfully,
JAMES S. HAYES, Superintendent of Schools.
Norwell. Mass .. Dec. 31. 1913.
Report of High School Principal
To Mr. James S. Hayes,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Mr. Hayes :
In writing this, my third annual report, I find myself much better prepared than at either previous time to speak of Norwell High school. I have given much serious thought to the study of our schedule and local conditions, to noting the tendencies of pupils and graduates, to comparing notes with fellow principals, and to keeping in touch with modern educational tendencies. You are of course famil- iar with what I have to say, Mr. Hayes, and so I write the following for the public which quite naturally does not de- vote a large amount of time to the specific study of educa- tional problems.
American high school education is now unquestionably in a state of healthy revolution. This is the result of wise skepticism. The value of each study in turn is being doubted and its exponents are challenged to justify its presence in our programs at the penalty of witnessing its decline in favor of other subjects which promise greater educational returns. It is not enough that we and our parents were taught Latin,-why are our children taught it? It is not enough that most colleges require algebra and geometry for entrance,-shall we allow colleges to dictate the schedules
114
of American high schools when facts show that the vast ma- jority never enter college? Is the high school chiefly a preparatory institution for college, and are citizens to be taxed to support the interests of the minority ? Or is it better that the smaller public high schools offering but one course shall throw aside entirely the standards of college. require that the pupil training for college shall go to a spec- ial preparatory school, and be free themselves to offer the very best educational opportunities at hand to the great ma- jority who are to end here their school days?
Such general questions as these are being asked today in such numbers that to continue them further would be out of place in this report. But, as my little theme develops, it will be plain to see that I present them disinterestedly as a citizen rather than a principal. The easy path in school management is this,-to follow unquestioningly the well beaten path the community is accustomed to. More than this, it is almost the duty of a school official not personally to urge radical changes since the school management may at any time change and the community alone is the conser- vative factor which it serves. This being so, how import- ant it is that the people should take account of stock; as it were, now and then, and see if, in their judgment, the school is serving well the majority of the children and if the town is getting adequate returns for the money expended. Let them think well and hard, and then express their opinions frankly to the proper authorities. In this way the founda- tions for genuine and unwavering growth can be laid. One thing is certain, and this is that the four years during the most impressionable period of life affords such a wonderful opportunity for development and acquisition of important knowledge that no child can afford not to spend it to the best possible advantage. But does our time-honored list of
115
studies wisely use this time,-or is it so inadequate that, as Edison has recently said, "There is no American System of Education."
I come now to Norwell High school to tell what we are doing. Our program includes English, French, Science. History, Mathematics and Latin. Each subject is taught for four years five times a week each year during forty-minute periods. Each pupil is required to study English, and, with: certain minor restrictions, must elect three, with parental approval, from the remaining five. Drawing is taught once a week. This is the program which, as you know, Mr. Hayes, was adopted for this year at the meeting in Boston of Mr. Kingsley, you, and myself. It differs from last year's program in having a year more of French and in hav- ing each study come five times a week. Also there is no German and mathematics is not required.
Now to return somewhat to the theme. Our high school stands beside other High schools whose graduates. if they have been faithful, are prepared to enter the higher institu- tions of learning. We have tried sincerely to carry out, and to carry out efficiently, our program. All may, I think, be justly proud that not a graduate has failed to gain admission to college or normal school. And present pupils with a rank of A. or B. may expect the same success when they graduate if they desire it. But, Mr. Hayes, in thoughtfulness as a citizen, I cannot say that I feel compla- cently satisfied. I am not dissatisfied but I am open-mind- edly reflective. If I had a child that I wished to send to college I should desire for him the same kind of training that we are offering, but I am not certain that it is best for those who are finishing their school days here. I have been much interested in the pamphlets you have been bringing
116
me, as well as in others. Our talk, too, with Mr. Kings- ley has furthered certain thoughts in my mind. How about agricultural project study ? How about business courses ? Community civics? Ethics? Home economics? I might go on with a list of a dozen more studies that crowd them- selves with surprising force into the consideration of all live educators of today, and many of which if explained, would, I know, get enthusiastic support from both pupils and parents who now wonder (and often justly) "of what use" is this or that in our present schedule. Why, then are these things not taught? Here is the explanation.
Like nearly all High schools, Norwell High School is limited by college entrance requirements. We have but three teachers, we cannot and do not expect more than three. But these three already have their schedules fu !!. Consider well our program,-think of it being carried out every day in addition to the four studies of the ninth grade. and it is plain that there is no time left. Further. suppose there were time. Even then we would not be prepared et- ficiently to teach such courses as agricultural projects, business, or home economics. These require teachers specially trained for them. Yet the solution is not a dif- ficult one if the community really wishes such courses and a school essentially for the boy or girl who completes his training here. It is simply necessary that a principal and teachers be chosen with this in mind, and that college en- trance standards be abandoned.
I suggest that all interested in practical agricultural education read the literature on agricultural project study procurable from the Commissioner of Education in Boston. The State of Massachusetts will pay two-thirds the entire salary of a specially prepared agricultural teacher who de- votes his entire time to agriculture. A large part of the
117
time of such a man is spent in overseeing actual agricultural projects of the pupils,-some of these projects such as poultry-raising, vegetable gardening, etc .. to be carried out at home, and this home work to count as part of the regular school time. The pupil is thus going to school, making money, learning in a practical way, and having the excel- lent opportunity of being in touch, when difficulties arise. with the best expert information the state affords .- for the special instructor must, in turn, keep under the counsel of authorities. Furthermore, when such a project pupil comes to school he is able to talk of something of which he knows at first hand. The ordinary school method of first learning and then doing is thus reversed. and the school method becomes similar to that which usually occurs in life.
I cannot carry this discussion further in this already lengthy report. I close, hoping merely that these. few words may serve to awaken all afresh to the realization that the true high school is ever ready and anxious to serve the public in the full deep responsibility of its primal function, -namely, to afford the very best opportunity available for the development and training of the youths and girls in- trusted to it.
I take this occasion to thank the parents, the school com- mittee, and you, Mr. Hayes, for the help and the many kindnesses received. I am
Most sincerely yours,
JOHN C. PAGE.
Not for Circulation
NORWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1639 00069 1418
.. SIXTY FIFTH ..
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
.. 1914 ..
ROCKLAND: THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUB, CO., PRINT 1915 ..
.. SIXTY-FIFTH ..
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWELL
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
.. 1914 ..
ROCKLAND: THE ROCKLAND STANDARD PUB, CO., PRINT 1915
1
INDEX
Appropriations Recommended 81
Articles in Warrant
95
Assessors' Report
75
Financial Statement 82
Fire Extinguishers, Location of
71
Forest Warden Report 66
Highway Account
44
Incidental Account
56
Miscellaneous
58
Moth Report 64
Overseers of Poor Report
39
Recapitulation
79
School Report
99
Sealer of Weights and Measures
74
Snow Account
5 [
Tax Collector's Report
77
Town Clerk's Report
5
Town Officers' Account 54
Town Officers, 1914
9
Treasurer's Report / 33
Trustees' Report
85
.....
1
Report of the Town Clerk
ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS. MONDAY, MARCH, 2, 1914.
Pursuant to a warrant duly executed, the qualified voters of the Town of Norwell, met at the Town Hall, on Mon- day, March 2, 1914, and took the following action on the articles contained therein.
Article I. To choose a moderator.
John Whalen was chosen Moderator, by ballot and was sworn by the Town Clerk.
Article 2. To bring in their votes for a Town Clerk for one year, one Selectman, one Assessor and one Over- seer of the Poor for three years, a Treasurer, a Collector of Taxes, an Auditor, a Surveyor of Highways, five Con- stables, and a Tree Warden for one year, one member of the School Committee for three years, one member of the Board of Health for three years, one member of the Board of Health for two years, (to fill vacancy), and to vote yes or no in answer to the questions, "Shall licenses be granted . for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" "Shall this town accept the provisions of section forty-two, of chapter five hundred and fourteen of the acts of the year 1909. as affected by chapter four hundred and ninety-four of the acts of the year 1911, which provides
6
that eight hours shall constitute a day's work for city or town employees ?" "Shall chapter eight hundred and seven of the acts of 1913. being an act to provide for com- pensating laborers, workmen and mechanics for injuries sustained in public employment and to exempt from lega! liability counties and municipal corporations which pay such compensation, be accepted by the inhabitants of this town?" All on one ballot. Polls open from 7 A. M. to II A. M.
The ballots, cards of instruction and ballot box keys were delivered to the moderator by the town clerk. The elec- tion officers were Ezra E. Stetson, William D. Turner, Amos H. Tilden, Charles W. Thomas and Charles Scully. The polls were opened at 7 A. M. and closed at II A. M. One hundred and seventy-three ballots and two partial ballots for school committee were cast.
On being canvassed and counted in open meeting the result was declared by the moderator as follows :
Town Clerk ( for one year)
Joseph F. Merritt
164
Blanks
9
Selectman (for three years)
Frank W. Jones
I45
Blanks 28
Assessor ( for three years)
Frank W. Jones
I43
Blanks
30
Overseer of the Poor (for three years)
Frank W. Jones
I44
Blanks 20
7
Treasurer ( for one year)
Joseph F. Merritt 163
Blanks 10
Auditor (for one year)
Elliott W. Crowell 149
Blanks 24
Collector of Taxes (for one year)
William H. Spencer
151
Blanks 22
School Committee (for three years)
Claude G. Ainslie
47
Carrie M. Ford
II8
Blanks IO
Board of Health ( for three years)
Ernest H. Sparrell
I36
Blanks
37
Board of Health (for two years)
Frederick D. Lyon
I34
Blanks 39
Constables (for one year)
J. Warren Foster I37
L. Frank Hammond I35
Walter T. Osborn I37
John F. Wilder I32
Jesse M. Winslow
I38
Blanks I86
8
Tree Warden (for one year)
John H1. Sparrell I33
Blanks 40
Surveyor of Highways (for one year )
L. Frank Hammond 109
Arthur J. Mitchell 59
Blanks 5
Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?
Yes
77
No 82
Blanks I4
Shall this town accept the provisions of section forty- two of chapter five hundred and fourteen of the acts of the year 1909, as affected by chapter four hundred and ninety -- four of the acts of the year 1911. which provides that eight hours shall constitute a day's work for city or town employees ?
Yes
IOI
No
19
Blanks
53
Shall chapter eight hundred and seven of the acts of 1913. being an act to compensate laborers. workmen and mechanics for injuries sustained in public employment and to exempt from legal liability counties and municipal cor- porations which pay such compensation, be accepted by the inhabitants of this town?
Yes 82
No
30
Blanks 6 E
9
OFFICERS ELECTED
Town Clerk, Joseph F. Merritt.
Selectman. Assessor and Overseer of the Poor, Frank W. Jones.
Treasurer. Joseph F. Merritt.
Auditor, Elliott W. Crowell.
Collector of Taxes, William H. Spencer.
School Committee, Carrie M. Ford.
Board of Health. for three years, Ernest H. Sparrell.
Board of Health, for two years, Frederick D. Lyon.
Surveyor of Highways, L. Frank Hammond.
Constables, J. Warren Foster, L. Frank Hammond. John
F. Wilder. Walter T. Osborn, Jesse M. Winslow. Tree Warden, John H. Sparrell.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of officers and committees of the town and act thereon.
No committees reported. It was voted to accept the reports of the town officers as printed.
Article 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.
Voted, to appropriate the following amounts :
Support of Poor
$1.200 00
Almshouse 1.000 00
Almshouse (heating system)
400 00
Schools 7.000 00
Highways, (general work)
1.000 00
10
(widening Mt. Blue St., near G. Bates')
150 00
(Main St.)
2.490 00
200 00
(Pleasant St.) (River St.)
500 00
Removing Snow, (the excise tax)
Post 112, G. A. R., (Memorial Day)
235 00
State Aid
2,000 00
Soldiers' Relief
200 00
Town Officers
1,700 00
Washington St. Cemetery
75 00
Tree Warden
50 00
Tree Warden, (mowing bushes)
100 00
Board of Health
200 00
School Physician
25 00
Squares and Triangles
75 00
Town Hall
50 00
Electric Light
250 00
James Library
100 00
Fire Department
250 00
Abatement of Taxes
200 00
Gypsy Moth
462 94
Superintendent of Schools
250 00
Interest
650 00
State and County Taxes
4,400 00
Gaffield Park
30 00
Incidentals
750 00
Spraying Elms
190 00
Voted, to raise by taxation, a sum not to exceed $25.000 to be assessed on the polls and estates of residents and on the estates of non-residents.
11
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to bor- row money in anticipation of the revenue of the current financial year.
Voted, that the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, be and hereby is authorized to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year, beginning January 1, 1914, and to is- sue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Article 6. What compensation will the town make for removing snow and appropriate money for the same.
Voted, to pay twenty-five cents per hour for removing snow.
Article 7. In what manner and time shall the taxes be collected for the ensuing year.
Voted, to allow no discount on taxes. That interest be charged at the rate of six per cent. on taxes not paid Nov- ember 15. After December I, the collector shall issue summons and proceed to collect all unpaid taxes.
Voted, that the collector have the same power in the col- lection of taxes that he would have if he were also town treasurer.
Article 8. To make allowance to town creditors. No bills were presented.
Article 9. What sum of money will the town appro- priate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R., on Memorial Day.
Appropriation made under Article 4.
12
Article 10. Will the town cause a statement of its fi- nancial affairs to be printed in February next.
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