USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1896-1901 > Part 37
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Income from Luther E. Wilkins fund, lot 88, W. D. .
1 50
Samuel Willis, lot 20, W. D. 1 00
Wm. T. Willis, lot 19, E. D. 1 00
John Wilson, lot 146, E. D. 1 00
Income from .Sarah E. P. Wells fund, West Cemetery
2 03
Myron J. Woods, lot 155, E. D 1 00
Wm. L. Woods, lot 148, E. D. 1 00
A. A. Wright, lot 34, W. D. 1 00
Mrs. F. C. Wright, lot 59, E. D 1 00
Gilman J. Wright, lots 28 and 29, W. D 2 00
G. P. Wright, lot 25, E. D. 1 00
Income from V. B. Wright fund. 1 00
N. H. Wright, lots 46 and 47, W. D. 2 00
W. M. Wright, lot 24, E. D .. 1 00
Mrs. Agnes York, lot 234, E. D. 2 00
$476 88
124
EXPENSES.
Fairview :-
Paid A. P. Richardson and others for labor. . $236 65
J. H. O'Brien for 8 cords manure 24 00
W. W. Johnson for teaming same 4 00
J. H. O'Brien for teaming same 4 00
9 64
B. & M. R. R., freight on manure Grass seed 1 90
$280 19
North Cemetery :---
Paid Charles Farrow for laying wall. . $60 00
33 40
J. E. Ward for stone capping. . . . R. E. Redding, teaming capping W. W. Johnson, teaming and cement
10 00
1 50
For two casks Portland cement. .
5 00
For one cask common cement ...
1 35
Freight on cement .
30
Bartlett & Dow for chains
1 16
B. F. Nutting for labor
10 00
W. H. H. Burbeck for labor .... 4 40
West Cemetery :---
Paid C. L. Johnson, painting fence ....
$3 60
J. T. Colburn for labor.
7 00
W. H. H. Burbeck for labor ....
3 00
General Expense :-
Postage stamps, envelopes, etc 5 00
Axle oil, etc. 87
$5 87
Amount appropriated by the Town. .. Amount received for care of lots . ...
$250 00
226 88
$476 88
$127 11
$13 60
$426 77
125
Unexpended balance in Town Treasury
1899. 12 11
$488 99
Amount expended
426 77
Balance in hands of Town Treasurer ...
$62 22
TRUST FUNDS HELD FOR CARE OF BURIAL LOTS.
Sally B. Burrill fund $100 00
Mary A. Putnam fund.
100 00
Samuel Horne fund. 50 00
Clara M. Wiley fund
100 00
Joseph B. Griffin fund.
100 00
Edwin D. Metcalf fund.
50 00
Sarah S. Reed fund.
100 00
C. and C. A. Hamlin fund
100 00
Varnum B. Wright fund
25 00
M. Hennessey fund.
50 00
S. Richardson fund.
50 00
James M. Parker fund
50 00
Sarah E. P. Wells fund
100 00
Luther E. Wilkins fund. 50 00
$1025 00 GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, Chairman, GRORGE T. DAY, Secretary, Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MIDDLESEX SS.
To EITHER CONSTABLE OF THE TOWN OF WESTFORD, IN SAID COUNTY,
Greeting :
You are hereby required, in the name of the Commonwealth aforesaid, to notify and warn all the inhabitants of said Town qualified to vote in elections and also in Town affairs, to meet in the Town House, in said Westford, on Monday, the eighteenth day of March, being the third Monday in said month, at 8 o'clock A. M. The polls will .be opened at 8.15 o'clock A. M., and may be closed at I o'clock P. M. ; and they are then and there to act upon the following articles, to wit :
Ist. To choose a Moderator.
2d. To bring in their votes for Town Clerk for one year ; one Selectman and one Overseer of the Poor for three years ; two Assessors, one for one year and one for three years; one Com- missioner of Public Burial Grounds for three year ; two Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library, one for two years and one for three years ; three School Committee, one for two years and two for three years; Town Treasurer; Collector of Taxes; Two Con- stables ; one Auditor and one Tree Warden all for one year. Also to vote on the following question : " Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town? " All on one ballot.
3d. To hear the report of the Selectmen, and act in relation to the same.
4th. To hear the report of the Selectmen on Guide Boards, and act in relation to the same.
5th. To hear the report of the Overseers of the Poor, and act in relation to the same.
127
6th. To hear the report of the School Committee, and act in relation to the same.
7th. To hear the report of the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library, and act in relation to the same.
8th. To hear the report of the Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds, and act in relation to the same.
9th. To see if the Town will accept the report of the Auditor chosen to audit the accounts of the Town Officers, and act in rela- tion to the same.
Ioth. To see if the Town will accept the List or Jurors as reported by the Selectmen, and act in relation to the same.
IIth. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen hereafter to pay a proper charge of an Insurance Company for acting as surety on the official bond given to the Town by the Tax Collector for the faithful discharge of his duties, and act in relation to the same.
12th. To see if the Town will determine the compensation of the Tax Collector, and act in relation to the same.
13th. To raise and appropriate money to repair Roads and Bridges.
14th. To raise and appropriate money for Town Debts and Charges.
15th. To raise and appropriate money for Public Schools.
16th. To raise and appropriate money to pay tuition of High School scholars, residents of the Town, at Westford Academy.
17th. To raise and appropriate money for support of Poor.
18th. To raise and appropriate money for School Text Books and Supplies.
19th. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treasurer, under the written direction of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time to meet the demands on the treasury, and act in relation to the same.
20th To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the ensuing year, also the rate of interest of taxes remaining unpaid at a time to be fixed by vote of the Town, and when and how said taxes shall be paid into the treasury, and act in relation to the same.
128
2 Ist. To choose all other Town Officers necessary to be chosen by hand vote, and act in relation to the same.
22d. By request of the Veteran Association, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50) to com- memorate Memorial Day, and act in relation to the same.
23d. To see what action the Town will take to comply with the order of the County Commissioners on relocating and widening Carlisle Road, so called, and act in relation to the same.
24th. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to repair and paint the flag pole on the Town Common, and act in relation to the same.
25th. To establish the salary of the Sealer of Weights and Measures, and act in relation to the same.
26th. By request of the citizens of Graniteville and Forge Village, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of Fifty Dollars ($50) for the purpose of distributing books from the Public Library in these two villages, and act in relation to the same.
27th. By request of the School Committee, to see if the Town will authorize the School Committee to put a cellar under the Forge Village Schoolhouse, also to appropriate money for the same, and act in relation to the same.
28th. To see if the Town will authorize the Select nen to sign any contract that may be required by the Massachusetts Highway Commission for the expenditure of money allotted by them from time to time to the Town for highway purposes, and act in relation to the same.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up true and attested copies at the Town House and at each depot in said Westford, eight days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding the meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands and seals, this first day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and one.
Signed.
SHERMAN H. FLETCHER, GEORGE W. HEYWOOD, WESLEY O.HAWKES,
Selectmen of Westford.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1901.
WESTF
TOWN
R
1729. c
CORPORATED
3.
S
LOWELL, MASS. : COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1901.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1900-1901.
A. R. CHOATE, Chairman
Term Expires 1901.
L. H. BUCKSHORN, Secretary
JOHN C. ABBOT, Secretary pro tem.
66
66 1901.
GEO. H. HARTFORD .
66
66
1903.
FRANK H. HILDRETH .
66
66
1902.
ELBERT H. FLAGG
66 66
1902.
.
1903.
Superintendent of Schools, H. [E. RICHARDSON, Residence, Littleton Depot.
ANNUAL REPORT.
Citizens of Westford :
The School Board herewith submits its report for the past year.
Under the supervision of our Superintendent, Mr. Richard- son, the schools have made rapid progress. We have been handicapped by the loss of some of our best teachers, but in most cases the places have been well filled, and the work has continued without interruption. As to the eighth grade, we were somewhat unfortunate in our selection after Miss Carter resigned, but under Miss Ruth Fisher splendid headway has been made. There has been a great deal of sickness this winter, which has had a tendency to interfere with the studies, also changing superintendents, as we did in March last, bringing in new ideas and to a degree new methods, even though it be for the best, must necessarily be a drawback at first. Notwithstanding these facts, we feel that this year has been a most successful one.
A word as to consolidation .. Some time ago, owing to the small number of children attending the Long Sought For School, it was deemed advisable to close it and transport the scholars to Westford; later the Wright School was closed, and the schol- ars were carried. to Graniteville. In both cases the results have been most encouraging. The children have attained a far better training than they possibly could under the district system. More time, more competent teachers, better appliances, are some of the many things which tend to make graded work so much superior.
Consolidation means a far better education for the child, and a diminished expense in the end to the town. Whenever distance will permit, it is by all means desirable to consolidate.
4
There is one matter which demands our close attention, and before long we must have it; that is, a ninth grade. At the pres- ent time the average child enters the Academy totally unfitted to carry on the course, simply because the ninth year work is lack- ing, and time will only permit the work being partially done in the previous grades. Under these conditions one of two things must happen: Either the scholar must plod along without get- ting the best from each study, or else the work in the Academy must be sacrificed to take up the branches neglected and yet necessary to obtain the best results.
There is still another subject which must be considered, and that is, the question of room for the eighth grade. The Academy Trustees have very kindly given the use of one of their rooms, but with the steady increase in number the space will soon be too small to accommodate all. Last fall we were obliged to put in extra seats, and more could not well be placed there.
In regard to repairs at the Center School, a new furnace 1s badly needed. This winter we have had a great deal of trouble and have been obliged to close at times, the temperature being below 60 degrees. At Forge Village a cellar is a necessity, and the furnace should be changed and put down there.
With that end in view, we are asking for an appropriation to do the work. Several of the buildings will need, before long, painting inside and outside, besides other minor repairs, which will not be expensive.
There are two matters which the Board would like to sub- mit for your consideration: First, that the two school-houses now vacant be sold, if possible. They will not certainly increase in value by allowing them to stand idle, and there is no possi- bility of their being used again by the town for educational pur- poses. Second, that the eighth grade scholars be transported. This certainly should be done another year, as the distances from Forge Village, Graniteville and other parts of the town are too great for the children to walk.
Regarding the money to be expended for the schools. The demand for a better education is increasing daily, and the State requires that the school keep a longer number of weeks; and in towns of five hundred families a high school or its equivalent
5
must be maintained. More competent teachers are necessary to carry out the modern ideas; in fact, it is impossible to do the work satisfactorily with less money than we ask for. In closing, we wish to express our regret at the resignation of our former Secretary, Mr. Buckshorn, and thank him for the services he rendered while with the Board.
A. R. CHOATE, J. C. ABBOT, G. H. HARTFORD, F. H. HILDRETH, E. H. FLAGG,
School Committee.
6
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
INCOME.
Balance unexpended from 1899 $ 272 17 Appropriation . 5,700 00
From State on account of Superintend- ent of Schools. 250 00
Income Massachusetts School Fund. ..
404 78
From Westford Academy for services of music teacher. 25 00
Tuition of scholars at Westford Acad- emy. 1,500 00
$8,151 95
EXPENDED.
Teachers $5,208 95
Fuel . 686 35
Janitor service. 394 80
Transporting scholars 306 00
Tuition scholars Westford Academy ...
1,500 00
$8,096 10
Balance unexpended . $55 85
SUPPLIES FURNISHED NOT INCLUDING BOOKS.
Westford Academy
$27 20
Eighth Grade.
23 13
Centre Grammar
22 20
Centre Primary
11 86
Stony Brook.
8 11
Nabnassett.
10 78
Wright . . 2 48
Graniteville Grammar 20 73
Graniteville Intermediate 21 19
Graniteville Upper Primary
16 71
Graniteville Lower Primary
11 36
Amount carried forward. $175 75
7
Amount brought forward. $175 75
Forge Village Grammar.
16 54
Forge Village Primary 16 02
Nashoba.
8 61
Parkerville.
6 87
Minot's Corner
12 37
Books.
$236 16 361 81
$597 97
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED.
Schools. $6,000 00
Tuition scholars at Westford Academy . 1,500 00
Text books and school supplies. ... 600 00
$8,100 00
COST OF SCHOOLS.
EIGHTH GRADE.
Teaching .
$424 00
Heating .
125 00
$549 00
CENTRE.
Teaching
$724
Fuel .
66 49
Care of house. . 90 50
$880 99
GRANITEVILLE,
Teaching
$1,522 00
Fuel .
198 71
Care of house 117 30
$1,838 01
FORGE VILLAGE.
Teaching
$748 40
Fuel. ..
101 27
Care of house
99 50
$949 17
MINOT'S CORNER.
Teaching
$288 00
Fuel .
39 62
Care of house
17 75
$345 37
PARKERVILLE.
Teaching
$288 00
Fuel. .
39 00
Care of house
11 50
$338 50
NASHOBA.
Teaching
$288 00
Fuel.
24 50
Care of house
25 75
$338 25
STONY BROOK.
Teaching.
$324 00
Fuel.
60 44
Care of house
11 00
$395 44
NABNASSETT.
Teaching
$289 80
Fuel .
28 82
Care of house
18 50
$337 12
9
WRIGHT.
Teaching
$104 00
Fuel .
2 50
Care of house.
3 00
Music teacher.
$208 75
Transporting scholars
306 00
EXPENSE OF SUPERVISION.
Salary paid by Town
775 31
Rebate from State
625 00
Net cost to Town
$109 50
$150 31
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Westford:
Gentlemen :- I hereby submit my first and the eighth annual report of the Superintendent of Schools.
The following is a statistical table, showing the returns of the last school census; and the enrollment and attendance in the schools from September, 1899, to June, 1900:
Number of boys in town between 5 and 15 years. 215
Number of girls in town between 5 and 15 years 223
Total. 438
Number of boys in town between 7 and 14 years 197
Number of girls in town between 7 and 14 years. 207
Total. 404
Whole number enrolled in all the schools. 481
Whole number between 5 and 15 years 436
Whole number between 7 and 14 years
337
Whole number over 15 years. 45
Average membership 412.1
Average attendance. 369.9
Per cent. of attendance. 89.7
Number of teachers. 17
Number of weeks in school year 36
When entering upon my duties, last April, I found the work in the schools well systematized, and the cause of education well advanced, although the general organization of the schools is inferior to that in towns which have settled the district school question by consolidation. This experiment, so generally and successfully tried in other towns, can be repeated, I believe, with equally good results in Westford. Today the weight of opinion
11
is decidedly in favor of all possible consolidation of schools as being in the line of economy and efficiency. The arguments in favor of consolidation were so fully set forth in last year's report that it is unnecessary for me to repeat them here.
In the cities, and in many towns throughout the State, nine years' preparatory work is necessary for admission to the High School, while in Westford only eight years are required. The eighth grade is doing excellent work, and is not expected to do that of the ninth grade; but we feel strongly that another year in the grammar school is almost indispensable for the better prep- aration and mental development of those who are to do success- fully the work of the Academy. It is an acknowledged fact that, even in the most perfect school systems, a gulf exists between the grammar and secondary schools, due, in part, to the most difficult High School studies, as well as to different methods employed; and how to bridge this gulf is a problem much dis- cussed by school authorities. Students entering the Academy inadequately prepared, and with little maturity of mind, are naturally easily discouraged, and apt to leave school early in the course. For the best interests of the young people, and for the greater efficacy of the Academy, which labors at a disadvantage, although with signal success, in spite of unfavorable conditions, I would recommend the establishment of a ninth grade in the grammar school.
Under the management of Mr. Frost and his assistant, faith- ful and commendable work is being done in the Academy, and Westford is to be congratulated upon supporting an institution of such excellent character. The Academy should not be con- sidered a school for the favored few, whose training is outside of that with which the lower schools are related. The Academy training is the right of all, and should be the goal placed before every pupil in the different grades throughout the town.
The present corps of teachers is faithful, zealous, and well deserves the support of parents and citizens. While all do not possess the same degree of ability in all lines, each teacher has shown herself strong in some special direction. There have been comparatively few changes during the year. In April, two of our best teachers, Miss Annie Carmichael of the Graniteville
12
lower primary, and Miss Bertha Swain of the upper primary, resigned to accept more lucrative positions in Weymouth. In September, Miss Lizzie A. Winship of the Nabnasset School, who had taught so long and faithfully, retired from the service, much to the regret of all who were associated with her in the work. Although it was not my privilege to have known Miss Winship long, I am convinced that by her resignation Westford has lost one of her most thorough, earnest, and successful teachers.
In June, written examinations were given by the Superin- tendent, in all subjects, in all the schools, with very satisfactory results in the great majority of cases.
Five teachers' meetings have been held during the year. Time has been taken for such general recommendations as visits to the school-room suggest, as well as for the consideration of the different subjects taught in the schools. Mr. A. W. Clark, of Boston, was present at two of the meetings, and gave the teachers valuable instruction in writing; and Miss Prescott has given special directions regarding the work in music.
The course of study had not been revised, with the excep- tion of slight changes in the geography work, since it was first drawn up by Mr. Barker. A revision was necessary to more fully meet the present needs of the schools. As few changes as possible were made, although the history course is entirely new. The subject of history is receiving more attention in the best schools throughout the country than at any previous time. Whereas, formerly it was taught only in the upper grammar grades, now it is begun in the lower primary and continued throughout the course. Even the youngest children are attracted by stories from history; and while they have had little experi- ence, and cannot understand complicated forms of life, stories of the Indians and Esquimos, especially adapted to children, representing the beginnings of history in ideas of time, place and customs, they take much interest in.
History is a subject well adapted to two ends: To arouse a love for study, and to give a knowledge of how to study. By the present method of teaching it, pupils are given that best of helps, a key to the use of books. Whatever tastes are formed
13
in childhood will prevail through life, and if a love of study is not formed then, it probably never will be. It has been well said that literature is best history, as it takes us into the very heart and life of a people. So literature is correlated as much as possible with history, and thus pupils become familiar with many of the choicest selections in literature. In Lowell and Whittier we breathe the very atmosphere of the Civil War, and who would think of teaching Puritan New England without "Miles Standish," or the French and Indian War without "Evangeline?"
Throughout the course many books not in the schools are referred to in order to encourage pupils to form the habit of using the Public Library. In recent additions made to the Library it is very gratifying to know that the needs of the schools have been considered, and that a goodly number of excellent reference books are at the disposal of teachers and students.
Mr. Warren Cox resigned his position as Supervisor of Music last June, and Miss Ida Prescott of Westfield was chosen as his successor. Miss Prescott has charge also of the music in the Littleton schools. She has outlined a systematic course of study which is being followed successfully in all the grades. Now special instruction is given in the Academy once a week, as in the other schools. During the year individual work has been emphasized, believing that in music, as in other subjects, the best progress is made when pupils work independently. We grow only by self activity and by what we do for ourselves. It is not expected that all will sing equally well, but the individual method gives every pupil a special opportunity to discover and develop any latent talent that he may possess, whether appre- ciated or not by him at the time.
Formerly much of the work consisted of singing in concert, when a few of the more capable ones sustained the singing, with the result that a few made satisfactory progress, while the major- ity gained no working knowledge of music.
The value of music as a disciplinary study is now generally recognized. By conformity to strict and systematic drill, pupils learn to do quick and accurate work. Although a large portion of the music period is required in learning to read the language,
14
realizing that this is simply a means to an end, the expressive side of the study should not be overlooked, and the aim should be to develop a love and appreciation of the best music. Some one has well said, "Beautiful music produces good impressions, good impressions lead to right living, right living encourages good citizenship, good citizenship makes a state and a nation strong."
The use of water colors has been introduced into the eighth grade, not for the purpose of teaching the pupils to make pretty pictures, but rather to train their powers of observation and expression, as well as to make more real every line of school work. Every subject taught in our schools gains new power and life, as the brush and pencil tells its own truth concerning it. To train pupils to observe is to introduce them to the world of beauty that surrounds them. How blindly most of us go through life, merely for the lack of a little training in early years in learn- ing how to observe. I believe that this work could be introduced into all the grades with good results.
The work of the schools, on the whole, has advanced well throughout the year. We know that the great part of what a pupil learns in school is forgotten in later life. The value of an elementary education, therefore, consists largely in the power gained through the acquirement of knowledge, rather than in the knowledge acquired. Yet there are certain fundamental facts belonging to all school subjects that should be so thoroughly taught as to remain permanently in the mind of the pupil and be available at all times. The aim is to give instruction in all important facts, and through this instruction to develop and broaden the intellectual life of the pupils. Success in this depends upon the character of the instruction given, which, in every case, is more important than the quantity.
The purpose of true education is so to develop the individ- ual as to enable him to make the most of himself, or, in other words, it consists in drawing out and developing all the God- given faculties that he possesses. To the home and the school belongs largely the duty of accomplishing this purpose. If the home does not fulfil its duty in this respect, the schools must supply the defect.
15
Parents sometimes underrate the aim of school work, and consider that the mere accumulation of facts is the object of school training. But unless brain power is gained, the work of the school is well-nigh void.
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