USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1896-1901 > Part 9
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
RD
INCORP
1729.
C
RE
PORATED
2
SEP'T
LOWELL, MASS .: COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS.
1897.
-
ANNUAL REPORT.
Citizens of Westford :
The School Committee, in accordance with custom and law, respectfully submit a report of their Board and its Superintendent of Schools. The membership and organization of the Board has been the same during the past year as for the year previous- with Mr. A. J. Abbot as Chairman, and W. J. Sleeper, Secretary.
The larger part of the educational work is arranged and carried on by the Superintendent, and will be found appended in his per- sonal report to the Committee. The Superintendent, Mr. E. P. Barker, has ably and faithfully discharged his duties and is constantly working to raise the grade and standard of our schools. Scattered as they are, the work is laborious, and the many grades taught in some of the district schools keep them at a disadvantage, classes of one, it being admitted lacking, in the association and stimulus of companionship to draw out the best work in pupil and teacher.
The supervision we now have has its advantages, which would be enlarged by more graded work that can be secured by consoli- dation. Your attention was called last year to the advantage and at no increase in expense. The plan of consolidation of schools has gradually spread throughout the State, and Westford is now about the only one of our group of towns which has not consolidated to a greater or less extent. The plan certainly cannot be otherwise than a benefit when such sums as mentioned below are appropriated and expended for transportation of pupils :
Concord
Lexington
$2,195 00 2,523 75
Weston
2,699 85
Two hundred and thirteen [towns-many more than one-half- in the state transported to a greater or less extent last year, the number increasing from 199 towns the year previous.
The sums spent throughout the State have increased as shown by the table given below :
Year.
Sum Expended.
IS88-89
$22, 1IS 38
1 889-90
24,145 12
30,648 68
1890 91 1891-92
38.726 07
1892-93
50.590 41 63,617 68
1893-94
1894-95
76,608 29
-
4
The Long-Sought-For School we called attention to last year, and the attendance there this year has been very small ; so small, in fact, that, to add some interest, graduated children have been allowed to go there this winter and take 8th grade work. The following figures give the average membership and average attendance there the past year-the increase, as stated, in December and January being from adding graduates.
Average Membership.
Average Attendance.
April
8.8
7.98
May
7.8
7.3
June
7.
6.5
Sept.
5.7
5.4
Oct.
5.2
4.9
Nov.
5.
4.3
Dec.
IO.
9.8
Jan.
IO.
9.8
It is thus seen that the number of pupils is such that the cost per pupil is much increased. Using the same figures for expense of school this year as last,-this year's figures of expense not being yet compiled,-but using this year's membership the cost per pupil in the Long-Sought-For-School is $48.09 ; and for the year previous as per table printed last year $33.09, an increase of $15.00 per pupil. This, gentlemen, would not be excessive and should be justly incurred if the pupils could not be otherwise provided for, and by association with larger classes probably much to their · benefit. We insert again the figures given in last year's report, showing cost of schools, average membership and cost per pupil :
Name of School.
Cost of School.
Average Membership.
Cost per Pupil.
Long-Sought-For
$ 360 65
10.9
$33 09
Parkerville
329 0I
IO.I
32 53
Minot's Corner
326 c6
I2.I
27 00
Nashoba
358 35
16.9
21 20
Wright
324 72
15.8
20 55
Nabnassett
-
419 35
219
19 15
Centre
775 81
47.4
16 37
Stony Brook
412 62
26.7
15 45
Graniteville
- 1,602 85
117.3
13 66
Forge Village -
804 52
61.4
13 10
5
In speaking of the cost per pupil we would recall to your attention that although the town seems to be spending a good deal of money on our schools, yet Westford is the 229th town in the State. as compared with the others, in the amount raised and appro- priated and expended per pupil ; we appropriating $14.07, while some of the other places appropriate as high as $40.00, $42.00 and $43.66. . These latter figures, of course, are in more wealthy towns, but the rate is so unequal throughout the State that a state tax is sought to be. levied and then divided, so that those unable to appro- priate the larger sums shall have some benefit of their riches. These figures, $14 07, we think will be raised in next year's report, when our increased appropriations for high school work will show.
Before leaving the matter of consolidation we would also call attention to the Minot's Corner School, where, with a membership this winter term of twelve pupils, there have been five grades taught, two classes having only one pupil, and one class two pupils. The work of the teacher has been good, but would not the pupils be better instructed in larger classes ? The district is one that could have the pupils transported to the Centre schools without incon- venience, and we think with benefit. The cost per pupil there, as per table giver last year, was $27.00, and as the attendance was about the same this year, the figures would stand for this year as well.
The amount saved by transportation would allow about one week's more schooling, and that week is urgently needed, as we are now failing to give our children as much as our neighboring towns.
We think it is generally admitted that the town does not desire to discourage people coming here to locate on account of lacking in equal schooling facilities. It is recommended that the Long- Sought-For School be closed and the pupils transported to the Wright School, and that the Minot's Corner School be closed and the pupils transported to the Centre schools.
Articles to this end are submitted in the warrant to correspond with the recommendations of the Committee, and for decision by the town, the Committee continuing impersonal and acting as agents of the town in recommending what seems best for the interests of all. We distinctly make no personal contest.
During the year those schools not having flags have been supplied. as required by Chapter ISI, Acts 1895 ; namely Wright, Long-Sought-For, Nabnassett and Parkerville.
6
The seats for pupils in the Graniteville Grammar and Upper Primary Schools have been changed as to their position in those rooms so as to correct the errors of light for the pupils ; the light now coming in all the rooms in the Graniteville building from the rear and the left, as required by best rules of light, which allow that the pupil shall not have to write in shadow and that a certain amount of light space shall be in each room according to capacity and floor space.
No other school house in our town is properly arranged for our pupils as regards light and the correct handling and disposal of it, and our pupils are being subjected to eye-strain, which they should not be-in fact, they are being injured. The black-boards in the Centre Grammar School are doing harm each day, and the Com- mittee have been petitioned to change them, and so voted. The change will be made this year. Changes of and repairs to black- boards are now made with slate, which makes a permanent board and not requiring future outlay for re-covering.
The question of arrangement of height of seats and height of desks to the height of the pupil has received attention, many of the pupils having seats entirely unfitted for them, and some schools having to use blocks of wood beneath the desks for the pupils to rest their feet on, or else, to get any comfort, take a position which increases spinal curvature and round shoulders, with crowding of chest and consequently weakening of the lungs. Some of the seats will have to be re-arranged and some provided with foot-rests, as it is not possible to put in modern seats and desks which are adjust- able for the pupil and which allow a correct arrangement and position to be made. Should any new ones be bought at any time this would be considered and the very best adjustable ones secured. If the old ones could be gradually exchanged for these it would be a great benefit to the pupils.
A number of schools have suffered during the year on account of sickness, and the Forge Primary on account of teachers, the teacher elected for the year leaving in the middle of a term. Miss Anne Carmichael of the Graniteville Lower Primary was put in temporarily, as her school was closed on account of the sickness prevailing then. Her work there was very profitable, but since then it has been far from such on account of numerous changes in teachers, and loss of attendance and interest from that cause and from sickness.
The Graniteville Schools were closed four weeks on account of
7
the prevalence of measles, and some of the time will have to be made up this year, they opening their schools at least two weeks earlier than the others.
The changing of teachers during a term or before the expiration of the time elected for, unless for satisfactory reason or acceptable to the Committee, is very unprofitable for the pupils and consequently for the town, so that rules have been adopted relating thereto.
A set of rules and regulations for benefit of committee, teachers and parents have been arranged and printed.
The Sth Grade School was established, as voted by the town last year, and until their permanent quarters were ready in the new Academy building have been instructed in the lower hall of the Town Hall. Miss A. Mabelle Drew has been the teacher and very satisfactory work has been done by her, so that pupils are now better prepared for their higher work, and a higher and better work will result in the grades given them in High School work at the Academy.
The school is a step forward for the town.
The system of vertical writing has been introduced in the schools at the suggestion of the Superintendent, and the improve- ment in the legibility of the writing is marked. The pupils have made good progress for the time for such a change, and it is hoped that a better and more correct position of the pupil will also result. We show the expense of each school for books and supplies in the following table :
Long-Sought-For School $
13 75
Forge Primary School
19 47
Forge Grammar School 21 40
Stony Brook School
31 94
Nabnassett School
21 29
Wright School
24 13
Centre Grammar School
80 14
Centre Intermediate School
39 20
Centre Primary School
51 69
Graniteville Primary A School
16 23
Graniteville Primary B School
24 87
Graniteville Intermediate School 59 18
Graniteville Grammar School 60 29
Nashoba School 24 68
Minot's Corner School 15 50
Parkerville School 22 70
Westford Academy
221 70
$748 16
8
The books used in High School work are largely technical and of higher cost than others, hence showing in the item for the academy.
The Centre grammar or 8th Grade School was newly estab- lished and new and special books and entirely new supplies accoun; for the larger sum there than in the other schools, while the other schools: having the larger sums are partly accounted for by certain books being bought and sent to these schools for first use, and then they go to each of the other schools, so keeping them in use but varying the work. The expense shows to the first school having them, and the other schools show the lower figures. The total appropriation, $750.00, gives less than $2.00 per pupil for each pupil and includes all supplies as well as books, being much less than the cost per pupil when furnished by themselves as they were years ago.
The supply agent is arranging a schedule of allowance per pupil on the basis estimated for schools in Lowell, Everett and Cambridge, and will seek to encourage economy in use at town expense, but will furnish the teachers extra supplies which pupils can have at cost.
The Forge Village School is not safe with its present arrange- ment of the heater beneath the stairs, and the shed for the storage of wood and coal is inadequate, besides allowing a loss to the town from the fuel being taken by private persons. We would recommend that a cellar be dug beneath the building sufficient for the heater and storage of fuel, and that the heater be transferred to it.
Mr. A. Woodbury dissents from the article on consolidation and transportation.
A. J. ABBOT, A. R. CHOATE, FRANK H. HILDRETH, W. J. SLEEPER, MRS. ALTA M. TAYLOR, ALFRED WOODBURY, School Committee.
9
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
INCOME.
Balance of Massachusetts School Fund. $ 93 4I
Appropriation . . 5,600 00
From State on account of Supt. of Schools 200 00
Income Massachusetts School Fund.
262 57
$6,155 98
Teachers
$5,046 05
Fuel .
625 96
Janitor service
373 75
$6,045 76
Balance $110 22
This shows a balance by using the income from Massachusetts school fund in order to balance accounts. This really should not be used until this coming year's account, and there is a real deficit of $152.35.
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS IN WESTFORD ACADEMY.
Balance from last year. $274 00
Appropriation 1,500 00
$1,774 00
Expended for uition
588 00
Balance unexpended and for use during the next school
year ·
$1,186 00
This balance will almost pay the expense of the High School scholars the coming year, as we shall only pay tuition rates during the spring term and so leave but two-thirds of a year to be paid for at the indenture figures. Only $100.00 will be needed as an appropriation this year.
TEXT BOOKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
Appropriation
$750 00
Received from sales
21 02
$771 02
Expended
773 58
Overdrawn
$2 56
APPROPRIATIONS RECOMMENDED.
Schools ..
$5,600 00
High School pupils in Westford Academy 100 00
Text books and school supplies 700 00
Transportation
350 00
EXPENDITURES.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Westford :
My fourth annual report, herewith presented, treats upon the following topics: A Summary of Statistics, the Academy, the Eighth Grade, Other Schools and Teachers, the Course of Studies, Modern Methods, School Supervision-its cost, extent and results, Age and Schooling Certificates, and Suggestions for Improvement. Following these are the Music Teacher's report, Truant Officers' report, roll of honor, list of teachers, and table of statistics.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
POPULATION AND VALUATION.
Population of Westford, 1895 2,418
Assessors' valuation, 1896 . $1,262,560 00 Children between 5 and 15 years of age, May, 1896 :
(a) As found by Assessors. 387
(b) As found on school registers 431
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
Number owned by the town IO
Number owned by Academy I
School rooms occupied under charge of town 16
School rooms occupied under charge of Academy 2
TEACHERS.
Number of regular teachers employed by the town. r6
Number of regular teachers employed by the Academy. 2
Number of special teachers employed-music. I
Number of College graduates I Number of Normal graduates 6
Number of Westford Academy graduates. 4 Whole number different teachers during year, including Academy 29
PUPILS.
Whole number of different pupils during year 546 Average membership. 428
Average attendance 398
Per cent. of attendance. 93.I
11
ATTENDANCE.
During the time the schools have been in session the past year, the attendance has been good, making quite a gain over last year. The enrolment has been fifty more than last year ; the average at- tendance fifteen more ; the per cent. of attendance 93.1 as against 92.8% last year ; the number of tardinesses has been 361 less ; and the dismissals ninety-one less.
Five years ago the average attendance was 275 ; this year it is 398. If from the difference, 123, we deduct the number of pupils in the Academy, 91 will remain as the net increase, or 29% in five years.
The roll of honor contains the names of six pupils neither absent nor tardy during the entire year.
One, Charlotte Prescott, has a record for two consecutive years.
The banner for excellence in attendance has been assigned monthly as follows : Three times to the Wright school, twice to the Nabnasset school, and once each to the Centre Primary, Granite- ville Intermediate, Long-Sought-For, and Graniteville Upper Primary.
THE ACADEMY.
The following statistics in regard to the town pupils in the Academy are approximately correct and may be of some general interest :
The whole number of different town pupils attending the Academy during the year has been thirty-two; eighteen boys and fourteen girls. These have come, one each from Minot's Corner, Parkerville, Nashoba, and Nabnasset; three from Stony Brook ; four from Forge Village ; five from Graniteville ; and the remainder, sixteen, from the centre of the town and that vicinity.
Of these thirty-two pupils, fourteen have been in the A, or most advanced class, seven boys and seven girls; seven in the B class, four boys and three girls ; two in the C class, one boy and one girl ; nine in the D class, six boys and three girls.
Their average ages April 1, 1897, are as follows: A class, seventeen years, five months ; B class, sixteen years, five months ; C class, sixteen years, eight months ; D class, sixteen years, four months.
Twenty have been studying Algebra, nineteen Latin, ten English History, nine Physiology, eighteen French, nine English
12
Composition, fifteen Geometry, seven Greek, thirteen American Literature, thirteen Single-entry Book-keeping, ten Rhetoric, twenty-one English Literature, seven Greek and Roman History, twelve Chemistry, twelve Civil Government.
All are studying upon courses extending through four years. Seven are preparing for college, five boys and two girls.
One is preparing for a Normal school, one for Northfield Seminary and one for a business college. Several are as yet unde- cided in regard to the future.
Fourteen are candidates for diplomas in June.
The daily program of recitations in the Academy has been as follows :
Principal.
Assistant.
8:30 Virgil.
Rhetoric.
9:15 Cæsar.
English Literature.
9:50 Algebra.
Algebra.
10:35 Recess.
Recess.
Book-keeping or English History.
11 :20
Anabasis.
French.
12:00 Noon Recess.
Noon Recess.
12:30
Cicero.
English Composition.
1 :00 Greek or Roman History.
French.
1:30 Chemistry or Civil Government.
Physiology.
2:00 Close.
Close.
EIGHTH GRADE.
The Eighth Grade School, in the Lower Town Hall, has given instruction to sixteen different pupils. These have come from various parts of the town ; six from Stony Brook, four from Granite- ville, one from Minot's Corner, and five from the Centre.
The promotion of Miss Drew to the charge of this school has insured its success from the start. Here, under faithful and competent instruction, candidates for the High School another year have been given instruction and drill of a high order of merit, and those who successfully complete the year's work will be prepared to begin High School studies in the Academy next fall in a satis- factory manner.
This is the first time in the history of the town that the public
10:40 Geometry.
13
schools have done this. Schools in each district have, to be sure, done what they could. When such a district school chanced to have a superior teacher, and when her pupils chanced to be of more than average ability, pupils would chance to be sent to the Academy, better prepared than usual. This was the exception, however, for in large district schools, or small ones with many classes, and teachers of only average ability and experience, these exceptional results could not be attained, but as a rule applicants for admission would need one year of drill upon the common school branches, before they were fitted to begin High School work.
The establishment of this Eighth Grade School makes regular that good preparation which before was exceptional, and chance is changed to certainty. Another result, worth all this school costs were nothing else achieved by it, is that during this Eighth Grade year the pupils are trained to work together. Coming from different parts of the town, from under different instruction, and pupils themselves of varying abilities, when they do begin in the same school, it is a work of some months to drill them to work together so as to secure the best results. If this initiatory training is first received after entering the Academy, it must seriously hamper the Academy instructors, and lessen the results that might otherwise be attained and which it is reasonable to expect from their High School course.
Thus it will be seen that this school is a necessity, if we wish to maintain the standard of the Academy equal to that of good High Schools.
But not only upon the Academy is this Eighth Grade to exer- cise a profound influence, but upon the other schools of the town as well : upon the Grammar Schools ; for with four classes already at the Forge Grammar School, and with three classes and forty pupils at the Graniteville Grammar School, and with four classes at the Centre Grammar School (there chance to be but three there now, but usually there will be four), the Grammar Schools have all they can do and more than they can do with full acceptance.
In the mixed schools the conditions are less favorable still for giving advanced instruction : the multiplicity of classes ; the short time for recitations ; the small size of the classes and consequent lack of interest and intensity of effort, are serious drawbacks. The little pupils demand attention, and call for the exercise of the greatest wisdom and professional skill ; a teacher who is equally good with
14
these little beginners and with the most advanced grammar pupils is probably good with neither, but poor with all. Good teachers do not pretend to be thus divinely endowed, and from the nature of the case, the teachers actually employed in these remote schools are not, cannot be. The remoteness of location, the small salary, difficulty of finding a good boarding place, the deprivation of church and social privileges, the inability to rise in the profession while located in these schools, all operate to shut out from their list of teachers, as a rule, any but the youngest and least experienced. If a teacher in a mixed school does show exceptional ability in overcoming the obstacles with which she has to contend her superiority is recognized and she is promoted, so that it comes to be a reproach (as a rule) for a teacher to remain in a mixed school for any length of time. If she does, it is because she can't do better, and if she cannot do better, she must be poor. The one obvious exception is where a proximity to home serves to keep a teacher in a school which otherwise would offer her no inducement.
It is a matter for regret that two of our youngest and least experienced teachers in remote districts of the town have thus been burdened this year. It is impossible for advanced pupils to receive in these schools the training they would obtain in the Eighth Grade School at the Centre. While all the school interests suffer, the greatest loss falls upon these young people themselves, who have a right to as good an education as the town affords, but do not put themselves in the way to receive it.
OTHER SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
There are fifteen schools below the Eighth Grade-three gram- mar, one intermediate, four primary and seven mixed.
Their progress during the year may be indicated somewhat as follows: Six are in better condition than a year ago, and eight others are in as good, leaving only one that is less satisfactory.
Their present condition may be summarized as follows : Six or seven of them are in first-rate condition, the discipline efficient, scholarship adequate, methods good. Four others are in the hands of beginners who have not yet shown conclusively what they can do but who are putting forth their best efforts, have made improve- ment, and give promise of good things in the future.
15
Of the seven new teachers, new to our schools this year, two are graduates of professional training schools, two have studied in Boston University a year, and two come to our schools with long records of successful experience.
COURSE OF STUDIES.
Few changes have been made during the year. In the teachers' meetings, twice each term, the course as established has been ex- plained and amplified. Arithmetic, language (including reading, spelling and literature), and geography and history are the principal studies. Teachers lay chief emphasis upon these studies, and rightly, too. In doing this other subjects are apt to be neglected, especially if teachers did not study them in their own childhood, or if their acquaintance with them is confined to a brief preparation in later years. And when no such preparation of a professional nature has been made, the chance of their being taught in our schools is small indeed. Such studies are drawing, gymnastics, penmanship, nature study and music. In many communities these subjects have all been given into the hands of special instructors hired for the purpose. In Westford, only one, music, has thus been provided for. The others, less fortunate, are provided for, as well as circum- stances allow, in the teachers' meetings.
The drill in gymnastics has been continued, as in former years. Penmanship has received attention, while drawing and nature study have been leading topics both in interest and in the time devoted to them. Especially interesting has been the work upon common minerals. The committee furnished specimens for pupils' use, and by sending them from school to school every pupil of suitable age has been provided with the use of specimens for study. Teachers who have previously studied the elements of these subjects in Nor- mal school or college, with specimens in hand, have a great advan- tage over others. Teachers' meetings may outline the work, but, of course, cannot give much instruction in the elements of these sub- jects. This, teachers must, by their enterprise, acquire for them- selves. It is pleasant to record the fact that one of our teachers has pursued a course of lessons in Boston during the past year with the purpose to further qualify herself to give instruction in nature study. It follows, of course, that some of the best work in town has been done in her school.
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.