USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1902-1907 > Part 13
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Income Massachusetts School Fund
779 86
From Westford Academy for services of music teacher 25 00
Tuition of scholars at Westford Academy 1,500 00
17 50
$8,778 35
Expended.
Teachers $5,414 50
Fuel
492 20
Janitor service and cleaning
475 20
Transportating scholars
1,500 00
Tuition scholars Westford Academy
$8,750 05
Balance unexpended $28 30
Text Books and Supplies Furnished Schools.
Appropriation
$600 00
Amount expended 463 50
Balance $136 50
State Board of Charity
868 15
Expense of Supervision.
Salary paid by Town $800 00 .
Rebate from State 625 00
Net cost to Town
$175 00
Appropriations Recommended.
Schools $6,100 00
Tuition scholars at Westford Academy .. 1,500 00
Text books and school supplies 600 00
$8,200 00
Superintendent's Report.
Gentlemen of the School Committee :---
In accordance with the rules of your Board, I hereby submit the following report to you, and through you to the citizens of the town, for the year ending February 26, 1904.
Below are given the school census of September, 1903, and a summary of statistics for the year ending June, 1903.
At the end of ths report will be found tabulated statistics to February 26, 1904.
Population; U. S. Census of 1900 2624
Valuation, May 1, 1903. $1,548,435 00
Number of persons in town between 5 and 15 years :
Boys, 207; Girls, 182; Total 389
Number of persons in town between 7 and 14 years : Boys, 160; Girls, 144; Total. 304
Whole number enrolled in all the schools.
465
Whole number enrolled between 5 and 15 years.
391
Whole number enrolled between 7 and 14 years . .
308
Whole number enrolled over 15 years 35
Average membership 382
Average attendance.
339
Per cent. of attendance . 36
89
Number of weeks in school year
Whole number different schools. 15
16
Whole number of teachers.
Number of different male teachers during year
2
Number of different female teachers during year . . .
14
7
Number of Normal School graduates 6
Number who have attended Normal Schools 12 Number of College graduates 2
Aggregate of months all schools have kept 135.75
Average number of months schools have kept 9.05
During the past year no new lines have been The School attempted, but faithful, effective work has been
Work. done. Every teacher is ambitious to excel and has been alert to improve every opportunity to that end. The spirit that has prompted many to follow a line of professional reading and study is most commendable. To make right motives and right actions habitual in all pupils is the con- stant endeavor of the schools. The great purpose is not to teach the contents of the book alone, but to give the children an all- round development, physical, mental, moral, and to train them to become worthy and law abiding citizens.
At the end of the year there were the usual number Teachers. of changes among the teachers. Miss Lillian Small resigned from the Centre Intermediate School to accept a position in Plymouth, Mass., and Miss Sadie E. Hanscom, a graduate of Worcester Normal School, was elected to the place. Miss Anna Wood of the Centre Primary resigned to teach in Augusta, Me., and Miss Millie Smith, a grad- uate of the Worcester Normal School, was chosen for the school. Mr. George, principal of the Graniteville School, was succeeded by Mr. Walter K. Putney of Gloucester Mass., a graduate of Salem Normal School, and a student for two years at Brown University. Miss Bemis of the Upper Primary was followed by Miss Grace Farnsworth, a graduate of Fitchburg Normal School. Miss Mary Adams of the Forge Grammar School resigned to enter a matrimonial alliance, and Miss Luna Hubbard, a grad- uate of Fitchburg Normal School, was appointed to the school. Miss Eva Bassett resigned and Miss Ruth Tuttle of Westford succeeded her at Minot's Corner. With the exception of Miss Smith and Miss Tuttle, all of these teachers have had successful experience in teaching elsewhere.
S
In spite of the constant changes in the teaching corps we are glad to report that the standard is well maintained. So long as it is necessary to have three, four, and even five grades in a · room we cannot hope to compete with those schools having but one or two grades. Our teachers are constantly being called to more desirable positions at larger salaries, whereas if we could make it an object for them to remain with us for a longer time of service we should undoubtedly be the gainers thereby. We anticipate the time when Westford will have the advantage of a more closely graded system with fewer grades in a room, when teachers will be content to remain longer, and the efficiency of the schools will be increased.
The It hardly seems necessary to speak to the citizens of Westford regarding their Academy, which for more than one hundred years has stood as the goal of every ambitious boy and girl in the town.
Academy.
The public spirit and interest in education which prompted its founders have been perpetuated. At Commencement each year the presence of men high in social rank and public life is, we believe, not only an assurance of continued interest but also of confidence in its present aims and management.
Graduates of the Academy enter our Normal Schools and Colleges and there pursue the work prescribed with honor, reflect- ing much credit upon their Alma Mater. The fact that many fail to appreciate the advantages within their grasp, and at an early age are too ready to leave school, is no reflection upon the school in question, as it is the universal experience in every community.
The Academy aims primarily not only to give every pupil an equal chance with every other, but to impel every one to make the most of his chance.
If for any reason a student is unable to take the full course, he is allowed to continue as a special student and take such studies as he may elect under the direction of the faculty, thus. exemplifying the truth that "the school is for the pupil."
9
A paper on attendance at High Schools, given Attendance at at the National Educational Association in Boston last July by a speaker who had gath- High Schools. ered statistics from all over the country, brought out the somewhat startling facts that little over five per cent. of the pupils who enter the elementary schools remain to enter the high schools; of those who enter the high schools between twenty and twenty-four per cent. are reported as graduating, and of the original number entering the elementary schools only about two per cent. graduate from the high schools.
As a possible explanation of this state of affairs, attention was called to the fact that many pupils enter the high school simply to get one or more years' additional school training, knowing beforehand that they will not be able to remain to graduate.
If all pupils admitted to the high schools entered with the intention of remaining to graduate, the dropping out of so large a percentage would be a very serious fact. It would mean disappointment and defeat for the majority.
Principals of schools were asked to state, in order of impor- tance, the causes they considered most potent in taking pupils out of the high schools, and the following were put among the first by teachers in Massachusetts, New York, California, Georgia and Texas :-
1. Needed for support.
2. Desire to enter factory.
3. Desire to enter business school.
4. Commercial ideals at home and lack of appreciation of education.
5. Laziness.
The speaker stated that one who had made a special study of fifteen selected high schools, scattered from Cambridge to Portland, many of very high repute, found that only sixteen per cent. of the students entering these schools remained till the fourth year, and hardly more than twelve or fourteen per cent. graduated.
>
10
In spite of the seeming advantage of these choicest high schools, with their liberal, complete equipment, and supposedly superior teaching force, it is shown that the small high schools, as a rule, hold their pupils better than the large ones-due in part to the closer personal relations between teachers, parents and pupils.
In the light of the foregoing facts, Westford Academy is to be congratulated upon graduating each year so many boys and girls prepared for higher education or for the business of life.
It is a pleasure to record that the most harmonious rela- tions continue to exist between the Academy and the school officials.
Two years ago it was necessary, because of the Forge large attendance in the Primary School and the Primary. small number in the Grammar, to send the third grade up stairs, thus leaving two grades in the lower room, This year, because of the large attendance, num- bering fifty-seven children, we are obliged again to consider another division. It is not feasible to send the second grade, or any part of it, composed mostly of very small children, up stairs, and yet it is a difficult task for one teacher to handle a school of fifty-seven small children, necessarily divided into many groups, and do justice to herself and to the school.
An assistant teacher would afford temporary relief, but the best solution of the problem would be an additional room at Forge for beginners, who through lack of familiarity with the English language, when they enter school, can not be classed properly as first grade pupils. Some preparatory or kinder- garten training is needed by those who on this account are not ready as most American children are to do regular first grade work upon entering school.
Notwithstanding the present congested condition, the work done by Miss Phillips, the primary teacher, is of excellent charac- ter and merits full approval.
11
The schools have been unusually free from The Attendance. contagious diseases, and the attendance has been exceptionally good. During the intensely cold weather it has been impossible to heat some of the school buildings, and consequently the work of these schools has been more or less interrupted. Much as this is to be regretted, we are not the exception in this matter, as the same state of affairs has existed quite generally in other towns and cities.
Frequent complaints have been made that Relation of Parents to Schools. children have been kept out in the cold after reaching school in the morning. This has been true in one or two instances only, when children reached school very early, before the teacher's arrival.
To avoid a long play period and consequent interruption of the teacher's work before school, it has been thought advisable to have some restrictions, and therefore children have been asked not to come earlier than ten minutes before the opening of both the morning and the afternoon session. If, by chance, time- pieces at home are incorrect, or children come from a distance and arrive before the stated time, they are allowed to enter the building at once. At no time has any child been intentionally kept outside in the cold.
A fellow superintendent in his report made the following suggestions to parents of Wakefield, which apply equally well to other places. He says: "Please do not air your grievance in public until you have made the proper effort to have the matter righted. There is great probability that the child will carry home a mistaken and distorted view of the matter, however honest he may be. Very few children think they are in the wrong from their point of view. It is obviously wrong for a parent to side with the child without further investigation. Judgment should be suspended until all the circumstances are known. Several cases have been brought to me the past year wherein the parent has been perfectly satisfied after learning the facts.
1:2
"When those who criticise become perfect in their business and family relations, then, and not till then, should they expect perfection in teachers and in results of school work. If a year were to pass without complaints and criticisms I should think that my last days were at hand or that the millennium had arrived.
"Our teachers are invariably conscientious and careful, although, in common with mortals, liable to mistakes. I urge parents to visit the schools oftener and see the good work that is being done by our excellent corps of teachers. Give them your sympathy and co-operation, help them in every way possible to understand your child and his needs, and I am sure you will have greater respect for the teacher and a higher appreciation of her work. Remember that her work is hard and exacting, that she has a thousand things to contend with that few parents realize anything about, and then help her all you can."
Absence and
Section 16, Chapter 9, of Rules and Regulations of the School Board reads: "Teachers shall require a satisfactory written excuse for absence,
Tardiness. tardiness, or dismissal from school before the close of the session." The object of this regu- lation is to enable parents to co-operate with the schools in secur- ing punctual, regular attendance on the part of their children, and to show that the pupil is absent with the knowledge of the parent. Teachers are simply doing their duty in complying with the rules of the School Committee when they insist upon having such excuses.
I wish to express my appreciation of the loyalty of teachers, parents and citizens to our schools, and to you, gentlemen, for your uniform courtesy and support.
Respectfully submitted.
HERBERT E. RICHARDSON.
1
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
MR. H. E. RICHARDSON, SUPT. OF SCHOOLS :-
Plato once said "If you would know whether or not a nation is well governed you must look into the condition of its music." School music is growing in this country, and the time is coming when the results will justly show the standing of our nation. We are responsible for the results, and it lies with us that during the school life of the children they receive as much knowledge as pleasure from the music.
It has been said we have made too much of the intellect and too little of the feelings. This tendency is being overcome when we place music in our schools. It is the one universal art which reaches the masses, appealing alike to rich and poor.
.The work we are doing in the Westford schools appeals to both sides of a child's nature. He gains the key to the realm of music: the ability to read; he can interpret the songs of the great composers from the artistic standpoint, and the latter is done with greater pleasure through the fact that it is by knowl- edge of reading and not by musical intuition that the songs are sung.
"Train the children to read music and you have given them the key that in future years will unlock the great store- houses of music, and secure for themselves its best and richest treasures." Music will no longer be, as formerly, a sealed book.
It is with pleasure that we note that unfavorable weather has not, to a great degree, retarded the progress of the work in music. Most of the schools are doing work up to grade, and progress is shown along the lines of fluency of reading, quality of tone and expression.
14
The lower grades use no books, but the supplementary work is supplied by the regular teachers, in board exercises. The little people read readily in all keys, a check mark show- ing the position of the first note. Much rote singing is done in these grades, for the refining influence of good songs has much to do towards moulding the character of these little ones. When the fourth grade is reached the children can read, conse- quently rote singing is dropped and the children read the songs.
This year the ninth grade advanced to the fifth reader of the Educational Series, and the fourth reader used in this room was placed in the sixth and seventh grades at Graniteville.
The grammar school, which is a culmination of the grade work, is doing excellent work and the class as a whole is up to grade. This room in the individual work has advanced rapidly, and at this time are two series ahead of last year. We have advanced from three to four parts in the chorus work, and with the knowledge of music which the pupils have, but little diffi- culty has been found.
The work of the ungraded schools is carried on along the lines of the other schools, with the exception that the school sings as one class, consequently we have to make subdivisions and divide the time among the classes as best we can in so short a period.
Music this year was made elective in the Academy. A large class elected music and the work has progressed with interest, especially as this year we are able to have part singing.
"It is the teachers of our elementary schools who hold the destiny of music in their hands, and if only our children are taught to read fluently and brought up upon nothing but the best music, then, and not till then, shall we become what I am convinced we are now potentially-a musical nation."
I wish to thank the Superintendent, the School Board and the teachers of Westford for the hearty co-operation they have given in the work.
Respectfully submitted. BLANCHE S. SAMUELS,
Supervisor of Music.
Program of Westford Academy Graduation Exercises, June 19, 1903.
PROGRAM.
1. Organ Solo-"March Célébre." Fr. Lachner Mr. Thomas R. Frost, class of '95.
2. Prayer. Rev. Merritt S. Buckingham.
3. Essay-"The Passion Play at Oberammergau." Emma G. Johnson, Westford.
4 Song-"The Flower Girl." Bevignani
Mrs. Jessie Pedrick Jenkins.
5 Essay-"Helen Keller." Johanna O'Brien, South Chelmsford.
6 Singing-"The Hill School." By the School. Surette
7 Essay-"The Russian Exile System." Effie M. Bennett, Westford.
S Song-"The Palms." Faure
Mr. Albert E. Prescott, class of '81.
9 Singing-(a) "In the Harbor We've Been Sheltered." Veazie (b) "The King's Champion." Watson
By the Academy Glee Club.
10 Essay-"The Hague Tribunal." Edna L. Ferguson, Westford.
11 Organ Solo-"Fantasia." B. Tours
Mr. Frost.
12 Conferring of Diplomas. Rev. Edward A. Horton.
13 "America."
16
GRADUATING CLASS.
LATIN SCIENTIFIC COURSE. Edna Lucinda Ferguson.
ENGLISH COURSE.
Effie May Bennett, Emma Gertrude Johnson,
Johanna O'Brien.
Motto :- "Deo duce."
1
STATISTICS FOR 1902-1903.
SCHOOL.
Grades.
Weeks. of School.
Enroll- ment.
Average Member- ship.
Average Attend- ance.
Per cent. of At- tendance.
Between |Between 7 and 14. 5and 15.
Over 15.
Academy
X-XIII
39
34
29.8
27.4
91
1
7
27
Centre Grammar
VIII-IX
36
32
26
22
87
13
24
8
IV- VII
36
34
32
29
89
36
16
0)
Centre Intermediate
I -III
36
31
26
21
80
7
29
Centre Primary Graniteville Upper Grammar
VI -- VIII
36
35
26
21
89
28
34
0
Graniteville Lower Grammar
IV-V
36
35
32
28.8
90
35
35
Graniteville Upper Primary
II III
36
36
27
24
89
32
36
0
Graniteville Lower Primary
I
36
47
37
33
90
20
47
0
Forge Village Grammar
I-II
36
48
42
38
91
30
48
0
Nabnassett
I-VII
36
29
22
19
86
17
23
0
Stony Brook
I-VII
36
18
16
14.5
90
18
18
0
Parkerville .
I-VII
36
15
10
9
93
9
10
0
Nashoba .
I-VII
36
14
12
11
90
10
14
0
Minot's Corner
Totals
465
381.8
338.7
89.7
308
391
35
.
I-VI
36
31
20
16
77
27
24
0
Forge Village Primary
III-VII
36
26
24
22
92
25
26
0
STATISTICS FALL AND WINTER TERMS 1903-1904.
SCHOOL.
Grades.
Enroll- ment.
Average Member- ship.
Average Attend- ance.
Per cent. of At- tendance.
Between 7 and 14.
Between 5 and 15.
Over 15.
Academy
X-XIII
32
28
25
89
()
Centre Grammar
VIII-IX
37
32
28
87
21
28
9
Centre Intermediate
VII-IV
39
35
31
87
35
4
0
Centre Primary .
I-III
29
28
24
86
21
29
()
Graniteville Upper Grammar
VI-VII
27
26
23
88
27
27
()
Graniteville Lower Grammar
IV-V
25
2-4
22
89
25
25
O
Graniteville Upper Primary
II-III
24
22
20
06
22
2
0
Graniteville Lower Primary
I
40
32
27
84
21
40
III-VII
27
23
21
94
27
27
0
Forge Village Grammar
Forge Village Primary
I-II
57
39
36
93
43
14
Nabnassett
I-VII
31
19
16
79
18
30
0
I-VII
27
23
19
82
21
26
1
Stony Brook
I-VII
18
15
14
86
10
8
0
Parkerville
I-VII
18
15.7
14.6
92
15
18
0
Nashoba
I-VII
11
11
10
90
7
11
0
Minot's Corner
28
.
LIST OF TEACHERS, 1903-1904.
SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
App'ted.
EDUCATED.
Salary.
Home Address.
Į Principal
Wm. E. Frost.
1872
Bowdoin, '72.
T'n pays
Westford.
Academy, \ Assistant
Gertrude MacDonald
1902
Westbrook Semin'y
$1500 00
N. Windham, Me.
Centre Grammar
Ruth Fisher .
1900
Lowell Normal
450 00
Westford.
Centre Intermediate
Sadie E. Hanscom
1903
Worcester Normal
360 00
Putnam, Conn.
Centre Primary . .
Millie F. Smith. .
1903
Worcester Normal
360 00
Worcester.
Graniteville Upper Grammar
Walter K. Putney
1903
Salem Normal
540 00
Gloucester
Graniteville Lower Grammar
Issie A. Parker
1897
Westford Academy
360 00
Graniteville.
Graniteville Upper Primary .
Grace L. Farnsworth
1903
Fitchburg Normal
360 00
Still River.
Graniteville Lower Primary
Flora E. Palmer.
1901
Westford Academy
360
00
Graniteville.
Forge Village Grammar ..
Luna B. Hubbard
1903
Fitchburg Normal
360 00
Littleton.
Forge Village Primary
I. Millie Phillips
1901
Worcester
450 00
Worcester.
Parkerville .
Frances C. Banister
1902
Westford Academy
288 00
Westford.
Minot's Corner
Ruth P. Tuttle.
1903
Lowell Normal'
288
00
Wcstford.
Nashoba .
Bertha M. Field
1902
Fitchburg Normal
288 00
Fitchburg.
Stony Brook.
Anna Mellen
1899
Lowell Normal
324 00
Lowell.
Nabnassett .
Luanna DeCatur
1901
Westford Academy
324
00
Westford.
Music Teacher
Blanche S. Samuels
1902
Westfield
350 00
Westficld.
Roll of Honor, September, 1902, to June, 1903.
ONE YEAR.
Blodgett, Marion Buckingham, Edward
Kavalish, Kastotantui Symmes, George Wall, Rachel
TWO TERMS.
Butterfield, Hattie
Day, Mary - Day, Albert De Roehn, Emerson A. Healy, John Jenkins, Justin B.
Lord, Helen J. Miller, Joseph Rockwell, Webster Sullivan, Willie
Symmes, Mattie
Symmes, Althea
Kimball, Elizabeth
Symmes, Anna
Lord, Marion E.
Symmes, Paul
ONE TERM.
Andrews, Julian J.
Banister, Seth
Beebe, Walter Bicknell, Alva
Charlton, Raymond
Buckingham, Horace
Burnham, Chester
Champagne, Tilly Comey, Gertrude E. Davis, Willie F. Day, Otis
Decatur, Elsie
Draper, Lillian Draper, John
21
Fletcher, Ralph A. Gilson, Ellen Gower, Francis Hanning, Roy
Healy, Mary Healy, Mary C.
Healy, Henry
Kenrick, Mildred Lang, Georgie
Leclere, Corine
Leclere, May Lefevere, Napoleon
Leighton, Mary
Leighton, Frances Loftus, Gertrude
McDonald, Madeline
Noteman, Mary O'Brien, Rose A. O'Harra, James Pym, Olive
Roper, Marion
Rockwell, Clifton
Sanborn, Mabel
Shattuck, Cora
Shattuck, Walter
Sleeper, Walter Smith, Lillian
Spinner, John W.
Stuart, Fred
Sullivan, Mary
Walkden, Herbert H.
Wright, Ernest
Roll of Honor, Fall and Winter Terms, 1903-1904.
TWO TERMS.
Gilson, Alice Gilson, Ella Kimball, Elizabeth A. Lord, Helen J. Sanborn, George
Symmes, Paul Syınmes, George E .. Prinn, Carrie Rockwell, Clifton Rockwell, Percy
Walkden, Herbert H.
ONE TERM.
Andrews, Julian Beebe, Luella
Bicknell, Alva M.
Blodgett, Marion L.
Gower, Francis
Boucher, Florence
Healy, Henry
Boucher, Edmund
Boucher, Leo
Houle, Lena Jenkins, Justin B. Kabele, Leo H.
Burnham, Helen R.
Charleton, Agnes
Kavalish, Kastotantui
Clement, Lena
Kimball, Jennie F.
Comey, Hazel
Leclere, Corine
Comey, Gertrude E.
Leclere, Charlie Ledwith, William
Daley, Gladys
Davis, Willie
Lorman, Martha
Deziel, Marie
De Roehn, Elmer
De Roehn, Willie E.
De Roehn, Emerson A.
Donnelley, Mary A.
Doucett, Lottie
Drew, Annie Furbush, Helen
Lorman, Mildred Loftus, Gertrude Lord, Philip
Miller, Joseph Miller, Ruth
23
Murray, Marshal Murray, Helen O'Harra, James
Shugrue, May
Stokes, Emily E.
Sullivan, William F.
Orr, Annie
Sullivan, Mary
Orr, Nellie
Sullivan, Margaret
Orr, Robert
Sutherland, Alfred A.
Osgood, Charles I.
Sweetser, Howard W.
Phelps, Mabel
Symmes, Althea
Prinn, William
Symmes, Anna
Record, Josephine
Tousignant, Rosalba
Rockwell, Lawson W.
Tousignant, Mederic
Sleeper, Natelie
Wall, Rachel
Spinner, Edward
Whitney, Ethel Maude Wright, Carl
School Calendar, 1904-1905.
SPRING TERM-Begins March 14, 1904; closes June 10, 1904. Term's length, 13 weeks.
FALL TERM-Begins Sept. 6, 1904; closes November 18, 1904. Term's length, 11 weeks.
WINTER TERM-Begins November 28, 1904; closes March 3, 1905. Term's length, 13 weeks.
SPRING TERM-Begins March 21, 1905; closes June 9, 1905. Term's length, 12 weeks.
Vacation of one week, from Dec. 22 to Jan. 1, 1905.
Extracts from the Public Statutes of the Commonwealth.
CHAPTER 494.
An Act to Regulate the Employment of Labor.
Section 1. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establish- ment. No such child shall be employed in any work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the town or city in which he, resides are in session, nor be employed at any work before the hour of six o'clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o'clock in the evening.
Sect. 2. No child under sixteen years of age shall be em- ployed in any factory, workshop or other mercantile establish- ment unless the person or corporation employing him procures and keeps on file and accessible to the truant officers of the town or city, and to the district police and inspectors of factories, an age and schooling certificate as hereinafter prescribed, and keeps two complete lists of all such children employed therein, one on file and one conspicuously posted near the principal entrance of the building in which such children are employed, and also keeps on file a complete list, and sends to the superin- tendent of schools, or, where there is no superintendent, to he school committee, the names of all minors employed therein who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language.
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