USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1902-1907 > Part 18
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for black paint and gilding
1 50
for painting and gilding markers for graves of veterans 75
for paint for fence
4 60
for oil
1 00
for painting fence, two coats
6 50
for painting iron fence around Rob- inson lot 1 75
Wright & Fletcher for 1-2 ton fer- tilizer 19 00
$61 60
Hillside:
Paid B. F. Nutting for labor
$10 00
W. H. H. Burbeck for labor
5 00
Wright & Fletcher, for 600 1bs. fer- tilizer
10 40
$25 40
General expenses:
Paid for stamps, envelopes, etc.
$1 32
Paid for 48 "perpetual care" , castings and freight on same
11 00
$12 32
$443 25
Amount appropriated by the town
$200 00
Amount received for care of lots
231 00
Unexpended balance last year
97 50
$528 50
Amount expended
443 25
Unexpended balance
$85 25
90
TRUST FUNDS HELD FOR CARE OF BURIAL LOTS.
J. W. P. Abbot fund, lot in Fairview $100 00
Sally B. Burrill fund, lot in Fairview ... 100 00
George Davis fund, lot in Fairview .... 50 00
Charles S. Dodge fund, lot in Fairview 100 00
Rachel Dupee fund, lot in Fairview ...
50 00
Daniel Falls fund, lot in Fairview 50 00
Andrew Fletcher fund, lot in Fairview . 100 00
Julia A. Fletcher fund, lot in Fairview . 50 00
S. D. Fletcher fund, lot in Fairview ... 50 00
S. D. Fletcher fund, lot in Westlawn .. 50 00
100 00
Joseph B. Griffin fund, lot in Fairview T. H. Hamblett fund, lot in Fairview . C. & C. A. Hamlin fund, lot in Fairview M. Hennessey fund, lot in Fairview 50 00
50 00
100 00
Henry Herrick fund, lot in Westlawn . Samuel Horne fund, lot in Fairview .
100 00
50 00
Silas Lawrence fund, lot in Westlawn . 100 00
50 00
Edwin D. Metcalf fund, lot in Fairview James M. Parker fund, lot in Fairview . Charles H. Prescott fund, lot in West- lawn
50 00
100 00
50 00
50 00
50 00
100 00
Anan Reed fund, lot in Westlawn
50 00
Sarah S. Reed fund, lot in Westlawn .. 100 00 Sarah E. Richardson fund, lot in Fairviw C, Frederick Seifer fund, lot in Fairview Sarah E. P. Wells fund, lot in Westlawn 100 00
50 00
Clara M. Wiley fund, lot in Fairview .. 100 00
Luther Wilkins fund, lot in Fairview ..
75 00
Amount carried forward $2,275 00
Frances A. Prescott fund, lot in Fairview Joseph F. Prescott fund, lot in Westlawn Nathan P. Prescott fund, lot in Fairview Mary A. Putnam fund, lot in Hillside . Abijah C. Reed fund, lot in Fairview . ..
50 00
50 00
91
Amount brought forward . $2,275 00
John Wilson fund, lot in Fairview 50 00 Capt. Ezekiel Wright fund, lot in West- lawn 50 00
Varnum B. Wright fund, lot in Fairview 25 00
$2,450 00
G. W. HEYWOOD, Chairman, M. F. HUTCHINS, GEORGE 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 at the Town House in said Westford, on Monday, the twentieth day of March, being the third Monday in said month, at 7.45 o'clock A. M. The polls will be opened at 8 o'clock A. M., and may be closed at 1 o'clock P. M .; and they are then and there to act upon the following articles, to wit .:
1st. To choose a Moderator.
2d. To bring in their votes for one Selectman, one Over- seer of Poor, one Assessor, two School Committee. one Commissioner of Public Burial Grounds, one Trustee of the Public Library, all for three years: one Trustee of the Public Library, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, two Constables, 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.
93
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 Selectmen in regard to the pur- chase of snow rollers, and act in relation to the same.
6th. To hear the report of the Overseers of the Poor, and act in relation to the same.
7th. To hear the report of the School Committee, and act in relation to the same.
8th. To hear the report of the Trustees of the Public Library, and act in relation to the same.
9th. To hear the report of the Commissioners of Public Burial Grounds, and act in relation to the same.
10th. To see if the Town will accept the report of the Auditor chosen to audit the accounts of the Town Officers, and act in relation to the same.
11th. To see if the Town will accept the list of Jurors as reported by the Selectmen, 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 for High School pur- poses.
94
17th. To see if the Town will authorize the School Commit- tee to enter into an agreement with the Trustees of Westford Academy in regard to maintaining a High School.
18th. To raise and appropriate money for support of Poor.
1.9th. To raise and appropriate money for School Text Books and Supplies.
20th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate twelve hun- dred dollars ($1,200) to widen, straighten, relocate and repair the Graniteville road, and act in relation to the same.
21st. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to pur- chase a pair of horses, or to contract for the employ- ment of teams, for the road department, and act in relation to the same.
22d. To see if the town will vote to purchase a hearse and act in relation to the same.
23d. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to investigate the advisability of putting in a public water supply, such committee to serve without expense to the Town, and act in relation to the same.
24th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, under the written direction of the Select- men, to borrow such sums of money as may be required for the demands upon him in anticipation of the taxes for the current year and payable there- from, and act in relation to the same.
25th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the ensuing year, also the rate of interest on 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.
.
95
26th. To choose all other Town Officers necessary to be chosen by hand vote, and act in relation to the same.
27th. By request of the Veteran Association, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) to commemorate Memorial Day, and act in rela- tion to the same.
28th. By request of the Veteran Association, to see if the Town will establish a price for the board of Thomas Carney at the Town Farm, and act in relation to the same.
29th. By request of the citizens of Graniteville, Forge Village, Brookside and Parkerville, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred dollars ($100) for the purpose of distributing books from the Public Li- brary in these four villages, and act in relation to the same.
30th. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to act as its agents in any suit or suits that may arise during the current year; also in such other matters which may arise, requiring in their judgment the action of such agents, and act in relation to the same.
31st. To see if the Town will appropriate two hundred dollars ($200) for the suppression of the liquor traffic in town and instruct and authorize the Select- men to employ or appoint Constables or Police Officers to enforce the law, and act in relation to the same.
32d. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to offer a reward of one hundred dollars ($100) for the arrest and conviction of any person or persons set- ting forest or other fires in town, and act in relation to the same.
96
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up true and attested copies at the Town House and each Depot in said Westford, eight days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due 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 fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and five.
OSCAR R. SPALDING, WESLEY O. HAWKES, ALEC FISHER,
Selectmen of Westford.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1905
WEST
TOWN
FO
R
D
G
1729.
INCORPO
23
R
SEPT
LOWELL, MASS. COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS. 1905.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1904-1905.
A. R. CHOATE, Chairman Term Expires 1907
H. M. SEAVEY, Secretary.
Term Expires 1906
JOHN C. ABBOT Term Expires 1907
CHAS. A. CHAMBERLAIN
Term Expires 1906
T. ARTHUR E. WILSON
Term Expires 1905
ELBERT H. FLAGG
Term Expires 1905
Superintendent of Schools,
H. E. RICHARDSON, Residence, Littleton Depot.
Report of School Committee.
To the Citizens of Westford:
We hereby submit the report of the School Board for the past year, together with that of the Superintendent of Schools.
We feel that our schools have made good progress during the year, under the able superintendency of Mr. Richardson, assisted by a strong corps of teachers.
We would recommend that the parents of the children in the schools, and others, read the superintendent's report, that we may all keep in close touch with the best interests of the schools.
The contract entered into some time since by the town witlı the Westford Academy expires with the close of the school year in June.
Negotiations are being made at the present time, whereby the town may make such arrrangements with the Academy that it shall cover high school requirements.
If this is acccomplished it will be a great saving to the town, as the expense would be considerably less than if the town should maintain a high school independently.
We cannot look back over the past year without a feeling of sadness, caused by the loss of our esteemed and much beloved Preceptor.
Mr. Frost was a man of marked ability, respected by all, and during his many years of teaching endeared himself to all those with whom he came in contact.
A. R. CHOATE, J. C. ABBOT, E. H. FLAGG, T. A. E. WILSON, C. A. CHAMBERLAIN, H. M. SEAVEY,
School Committee.
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Income.
Balance unexpended from 1903
28 30
Appropriation 6,100 00
From State on account of Superintend- ent of Schools 250 00
Income Massachusetts School fund
1,153 89
Tuition of scholars at Westford Academy 1,500 00
17 00
State Board of Charities
- $9,049 19
Expended.
Teachers
$5,735 40
Fuel
782 19
Janitor service and cleaning
455 05
Transporting scholars
550 00
Tuition scholars Westford Academy
1,500 00
$9,022 64
Balance unexpended $26 55
Text Books and Supplies Furnished Schools.
Appropriation
$600 00
Amount expended 633 73
Deficit $33 73
5
Expense of Supervision.
Salary paid by town
$800 00
Rebate from State
625 00
Net cost to town
$175 00
Appropriations Recommended.
Schools $6,500 00
For High School Purposes
2,100 00
Text books and suppplies
600 00
Total
$9,200 00
Superintendent's Report.
Gentlemen of the School Committee :-
This, my fifth annual report, which is the twelfth in the series, is hereby submitted to you and through you to the citi- zens of Westford, for the year ending March 1, 1905.
Below are given the school census of September, 1904, and a summary of statistics from September, 1904, to March, 1905.
At the end of this report will be found tabulated statistics from September, 1903 to March, 1905.
Number of persons in town between 7 and 14 years of
age: Boys, 168; Girls, 144; Total 312
Number of persons in town between 5 and 15 years of age: Boys, 229; Girls, 197; Total 426
Number of illiterate minors over 14 years of age: Boys, 26; Girls, 25; Total 51
Whole number enrolled in all the schools 429
Whole number enrolled between 7 and 14 years of age. . 306
Whole number enrolled between 5 and 15 years of age. . 392 Whole number enrolled over 15 years of age 33 391
Average membership
Average attendance
Per cent. of attendance
Number of weeks in school year
Whole number of schools
Whole number of teachers
Number of male teachers
Number of female teachers
15 2
Number of college graduates
Number who have attended college 3
Number of normal school graduates
10
Number who have attended normal school
12
345 *88 36 15 17 2
(*) Plus.
7
In Memoriam.
It becomes our painful duty to record the death of Mr. Will- iam E. Frost, which occurred suddenly from heart failure, while at his post of duty, upon November 30, 1904.
Mr. Frost had been principal of Westford Academy for thirty-two consecutive years, and during that time had filled such a large place in the educational and social life of the town that in his removal the community has suffered a great loss.
We desire to express a personal word of tribute to his scholarly tastes, to his high integrity and sterling character, to his efficiency and faithfulness as a teacher, and to his loyalty and worth as a friend and citizen.
In the passing away of this older type of schoolman and gentleman, we feel that there is an irreparable loss and much in the spirit and purpose of his life for the younger generation to emulate.
At this time it may not be inappropriate to review briefly the work of the past five years. While many of the best results of school work can never be measured, there are some that can be definitely noted and recorded.
The organization of the school is, we ORGANIZATION. believe, the best in its history. Three years ago a ninth grade was formed in the Centre Grammar room, whereby pupils are better prepared upon entering the Academy with an additional year's preparation, to grasp the subjects taken there and to carry on their work suc- cessfully.
For the past year a kindergarten teacher has been employed in the Forge Primary School to relieve Miss Phillips.
This has proved to be a highly satisfactory arrangement, giving the beginners, who do not know the English language
8
upon entering school, the special instruction necessary before being able to do regular first grade work. The success of the present plan is such as to warrant its continuance.
During the year the Centre Intermediate School, with a membership of forty-seven pupils, has been overcrowded. To relieve this condition, the fourth grade has recited in the primary room after recess, both morning and afternoon. The enrollment in the lower room being but twenty-four, has warranted the arrangement, which, although not ideal, has better equalized the number of pupils and the work in each room, and has helped out in an emergency.
ACADEMY.
In view of the fact that the question of renewal of the contract between the town and the Acade- my is under consideration, it may be stated that the character of the instruction and general preparation given in the Academy is of a higher order than in many high schools which are approved by the State. Unless Westford is able to surpass other towns of similar valuation and population, co-operation with the Academy is advantageous to the town. The equipment and financial re- sources are superior to those which the town could be expected reasonably to have and maintain in a separate institution.
We believe that there is a fundamental truth TEACHERS. in the declaration that it makes very little dif- ference what you study, but it is in the highest degree important with whom you study. "There flows from the living teacher a power which no text-book can compass or con- tain. Text-books supply information and discipline; teachers impart the breath of life, giving inspiration and impulse.". The value of the well-trained teacher, alive to the best interests of her school, faithful and efficient in the performance of her duties, cannot be overestimated.
Our present corps of teachers is, without exception, hard- working, faithful and efficient. Nearly all are normal school graduates, with more or less teaching experience.
After Mr. Frost's removal by death, in November, Mr. Will- iam A. Perkins, formerly of Lynn, Mass., was placed in charge of the Academy for the rest of the year. Under Mr. Perkins'
9
management the work has progressed with as little interruption as could be expected under the trying circumstances.
Miss Ruth Fisher was granted leave of absence for the year, and Miss Elrie P. Newcomb, a teacher of experience was chosen as her substitute. In December, Miss Grace Farns- worth resigned from the Graniteville Upper Primary to accept a more lucrative position in the Malden schools, and Miss Flora Palmer was advanced from the Lower Primary to the place made vacant by Miss Farnsworth's resignation. Miss Elizabeth Cameron, a normal graduate with several years' teaching ex- perience, was elected to the Lower Primary.
Miss Grace Burdick, a Lowell normal graduate, was placed in charge of the Forge Grammar School, upon the resignation of Miss Hubbard.
Miss De Catur and Miss Tuttle resigned at the close of the year to complete their studies at the Lowell Normal School.
Miss Emma Holt succeeded Miss De Catur at Nabnasset, and Miss Lucy B. Raddin followed Miss Tuttle at Minot's Cor- ner. Both of these newly apppointed teachers are graduates of the Lowell Normal School.
The discipline in all the schools is good, and DISCIPLINE. in many it is excellent. Much of the former military discipline has given way to a freedom and naturalness such as we like to see in a well ordered home. the idea of good discipline is to give each pupil as much free- dom as possible without interference with others. In this way the principal of self-government, so essential throughout life, is inculcated and fostered. The aim is to make the schools training places for citizenship.
The general condition of the school build- CONDITION OF BUILDINGS. ings throughout the town, excepting at the Centre, is satisfactory, but the condi- tion of the outbuildings in the district schools is far from being so. Some are worse than others, but all are as good as at any time during the last five years. Some slight improvements have been made from time to time, but I would recommend a thorough overhauling in every case. New
10
wood work should be put in and freshly painted so that old markings may be wholly obliterated.
The boys' closets at Graniteville, although an attempt has been made to improve them, are not satisfactory. I would strongly recommend that the closets be sheathed, painted, and modern urinals be put in place.
Conditions at the Centre outbuildings have been greatly improved and arrangements at Forge Village with the new clos- ets are highly satisfactory.
It has been demonstrated repeatedly that surroundings have a direct influence for good or ill upon character, and wholesome, clean outbuildings are as essential as any part of our school equipment. Any investment of time and money in this direction will be a good one. In this matter, as in most others, one is able to secure about what he works for, and if such places are put in good sanitary condition, they should, and I venture to say, can be kept so.
The appearance of the school grounds IMPROVEMENT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS. at Graniteville by grading, sodding, and laying out of grass plots and driveway, has been greatly improved. Much more needs to be done, but a good beginning has been made, and much credit is due Mr. Putney for the interest, earnest effort and hard work put forth in accomplishing the desired result.
In order to have the children feel an interest in the work, they were invited to contribute something toward it. In this way a sense of responsibility was aroused and they are inter- ested and take pride in helping to keep the grounds in good con- dition.
Similar improvement are contemplated for the Forge Vil- lage school grounds during the coming season.
Five years ago next September a new course COURSE OF STUDY. of study was introduced into the elementary schools, and after five years' trial teachers tes- tify that pupils are entering the Academy bet- ter prepared to grasp the subjects taken there, and to carry on their work successfully.
11
The course, as outlined, is in harmony with the best educa- tional thought of the day and is the outcome of expert opinion on the various subjects that form the present curriculum.
From time to time, committees composed of ten or fifteen of the leading educators in the country, as President Eliot, of Harvard, U. S. Commissioner Harris, and prominent professors. superintendents and teachers are appointed by the National or other important educational associations to confer and report upon matters relative to school work; as for instance; the best time to begin arithmetic and history in the grades; the subjects to be emphasized and those to be omitted from elementary arithmetic and geography courses; and the value of nature study, stories from mythology and other classics in the grades.
The suggestions of these eminent councils are universally accepted and adopted, and in this way a uniformity is secured in the work of our public schools throughout the country. This was apparent at the great educational exhibit at the St. Louis Fair, where exhibits from cities and towns in Arkansas and Massachusetts showed the same leading characteristics. It is evident that we have a national educational system as well as a state system, of which our town systems are a part.
Everywhere elementary courses of study have been enriched by the introduction of certain subjects, adapted to the capacity of the children, which were thought formerly to belong alone to the high school; the reason for this being that the vast majority of boys and girls, 95 per cent. in the schools throughout the land, never go beyond the grades. While the per cent. in the Westford schools is better than the average, the 85 or 90 per cent. of the Westford boys and girls who do not have the benefit of a high school education are entitled to the best elementary course than can be given them.
The arithmetic course as revised places much ARITHMETIC. emphasis upon correctness, rapidity and men- tal work. There is no formal presentati n of arithmetic until children enter the second grade; but number is incidentally taught at every point, and children have a good knowledge of it when they begin the formal use of figures and signs in the second grade.
Operations in arithmetic which have become obsolete, or
12
have never existed elsewhere in the world, should become obso- lete in the school-room and therefore have been omitted from the course.
In determining what should be taught in arithmetic, it is necessary to show that the subject is practical; that is, that it has to do with the affairs of life, or that it is disciplinary; that is, that it inspires mental growth and strength.
With this end in view the course has been abridged by curtailing the time spent on compound proportion, cube root, obsolete denominate quantities, duodecimals and much of com- mercial arithmetic and by omitting examples in profit and loss, bank discount, simple and compound interest not easily made intelligible to the pupils. At the same time it has been enriched by a greater number of exercises in simple calculation and in the solution of concrete problems.
NATURE STUDY.
Little children are taught nature poems and songs and to observe simple forms of insect, plant, animal and bird life.
June first is observed as Bird Day in all the grades. Teach- ers take the children into the fields to observe nature at first hand, and to learn something of the habits, haunts and songs of birds. After returning to the school-room, compositions are written by the pupils telling what they have seen and heard. We are told that fifty years ago May thirtieth, old election day, was observed by killing as many birds as possible by the boys in the country.
The Friday before Arbor Day is observed as Tree Day. Field excursions to observe the different kinds of trees and shrubs are made by pupils under the direction of the teachers.
Compositions enbodying the pupils' observations are writ- ten after returning to the school-room.
Lessons on soil, water, air, light, relation of plants and in- sects, animals and bird life are taught in all the grades, taking a different subject each month and aiming to make the work as practical as possible. In these ways children are brought into a better understanding of their environment and by teaching them to observe closely a few things, a whole world of beauty
13
is opened to them which may be a source of inestimable pleasure and profit all through life.
To judge of the music one needs to visit the schools MUSIC. to note the progress made under the present system which has been in use for the past five years. From the beginning little children are taught to read the notes, sing alone and keep the time as naturally and with as little embarrass- ment as they read alone.
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