USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1908-1913 > Part 32
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
24th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate money for the construction and grading of sidewalks in the several villages, and act in relation to the same.
112
25th. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the purchase of land in Graniteville, and the erection of a building thereon for the use of the Fire Department, raise and appropriate money therefor, and act in relation to the same.
26th. To see what action the Town will take in regard to furn- ishing quarters for the Fire Department at Westford Centre, and act in relation to the same.
27th. To see if the Town will vote to install two additional hydrants; one in the vicinity of Forge Village, the other in the vicinity of Graniteville, and act in relation to the same.
28th.
To see if the Town will accept the proposed gift from the Westford Grange of a drinking fountain to be placed in Westford Centre, and act in relation to the same.
29th.
To see if the Town will raise and appropriate one hun- dred and fifty ($150) dollars to purchase extinguishers and other apparatus, the same to be placed with the Forest Wardens in the various parts of the Town and used for extinguishing forest and building fires, and act in relation to the same.
To raise and appropriate money for medical inspection in the Public Schools, and act in relation to the same.
30th. 31st.
To authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year beginning February first in anticipation of the collec- tion of taxes of said year such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the
113
notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under authority of this vote shall be paid from the taxes of the present municipal year.
32nd. To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the en- suing 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.
33rd. To choose a Finance Committee.
34th. To choose all other Town Officers necessary to be chosen by hand vote, and act in relation to the same.
35th. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars to commemorate Memorial Day, and act in relation to the same.
36th. By request of the citizens of Graniteville, Forge Village, and Parkerville, to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of one hundred ($100) dollars for the purpose of distributing books from the Public Library in these three villages, and act in relation to the same.
37th. To see if the Town in accordance with the authority conferred by Section 359, of Chapter 560, of the acts of the year 1907, will vote to elect a Moderator to serve for the term of one year.
38th. To see if the Town will vote to release and convey unto Charles L. Hildreth all the right, title and interest of the Town in and to a certain parcel of land situated on the westerly side of the Boston Road formerly used as a Town Pound and act in relation to the same.
114
39th. To see if the Town will accept the way laid out by the Selectmen as an extension of Maple Street in Graniteville.
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, this Twenty-fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Thirteen.
OSCAR R. SPALDING, ANDREW JOHNSON, SHERMAN H. FLETCHER,
Selectmen of Westford.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.
FOR THE
School Year ending February 1, 1913
OF
WEST
FO
TOWN
D
INCORP
1729.
RPORATED
23
SEP
LOWELL, MASS. COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS 1913
2
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1912-1913.
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT, Chairman . Term Expires 1915.
T. ARTHUR E. WILSON
Term Expires 1915.
HENRY B. READ Term Expires 1913.
HORACE E. GOULD Term Expires 1913.
JOHN SPINNER Term Expires 1914.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
FRANK H. HILL, Littleton, Mass.
COMMITTEE ON TEXT-BOOKS.
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT,
HENRY B. READ.
SUPPLY AGENT. WALTER C. WRIGHT.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
JOHN A. HEALY,
JOHN A. SULLIVAN.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
CYRIL A. BLANEY, M. D.
3
Report of the School Committee.
To the Citizens of Westford :
We herewith submit the following report for 1912-1913 :-
During the past summer, some needed repairs were made on the exterior of the Parkerville School building, and the appear- ance of the interior was much improved by fresh paint and whitewash and the addition of new blackboards and curtains.
We would suggest that the Cameron, Sargent, and Nab- nasset School buildings need painting, and it is hoped that at least two of these buildings can be painted during the coming year.
For a report of the condition of the schools, we refer you to the Superintendent's report. We call especial attention to his report of the Academy, together with that of Principal Rouden- bush, and also to the printed course of study in the Academy. We feel that the new English-Business course may appeal to many who were not attracted by the Academic course.
It has been the desire of the School Committee for some time to make the Academy more accessible to pupils living in the outlying districts of the Town, and we expect during the coming year to provide transportation, wholly or in part, for these pupils.
4
Financial Statement.
INCOME.
Balance from last year. $ 36 64
Appropriation, Common Schools 9700 00
Appropriation, High School 2800 00
From State on acct. of Supt. of Schools. 212 50
From Mass. School Fund.
1145 05
From State Board of Charities 90 50
$13,984 69
EXPENDED.
High School $2100 00
Teachers 7474 65
Transportation 2261 30
Fuel 1185 63
Janitor service, cleaning, etc 1049 80
Lowell Industrial School. 150 00
$14,221 38
EXPENSE OF SUPERVISION.
Salary paid by the Town $ 850 00
Rebate from the State 531 25
Net cost to the Town
$ 318 75
5 .
School Physician $ 85 00 Text-books and Supplies (See Selectmen's Report) . . . 538 97 Repairs and Miscellaneous (See Selectmen's Report) . 733 85
Respectfully submitted,
For the Committee,
CHARLES O. PRESCOTT, Chairman.
6 REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Gentlemen of the Committee :-
Following is my third report, it being the twenty-first in the series of such annual reports.
THE ACADEMY.
This school finished a very successful year with the gradua- tion on June 28, 1912 of a splendid class of seven young women and four young men.
Then, in rapid succession, the three popular teachers re- signed to go into other educational fields that seemed to offer greater opportunities. They had done a good work in the Academy, and though their work was not finished we can only rejoice in their good fortune, and wish them success in their new endeavors.
The opening in the fall was with three new teachers and a schedule of subjects somewhat different from that offered the previous year. These courses are printed elsewhere. The Academic is practically as it has been for several years and is designed to fit for college and normal school. Mr. Roudenbush and Miss Smith have this course well in hand. The English- Business is an experiment. It must conform to all the needs of the school so far as possible and as they arise, ever holding to its distinctive character. It is under the charge of an exper- ienced and thoroughly competent teacher, whose grasp of the situation is exact and strong, so that the work goes on as though it had been established for years.
There is the same happy spirit in the school that has char- acterized it since my acquaintance with it. It is no infrequent thing to find groups of pupils working in a room without a teacher, silently and independently. In thus showing their
7
respect for others they are laying the foundations of self-respect that in after years will mean fully as much to them as the con- tents of the volumes they are studying.
So many have passed through the door of the college into state and national prominence and usefulness that I feel very strongly the need of keeping before our boys and girls the possibilities that can come only by way of the college prepara- tory course. We must not lose sight of the old-fashioned ideals.
TRANSPORTATION.
Many pupils on the trolley front are unable to attend the Academy on account of the distance if they walk and the expense if they ride. These pupils need the work and need to feel the influence of the Academy to a degree equal to, if not greater than those whose homes are under the shadow of this institution. Open the door of the Academy wide to every boy and girl in Westford by providing free transportation to all. It will cost money, but it will be money well invested; for it will not only be an incentive of great value to Forge Village and Graniteville schools, but it will yearly attract more and more support to the highest institution of education in Town. I earnestly recommend that immediate steps be taken to accomplish this end.
LOWELL FREE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
I am glad to note that several pupils from various parts of Westford are attending the day and evening sessions of the Lowell Free Industrial School. This is partly at the expense of the State and partly at the Town's expense. There, opportun- ities are offered that Westford cannot possibly expect to give in its own schools. I am led to say, however, that, inasmuch as state and town provide these opportunities free of expense to pupils, they should attend regularly and for the full time, in order that the state and town, as well as themselves, may get full value for the money expended for tuition. Personally, too, I feel that the age limit at the state's and town's expense should be 21 years instead of 25 years.
8
PALMER METHOD OF WRITING.
A full year with this method has convinced me that it is well worth following closely. The results have not been uniform- ly good; but where the teachers have been alert and sympathetic the results have been surprisingly good. Teachers will be fur- nished charts for standardizing the work and grading it, and special efforts well be made to get more uniform results.
SEWING AND BASKETRY.
I hope to give elsewhere a full report of what has been done in these lines by the teachers having the work in charge. I am satisfied that the introduction of these courses was a move in the right direction.
SCHOOL SAVINGS.
I call your attention to the report of the Lowell Savings Bank on its collections in the Sargent, Cameron and William E. Frost Schools. It is one of the best things in my report. I hope the good work will go on until Nabnasset and Parkerville schools are included.
HOME GARDEN COMMITTEE.
Several pupils in Forge Village competed for prizes at the Chelmsford Fair last fall. Eva Mountain won a prize of $2 and Mildred Parrott a prize of 25 cents in this competition. The purpose is to quicken interest in vegetable and flower pro- duction, poultry raising, fancywork, cooking, etc. I recommend the appointment of a committee of three to have charge of this work, look after it while it is being carried on, provide trans- portation of articles to the hall and see that they are returned to the participants when requested. The exhibition last fall in
9
Chelmsford Town Hall was a remarkable one. Pupils sending exhibits should be allowed a half day to attend the fair without loss of attendance.
TEACHERS' COURSES.
The Massachusetts State Agricultural College offers ex- ceptionally strong correspondence courses to teachers at a nom- inal cost of books and stationery. Teachers should be required to take one of these courses each year, preferably, the first year, the course in gardening.
PROFESSIONAL WORK.
It is no more than reasonable to condition a teacher's employment upon a certain amount of professional work to be done during the year. I feel that this is coming in Massachu- setts. The teachers who need this most are the teachers of our rural schools upon whom devolves all the work that in larger places is done by special supervisors. This means superior planning as well as prompt and energetic execution, and only those teachers broadly equipped with professional knowledge and spirit can respond efficiently to the many demands made upon them outside the requirements of the old-line subjects. I have this year furnished all teachers with weekly plan books, and have explained to them collectively and individually just what I hope to accomplish through these books. I wish them to record, in the briefest possible way, the progress of the grades through the books furnished in the several subjects; the collat- eral material used to enrich a lesson or a subject; new ideas and how they are worked out; every effort made to incorporate the requirements of the tentative course offered by the State Board of Education for the first six grades; and, finally, the specific exercises used to carry out the purposes outlined in my 1912 report under the heading, "Exercises recommended to vitalize Course." The least of the reasons for keeping this plan
10
book I enumerated first above; but thus far it occupies the largest space. The growth of professional spirt will change this, and the plan book will record the evidence of the progres- sion of the teacher instead of the progression of the pupil, merely.
CONCLUSION.
Forty per cent. of the teachers of the Town are new teachers in Westford, replacing teachers who have resigned since June 1912. Notwithstanding these changes, and in spite of the fact that whooping-cough has operated locally to keep down the attendance, the schools have shown progress. This is largely due to your cooperation and good will, for which I thank you.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. HILL,
Superintendent of Schools. Westford, February 18, 1913.
11
REPORT OF WESTFORD ACADEMY.
Mr. F. H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Mr. Hill :- Following is the report of Westford Academy for the year 1912-13.
The total number of pupils enrolled at the Academy this year has been fifty-five, with an average enrollment of fifty-two. The average attendance has been forty-nine, or 94 per cent. Three boys and one girl have left school after coming more or less irregularly for varying periods of time. It is the policy of the school not to let a pupil leave without a protest and an en- deavor to show him that it is for his interest to remain. Cir- cumstances may compel some boys and girls to go to work, but the future career of none will be seriously impaired by an honest effort to win from the school whatever it has to offer in mental discipline and equipment.
Absence from school and tardiness, too, frequently interfere with the progress and consequent interest of pupils. Recogniz- ing the fact that long distances and bad weather may account somewhat for lax attendance, we would none the less urge upon parent and pupil alike the necessity of prompt and constant attendance which is one great factor in success. If a pupil forms habits of careless attendance upon school lie is very likely to be irresponsible outside. Even if he makes up the lessons missed, he has nevertheless lost a link in the day's work which the class recitation alone can furnish. We therefore, in par- ticular, ask the parents to co-operate heartily toward helping us secure a much higher average of attendance. The absence of pupils from school not only affects the particular absentees, but has a demoralizing effect upon the whole school, especially one the size of ours.
Owing to the introduction of the new business course into the curriculum this year, without increasing the number of teachers, certain arrangements and adjustments of the program of recitations were necessary which we have not felt to be bene- ficial. We can report interest and progress under an efficient commercial teacher, but circumstances compel her to teach
12
classes outside her special department which of course is not an ideal condition. The Superintendent has a plan of simplification and unification which will preserve the essential features of the classical, scientific, English, and business courses, and this plan will become operative another year.
The social activities of the school have found expression in dances, a Hallowee'n party, and a comedy, "The Elopement of Ellen," which was given Feb. 3rd, and called forth favorable comment though the financial return was small. To present a play with proper force and interest requires long and hard work on the part of everyone concerned. It calls for an exercise of wit, ingenuity, and perserverance and has its place in showing the public what its boys and girls can do.
An entertainment and lecture course was given under Academy auspices. Included in this course were a long and dramatic recital by Mr. Edward Brigham of New York; an illustrated lecture on the White Mountains by Principal N. C. Hamblin of Andover, Mass .; and a lecture by Principal H. S. Cowell of Cushing Academy, on the subject : "If I Were a Boy Again."
The expenses of these entertainments were over $75, and as they a little more than paid for themselves, they may be repeated another year. We would like to make such a course a regular feature of the activities of the school. This would be easy to do if we could acquire a fund to meet contingencies which always arise in these matters. We thank the public for the measure of support accorded our endeavors to present popular entertain- ments which shall be both interesting and profitable.
In athletics the boys have shown an interest in basket ball which deserved better success. With one exception they have played heavier teams against whom there was little chance of doing more than put up a plucky fight.
The time devoted last year to Rhetoricals has been contin- ued this year: viz: the last period, Friday afternoons. The program is varied with recitations, readings, and debates, the object being to teach pupils to speak before an audience. We would like to have public prize-speaking contests become a fea-
13
ture of the Commencement exercises of the Academy, and if we could offer a money reward for skill and efficiency, we believe, . the interest in this important department of school activity would increase.
We believe that one of the most valuable things for a pupil to learn in school is a taste for good reading. If he acquires nothing else but the habit of turning to the best there is in the great field of literature, he is laying the foundation of a liberal education which will be an increasing source of pleasure and satisfaction. As a guide toward this, we have referred the classes in English to a carefully chosen list of books of literary vent requiring pupils to read at least one book per month and report upon its contents in writing. We have hopes that per- sistent application of this work will accomplish the desired results.
The courses taken by the Academy pupils are as follows :
CLASSES
Academic Course
English-Business Course
Freshmen
5 pupils
11 pupils
Sophomores
5
9
66
Juniors
4
8
Seniors
2
66
5
Post Graduates
2
Total
16 pupils
35 pupils
In conclusion, I wish to thank the assistant teachers, the Superintendent, and the School Committee for the constant and helpful interest they have manifested in the welfare of the school. The harmony existing amongst all those vitally con- cerned in the administration of school affairs should further their prosperity and efficiency.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. C. ROUDENBUSH,
Principal Westford Academy.
Feb. 17, 1913.
14
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. Frank H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit the report of the Supervisor of Drawing for the Town of Westford, Mass.
I entered upon this work in September, 1912. All the schools except Parkerville and Nabnasset, which I visit once in two weeks, have been visited by me once a week. A half hour has been spent in each room where I take up the work with the pupils. Every other week the work is criticised by me, and the teachers receive any help they may need for the next week's work. The first part of the year's work has been the same as the previous year's work, but from now on a few changes will be made.
The primary grade's work has been more for training the muscles of the hand and arm, than for decorative drawing. The pupil must learn to make his hand work with his mind.
Freehand paper-cutting of different forms has been carried out for the first time in all the schools, and some classes have done some very nice work. This work teaches the pupil to observe the shapes of objects about him, in school, along the wayside, at home or any place he may be. Stories have been illustrated by paper-cuttings and mounted on cover paper.
Design work will be taken up the last of this month. An attempt will be made to make a tile design by cutting papers of two colors into squares, circles, etc., and arrange the figures to form a tile design.
The spring nature work will be done with the water-color brush and ink, or water-color representing the mass instead of detail.
The intermediate and grammar grades spent two weeks in the fall studying color and they applied the harmonizing colors to designs and fashion plates.
A knowledge of pleasing combinations of color is necessary, if we wish to make our homes attractive, or our school and gar- ments pleasant to look upon.
15
Nature drawing has been taken up for the artistic arrange- ment of plant forms within a given space, and for accurate representation of the parts of plants.
Two weeks were spent in the study of geometric solids, developing various forms in the different grades. After a study of pattern developement working drawings were made of the model they developed.
Various shapes of boxes were made at Christmas time of white paper and tinted with water-color paints.
Freehand printing has been very successful this year; mottoes of various descriptions have been made, and book-marks and posters. This work is taken up to teach one to space well, design pages, and it will help a great deal in all their written work.
Object drawing and various perspective forms will follow printing. This work trains the eye to judge distances and pro- portions.
Nature work and color follow the object drawing, and then historic ornament will be studied for its decorative value in architecture and home furnishings.
A mechanical course has been taken up in the Academy, The pupils have been taught how to use the drawing kit, and have made some simple working drawings of a square pyramid cut by a horizontal, vertical and oblique plane. Freehand print- ing has been studied but has not been very successful. The work is done very slowly, and not as much interest is shown in the work as I would like to see.
Working drawings of various models will be taken up later and possibly a little freehand drawing and color work. Care- lessness prevails in the class, but much time is being spent in trying to overcome this fault. I feel that from now on there will be an improvement in their work along that line.
I wish to thank all the teachers, the Superintendent and Committee for their kind support.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN C. TAYLOR.
16
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Westford, Massachusetts.
Mr. F. H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the music department of the Westford schools.
I am glad to be able to report a gain in the work done by the grade schools this year. As a whole, the tone quality is much improved, which is of the first importance. In order to aid this, a portion of the time allotted to music is given to the practice of vocalizing, the importance of which is being realized by the teachers.
Each year our aim has little variation, but the methods of achieving the same must, of necessity, vary. The supervisor must always be working to improve the method, then assist the grade teachers in carrying it out. With the consent of the Superintendent, several changes in our method of presenting this important subject have been made, the results of which are very gratifying. Space will not permit of a detailed account of these changes, but our methods will gladly be shown to any interested visitors.
I cannot name the method we use, for after a careful study of several, I have picked from each what seems best suited to our needs. Let it not be understood, however, that we have found a cure-all for every woe in vocal instruction, far from it. Vocal instruction will remain as it ever has been, a most difficult sub- ject to handle, and one in which the personality of the teacher is of utmost importance. As has been said, "good results may be had from any method in the hands of a good teacher."
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.