USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1920-1926 > Part 7
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Very respectfully,
HERMAN C. KNIGHT,
Superintendent of Schools.
12
Report of Westford Academy.
January 1, 1921.
To H. C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools.
Following is my eighth annual report as principal of the Academy :
ENROLLMENT.
The present enrollment of the school consists of thirty-two boys and twenty-nine girls. Four more boys have been on the list since September, 1920, and all have left for good reasons. Also two more girls were in attendance part of the time, making the total number of different pupils for the year sixty-seven. The Freshman class comprises ten boys and seven girls ; the Sophomore class six boys and three girls; the Junior class eleven boys, nine girls, and the Senior class five boys, ten girls.
TEACHERS AND CURRICULUM.
The same teachers are serving the school as last year with the excep- tion of the courses in drawing and domestic science which are taught by Miss Blanche Millard and Miss Ruth Sargent respectively.
Mrs. H. W. Hildreth is teaching four periods per day, except Fridays, and besides the courses in second, third and fourth-year English, she teaches ancient history, a subject which has been omitted in recent years. The Denoyer-Geppert series of maps in ancient history, purchased this year, add much to the interest and interpretation. Some excellent relief maps have been made by members of the class. Penmanship is omitted as a first year subject, and the time given to studies considered more important for the high school. By a recent law the state of Massachusetts requires every high school student to complete courses in United States History and Civics as a condition of graduation.
We were already fulfilling this condition in part, but have now arranged for entire conformity to the law. Drawing is taught one period a week and domestic science two days instead of one day as last year, an arrange- ment which makes for more efficiency. Besides the program of subjects which the regular school hours comprise, there are volunteer classes in violin and cornet, taught by Mrs. Edward McKeen and Miss Pamelia Precious. To Miss Mary Raynes belongs the credit of organizing these classes which meet once a week for practice and instruction. Frost School as well as Academy pupils are included.
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CO-OPERATION WITH THE TOWN LIBRARY.
Schools and public libraries are in the nature of things closely allied. Pupils are constantly required to use the library for reference and supple- mentary reading. To provide for a quick and effective resource, a collec- tion of books is kept at the Academy and changed from time to time to suit the circumstances. Miss Helen Kimball, of the Junior class, acts as school librarian, and keeps a record of withdrawals similar to the town librarian.
CO-OPERATION WITH THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
On November 30th there was held under the direction of Superin-, tendent Knight a conference of teachers including those of the Academy, and the principals of the Frost, Cameron, Sargent and Parkerville Schools. The chief subject of discussion was English and how it might be made productive of better results. It was suggested at this meeting that the principal of the Academy make a round of visits to the elementary schools, try to show the advantages of continued attendance beyond the Eighth Grade, and in any way possible inspire an interest in school work. Such a suggestion the principal was only too glad to follow out, for it was already in his mind so to do. Accordingly, he took December 2nd for this purpose, and visited all the schools except the Frost School which will receive atten- tion in due time. It is a common thing for a high school principal to hear regrets expressed on the part of boys and girls who left school before the completion of their course. An opportunity opens up of which they cannot take full advantage due to a lack of preparation. Some figures compiled by an investigation of the chances of winning distinction in life arrest the attention of a thoughtful person. These chances are one in 173 to a college graduate ; one to 1,606 to a high school graduate; one in 40,841 to a person completing the elementary or grade school, and one in 161,290 to a person of no schooling.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
The Senior class held a dance in the Town Hall on the night of October 12 which netted them about $40.00. Under the auspices of the Seniors and Juniors, a school Hallowe'en party, with a limited number of guests, was given- October 27. Refreshments were served, and informal dancing enjoyed. We have had Hallowe'en parties in the past, but none more pleasant and enjoyable than this.
OLDER BOYS' CONFERENCE.
It is the custom for the Y. M. C. A. of the states of Massachusetts and Rhode Island to hold each year a conference of boys of high school age. October 29-31 (Friday to Sunday) of this past year the conference took place in Worcester and the principal with two boy delegates, John _ Kimball and Eric Anderson, attended. No school time was lost, owing to the fact that the Middlesex County Teachers' Convention was in session in Boston and schools were closed in consequence. The superintendent permitted the principal to substitute the Boys' Conference for the Teachers'
14
Convention. The conference was in charge of men who are leaders in boys' work; good speakers talked on vital subjects, among them President Faunce of Brown University ; entertainment was provided in the homes of Worcester people; men leaders held their separate conferences to consider ways and means of dealing with boys; the moral, physical and social wel- fare of the boy were all emphasized and dealt with in a sane and logical fashion. State-wide delegations, aggregating several hundred boys of various occupations and interests, gathered for a definite purpose, must broaden a boy's horizon and help him to better understand his place in the world.
ATHLETICS.
The Academy baseball team gave a good account of itself for the season of 1920. Games were played with the high schools of Chelmsford, Littleton, Groton, Harvard and Ayer with a record of 8 games won and 3 lost. Both games with Groton were lost, one by a score of 11 to 10. We also lost one of the games with Ayer by a score of 4 to 3. John Fletcher captained the team and the battery was Stanley Smith and Chester Lapniewski.
On September 25 two boys, Stanley Smith and Raymond Shea, took part in the school athletic games at the Groton Fair.
THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 1920.
It is a source of satisfaction to the principal to report that the majority of last year's graduates are pursuing further courses of study in advanced institutions of learning. Morton Seavey, post-graduate member, and Mildred Precious, valedictorian, are now studying in Boston University ; the salutatorian, Julia Donnelly, is attending Salem Normal School; Frederick Griffin and Edna Sargent are at Massachusetts Agricultural College; Raymond Wall is at Clark University ; Forrest White attends Chauncey Hall School in Boston, preparing to enter the School of Tech- nology ; Marion Woodbury is studying at Lowell Commercial College, and Pamelia Precious at the Boston Conservatory of Music.
The other five members are all engaged in gainful occupations, two at least with the purpose of specializing along lines which bid fair to win for them good success. These activities of young people just entering upon independent careers, show promise of usefulness which argues in favor of a high school education.
NATIONAL BUREAU OF EDUCATIONAL CORRESPONDENCE.
The George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tenn., is the organizer of a Bureau of French-American Educational Correspondence, whose object is to promote correspondence between pupils of the United States who are studying French and the pupils of France and Belgium who are studying English. The plan has the approval and endorsement of P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, and the French Department of Education in Paris. Schools throughout the country are asked to recommend students of French for this correspondence, and the
15
majority members of French classes at the Academy have signified a desire to enroll. First-year students will write letters in English to a specially assigned correspondent in France or Belgium, receiving letters in French in reply. More advanced students will write letters in French and receive replies in English, thus furnishing an opportunity to both American · and French youth to practice writing in the foreign language they are studying.
PRO MERITO SOCIETY.
In the year 1916, the Headmasters' Club of Western Massachusetts established an Honor Society for pupils of their schools on lines suggested by the Phi Beta Kappa. Experience with the society was so satisfactory that the club recently voted to invite all "Class A" schools in the state to establish chapters. Members of the society are selected by the Head- master of each school for that school from members of the Junior and Senior classes. The first selection is made any time after the completion of the Junior year, and includes all students of good character who have finished three-fourths of the work required for graduation, and who have an average of at least 85% in all work recorded. A second selection is made at any time after the first semester of the Senior year, and includes all students of good character who have finished seven-eighths of the work required for graduation and have an average of at least 85% in all work recorded. The emblem of the society is a copyrighted pin. Eight members of the class of 1920 and six members of the class of 1921 belong to the Pro Merito Society.
WAR CHILDREN'S RELIEF.
Academy pupils have a reputation for responding to worthy appeals for help, and this year proves no exception. We had an excellent "war record" in this respect, as the principal's report of January 1, 1919, will show. Just now, when a country-wide appeal is going forth to save the starving children of Europe, the Academy students come forward with a donation of $11.25 to the War Children's Relief Fund, which exceeds the amount previously given for this purpose.
GRADUATE GIFT FOR 1920.
It is customary for the graduating class to present the school with some gift in token of their good will and interest in its welfare. The class of 1920 presented us with an appropriate book case in which to keep the ten volumes of the "World Book" encyclopedia given by the class of 1919.
TADMUCK CLUB MEMBERS.
Pursuant to the custom now followed for five years, two Senior girls, Lillian Hunt and Marjorie Bell, were recommended to membership in the local woman's club. This recommendation is made on a scholarship basis.
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PRIZES FOR 1920-21.
1. A prize of five dollars to that member of the Freshman class who obtains the highest average rank in all subjects during the year.
2. A prize of ten dollars to that member of the Senior, Junior or Sophomore class who makes the highest percentage of improvement over his average rank for the year 1919-1920.
3. Two prizes of five dollars each to those members of the Senior, Junior or Sophomore class who rank second and third respectively in percentage of improvement over the year 1919-1920.
4. Deportment will be considered in awarding above prizes.
5. The prizes will be awarded at the graduation exercise in June, 1921.
In concluding his report, the principal regrets to state that illness in his home necessitated an absence of eight days (Dec. 7-16) from school at the close of the term. The situation was considerably relieved by Mrs. Hildreth giving extra time and by certain students taking charge of Latin and French classes.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH, "Principal of Westford Academy.
Report of Domestic Science Teacher.
Mr. H. C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
The following is a brief report of my work in Domestic Science :
The cooking thus far for this year has all been plain, practical cookery. We are paying particular attention to cleanliness, accuracy and economy. The beginners have been given outside study along the line of food products.
The lunch counter is still maintained and the money received from it pays for nearly all the material used in the kitchen. From the first of September through December eighth the receipts from the lunch counter are $97.86 and the expenditures $103.47. I feel, however, the girls would gain more if the lunch counter was conducted only one day instead of the two days.
The sewing in the Forge Village and Graniteville schools is entirely new. All grades have started with the same problems: The use of thread, needle and thimble, also the most common stitches and seams. A few of the articles made are sewing bags, holders and aprons.
The girls seem to be very much interested in the work and I think it will prove practical and helpful.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH M. SARGENT. -
17
Report of Supervisor of Music.
January 8, 1921.
Mr. H. C. Knight, Superintendent of Schools,
Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir :
My report for the music department of the Westford schools is as follows :
Better sight reading and better tone quality have been our aim in the past few years. It is gratifying to hear the results of our labors in a much better song interpretation, and this of course means a better understanding of music. The love of music in some form is universal. It may be the instrumental side that attracts some people; it may be the vocal. The latter is being taught in nearly all schools at the present time, but instrumental work in school is comparatively young.
I am making a beginning in this, however, as I feel that in a town like Westford where access to the city is not easy and the consequent cost of lessons prohibitive, in some cases these boys and girls should have their chance as well as the city boys and girls. General education is carried on in classes, so the instrumental class idea is being widely introduced. Class spirit works wonders. A little rivalry and enjoyment are added by pupils listening to each other. One child often sees faults in another and so corrects his own. We started a violin class in the fall which began with great enthusiasm but unfortunately did not hold out. The violin lends itself nicely to class instruction, but it cannot be mastered in half a dozen lessons or without practice. The attendance was so poor that the teacher decided she couldn't come so far for so uncertain a class so we let it drop until spring when we shall try it again. We also started a cornet class and a class on the piano. These classes I am glad to report are both doing good work and show interest enough to warrant continuing throughout the year.
A word to the parents of these children. If the children are not regular in their attendance at their lessons they cannot expect to improve and it is unfair to the children who are faithful for the teacher to be obliged to stop and try to make up to the child what he has lost by missing lessons. Regular hours for practicing should be insisted upon. No child studying with a private teacher will be accepted in these classes. The idea is to create an interest and a desire for study, carry the child along in the class as far as the class idea will allow, then turn him over to a private teacher for more advanced work. This will usually take a term or two, in some cases longer. I wish parents interested would visit our classes, ask questions and get an idea of the whole scheme, for it is entirely different from any other method for the piano.
I am grateful to the superintendent and teachers for their interest and co-operation in all our work.
Sincerely yours, MARY B. RAYNES,
Supervisor of Music.
18
Report of Supervisor of Drawing.
Superintendent H. C. Knight.
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit the report for the Supervisor of Drawing for the Town of Westford, Mass.
I have been teaching in this town for such a short time that I cannot tell much about the success of my course in drawing, so I will give a brief outline of the work undertaken by the pupils.
The grades have done a great deal of paper cutting, especially the lower grades. Paper cutting is an interesting subject. Aside from that, it helps give the hands freedom of movement, thus enabling the children to make things large and also correcting a tendency of children, in drawing, to make things small. In other work, the children have had symbolic drawing, drawing in squares, drawing from a model, also some pose drawing.
The room in the Academy is not equipped for drawing, also the class is too large, thus the teacher cannot give the pupils as much individual attention, as is necessary. I understand, that under the present curriculum, that drawing is compulsory in the freshman class. It would be better if it were not so, because people of that age, who do not care for drawing, generally cannot be made to like it, in other words, they get an idea that the drawing period is for play. They really are not to blame, in that respect, because there are many older people who have the idea that drawing is of no use whatever. They are mistaken! There is no man, in any trade or profession, who would not be better equipped for work if he knew how to draw, and many of them have realized the fact, to their grief.
The Academy pupils have drilled largely on perspective and light and shade, also some lettering, and have done quite well under the circum- stances.
I wish to thank the teachers for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, BLANCHE A. MILLARD, Supervisor of Drawing.
19
Truant Officer's Report.
Forge Village, Mass., January 5, 1921.
Mr. Herman Knight,
Superintendent of Schools,
Townsend, Mass.
Dear Sir :
Since receiving my appointment as truant officer for Cameron School, I have had two cases to investigate.
In both instances the parents were ready and willing to co-operate with me.
I took one of the truants directly to the school house which served as a notice to the other boys and girls that I would do the same with them if they were truants.
It served its purpose, for there is a scarcity of truants.
Yours truly, EVA P. COURCHAINE, Truant Officer for Cameron School.
REGISTRATION OF MINORS (Ages as of April 1, 1920).
Boys Girls Total
Children 5 years of age or over and under 7.
53
82
135
Children 7 years of age or over and under 14.
209
211
420
Children 14 years of age or over and under 16.
50
55
105
312 348 660
MEMBERSHIP IN PUBLIC DAY SCHOOLS. BY GRADES. APRIL 1, 1920. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Grade 1
103
66
2
78
6.
3
59
.6
4
69
5
76
6
46
7
38
8
22
Total in Elementary Schools
491
ACADEMY.
Freshmen
14
Sophomores
25
Juniors
16
Seniors
13
Post Graduates
1
Total in Academy 69
Grand total membership in all public schools, April 1, 1920, 560.
一
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1920
H
J.V.
ARY,
O
1895
Lowell, Mass. COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS 1921
3
Library Report.
The Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library respectfully submit their annual report for 1920, together with the report of the Librarian and the List of Books added in 1920.
During the past year a branch of the Library has been started at Graniteville.
Under the efficient supervision of Mrs. A. R. Wall, this experiment has proved so successful, that the trustees consider it important to continue the service, and also if suitable arrangements can be made, it seems advisable to start branch libraries at Forge Village and Brookside in order that as many of the townspeople as possible may have the benefit of the Library.
The circulation at Parkerville has decreased to such an extent, it seems best to discontinue the transportation of books to that section for the present.
The Trustees ask for the following appropriations, viz :
1. The unexpended balance as shown by the financial statement.
2. The sum of nineteen hundred dollars ($1,900) to meet the current expenses of the main library, and the different branches.
3. The receipts from the dog licenses in 1920.
JULIAN A. CAMERON. Chairman, ALICE M. HOWARD, CHARLES O. PRESCOTT. Secretary.
4+
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation
$1,300.00
From Dog Licenses 186.96
$1,486.96
EXPENDITURES.
May E. Day, Librarian. $ 600.00
C. H. Pickering. Janitor
25.00
F. A. Hanscom, Janitor
320.76
Fuel
163.93
Telephone
19.87
Water Rates
28.00
Electric Lights
24.50
Cleaning, etc.
94.96
Supplies
67.89
Express
3.86
Mrs. A. R. Wall, Librarian at Graniteville .. 75.00
Repairs
54.09
Printing
9.00
$1,486.96
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1921. $0,000.00
BOOK ACCOUNT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand January 1, 1920.
$ 472.13
From Dog Licenses 175.74
Income from Funds 180.00
$ 827.87
EXPENDITURES.
L. A. Wells.
67.66
F. J. Banard & Co.
39.69
The H. W. Wilson Co.
75.75
The Old Corner Book Store.
206.02
Geo. H. B. Turner.
1.50
Thomas Nelson & Sons.
5.00
R. H. Huntting Company
38.88
Herman Goldberge 106.40
Winthrop Packard
3.50
American Educational Association
11.80
Women's Educational Union
18,23
Sidney A. Bull. 6.10
$ 600.53
Balance on hand January 1, 1921.
$
227.34
-
5
Report of Librarian.
January 1, 1921.
To the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library :
The report of the Library for the year ending December 31, 1920, is herewith presented.
A project long contemplated has at last been carried out this year in the establishing of a deposit station in Graniteville in July. Mrs. A. R. Wall has accepted the position of librarian and the circulation of over two thousand books for the year shows that the deposit has been appre- ciated. It is hoped that similar arrangements can be made in the other villages in the future.
As in other years, baskets of books have been sent to the village schools. This year the books needed for outside reading by the High School English classes have also been sent to the school and a senior has charge of their distribution. This enables the pupils who go in the barges to get the books they need and also relieves the after school rush at the Library.
The number of books loaned this past year has been larger than that of any other year since 1915. The increase has taken place in all the villages, as well as at the Library. The circulation in the children's department has increased from 30% to 39% of all the books taken.
The geographical pictures purchased at the close of last year. were found so useful in the schools that when new sets were published by the National Geographic Society they were at once purchased. The new titles are as follows: "Italy, China, the Philippines, the Negro in Africa, the Indian in America." Other pictures have also been collected and mounted.
Magazines no longer of use at the Library were given to several families while they were in quarantine with scarlet fever.
At the close of the war the American Library Association had left on its hands a large number of books that had been used in France. After supplying the camp libraries and hospitals in this country, there were still available many books of non-fiction which they decided to distribute among the public libraries. We received twenty-five books.
An inclined book rack has been purchased and placed on the Librarian's desk. This keeps the books in better order and makes it more convenient to see the titles of the books.
Several anniversaries were observed at the Library by means of pictures and clippings on the bulletin boards and appropriate collections of books placed on special shelves.
A new bulletin board has been placed in the children's room.
This year the supply of current fiction has been increased by the gifts of forty-five volumes from Mr. Julian A. Cameron and of thirty-one volumes from Mrs. Walter P. Wright. These have been much appreciated by the readers.
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The magazine circulation continues to increase. A few magazines received at the library this year but not included in the report for last year are as follows :
American City Dearborn Independent
Our Message The Nation
Several additions have been made to the list of magazines for the coming year. All except current numbers may be borrowed and the list for the coming year is as follows :
WEEKLIES.
Independent
Leslie's Weekly
Littell's Living Age
Saturday Evening Post Scientific American Westford Wardsman
Youth's Companion
MONTHLIES.
A. L. A. Booklist
Munsey
American
Needlecraft
American Cookery
Normal Instructor
Asia .
North American Review
Atlantic Monthly
Open Road
Book Review Digest
Pictorial Review
Popular Mechanics
Century Current History
Delineator
Public Libraries
Forecast
Readers Guide
Garden Magazine
Review of Reviews
Good Housekeeping
Saint Nicholas
Harper's Monthly
Scribner's
House Beautiful
Today's Housewife
Travel
Woman's Home Companion
World's Work
PERIODICALS GIVEN.
Christian Register Congressional Record
From The Woman's Alliance From Mr. Sherman H. Fletcher
From Mrs. Lucy Keyes
From Mr. Henry Ford
From American Association of
From Mrs. Leonard W. Wheeler From Mrs. M. W. McDaniels
From The Publishers
From Mrs. M. W. McDaniels
National Geographic
National Grange Monthly Our Dumb Animals Our Message Outlook Scientific American Supplement The Starry Cross
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