USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1893-1899 > Part 3
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and incidental, $3,200 00
For Books and Supplies, 300 00
For Superintendent's salary, 200 00
Appropriate Dog tax,
For salaries of School Committee,
150 00
ARTHUR O. BUCK,
SARAH D. PARKER, School Committee. ARTHUR T. BOND,
WILMINGTON, MASS., February 3rd, 1894.
8
Memoranda.
TEACHERS NOW PRESIDING OVER OUR SCHOOLS.
MISS H. V. ELLIOTT, High.
MISS ELLEN A. ELLIOTT,
Grammar.
MISS F. J. BEARSE,
Sub Grammar.
MISS S. E. PRESCOTT,
Primary.
MISS NETTIE M. BUCK, North.
MISS A. B. CHERRINGTON, South.
MISS L. E. COLLINS,
West.
Miss E. A. SWAIN, East.
SUPT. OF SCHOOLS. MR. LEWIS T. McKENNEY.
ADDENDA.
Since the foregoing report was formulated, the South School Building, with its entire contents, has been destroyed by fire, presumably by the carelessness of tramps who undoubtedly broke in for purposes of shelter, the night being extremely cold. The fire occurred sometime after midnight on the morning of Feb- ruary 7th.
The matter was promptly reported to the Selectmen of the town for investigation.
We have made arrangements with Mr. Charles F. Harris to convey the children belonging to the south part of the town to the High School building every day and return them to their homes at night. These same children have already been as- signed to their proper grades without interruption of the regu- lar school work.
It is the opinion of the School Committee that it will be un- necessary to rebuild the burned structure, as the attendance has never been large, and as the inhabitants of that remote part of Wilmington have remained almost strangers to the rest of our town's people, it would seem to be a fit opportunity for a mutual acquaintance by bringing about such relations from association as will be conducive of that effect.
It will also give an opportunity for testing the modern idea of grouping all the town's children under one roof. This plan obtains in several of our sister towns and works well.
9
Permit us to prophesy that within the next five years it will be deemed expedient to sell the remaining district school houses, taking the proceeds therefrom and adding to it a sufficient amount to build a substantial addition to the high school building and arrange to transport all the children from the out- lying districts to one common and commodious school-house.
The rooms at the high school building are even now nearly filled and it is a matter of fact that the accommodations are in- sufficient. We would recommend to the town that whenever any intending builder can use any or all of these district school houses, that an opportunity be given them to purchase same.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WILMINGTON.
COPY OF "TEACHER'S CONTRACT " ADOPTED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE DURING THE YEAR OF 1893. (Issued in duplicate. )
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TOWN OF WILMINGTON. TEACHER'S CONTRACT.
M
You are elected a teacher in the Public Schools of Wilmington, Mass., for the School Year commencing
18 , and your position will be that of instruct of the at a salary of $
If it is your pleasure to accept this position with its atten- dant salary as specified above, you will please sign and date the agreement appended below in duplicate and return this entire document to the undersigned on or before July 15th of this current year.
(One of the duplicate agreements will be returned to you as a memo- randum of your engagement.)
Any offered position not accepted by the 15th of July will be considered vacant.
Signed
Sec'y School Board.
Wilmington, Mass.
18
10
AGREEMENT.
I hereby accept the offer of the position specified above, and agree for the sum also specified to give my faithful and best services in that position and for the whole of the specified time.
It is also understood and agreed by me that I am not at liberty to shorten this time of service, unless excused by the vote of the School Board at their regular meeting and that, only after a month's notice on my part ; and that my infraction of this latter agreement shall constitute a dismissal at the hands of the School Board with the penalty of the forfeiture to them by me of an amount equal to one month's pay, at the discretion of said School Board.
Signed
Dated
18
ROLL OF HONOR.
HIGH SCHOOL. FALL TERM. Bertha Haworth. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Winthrop B. Eames, Joseph W. Kellom.
FALL TERM. M. Rose Babine, E. Royden Carter, Maud M. Carter, Alice E. Cole, Winthrop B. Eames, Fred S. Frost, Edwin L. Haley, Jr., Joseph W. Kellom, M. Alice McMahon, Herman A. Parker, Mary Weafer. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
SUB-GRAMMAR SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Maud M. Carter, Nellie I. Fortis, John M. Mullin, John J. Rooney.
FALL TERM. Jessie M. Cole, Bernard T. Granfield, Annie Kenney, Arthur G. Kidder, Harlan H. Kidder. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
PRIMARY SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Enid M. Aldrich, Alden N. Eames.
FALL TERM. Helen W. Carter, Arthur J. Croteau, Joseph H. Doherty, Joseph Lenoit, Alice Wall, Margaret Wall. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
NORTH SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. J. William Babine, Louis C. Babine, M. Lizzie Babine, M. Rose Babine, Munda Babine, M. Lena Doucette, Harris B. Haley, Sarah A. Haley, Clara L. Mor_ rill, Herman A. Parker, James F. Regan, Minnie E. Regan.
FALL TERM. J. William Babine, Lawrence Babine, Louis C. Babine, Louise Babine, M. Lizzie Babine, Forrest H. Buck, J. Ellis Doucette, Harris B. Haley, Mildred D. Haley, James F. Regan, Minnie E. Regan. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
EAST SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Charles H. Buck, Clarence W. Buck, Edna H. Eames.
FALL TERM. Clarence W. Buck, Ernest P. Buxton, Edna H. Eames, Myron A. Eames, Lewis Holt, Winfield Holt, Edith L. Murray, Alice C. Swain, Ernest C. Swain, Augustus F. Walker, Charles F. Walker, Louisa J. Walker. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
12
SOUTH SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Charles R. Lawson, L. Leslie Taylor.
FALL TERM. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
WEST SCHOOL. SPRING TERM. Frank H. Boynton, Nettie M. Boynton, Willie M. Boynton, Levi A. Gilson, Willie M. Glover.
FALL TERM. F. Everett Wilbur, Herbert H. Wilbur. WINTER TERM IN SESSION.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR 1893-94.
SUPPLY AGENTS' ACCOUNT.
To books and supplies on hand, Feb. 1, 1893, $91 31
" purchased to Feb. 1, 1894, 244 98
$336 29
CONTRA.
By books and supplies furnished the schools, $217 77 66 on hand Feb. 1, 1894, 118 52 $336 29
SCHOOL ACCOUNT FOR 1893-94.
Net unexpended for 1892-3, reappropriated, $423 27 Appropriation for regular school expenses, 2,800 00
" books and supplies, 250 00
" superintendent of schools, 200 00
Interest Massachusetts School Fund, 333 55
Returns dog licenses,
. 125 21
Rebate Supt.'s salary and allowance for teachers,183 09
$4,315 12
EXPENDED.
Teachers and janitors, . $2,715 75
Fuel, preparing and housing, . 260 03
Furniture, repairs, cleaning, etc., 167 59
Books and supplies, 244 98
Superintendent's salary, 303 51
$3,691 86
Gross unexpended,
$623 26
13
OUTSTANDING.
Teachers (7 weeks to close of winter term,)
$551 25
Janitors (12
66 66 66
) 36 00
$587 25
Net unexpended,
.
. .
$36 01
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
-
To THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WILMINGTON :
Madam and Gentlemen :- My third annual report of the schools of this town is herewith presented to you, and through you to the citizens of Wilmington.
Under similar conditions the results of school work cannot differ greatly one year with another; although under a good system, with proper management, and efficient teachers, each year's work ought to show some improvement over the preced- ing. Not simply that each pupil should learn something during the year-make some intellectual growth. This is to be expected. But this is not enough. If Wilmington schools are to keep step with the march of educational progress, the pupils must make more advancement this year than last-the intellectual product of our schools must be larger for 1893 than it was for 1892; and we ought not to be satisfied unless it is. Has it been ?
I have closely observed the work during the year, and carefully comparing it with last year's results, I am confident that we have made progress. Not as much, on the whole, as could have been desired, not as much in some schools as might have been possible under more favorable conditions, and yet I believe the aggregate results of school work in Wilmington this year is better than it was last. It is certainly better in some lines, and lines that seem to me important. I refer to nature study and drawing.
In the latter part of the summer term an educational exhibit of work, below the high school, including nature study, language work, work in geography and drawing, was held in Boston, un- der the auspices of the New England Association of Educational Workers, to which this, and other towns in this district con- tributed. The exhibit from this district was very creditable, compared well with that from other places, and received favor- able comment from leading educators of the State.
15
Nearly all the Wilmington schools contributed to this exhibit, and our contribution compared not unfavorably with that from other towns in this district, and reflected credit on the work of our teachers and their willingness to advance along new lines. This is evidence of progress, in that it showed better results in these lines of work, than could have been produced a year ago.
Our teachers have so many classes that some of them have failed to find time to devote to this work. They regard it as less important than other school work, and distinct from it. This, however, is a mistake. Nature study is closely allied to language and geography,-indeed, it is an essential part of the latter, and an important means of developing the former. And better results would be obtained in teaching both these subjects, if a part of the time devoted to them were given to this work. The end of teach- ing is not knowledge simply. It is knowledge, mental develop- ment, and the formation of good character. In securing this threefold result, much depends upon the studies required to be pursued. No study serves as a better means to this desired end, than do drawing and elementary science. They cultivate the per- ceptive faculties, and the powers of thought and comparison, give a higher conception, and a better appreciation of the beauty, grandeur, and sublimity of the universe, and are thus conducive, in a high degree, to the development of mental and moral power. I, therefore, regard this line of work important, and improvement in it, progress.
Other indications of improvement, at least in some schools, are the increased interest and better industry of the pupils. Success is won by work, whether by the business man in the bank or the scholar in school ; and the best possible evidence of real improve- ment-true progress in the schools, is this growing inclination of the pupils to work.
TEACHERS.
The numerous changes in teachers shown in the tabular state_ ment, included in this report, have been detrimental to the best work in some schools, and thus the good results that might other- wise have been expected have been prevented. This has, of course, operated adversely upon the aggregate result of the year's work, and therefore it has not been marked by as much
16
improvement as could have been desired. Our teachers, how- ever, have worked well, and are deserving of high appreciation for loyalty and devotion to their duties. I believe most of them realize, that, in these days of progress, teachers cannot continue to teach as they have taught, much less as they have been taught. If they would secure the best results in their schools, and take a prominent position among their co-workers in the Commonwealth, they must both make themselves familiar with new subjects and learn the best methods of teaching all subjects. It is a mistake to suppose that the teacher's work is confined to the school-room.
The teacher must be a constant student. Industry is the price of progress. And aside from the advantages of improved methods and broader culture to be gained by the teacher in her study outside of the school-room, the industry of the teacher has a direct, stimulating influence on the pupil. To get pupils to work is the chief means to the great end of mental development, and there is no power so potent to induce pupils to work as the example of an industrious teacher. The contagious spirit of in- dustry is nowhere so likely to become epidemic as when carried into the school-room by the teacher.
The importance of good teachers has had practical illustration in some of the changes made during the year, notably in the South School, where the attendance fell off from about 93 per cent. to 84 per cent. after the first change occurred there, and the school work was lowered to even a greater degree.
The teacher makes the school. The committee and superin- tendent do not. They furnish material, tools, and plan, but the teacher must rear the intellectual structure. In spite of all that money and management can do, without good teachers we cannot have good schools. I wish, therefore, to urge upon the Commit- tee the importance of exercising careful and discriminating judg- ment in the selection of teachers. I desire also to impress upon teachers a due appreciation of their responsibility in assuming the most sacred trust on earth-the training of children.
DRAWING.
That the teaching of drawing in the public schools, is re- quired by law is sufficient evidence of its importance and there is
17
no need of argument in its favor. The thing to be considered here is efficiency in teaching it.
When the drawing books and materials were placed in the hands of our teachers last year, many, if not the most of them, knew little or nothing about the subject. The work, has, how- ever, been conducted with a fair degree of success. The chief difficulty in the way of progress is lack of proficiency in the subject on the part of teachers. To awaken interest and aid teachers to prepare for this work, last Spring I asked Mr. Henry T. Bailey, state agent of drawing, to meet the teachers of this district, and give them some general instructions in drawing. The earliest date he could give us was January 26. On the after- noon of that day the teachers met at North Billerica, and re- ceived practical and profitable instruction from Mr. Bailey.
Interest in the subject, and the desire of our teachers to better prepare themselves for progressive work, were shown by the fact that nearly all the teachers in this district were present, but one of the Wilmington teachers being absent. Some teachers rode about seventy miles by rail, and some drove ten miles in a snow storm to get the benefit of Mr. Bailey's instructions.
Judging from the earnestness and interest thus manifested, I. believe we may expect improvement in this work.
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. .
Under the present school system in this town, five years' work is required in each of the outlying schools. This require- ment necessitates so many classes, that, while the number of pupils is not large in any of these schools, it does not allow the teacher time enough to do all the work required. In the inter- mediate room at the Center three years' work is required, and the room is full of pupils, so that here, too, the teacher cannot do justice to all her work. Three years' work is also required in the grammar school, while the number of pupils in that room has reached fifty-five, a much larger number than the room will seat. Therefore some of the grammar school children have to sit in the high school room, and a part of the grammar school work has to be done by the high school teacher, who has too little time to do the work of her own school. This mixing of the work of the two upper schools makes it impossible to do the best work in
18
either. Thus it appears that the present arrangement is un. favorable to the best results in any of the schools.
All this might be remedied if another school room could be provided at the Centre, and the pupils in the outlying schools carried there. All the schools below the high school could then be arranged, in four rooms, with two years work required in each room, and the high school by itself.
Such a regime would involve some expense at first, but when inaugurated, I believe the schools could be conducted for less money than at present, and they would certainly be in condition to do better work. "The tendency in smaller towns is towards consolidation, for the sake of classification, efficiency and econ . omy." Few towns are better situated for carrying out their plan than Wilmington. I believe this matter is worthy of con- sideration, and I trust it will receive early attention.
This report has been prepared in the midst of a busy year, in connection with five others for other towns, and, while it is but an imperfect expression of the condition, work and needs of our schools, I trust it will be of sufficient interest to the citizens of the town to justify the time spent in its preparation.
Respectfully Submitted,
LEWIS T. McKENNEY,
Supt. of Schools.
STATISTICS.
Number of children enumerated in town, May 1, 1892, be-
tween 5 and 15 years of age, . 222
Number of children enumerated in town, May 1, 1893, be- tween 3 and 15 years of age, . 220
Decrease, 2
Number of children enrolled in the public schools, 214
Number of children enrolled under 5 years of age, 2
Number of children enrolled over 15 years of age, 13
Number of children enrolled between 5 and 15 years of age, Number of children enrolled between 8 and 14 years of age, Number of school houses occupied,
199
130
5
Number of school rooms occupied, 8
Number of children enumerated in town, May 1, 1893, be- tween 8 and 14 years of age, 130
TABULAR STATEMENT.
SCHOOL
TERMI
TEACHERS
Whole number
different pu-
Average mem-
Average daily
Per cent. of
attendance
Tardinesses
Visits of
Superin-
tendent
Visits of
Committee
Visits of
Citizens
Teachers' sala-
Length of
term in
months
High - -
Fall
Harriet V. Elliott
17
15 35
14 15
92 18
7
3
2
70
4
Winter Harriet V. Elliott
15
14 46
13 49
93 29
0
0
2
70
Spring Ellen A. Elliott
36
35 25
33 63
95 40
7
6
4
45
Grammar -
Fall
Ellen A. Elliott
55
53 02
50 67
95 40
2
5
3
4
45
Winter Ellen A. Elliott
51
50 00
47 49
94 98
0
1
4
45
in session
B. Alexander and
33
31 22
30 21
96 76
9
6
6
8
3
Intermediate -
Fall
Florence J. Bearse
33
30 64
28 75
93 83
6
7
2
5
32
4
Winter Florence J. Bearse
32
25 45
23 98
94 22
9
0
1
2
32
in session 3
Spring Fall
Sylvia E. Prescott
32
28 51
27 24
95 45
6
7
3
30
36
4
Primary
-
YEARLY AVERAGES.
High -
Harriet V. Elliott
13
14 18
13 13
1 92 60
0
13
9
11
10
Grammar
Ellen A. Elliott
37
46 09
43 93
95 31
2
12
10
12
10
Intermediate -
Changed during year
33
29 10
27 64
94 98
24
13
9
15
10
Primary -
Changed during year
39
27 77
25 85
93 05
24
11
7
46
10
North
Nettie M. Buck
28
24 44
24 29
98 77
4
8
5
31
10
East -
Changed during year
25
23 35
22 52
96 52
44
8
8
50
10
South
Changed during year
25
18 10
16 10
88 78
51
9
10
47
10
West -
Changed during year
24
16 54
15 08
90 33
30
9
7
16
Total -
1893
214
199
186
93 79
195
83
65
228
-
Fall
Nettie M. Buck
27
23 92
23 62
98 64
3
4
3
16
36
26
24 80
24 55
98 99
0
1
0
7
36
in session
Spring Lizzie F. Webber
22
21 50
21 06
97 95
30
3
3
16
32
East -
Fall
Etta A. Swain
25
23 83
23 16
97 19
11
4
4
21
28
4
Winter Etta A. Swain
25
24 72
23 34
94 41
3
1
1
13
32
in session
Spring Sylvia E. Preseott
24
20 28
19 21
94 72
6
3
4
25
32
3
Jennie Sherman
25
19 87
16 69
83 99
32
5
5
17
32
4
Soutlı -
Fall
Alice B. Cherrington
19
14 15
12 40
87 63
13
1
1
5
32
in session
Spring
Cora M. Fiteh
2
19 00
18 01
94 00
4
4
3
10
32
3
West -
Fall
L. A. Collins
20
16 96
14 89
87 00
22
4
3
5
32
4
1
Winter L. A. Collins
15
13 65
12 35
90 00
4
1
1
1
32
in session
03
24 70
98 69
1
3
2
8
36
3
North
Winter Sylvia E. Prescott
28
25 32
23 35
92 21
4
0
0
3
36
in session
Spring
Nettie M. Buck
31
29 48
26 98
91 51
14
4
4
13
32
.
Spring | Harriet V. Elliott
13
12 74
11 76
92 31
6
6
7
$55
3
-
*
86
Spring |Florenee J. Bearse
Anna Batcheler
28
25
4
Winter Nettie M. Buck
3
Winter
Alice B. Cherrington
pils
bership
attendance
daily
-
-
10
ry per month
in session 3 4
32
REPORT OF THE FLAGSTAFF COMMITTEE.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF WILMINGTON :
Gentlemen : The flagstaff committee submit the following re- port : At the first meeting of the committee a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Sheldon, Eames, Carter and Gowing were appointed to select and cut trees for a main mast and top mast.
A tree offered by Otis Gowing was examined and found de- fective. One was found for the main mast on the Blanchard farm belonging to W. Gowing. He was written to about it and kindly gave it.
On the 25th of March, the committee with W. H. Carter, man and four horses, C. H. Wilber, man and four horses cut and drew out the mast. They were nearly all day, but arrived safely on the location.
A top mast was given by Sylvester Carter, found on the Otis Jaquith farm, owned by Carter. He and G. T. Eames, with C. H. Wilber and two horses cut and drew it alongside of the main mast. And an agreement was made with H. Pigeon & Son to make and raise the staff, the committee to furnish help, rigging, etc.
It was decided after careful consideration, that the best place to stand the staff was in the centre of the common, and that it should set above ground supported by iron braces with stone an- chors and foundation. Four anchor stones were found, two be- longing to Otis Carter and two to Michael McMahon, who gave them. A mill stone for the mast to stand on was taken from the old mill stream of W. Wentworth, given by the present owner, H. A. Sheldon. Mr. C. F. Harris, man and two horses gave his services to draw the stone to the location.
An agreement with H. A. Sheldon to set the foundation and anchor stones for twelve dollars ($12).
On May 5th and 6th the mainmast was raised and secured, top mast put in position and everything in first class shape except painting.
21
The expense somewhat overran the appropriation, but your committee feel justified in as much as the amount appropriated was very low for a flagstaff of that size and kind, the usual cost being from three hundred ($300) to three hundred twenty- five dollars. ($325.)
COST OF FLAGSTAFF.
Estimate of donation, .
$133 38
By W. H. Carter, C. H. Wilber, C. F. Harris, Sylvester Car- ter, H. A. Sheldon, G. T. Eames, Michael McMahon, J. T. Wild, S. R. McIntosh, W. H. & E. L. Haley, Wm. Gow- ing.
AMOUNT PAID.
H. Pigeon & Son,
$71 25
H. A. Sheldon,
12 00
S. R. McIntosh,
14 47
Dodge, Haley & Co.,
10 88
J. T. Wild,
32 45
G. T. Eames,
8 00
J. T. Freeman,
3 30
$152 35
133 38
Total value,
$285 73
JOHN T. WILD,
H. A. SHELDON,
SYLVESTER CARTER,
Committee.
OTIS GOWING,
GEORGE T. EAMES,
REPORT OF SELECTMEN ON STREET RAILWAY.
To the Citizens of the Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Under the dates of April 12th, 1893, and May 20, 1893, our board received petitions from the directors of the association known as the Lowell & Reading Street Railway Co. for a right to locate the track of said Railway Co. in our Town, which was granted by our board after a full hearing was had upon their pe- titions and the following conditions and locations were granted and accepted by said association.
TOWN OF WILMINGTON.
IN BOARD OF SELECTMEN. Nov. 27th, 1893.
Upon the petition of George E. Quimby, Chester W. Clark, Charles F. Brown, Henry H. Savage, J. Howard Eames, Williamn W. Lang, Martin L. Hamblet, the directors of the association for the formation of the Lowell and Reading Street Railway Com- pany, dated April 12th, 1893, and also upon the petition of the said Directors dated May 20th, 1893, for a location of the tracks of said Company in the highways of the Town of Wil- mington, it is hereby ordered :-
I. That the prayers in both of said petitions are hereby granted so far as herein set forth and no further.
II. That permission is hereby granted to said Lowell and Reading Street Railway Company to construct, maintain and op- erate a single track street railway, with convenient and suitable turnouts and switches, upon and over the portions of the high- ways in said Town hereinafter mentioned, upon the terms, re- strictions and conditions hereinafter set forth and not otherwise.
Commencing at the dividing line between the town of Reading, in said County and said Town of Wilmington, in the highway which is a continuation of the highway called Lowell Street in
23
said Reading, thence northwesterly through said highway to the road leading from Woburn to Lowell, sometimes called Main Street; thence northerly through said Main Street passing the railroad station on the Boston and Lowell Railroad called Wil- mington, to the intersection of said Main Street or road leading to Tewksbury, with the Billerica Road, so called, sometimes called Shawsheene Avenue; thence westerly and northerly and north- westerly through said Shawsheene Avenue to the West school house, so called; thence northwesterly through the highway lead- ing to the school house in that part of Billerica, called East Bil- lerica, to the dividing line between said town of Wilmington and said town of Billerica.
Commencing at the dividing line between the City of Woburn, in the County of Middlesex, and the said Town of Wilmington, thence in the Highway leading from Woburn to Lowell, some- times called Main Street; thence northerly through said Main Street to the road leading from Wilmington Railroad Station on the Boston and Lowell Railroad, called Wilmington, to Reading.
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