USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1907-1908 > Part 8
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Seven years ago there were only twenty-six pupils in the school and the most that we could then afford was two teachers. With that teaching force we could provide (as we were required by law to do) fairly well for those pupils who were preparing to enter college, but we could do little for those pupils who were not expect- ing to pursue their studies beyond the High School, and who wished to make their school training directly and immediately helpful to them in the task of earning a living. We have comparatively few pupils who are contemplating college courses. The great majority expect to become wage earners as soon as they leave the High School, and they have a right to expect that their High School course shall give them something more definite than general culture to assist them in making a start in life.
55
The law compels us to provide for the needs of the few who are preparing for college ; common justice compels us to provide also for the many who are just preparing for active life. To this end we have labored in the past to build up the size of our school until we could afford the necessary equipment. Having succeeded in doing that, our sole concern, now, is with the nature and quality of the work that we are doing. We wish to make the school helpful in the highest degree to every pupil that attends it; but we wish to impress upon the pupils that the benefit which they receive must depend largely upon themselves. It does not follow that because a boy is pursuing our college preparatory course that he will get into college or make a good record after he gets there. To succeed as a student he must learn to do the work and to acquire the indus- trious habits of the student. So with the boy who elects our com- mercial course. If he does not learn to write a respectable business hand, can not spell or express himself well in English,- if his work is careless and slipshod, he need not be surprised that there is no sharp competition among business men to secure his services when he graduates. The most that we can do is to furnish opportunity and to hold him to a minimum performance. If he wishes to suc- ceed in business, he must exert himself beyond what our minimum requirement calls for ; he must form business habits and acquire business interests while still in school.
I believe that, as a whole, the school has done good work dur- ing the past year. The discipline and general conduct of the school have been very satisfactory, and the present condition of the school promises well for the future. Further details will be found in the principal's report.
In my last report I called your attention to the fact that no school physician had been appointed for this Town. I wish again to remind you of the fact, and to urge that some action be taken this spring. In the large amount of sickness that we had last year, I believe that many days of absence could have been prevented by a school physician, and now that the State requires us to teach in
56
the schools the causes, prevention and general treatment of tuber- culosis, a physician's advice seems almost necessary to the teachers if this work is to produce any helpful result.
The usual special reports and tables are appended.
Respectfully submitted, W. N. CRAGIN.
Wilmington, Mass., Dec. 31, 1908.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
Gentlemen : - It is now over a year since I assumed my duties in your community and meanwhile I have been watching the work of the High School very closely, chiefly to witness its progress and development. The results observed have been decidedly encour- aging.
Although the class received from the eighth grade last Septem- ber was somewhat less in numbers than that of a year ago, upon further examination, I find in general that the numbers of the en- tering classes have been rapidly growing larger, that many more are being graduated year by year, and that a relatively larger proportion of those entering are completing the High School work. This means nothing less than a greater desire on the part of parents and pupils to obtain a better, a broader, and a higher education than was felt a comparatively few years ago. Such education is becoming more and more necessary to the successful completion of not only the professional, the manufacturing, and the business life of the present time, but also it has now become essential to many other vocations, as the complexity of our civilization has increased.
The graduating class numbered four in 1906, four in 1907, ten in 1908, and will probably number twelve in 1909. A class of twelve to fifteen may be expected in 1910. This is rapid growth for any school. This progress, made within a period of five years, has not been made at the sacrifice of scholarship, for at the same time there has been a gradual increase in the amount of work done, in order to conform to the requirements of the standard Iligh Schools. Unless a pupil meets the requirements of one of the pre- scribed courses of study he must be detained to repeat the work the following year. No one, I think, regrets such cases as does the
58
teacher, but it is also absolutely necessary for the pupil to have his foundations well established, before he can finish the structure, completed during his last year in the High School. Right here I will speak of a matter which is often one of great dissatisfaction. Pupils have spent four years in the school, sometimes they have spent only three, and their parents find them unfitted for some higher institution, and they fail to understand why this is so. When such intentions have been made known at the beginning or early in the work, the teacher will try to fit this pupil for such institution in so far as is possible in the High School. I would earnestly request the parents to have this in mind, for it is undeniable and sometimes unfortunate that a pupil who has taken the commercial course has not the preparation required for admission to any College of Let- ters, and has not over half what would be required for admission to any normal school.
The addition of an extra teacher promises much in the improve- ment of our school. It has given us a third course of study and the opportunities to study several subjects not before offered. These, together with the removal of the eighth grade from the building, have given us more convenient rooms for the classes, have made possible a quiet room for study several periods each day, and have made for less conflicting programs. This study-room has made less home work necessary, and more school work possible, under condi- tions which make for the greatest efficiency in the least possible time. This matter of home study I would urge the parents to look into a little more closely than some have done hitherto. There seems to be something of an impression that a pupil who brings no book home is getting along all right. It is usually such a pupil who needs home study most, for there are few who do not need to pre- pare at least one lesson at home. There are those, and they are few, who can do enough to warrant a " Pass " and no more, by im- proving every opportunity in school; but those who really want all the education they can get are putting in some very profitable time on home study. Any parent to whom the monthly report is not entirely clear, or who feels that he would like to know more about the school and its work, will be welcomed at any time. Through
59
personal calls during the past year I have been able to come to a complete understanding with several of the parents about their sons and daughters. However, our pupils living so far apart, and their number being so large, have prevented my making as many of these visits as I had wished. If parents would realize that it would re- quire seventy of such visits on my part, while one on theirs might mean a complete understanding of any situation which might arise, I should see more of them at the High School.
I would call the attention of all the alumni to our High School Club. The graduates of recent years we find often among us, but those of a few years ago are seldom seen now. Twice a month we meet at the building for the enjoyment of music, reading, lectures and a social gathering. Here is an opportunity for the alumni to observe for themselves the rapid strides which the High School is making, and be the readier to appreciate those needs which mean so much to a growing institution. Such visits might mean the awak- ening of many whose ambitions are as yet only partially dormant.
Several reading tables should take the place of the piano as a reference table. We also need more reference books. Those which belong to the school are few and of little value for reference now. The method pursued in the past has been of little expense to the Town and sources of information have varied in value. Three modern unabridged dictionaries and at least one set of modern en- cyclopædias should be purchased at once. These should be put in a cabinet of some sort (not necessarily expensive) to preserve and protect them from the chalk dust and the dirt of a school room. I would suggest that such a cabinet be sufficiently large to accommo- date more reference books as they might be added in future,-per- haps a few each year by the Committee, by some interested towns- men or loyal alumnus; possibly by some graduating classes who found a surplus in the treasury, or perhaps by our School Club. Such books as might be added for this purpose by being put in a school library would be placed where they would do the most good, being accessible to those who could and would use them at least five days of every week. Possibly the Trustees of the Town Library
60
might devote a small portion of their funds to the cause of educa- tion through the medium of the High School. At this time I want to thank the School Committee for their efforts recently. The few books which have been added as reference books to the Science, History and Commercial Departments, have been a good start in the right direction, and already begun to be appreciated ; but we need more of them in all of the departments. The subscription also to several of the best magazines would cultivate a taste for the best current literature.
Another immediate need is in the typewriting room. It is true than another typewriter has been provided this year in place of the wornout Remington, but three typewriters for classes numbering twenty-five are inadequate for the allotment of the time which should be spent on this part of the commercial work. Then, too, the chairs as at present are with sloping backs. These should be available for visitors, and some straight-backed chairs provided for the typewriting. There are also other improvements within the building which would mean much for its convenience and attractive- ness to all those who work within it, but these can be dispensed with for the present.
Respectfully submitted, SETH A. LORING.
MUSIC REPORT
Mr. W. N. CRAGIN, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my report as Music Super- visor for 1908.
In looking over the past year's work, it is evident we have made considerable progress. The pupils seem to appre- ciate their work and make special efforts to do well what is expected of them. Besides the sight reading and technical work we have worked especially for better tone quality. It is difficult to suppress an enthusiastic class, but it often has to be done. Among the younger scholars the tendency to sing loudly will after a while ruin the soft, childish voice which is so effective. Some classes grasp the idea sooner than others that a soft voice is more acceptable, while others need further attention.
In the lower classes where there are three or four grades in a room, we have worked to favor the older ones in order to prepare them for advanced work. The instruction of the younger ones has been left more to the grade teacher, under the direction of the Supervisor. The first grade children are taught rote songs during the first half of the year. Later they are taught notation from the chart or from the board. Here the technical work is first represented, and is system- atically taught from that time throughout the whole school course. The first grade teachers have been supplied with a desk book of easy songs, arranged for the little child who comes to school without a knowledge of music.
In the second grade the music reader is first used. The music books which are used in all the grades were purchased
62
a year ago to replace those which had been used for many years. We have now given them a fair test, and they have furnished new songs and exercises which have been of great importance in carrying out our plan of work.
The middle and upper classes are doing satisfactory work. Two and three part singing is well established and the classes can read readily at sight. Music writing has been given more attention, but in the future there will be more definite methods planned for this part of the course.
A piano has been placed in the eighth grade room at the Walker Building, and it is almost needless to report upon the great assistance and enjoyment it has given the teachers and scholars of that building. The sixth, seventh and eighth grades are permitted to change rooms for the music lesson, and after the dismissal of the eighth class at one o'clock, the other grades are at liberty to use the piano if they wish.
At the beginning of the fall term and the opening of all the out-schools it seemed quite impossible for the special teacher to visit one of these buildings oftener than once a month, but arrangements have been made by which all the schools will be given an equal amount of time.
The work of the High School deserves a word of praise not alone because they are able to sing a more difficult class of music, but because of the good spirit which is manifest during the music period. It is not the aim of a High School to send out finished artists and composers,-those who desire further study prefer to attend a music school. It is our pur- pose to try for sweet, musical voices, to continue the sight reading and learn some of the works of composers of reputa- tion.
As the present chorus is better able and better prepared to sing something resembling the classical, I have brought to the school music of that character in preference to the lighter works. In the future it may be well for the school to try some arrangements of famous oratorios or operas.
J
63
During the year both the High School and the grades have sung at several public functions, and many have expressed their interest in the work.
The work in Wilmington has been very pleasant and encouraging. I desire to thank the teachers who have helped to bring about the desired results, and also the school authorities for their support.
Respectfully submitted,
MABELLE B. PROCTOR.
DRAWING REPORT
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE, Town of Wilmington : - 1
The Department of Drawing has been under the present direction since September last. In that time the endeavor has been made to organize the work, grading it in such a way that progress will be shown from year to year and work will not be repeated.
In the classes below the High School one and one-half hours are given to this subject, while in the High School forty minutes a week are given. The time in the grades is according to a well-balanced plan and is sufficient. Such is not the case in the High School. There the time compares from one-third to one-half less than in most other High Schools. I have strongly recommended giving more time, and the subject is now being considered.
The Wilmington schools are scattered. Those in outly- ing districts take considerable time to visit, and much of a special teacher's time is necessarily taken travelling between these points, time which might well be given to the work of teaching. This, however, cannot well be avoided, but must be considered in making out a plan of procedure. These schools need very careful attention, more, if anything, than other schools, because of the lack of incentive which associa- tion with several classes furnishes. Teachers can eliminate this in a measure by keeping closely in touch with the work of larger schools.
The course in drawing is planned for the school year in two parts: one from September through January, the other
65
from February through June. These plans include well de- fined lessons for each week during those periods, supple- mented by teachers' meetings upon the issue of the plans.
MANUAL TRAINING
A new feature added is the Manual or Industrial Train- ing. The educational value of this phase of the work lies in the fact that thought and action go hand in hand. At pres- ent there is a very general movement throughout the coun- try in favor of such training.
How many pupils attending our schools will leave them to become linguists or mathematicians? Or are they intended for such? Is it, then, fair to ask: "Do we intend making artists of the children?" because we teach drawing and manual training? It is, though, a fact that over ninety per cent. of those leaving school do so to enter some business or employment requiring some knowledge or expertness in the use of the hands. This is what Manual Training and our technical colleges are trying to do, produce skill in the use of hand and eye. We consider this a most important branch of the work.
In school matters this Town is liberal to an extent and has a right to demand results. And it is the aim of all con- nected with the schools, we believe, to produce results. Co- operation must meet with success in time.
In this special work of Drawing, the attitude of all the teachers has been that of interest, and our purposes, I believe, have been one.
Respectfully submitted, ALICE M. YOUNG.
ATTENDANCE TABLE FOR THE YEAR
ENDING JUNE, 1908
SCHOOLS
Total Membership
Average Member-
Av'age Attendance
Per Ct. of Attend-
Tardiness
Pupils under 5 Yrs.
Pupils over 15 Yrs.
Pupils between 5
and 15 Yrs. of Age
Pupils between 7
and 14 Yrs. of Age
High School
High School Bldg ..
29
25.36
23.07
.9082
46
0
2
27
22
First Grammar
35
31.35
29.06
. 9288
72
0
2
33
28
Second Grammar
Walker Building .
42
39.47
37.14
.9415
44
0
0
42
41
First Primary
41
39.86
37.52
. 9410
19
0
0
41
41
Second Primary
54
¡49.01
43.49
.8917
34
2
0
52
22
Grammar School }
40
37.34
34.70
.9293
52
0
1
39
38
Primary School
41
36.50
33.80
.9130
71
0
0
41
29
North School
27
19.31
18.06
.9352
21
1
0
26
17
East School
12
11.88
11.52
.9598
3
0
0
12
7
South School
15
13.58
12.11
.8920
57
0
0
15
12
Totals
413
375.15 346.27 . 9230
550
3
53
357
274
77
71.49
65.80
.9154
131
0
48
29
17
Grammar School
Whitefield Building
-
of Age
of Age
ship
ance
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES 1904 TO 1908 BASED ON TOTAL ENROLLMENT
YEAR
Appropria-
Received
from State
Total
Resources
Total
Enrollment
Number of
Weeks
Expense
Per Pupil
Unexpended
1904
$6600
$1484 38
$8084 38
405
37 and 40
$19 71
$98 86
1905
7500
2000 44
9500 44
415
37 and 40
22 51
158 81
1906
7500
1835 82
9335 82
408
37 and 40
22 70
74 29
1907
7500
2091 56
9591 56
402
37 and 40
23 85
11 90
1908
8000
2511 33
10,511 33
413
38 and 40
25 43
6 70
Balance
tion
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1909
Jan. 4. Winter term begins.
Feb. 22. Holiday.
Mar. 26. Winter term ends.
April 5. Spring term begins.
April 19. Holiday.
May 31. Holiday.
June 25. Spring term ends.
Sept. 7. Fall term begins, High School.
Sept. 20. Fall term begins, all other schools.
Nov. 25. Holiday.
Nov. 26. Holiday.
Dec. 24. Fall term ends.
1910
Jan. 3. Winter term begins.
TEACHERS EMPLOYED DECEMBER 31, 1908
NAME
POSITION
WHERE FITTED
SALARY
S. A. Loring .
Principal High School
Tufts College
$1,100 00 per year
Margaret I. Cutler
Assistant High School .
Boston University
550 00
Elizabeth G. Hodge
Assistant High School .
Boston University ·
450 00
Abbie H. Keith
Assistant High School
Brown University ·
450 00
Adella R. Goodrich
VIII Grade .
§ Plymouth Normal
525 00
\ Bridgewater Normal
Blan Alexander
VI, VII Grades
Private Training ·
532 00
Sylvia E. Prescott
IV, V Grades
Quincy Training ·
456 00
Olivia H. Norcross
I, II, III Grades .
Perry Kin'garten Nor. .
400 00
Carrie M. Swain
VII, VIII Grades .
Private Training . ·
456 00
Henrietta A. Swain
V, VI Grades
Salem Normal
·
400 00
Nettie M. Haley
I, II, III, IV Grades
Salem Normal .
418 00
Ida B. Gurney
South School
Bridgewater Normal
400 00
Ethel E. Carter
West School
J Somerville High .
380 00
Gertrude M. Eames
North School
Wilmington High . . Wilmington High . .
7 00
Mabelle B. Proctor
Director of Music
.
Inst. of Nor. Methods
5 00
Alice M. Young
Director of Drawing
Mass. Normal Art
5 00
.
.
\ Bridgewater Normal ·
7 00 per week
Nina L. Kincaid
East School
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
-
.
STATISTICS
Number of school buildings in use 7
Number of school rooms in use 11 Number of male teachers employed 1
Number of female teachers employed . 14
Number of special teachers employed . 2
Number of children between the ages of 5 and 15 years .
364 Number of children between the ages of 7 and 14 years . 297
Total school membership 413 .
Per cent. of pupils enrolled in High School .
18.6
.
Per cent. of pupils enrolled in Grammar schools 35.3
Per cent. of pupils enrolled in Primary schools 46.1
Number of pupils found with defective eyesight
63
Number of pupils found with defective hearing
51
LIST OF GRADUATES FROM HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1908
Marguerite Alma Bedell Erminie Dogmar Bloomquist Elsie Louise Buck Herman Edwin Buck Mildred Elvira Buck
Philip Burnham Buzzell Mabel Evangeline McCabe Edward Martin Neilson Beatrice Madeline Swain Hazel Waite
ROLL OF HONOR
The following pupils have been neither absent nor tardy for the time specified :
FOR ONE YEAR
Emma Stokes
George Hoyt
Marion Cole
Rodney Buck
Philip Buzzell Winnifred McMahon
Ralph Buck
Edwin Twomey
Lena Carter
Elmer Carter
Harold Carter Sam Frolio
Margaret Babine Nellie Foley
FOR TWO TERMS
Addie Surrette Thomas Regan John Hooper Gladys Lowe John C. Horton Maud Millet Myrtle Baxter Gerald Frazee Mary Murphy Emma Baxter Leo Daley Clyde Holt
Grace Purves Joseph McMahon Margaret Nee Louise Tillie
Edgar Shaw
Harold Nichols
Henry Doucette Susan Durkee
Miriam Melzar
Arthur Babine
Leon Call Nellie Frotton
Mason Alexander
Herbert Clatur
Rosamond Faulkner Frances Frotton Eva Dodge Joseph White Louise Porter Madie Tilley
73
Bertie Taylor Roger Buck Bernard Doucette
Greta Bloomquist Pauline Eames
Edmund Sargent George Taylor
Myrtle Carter Edward Croteau
Charles Doucette Wilfred Babine Eugene Doucette Anita Hemeon
FOR ONE TERM
Ora Holt
Mabel Connor
Francis Chapman Ellen Bloomquist
Robert Buck
Hazel Waite
Don Page
Rose McMahon
Constance Folkins
Harold Eames
Elliott Bloomfield
Ethel Strong
Joseph Strong
Mary J. Surrette
Marion Millet
Elmina Newcomb
Harris Hemeon
Mary Grimes
Joseph Grimes Katherine Croteau
Norman Buck
Marjorie Buck
Everett Buck
Herman Buck
Erminie Bloomquist
Harry Bedell Lester Swain
Mary Robinson
Lillian Chapman
Chester Dodge
Marion Lowell
Margaret Watson
Mildred Simonds
Ernest Graves
Lizzie Hemeon
Abraham Atkins
John Black burn
Frank Butters
George Foley
John Macconi
Romaine Nichols
Tracy Porter
Roland Choate
Clifford Horton
Donald Morse
Dorothy Morse
Walter Babine
Bertha Cohen
Florence Doucette
Stanley Phinney
Florence Robinson
Margaret Twomey
Louise Croteau
Hubert Eames
74
Douglas Cameron Cecelia Doucette Walter Durkee
Ruth Bloomquist Amos Durkee Louis Lucas Charles Skank
Helen Osborne Alonzo Skank
Arthur White
Michael White Millie Frolio
Charles Frolio Grace Lowell
Henry McMahon
Joseph Surrette
Elden Durkee
Stasia Grimes
Lewis Grimes
Jennie Skank
Rosie Surrette
Annie Frolio
Rosanna Babine
Clayton Buck
Gertrude Regan
Rosetta Lucas
Walter Surrette
Willie Croteau
Frances Doucette
Frances Sidelinker
Gladys Harriman
Cecil Sidelinker
Leslie Durkee
Herbert Beers
Frank Stack
Edith Robinson
Frederick Motschman
Dorothy Faulkner
Chester Hemeon
Laurence Foley Helen Choate
Report of Selectmen
GENERAL EXPENDITURES
· OUTSTANDING
Appropriation
$350 00
EXPENDED
Town of Reading, account Mrs. Sarah White and family
$201 49
Sophia Sweetzer, rent account Mrs. Sarah White .
9 00
Wm. Grimes, police duty
2 00
John Hoban, Jr., fire duty
5 00
D. B. Brown, fire duty
90
Unexpended balance
131 61
$350 00
$350 00
TOWN OFFICERS
Appropriation
$1,800 00
From State Inspector of Animals
25 00
Received for Sealer's fees
12 37
EXPENDED
John W. Hathaway, salary Selectman and Overseer of the Poor .
$175 00
Edward N. Eames, salary Selectman and Overseer of the Poor
125 00
Arthur T. Bond, salary Selectman and Over- seer of the Poor . 125 00
Arthur T. Bond, salary as Clerk of Board 25 00
James E. Kelley, salary as Town Clerk 75 00 James E. Kelley, salary as Clerk of Registrars 20 00
James E. Kelley, salary as Assessor
100 00
78
Geo. W. Buck, salary as Assessor 100 00
Henry L. Carter, salary as Assessor 100 00
Fred A. Eames, salary as Treasurer 150 00 Joseph Patchett, salary as Collector of Taxes 482 32
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