USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1911-1912 > Part 5
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In the second place, it may be well to state a few of the things that have been done this year and why they were done. A course in Mechanical Drawing has been so arranged that it may be pur- sued during the four years, thus removing the defect called smat- tering.
The aim of the work in Rhetoricals is to inculcate into the lives of our students the sentiments, thoughts and language of the mas- ters and to present them to an audience in a fitting manner. It is expected that this will develop into something more original such as essays and debates. Such original work draws upon and, therefore, helps to develop all the resources and potentialities of the pupil. The school is fortunate in that it has a teacher fitted to give instruction in the art of public speaking.
Twice a week each pupil is expected to present to the school some contemporary event in politics, science, education, etc. The object is to learn what is worth reading in a newspaper or maga- zine, to stand on one's feet to express an idea and to be informed concerning our own day. An understanding of some of the events and problems of today is as important as an understanding of those of history.
A course is given in Elementary Physics to those of the fresh- man class, who do not, either for college entrance or for their fu- ture pursuits in life, need Latin. The aim is to lay a foundation for future scientific studies, to give a scientific explanation of many of the phenomena in the midst of which everyone must live, to be practical.
In the third place, for the reasons set forth below, these recom- mendations seem called for :
(a) The present situation shows that, next year, the High School, to do justice to its pupils, should be able to offer at least 140 recitations per week. A teacher cannot conduct more than thirty-five recitations a week and ought not to conduct more than thirty, for pupils need help. Hence, the services of four teachers will be needed in the High School alone next year.
(b) This circular was sent to the parents of each of the pupils in the Eighth grade and the High Scho 1.
79
"Any High School exists primarily to give the young men and women of the community the best possible preparation for their future pursuits in life Hence, in order to know what course of study the Wilmington High School should offer to meet the needs of its present and future pupils in their preparation for the work of life, it is necessary to learn what the plans of the pupils are for their future occupations or to learn what your plans are for them. Will you, then, kindly co-operate with us by stating in the space below what the plans are for the probable future pur- suit of your boy or girl ?"
Ninety copies of this circular were sent out. 75 were returned. Of these, there were 25, all 'in the Eighth Grade, stating that it was undecided as to the future pursuits of their sons or daugh- ters. Some of these will decide to take a college preparatory course, others a business course, etc.
The parents of 4 desire their sons to enter a trade school or to go on the railroad.
The parents of 18 pupils are planning to have their son or daughter take a commercial course.
The parents of 29 pupils desire to send their son or daughter to college or other institutions having like requirements for entrance.
These figures seem to infer [that the High School constituency demands the very best commercial course that can be devised. Therefore, such a course is recommended.
These figures also show that over one-half of the present pupils in the High School, or over one-third of all pupils now in both the Eighth Grade and the High School want college prepa- ration. £ The establishment of a genuine college preparatory . course is, therefore, recommended.
These two recommendations involve others : the need of ref- rence books, some apparatus and a FOURTH TEACHER.
Respectfully submitted,
F. W. CARRIER.
80
GRADUATION EXERCISES, WILMINGTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1911
Congregational Church, Tuesday Evening, June 20
PROGRAM
Prayer REV. BENJ. R. VAN DYKE Gounod arr.
Waltz and Chorus from Faust,
CHORUS
Salutatory, Essay, "Old Things have Passd Away" JESSIE MAUD CARTER
Essay, "The Value of Habit" HILDA MAY BUCK
Music, "The Fisherman," CHORUS
Gabussi
Class History
HARRY GOWING BEDELL
Essay, "Reciprocity with Canada" RODNEY EDWIN BUCK
Music, "Two May Songs,"
a
Nevin
Mallard
Class Prophecy GEORGE THEODORE NEILSON
Oration, "Science ; the Handmaid of Religion" ELLIOT MANNING BLOOMFIELD
Music, "The Miller's Wooing" CHORUS
Fanning
Presentation of Gifts ARTHUR WILLIAM PORTER
Valedictory, Essay, "Through Knowledge Comes Virtue" GLADYS MAY LOWE
Singing of Class Song
81
CLASS ODE
Our school days now are over, And we are soon to part, While joys mingled fast with sorrows, O'erflow each burning heart.
We have climbed this hill of knowledge, As soldiers brave and true ; And tonight we reach the threshold Of that goal we had in view.
We have dreaded long this parting From our comrades true and dear, But, at last, comes that sad moment, And as we part with many a tear.
Our friendship now grows stronger, And our hearts-they beat as one ; So, good-bye, loving class-mates, For our school days now are done.
82
Conferring of Diplomas
Benediction
REV. GEO. J. BLOOMFIELD
Mrs. Mabel Proctor Counce, Musical Director
Mr. Gerald Frazee, Accompanist.
CLASS ROLL
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE
Harry Gowing Bedell Hilda May Buck Gladys May Lowe
Elliot Manning Bloomfield Jessie Maud Carter George Theodore Neilson
Don Carlos Page, Jr.
COMMERCIAL COURSE
Rodney Edwin Buck
Ellen Josephine Bloomquist Susan Isabella Durkee
Mildred Colgate
George Washington Hoyt
Arthur William Porter
Anna Elizabeth Nee Addie Eleanor Surrette
1
'Class motto : "Through knowledge comes virtue."
Class colors : Orange and" Black
83
REPORT OF INSTRUCTOR OF MUSIC
MR. S. H. CHASE,
Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
DEAR SIR : In accordance with your request I herewith submit my seventh annual report of work in music.
The books in the lower grades are in very poor condition, in some cases there are not enough good copies for the classes and in order to have a book for the work, old discarded copies are in use, many with pages lost or badly torn. New books must be bought soon and I would suggest that at the time of purchasing the selection would be from an entirely new course. In some rooms there are four grades. This means that the fourth grade children are singing the same songs and exercises over for the fourth year. New, fresh material is essential, something that the pupil will take added interest in and not something that they have already known for three years at least, and brings forth the in- formation that "We know this song." It is not necessary to change the practices of a music course with a change of text books and the present system would still continue with new material.
Work upon the charts is important for the lowest grades, the first and second. The notes being large they are more practicable than books for beginners, and the teacher keeping the place on the chart insures attention from her class. We need two or three new ones, for the old charts have long since passed into disuse. My plan is, therefore to use charts in the first and second grades and have a new reader for the third and fourth that will be used in these grades in all parts of the town. At present the same book is not being used everywhere and the work is not exactly uniform.
84
The first grades are small but special work is done with them and some have a very fair knowledge of the staff, notation and the dynamic signs used in music. Rote songs are a very interest- ing and valuable feature of public school music and are especially conducted for the youngest scholars who come to school for the first time. The attractive melodies set to pretty verses always please them and from the first they are taught to sing something of a definite musical value. These songs also aid the regular teacher for as different seasons and holidays come the stories are told in different versions through the medium of the songs. The books containing these songs are only given to the teacher to use at the desk and a few of such books should be purchased.
The grammar classes are well supplied with material and are doing good work. The concert given last spring by one of the upper grammar rooms consisted of songs by the scholars selected from their regular class room work and the rendition was in every way a credit to the teachers and to the scholars themselves.
The books which were recently purchased for the High School were selected because they contained the greatest number of songs from the greatest variety of sources and they are meeting with unusual success. There are arrangements from the operas, pa- triotic and devotional songs, while the old familiar home melodies add a new charm to the book. For the first few weeks of school in September, two music periods were conducted, one for the High School and one for the grammar grade, but owing to the distur- bance these two periods created in the building and also to the fact that the High School was small and felt the loss of the lead- ing voices who had graduated from the school the June previous, it was thought best to combine the two choruses. With the new books at hand the chorus makes a creditable showing.
Some unusual features are manifest this year at the High School : the boys' voices are taking the lead and the weaker side is among the sopranos and altos who are also in the minority. At present there is a very promising section of basses and unchanged boys' voices that contains excellent material, seldom offered in a school the size of ours.
-
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The work varies some from year to year. For instance in some rooms there will be several strong leading voices while the next year will find that room without a single strong voice, but there is always the same amount of the old spirit present which makes the work in Wilmington a great pleasure. Too much stress can- not be laid upon the importance of the duties of the regular teacher between the visits of the Supervisor. The special teacher likes to feel as she leaves the class room for two or three weeks as the case may be that there the work will be done well and that if perchance the time between visits is unavoidably lengthened, everything will be progressing just the same. We have lost some excellent teachers from our ranks in the past year or two who have gone to other fields, but those who have come to take their places are doing the work well. To them and all of the teachers I wish to express my thanks for their hearty co-operation and to you and the committee for your interest in the music of our schools.
Yours respectfully,
MABELLE PROCTOR COUNCE
86
DRAWING REPORT
MR. S. HOWARD CHASE,
Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
DEAR SIR : I herewith submit my report as Supervisor of Drawing.
In making out my outlines in Drawing and Manual Training for the year, I tried to plan them systematically, so that the first year's work would be a stepping stone to the second, to be en- larged upon and broadened the third, etc., throughout the grades, therefore I will begin my report with the primary grades.
We find that the young child wants to touch and handle every- thing. By no means check this restlessness : it points to very necessary apprenticeship. Thus a child gets to be conscious of hotness, coldness, hardness, softness, etc., to judge of their size, shape and all their sensible properties, by looking, feeling, listen- ing, especially by comparing sight and touch and combining sen- sations of the eyes with those of the fingers. Rosseau's advice about drawing is well worth considering. He says, "Children who are great imitators all try to draw. I should wish my child to cultivate this art, not exactly for the art itself but to make his eye correct and his hand supple. My intention is not so much that he should get to imitate the objects, as get to know them."
Keeping these facts clearly in mind I have had the little ones make paper cuttings and then drawings of common objects (some- thing evidently new to them) such as toys, chairs, etc , so as they would learn the different parts that make up the object and their functions. Every study should have a purely experimental intro- duction and children should be led to make their own investiga- tion and draw their own inferences. Therefore I have, in teach- ing drawing, refrained from giving them direct instructions as much as possible, letting them puzzle out their own little prob- lems, such as making chairs, tables, beds, etc., out of paper, and then card board, and one only needs to visit the class to see that drawing not only teaches their little ones to have skill with pencil
.
87
or brush, but to think for themselves, to strengthen their power of observation and to appreciate the beauty in] common objects about them. Now that brings me to another point which I wish to emphasize.
We can not always introduce the objects which we wish to draw, but we can introduce what will please them as well, in some cases even better, viz :- good pictures. A teacher who can draw boldly on the blackboard would have no difficulty in arresting the children's attenion. The blackboards in some of the District schools and (also the High schools) are extremely poor. A teacher cannot do herself justice and the children's interests are moderated, by the lack of enthusiasm generally excited by a teacher's blackboard work.
Childhood is the age of strong impressions from without and that its material surroundings effect it much more acutely than they will in after life. Now these intimate relations of the child with its surroundings plays a most important part in its educa- tion. Why not then surround him with the best of ideals in his early youth ?
Correlating the drawing with other studies, even in the primary grades, and extending throughout the course has been my aim, thus making the subject useful, practical, and meeting the needs . of the community. From the primary throughout the grammar grades drawing should be the means of expression to describe daily experiences, a record of observation of local industries : manufacturing, gardening also for free hand working of drawing, for sewing, weaving and of projects.
In the grammar and High school grades I have tried to culti- vate an appreciation of beauty in nature and the arts to the end that all school work may be done in a more beautiful way, developing a more refined taste in the personal appearances, ideas and in the home.
I have taught the subject of color and design in relation to their own life and environment, cultivating, I hope, a decided taste for rhythm of lines in their own clothing, furniture, etc., also the color harmony of the same
88
In the upper grades and High School the first three months were spent in nature study, for accurate representative pencil drawings, then came the color work, and I found the students were lacking in knowledge of color theory and I spent at least six weeks on color charts. At present we are beginning the study of design. The boys in the High School for the first year are study- ing mechanical drawing and are making rapid progress.
This present term I intend in the lower and grammar grades to introduce a project in which all the classes can unite and each class have its part in completing the same. In the High School I expect to spend most of the time till spring on a booklet entitled "A Cosy Home" in which the student is to draw his own plans, discuss the most desirable location, select the style of architecture and complete the home by selecting the furnishings of the same, thus giving the student at least an insight into interior decorating and its value in the home.
This finishes my work for the year.
I should like to recommend that a better equipment of utensils be added to the supply for model drawing in the grammar grades and High School. A child cannot do good work without an idea to look up to and the best of utensils to work with, the latter being very inadequate.
I would appeal to the parents, school committee and all inter- ested in public school work for a work-shop in some one of the schools, where the boys can be taught manual training and wood work and the girls arts and crafts, where your children can learn a practical art, for, is not the end and aim of education to pre- pare us for a complete living ?
Taking this opportunity to thank you one and all, Superinten- dent. Principals, Teachers, Parents, and last but not least the stu- dents for your hearty co-operation, and for a very pleasant year, remain,
Respectfully yours,
MAUDE B. WILLARD.
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89
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1912
Winter term, January 1, to March 24, 1912-12 weeks.
Spring term, April 1, to June 21, 1912-12 weeks. Fall term, Sept. 3 to Dec. 20, 1912-16 weeks.
Schools will not be in session on Feb. 22, April 19, May 30, November 28 and 29.
STATISTICS
Number of school buildings in use 7
Number of school rooms in use -
12
Number of male teachers employed
1
Number of female teachers employed Number of special teachers employed 2
13
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age (cen- sus of 1911) boys, 192 ; girls, 201 . 393
Number between 7 and 14, boys, 147; girls, 157 . 304
Total school membership . 428
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS' NAME
PREPARATION
HOME ADDRESS
Wilmington E. Bromfield, Me.
Dorchester
Marion
Wilmington
Wilmington
90
Lowell
Wilmington
Whitefield V, VI and VII
Carrie M. Swain
Salem Normal .
.
.
Gertrude M. Eames .
.
Wilmington High .
·
Wilmington
Wilmington
Nortlı Primary
Mrs. Nettie M. Haley Grace G. Boyd .
.
Salem Normal .
Salem Normal
.
.
Beverly
East Primary . .
.
Sybil M. White
.
.
.
Mildred Eames .
.
.
Mrs. Mabel Proctor Counce .
Maude B. Willard
.
Univ. of Vermont .
.
Smith College .
.
.
.
High School
Isabel S. Browne
Emerson Col. of Oratory .
Wellesley College . .
Walker VI and VII .
Blan Alexander
Private Training
.
.
Walker V and VI .
.
Walker III and IV . .
.
Mary Carey
.
.
Nina L. Kincaid
.
Wilmington High .
.
Walker I and II .
.
.
South Primary . West Primary .
.
.
Supervisor of Music .
.
Supervisor of Drawing .
.
.
F. W. Carrier ·
Rutlı M. Giles
.
Grade VIII
.
.
Jennie H. Luce .
.
Henrietta A. Swain
.
Salem Normal . .
Lowell Normal .
Salem Normal ·
.
West Lyılı
Wilmington
Stoneham
Medford
.
Northfield Seminary . Ins. of Normal Methods Mass. Normal Art School
Wilmington
Whitefield I, II, III and IV
.
.
High School Principal .
High School
91
SCHOOL STATISTICS SEPTEMBER 1910 TO JUNE 1911
SCHOOLS
Total number of dif-
ferent pupils
Enrolment
Number under 5
Number over 15
Number between
7 and 14
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Percentage of
Number of school days
including holidays
High (including Grade 9)
74
74
0
42
14
63.33
58.73 92.92
197
Walker, Grades 7 and 8
40
37
0
2
35
37.85
35.28 93.07
181
Walker, Grades 6 and 7
48
41
0
0 39
37.96
35.05 92.93
184
Walker, Grades 4 and 5
48
44
0
0
44
43.13
41.08.95.03
185
Walker, Grades 1 to 3
56
51
0
0
24
47.3
43.77 92.97
184
Whitefield, grades
23
23
0
0
6
17.2
15.90
93.37
Whitefield, grades
16
46
0
0
46
31.96
29.82 93.56
Whitefield, grades
32
31
0
2
26
30.91
30.17 97.6
North Primary
41
38
1
0
18
29.8
27.41 92.
127
East Primary
19
9
0
0
9
11.45
10.53,91.5
166
South Primary
54
40
0
0
26
44.14
36.99 84.22 181₺
West Primary
32
31
0
0
31
23.8
21.34 89.66
183
Totals, 1910-1911
Totals, 1909-1910
408
7
49 313 387.95 350.57 91.
2112
Attendance
92
EYE AND EAR TESTS, DECEMBER, 1911
SCHOOLS
Number of pupils
enrolled
Number with defec-
tive sight
Number with defec-
tive hearing
Number of parents notified
High School
44
3
0
3
Grade Eight
45
7
1
3
Walker, Grades 6 and 7
47
9
0
2
Walker, Grades 5 and 6
50
4,
0
2
Walker, Grades, 3 and 4
37
6
1
0
Walker, Grades, 1 and 2
33
1
0
1
Whitefield, Grades 5 to 7
41
1
1
1
Whitefield, Grades 1 to 4
31
4
0
4
North Primary
20
2
0
2
East Primary
22
3
5
3.
South Primary
33
3
3
4
West Primary
25
1
0
0
Totals
428
44
11
25
93
Report of Selectmen
GENERAL EXPENDITURES
OUTSTANDING
Appropriation .
$200 00
EXPENDED
Buck Bros., supplies account fire and high-
way departments
$5 70
Buzzell, Dr. D. T., medical services 30 50
Colgate, D. T., police duty
2 00
Middlesex Co. Tr. School, board J. M.
Sterling .
13 00
Smith Art. Well Co., C. G., driving wells 145 00
Unexpended balance 3 80
$200 00
$200 00
TOWN OFFICERS
Appropriation . $2,200 00
From State Inspector of Animals 75 00
Received from Sealer's fees 9 77
EXPENDED
Arthur W. Eames, Selectman and Overseer
of the Poor
$175 00
Herbert C. Barrows, Selectman and Over- seer of the Poor 125 00
Oscar C. Dewel, Selectman and Overseer of the Poor 72 92
94
Arthur W. Eames, Clerk of Board 25 00
James E. Kelley, Town Clerk . 75 00
Fred A. Eames, Treasurer 200 00
Joseph Patchett, Collector of Taxes . · 558 28
George W. Buck, Assessor 150 00 .
James E. Kelley, Assessor
150 00
Milton T. Holt, Assessor
150 00
Harry R. Deming, Auditor
100 00
James E. Kelley, Clerk of Registrars 25 00
Howard M. Horton, Sealer of Weights and Measures . 25 00
Dr. C. H. Playdon, Inspector of Animals 150 00
William E. Swain, Constable 50 00
Henry W. Eames, Inspector of Meats and Provisions 64 93
Herbert C. Barrows, Inspector of Meats and Provisions . 35 07
Dr. D. T. Buzzell, Board of Health Agent 15 00
Henry N. Ames, Registrar of Voters 15 00
J. Howard Eames, Registrar of Voters 15 00
Peter F. McMahon, Registrar of Voters 15 00
Arthur G. Kidder, Election Officer 5 00
George A. Clatur, Election Officer 10 00
G. E. Nichols, Election Officer 10 00
Bernard F. Doucette, Election Officer 5 00
Louis T. McMahon, Election Officer 20 00
Thomas H. McMahon, Election Officer 15 00
Warren Eames, Election Officer 15 00
Otis Gowing, Election Officer . 15 00
Frank D. Morris, Election Officer 15 00
Milton T. Holt, Election Officer 10 00 Deficit . 26 43
$2,311 20 $2,311 20
1
95
PRINTING
Appropriation
$300 00
EXPENDED
Cutler, James E , fire cards
$1 75
Foskett, M. H., tax bills, jury lists, etc.
13 25
Daily Times, posters 4 00
Evening News The, voters' lists
25 00
Lowell, Fred A., poll lists
17 00
Lowell, Fred A., By-Laws, note heads, etc.
18 50
Twombly, W. E. & J. F., town reports
191 00
Twombly, W. E. & J. F., posters and ex- press permits · 6 00
Wright & Potter Ptg. Co., ballots
17 00
Unexpended balance
6 50
$300 00
$300 00
POLICE
Appropriation .
$350 00
Received from fines .
3 00
Received from police duty ·
56 00
EXPENDED
POLICE DUTY
William E. Swain
$274 40
Harold Swain .
2 00
D. K. Colgate .
2 00
Alden Eames .
2 00
C. B. Osbon ·
1 00
H. C. Barrows ( with team)
29 75
A. D. Butters .
11 50
W. H. Baxter . ·
17 00
W. J. Harrison · 6 00
Lester C. Peavey
4 00
.
.
96
COURT FEES
William E. Swain
34 77
H. C. Barrows
8 56
MISCELLANEOUS
William E. Swain, killing dogs . 4 00
William E. Swain, 1 pair handcuffs . 1 50
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co., telephone service .
20 50
Deficit .
9 98
$418 98 $418 98
REPAIRS TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Unexpended balance, 1910 $174 98
Appropriation .
250 00
EXPENDED
TOWN HALL
Chilson Furnace Co., repairs to furnace $15 31
MOTH BUILDING
E. E. Carter, locks, piping, etc.
3 78
FIRE DEPARTMENT
A. D. Butters, repairs to Engine No. 2
House
.
3 55
HEARSE HOUSE
Felix A. Guyette, painting
10 00
ALMSHOUSE
E. E. Carter, lumber and hardware $22 00
H. M. ¡ Horton, labor, and material
8 95
30 95
Unexpended balance
361 39
$424 98
$424 98
97
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Unexpended balance 1910
$ 3 04
Appropriation .
350 00
EXPENDED
Anna T. Sheldon, salary as Librarian $125 00
Frank Hamlen, repairing . 3 40
Old Corner Book Store, books .
145 50
W. E. & J. F. Twombly, envelopes and printing 7 85
David Farquhar, binding books 14 44
Burnham & Davis L. Co., shelving .
20 09
W. B. Eames, binding books . 9 40
Gussie McMahon, lighting fires, etc. 4 13
Unexpended balance
23 23
$353 04
$353 04
MEMORIAL DAY
Appropriation .
$150 00
EXPENDED
Woburn National Band, music . $55 00
C. H. Batchelder & Co., flags
5 10
White Bros., plants
9 00
Fred A. Lowell, printing .
1 25
Miss Edna N. Eames, music ·
3 00
Boston & Northern St. Ry. Co., special car
5 00
Sherwin L. Cook, Memorial address . 15 00
Ladies Benevolent Society, refreshments 19 00
Unexpended balance 37 65
$150 00 $150 00
98
WHITEFIELD SCHOOL SINKING FUND
Appropriation .
$850 00
EXPENDED
Paid Sinking Fund Commission
$850 00
$850 00
$850 00
TREE WARDEN
Appropriation .
$200 00
Unexpended balance 1910.
66 32
Private work
·
4 07
EXPENDED
Oliver McGrane, labor
$36 78
Oliver McGrane, team hire
13 50
J. Woodward Manning, 1[maple tree 2 00
Moth Dept., labor and material acct. Elm Leaf Beetle 124 50
M. T. Holt, filing saws
1 20
J. F. Muse, labor
7 00
A. C. Bartlett, labor
17 13
A. C. Mantzer, 1 Luther grinder 10 40
Everett Taylor, labor 4 50
A. C. Parrott, labor
15 75
Henry H. Cutter, labor.
4 50
Wm. Boynton, labor
1 50
Unexpended balance
31 63
$270 39
$270 39
FIRE WELL
Appropriation .
$500 00
EXPENDED
Henry Hiller, labor . $49 55
Wm. M. Boynton, labor . ·
126 82
Wm. M. Boynton, battery caps, carting, etc. 3 85
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