USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1913-1914 > Part 3
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7
Eighth Grade
Eva L. Hersey
Salem Normal Wilmington
Henrietta A. Swain Mary Carey
Hyannis Normal
Hyannis Normal Salem Normal
Genenia Kimball
*Salem Normal
*Northfield Seminary
Number over 16
Elizabeth A. Batchelder
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As regards our own town there are several things to be taken into consideration.
While it is true that our expenditures have largely in- creased the past ten years, the same condition prevails in other departments. The salaries of our Town officials have been largely increased, in many cases more than fifty per cent.
We flatter ourselves that we are appropriating no more money for our highways than twenty years ago, but as a matter of fact we are spending four times as much as we were then.
While our appropriation for the support of the poor has not increased, we must remember that the entire support of the insane poor was assumed by the State some years ago.
On the other hand the repairs on the school buildings amounting to $600 per year, formerly taken care of by a different appropriation, are now charged direct to schools.
The same is true as to the item for insurance, a matter of $200 per annum.
While it is true that the per capita cost has increased the past ten years, it must be remembered that the character of the schools has also increased.
It costs money to maintain a High School, but when the matter was called to your attention some years ago, the voters decided almost unanimously that not only should a High School be maintained, but that it should be a good one, and the present board have, been trying to carry out those instructions.
It is perhaps unfortunate that the laws in regard to ex- penditure of money for public schools are not more stringent. At present it is agreed by those best informed that the question is altogether under the control of the School Committee and that the town is obliged to pay any amount asked for. In other words the only limit lies in the good
53
judgment and economic tendencies of the members of the committee.
This phase of the matter should be kept in mind in the election of members of the School Committee more than in that of any other town officials. At the present time the salaries paid our teachers are not out' of proportion with those paid in other towns.
Like other towns we are obliged to pay the market price for labor as represented by the teaching corps, and while, as in all occupations, an inferior quality can be obtained at a lesser price, we tell you frankly that we are not looking for that kind if we know it. We realize that our expendi- ture for fuel is far greater than would be the case with a private citizen, but when the Commonwealth dictates the manner in which you shall heat your school buildings, it is folly to argue the matter, even though you may be satisfied that the matter is open to criticism. As regards the books and supplies, we are not spending to-day as large an amount per pupil in the grades as we were ten years ago. Supplies in the High School cost money, but when you consider that the course of study is largely made up of college requirements, it is difficult to cut the cost of books to any great extent.
Aside from local pride in the appearance of our school buildings, it is certainly common sense to keep them in good repair.
What can be done to keep our school expenditure down? There seems to be but one answer, namely, to reduce the school year in the grades.
The State requires that we keep thirty-two weeks at least. We have had in Wilmington school years of various lengths, from thirty-six to forty weeks.
While we would not recommend a reduction in the numebr of weeks, if the people feel that the schools are costing too much, it is the one way to economize.
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The matter of additional accommodations is taken up in a thorough manner in the report of the Principal of the High School.
General conditions are explained by the reports of the Superintendent and the Supervisors and we trust that much of interest will be found there.
(Signed) HOWARD M. HORTON, ALDEN N. EAMES, EDWARD S. LEWIS.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Resources
Town Appropriation
$12,000 00
Massachusetts School Fund
1,220 05
Dog Tax
358 51
Massachusetts High School Account
500 00
Tuition of State Wards
67 50
Account Superintendent's salary
333 33
Cash received for old iron
1 00
High School tuition
50 00
Lumber
73
$14,531 12
Expenditures
Salaries (teachers)
$9,427 00
Salaries (janitors)
1,048 00
Salaries (School Committee)
150 00
School Physician
100 00
Attendance Officer
14 90
Repairs
542 34
Furnishings
78 10
Fuel
956 94
Books and supplies
899 09
Superintendent
672 02
Miscellaneous
598 47
Transportation
70 00
$14,556 86
Overdraft
$25 74
.
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Expenditures Itemized
Salaries High School
F. W. Carrier
$1,280 00
Ruth M. Giles
700 00
Elizabeth Batchelder
570 00
Elizabeth Lord
235 00
Ruth Dodge
330 00
$3,115 00
Eighth Grade
Eva L. Hersey
$564 00
$564 00
Seventh Grade
Elizabeth Wentworth
$264 00
Carrie Swain
232 00
$496 00
Walker School
Blan Alexander
$580 00
Henrietta Swain
560 00
Mary Carey
448 00
Gertrude Eames
468 00
$2,056 00
Whitefield School
Carrie Swain
$261 00
Nettie Haley
480 00
Florence Koford
200 00
Helen Mansfield
26 00
Helen Hogan
13 00
Lena Eames
26 00
Alice Akers .
26 00
Jessie Carter
4 00
$1,036 00
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District Schools
Grace Boyd
$450 00
Sybil White
264 00
Marion Anderson
216 00
Mildred Eames
416 00
M. Ethel Chapman
140 00
Genenia Kimball
140 00
Elliot Bloomfield .
2 00
$1,628 00
Special Teachers
Mabelle P. Counce
$215 00
Miriam C. Fearing
206 00
Cora I. Strong
47 00
Winfred W. Rice
64 00
$532 00
Attendance Officer
E. L. Roberts
$14 90
$14 90
School Physician
D. T. Buzzell, M.D.
$100 00
$100 00
Janitors
E. L. Roberts (High School) $280 00
E. L. Roberts (Seventh Grade) 120 00
E. B. Mitchell
252 00
Mrs. Babine
240 00
Mrs. Allen
40 00
Mrs. Surette
38 00
Lawrence Kincaid
40 00
Gould Buckle
14 00
J. A. McLeod
24 00
$1,048 00
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Superintendent
S. Howard Chace
$448 02
Charles L. Randall
224 00
$672 02
School Committee
Howard M. Horton
$50 00
Alden N. Eames ..
50 00
Edward S. Lewis
50 00
$150 00
Transportation
Bay State Street Railway
$70 00
$70 00
Furnishings
Edward Caldwell .
$20 75
American Seating Co.
21 60
J. L. Hammett Co.
23 00
S. R. McIntosh
12 75
$78 10
Fuel
Fred A. Eames (coal)
$632 55
James E. Kelley (wood)
109 84
Elizabeth A. Eames (wood)
68 25
A. W. Eames (wood)
82 50
H. C. Barrows (wood) .
9 00
James E. Kelley (measuring wood)
1 25
Lloyd S. Lewis (sawing wood)
6 00
J. C. Horton (sawing wood)
33 00
Charles L. Feindel (sawing wood)
2 55
E. W. Taylor (wood)
12 00
$956 94
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Repairs
L. H. Kincaid
$ .1 50
E. L. Roberts
75
Smith & Anthony
55 75
Horton & Rice
199 08
Mason Alexander
2 75
Walker & Pratt Co.
2 60
C. S. Harriman & Co.
2 93
S. R. McIntosh
3 15
F. A. Guyette
200 77
Collins Hardware Co.
14 45
C. B. Coburn
2 80
C. V. Blaisdell
4 87
E. S. Lewis
45
R. P. Burgess
15 00
E. B. Mitchell
75
E. E. Carter
37 74
$542 34
Books and Supplies
J. L. Hammett Co.
.
$170 30
Milton Bradley Co.
.
170 40
A. F. French
1 50
Carter, Carter & Meigs
3 25
Schoenhof Book Co.
27 06
American Book Co.
58 43
L. E. Knott Co. .
35 20
Little, Brown & Co.
20 74
Hobbs & Warren Co.
4 50
Oliver Typewriter Co.
100 00
E. E. Babb
75 20
Ginn & Co.
63 64
Longman, Green & Co.
7 90
Silver, Burdett Co.
43 71
City of Beverly
1 10
Kenny Bros. & Walkins
12 50
A. G. Pollard
17 58
.
>
60
E. S. Lewis 1 00
Buck Bros. .
1 78
Educational Publishing Co. ·
3 02
Harvard University
2 00
Cambridge Botanical Supply Co.
44 03
Collins Hardware Co. ·
21 32
M. T. Holt
1 25
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
4 80
A. N. Palmer
6 88
$899 08
Miscellaneous
F. W. Kidder $2 05 .
H. M. Morton, express, etc. 8 62 ..
S. H. Chace
32 43
Wright & Potter Co.
5 00
F. A. Lowell
3 55
American Express Co.
40
E. C. Metcalf
1 20
Lloyd Lewis (moving ashes)
3 00
Mrs. Blackburn (cleaning)
3 20
Middlesex County Training School
52 00
Mrs. Allen (cleaning)
4 00
E. L. Roberts (cleaning)
24 90
F. A. Eames (insurance)
151 50
Buck Bros. (grass seed)
3 85
C. V. Blaisdell (grading)
5 00
Antonia Cassaletto (grading)
4 00
Jesse Warner
2 00
Robert Warner
2 00
A. & E. Burton Co. (brushes)
26 75
E. B. Mitchell (grading)
14 43
E. B. Mitchell (cleaning)
11 62
Dennison Mfg. Co. (towels) .
.
5 75
A. N. Eames (postage)
3 50
N. E. Telegraph & Telephone Co.
17 80
M. H. Foskett (programs)
.
9 50
.
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C. H. Stapleton (diplomas) 2 50
E. S. Lewis (ribbons) 1 50
A. C. Pollard (flags) 1 50
Congregational Church (rent)
15 00
Boston Regalia Co. (flag ropes)
3 75
C. V. Blaisdell (cleaning vaults)
24 00
E. B. Mitchell (cutting grass)
1 00
A. N. Eames (signs)
14 40
L. H. Kincaid (cleaning)
4 00
Emma Murray (cleaning)
1 50
Mrs. Surette (cleaning) 6 00
Mrs. White (cleaning)
8 00
W. L. Kincaid (repairing clock)
1 00
Harriet Swain (school census)
20 00
Collins Hardware Co.
74 85
S. R. McIntosh (brooms)
2 00
J. F. Fairbanks (record book) 1 40
Arthur Hamilton (team)
1 00
Butterfield Printing Co. (reports) . 15 02
State of Massachusetts (boiler inspection) 2 00
$598 47
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Board of Wilmington :
Gentlemen: I submit herewith my first annual report, the eighteenth in the series of Superintendent's reports. It seems to me fitting at this time to express my apprecia- tion of the uniformly good work of my predecessor, Mr. S. Howard Chace. I give him the highest commendation which can be given to a superintendent when I say that I found the schools of Wilmington in excellent condition. You have a good corps of teachers, who are already giving me loyal support and co-operation.
Your school buildings, so far as repairs are concerned, are in excellent condition. Your supplies and equipment are good and fitted to the needs of the pupils.
In this report I shall call attention to some changes that have been made, and in some instances to the strengthening of work which has been in operation for years. I shall also attempt, to a slight degree, to indicate my hopes and suggestions for the future.
A Creed. I wish at the time of making this, my first report, to state my educational creed.
I am old fashioned enough to believe in making the essential studies very important and thoroughly fixing them in mind.
I believe in the "3 R's," reading, writing and arithmetic, as the foundation of all education; "he that climbeth up some other way, the same is a pilferer." I believe that they should be taught more efficiently and fixed more astingly than in the " good old days."
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I believe in spelling, both oral and written, even in the " spelling match."
I believe in grammar as a tool, a measure, to be to the mind of pupil and teacher what the twenty-four inch gauge is to the hand of the workman.
I believe in good scholarship for those who are able to attain it, both in the grades and in the High School.
I believe in some systematic home study in the upper grades and in the High School; pupils are not overworked in our schools to-day.
I believe that the new studies, so called, have no place in any school system, till such time as teachers and pupils have this old-time and long-enduring platform, embraced in the above creed, to stand upon.
But having secured this platform then I believe in the modern subjects.
I believe in industrial studies in the schools, gardening, manual training, sewing, basketry, lunch-serving, etc.
I believe in the cultural subjects, music, drawing, nature study, etc.
I believe in community activities, in the district, village, or town, becoming a part of its own schools, and working in common with the teacher for its uplift and success.
I believe in the importance of oversight of pupils during the recess and intermission, whether this oversight is exer- cised under the name of play-supervision or some less formid- able name.
I believe in conserving the health of our pupils; that the time will come when school officers will more than at present seek to forestall sickness among school children.
Lastly I believe in the public schools, both the pupil thereof and the teachers thereof, and that the prosperity of America depends upon them.
Industrial Subjects
A very decided step forward was taken when your com- mittee voted to start the industrial, or manual arts, subjects.
·
1
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Few towns introduce manual training, which I better liké to call handwork, till after much discussion, and sometimes years of deliberation. Few school boards are so alert to the present great tendency in education, namely, education through the hands, as are the individual members of the Wilmington Committee; few have sufficient courage to launch such an enterprise.
A small shop situated in the central part of the village was hired, tools were purchased, a small quantity of lumber was secured, Mr. Winfred Rice, a practical carpenter, was hired for two days per week, and the boys were set to work.
This work was made 'elective for the boys of the High School, and compulsory for the seventh and eighth grade boys. Both teachers and boys have been enthusiastic over it from the start. You can judge something what the boys think of it from the orderly way in which they march to and from the workshop. I know that it means a good deal for a group of lively boys to hold themselves to this good order week after week when no older person is in charge of them. I know, too, that the boys have had this parti- cular purpose in mind all these weeks as they have passed in order through the streets, namely, that they might show by their actions to the citizens of the town that they appreciated what was being done for them. Boys have even in this short time been more orderly and atten- tive in their rooms at school in order that they might not lose the privilege of "manual training." Isn't this one of the cases where deeds speak louder than words?
The attempt is being made to make this work practical, not the making of ornamental knickknacks, which have no possible use, but the doing of plain woodwork, which is first needed. To illustrate, the boys have built closets and racks for their tools, and made minor repairs about the shop. They have built, or are building, cabinets and shelves for the schoolrooms as the teachers need them. Some of the High School boys have made pieces of apparatus and
65
tables for the laboratory which would do credit to older workmen.
Several of the boys have started on projects of their own, articles that they need, or their friends need at home, tables, stands, closets, knife trays, cake-boards, bookcases, are already under way. One ambitious boy has started a fireless cooker.
I hope that parents who read this report will encourage their boys to have some project which will be worth while. The cost of the material, which the pupil will furnish for his own projects, is trifling compared to what it means to a boy to say of some well-made article, "That's my work." Let me say here that there will be several articles made by the boys on exhibition at the Town Hall on Town Meeting day. I hope every citizen of Wilmington will examine them.
I hope to hold an exhibition of school work at the close of the present school year. I feel sure that by that time such a showing will be made that even the most skeptical will be convinced that the work pays.
It is sometimes said that the training of the hands does: not help the head. We are trying to impress upon the boys that head work and hand work go together. The boys are expected to figure out their material and prepare drawings of the articles they are to make.
We are apt to expect too much of these boys, most of whom are just starting. I admit that the work is crude at first, but I think it possible that even some of my readers may not be able to saw a board straight the first time.
Much of the credit of the work just described rightly belongs to the chairman of the School Board, who has given unsparingly of his time and advice.
I have tried to describe in some detail just what we are doing in the woodwork, in order that the voter of Wil- mington who has not the time to visit the shop may form an opinion of how the town's money is spent. I wish now to take more space to show that "handwork" is desirable. It is not the intent to make carpenters of the
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seventy-five boys who are in these classes, but we do wish to give,
First, an additional interest in school work, which will tend to awaken a boy who may be dull in his books, give him more confidence in himself, and kcep him in school longer.
Second, an elementary training of hand and eye which will help him to " find himself " as one instructor expresses it.
Third, a respect for manual work, and the worker whose skill enables him to create value, which will make him a more useful citizen - the end of all education.
I wish also to show that your neighbors consider this form of education valuable. Billerica, Andover and Woburn have sent me letters stating the work in woodwork and sewing which their pupils are doing, and the high esteem in which it is held by the parents and citizens of those towns.
We are influenced by the beliefs of our neighbors. I am proud that Wilmington is standing among the leaders of the towns of this section. I wish also to show you what others who are able to judge think of the kind of work we are attempting. An educator widely known throughout the State, said of work carried out precisely as we are doing ours: "I am much impressed by the woodworking carried on in the - schools. It is founded on right principles. In the beginning the boy is given plenty of work in which little accuracy is necessary. In performing this work he gradually acquires skill in the use of tools and a control and co-ordination of the powers of eye, brain and hand which will make him highly effective in life. No Massachusetts town has a more sensible, practical and pedagogically sound plan for the training of its boys in manual lines."
Sewing
At the same time that handwork was started for the boys, sewing was begun for the girls.
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Miss Cora I. Strong of this town was secured for teacher and she has spent one and a half days per week in the sewing classes of the High School, the eighth, seventh and sixth grades. The work is carried on in ways similar - to those employed in other schools where sewing is taught.
The girls have made workbags, aprons, etc., and some are now at work on underclothing for themselves. The pupils are expected to furnish the material when they are working on garments for themselves.
A sewing machine has been purchased and the girls are being taught to run it. Much of what I have said about the value of the handwork for the boys applies equally to sewing for the girls. I confidently expect that the sewing classes will make a creditable showing in the June exhibit.
I feel sure that the fact that a town is doing for its own pupils along industrial lines will lessen the number of pupils who are approved by the State to enter the Industrial School at Lowell, thus proving a saving in tuition.
I trust that the citizens of Wilmington will agree with us that the type of education described above is something worth while, and is demanded by educational progress to-day. The hardest part of the task, that of getting started, has already been achieved. It will be much easier to continue and less expensive as the equipment is now on hand.
Lack of Room
I have said that your buildings are in good condition so far as repairs are concerned. This is true, but you are, like all growing places, face to face with the question which cannot be avoided, "What are you going to do with your pupils ? "
The city of Lowell must answer at once this question; your neighbor, North Reading, must answer it soon; the town of Tewksbury, which built a new schoolhouse this year finds that it only postponed the question, it must again be faced within a few years.
........--
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But in no place where I am acquainted is the need more urgent than in Wilmington. What are you going to do with your pupils at no further date than next September? A glance at the table of statistics will show you that there have been enrolled this year eighty-two pupils at the High School, thirty-nine in the eighth grade, and forty-seven in the seventh. You will also see that every schoolroom at the Walker building is overcrowded. There will without doubt be over one hundred pupils in the High School next Septem- ber. Where will you house them? The placing of the seventh grade in the Town House must have been only a temporary arrangement, but even that cannot solve the question which must arise next year. What will you do with the grammar grades if you allow the High School to occupy all of the "High School " building, or what will you do with the High School if you do not allow them the whole building? Even this latter suggestion would be but a temporary solution of the question for the High School, as the present building would be sufficient for the needs of that school for only a few years. I had intended to write an argument on the necessity of a new High School building and the desirability of taking the present building for a home for the grammar grades, but I find the subject treated on Page 51 of the last report of my predecessor. I refer you to that report.
And I ask each voter to study the table of statistics and then try honestly to answer the question which I have asked, not for effect, but hecause I am anxious to know the answer.
Penmanship
I found business writing in use in nearly all the schools of the town. In some schools the manuals were in use, in others no manual was found. I have attempted to give new vigor to the work of writing in the public schools, which I believe to be one of the important "three R's." In this I have been greatly assisted by Mr. W. E. Riley
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of the Lowell Normal School, who has visited with me all the schools of the district and has given lessons which have been an inspiration to teachers and pupils.
An exchange has been arranged between the different grammar schools, and specimens of writings will be shown at the local exhibits to be held in the spring term. Several teachers are working to improve themselves as teachers of penmanship, and several pupils are working for " diplomas " in writing.
Home Gardens
Wherever a school has grounds suitable for school gardens, and when suitable arrangements can be made for caring for the gardens during the summer, I heartily approve of them, but in many cases these advantages do not exist. Except under favorable circumstances I wish to encourage home gardens in place of school gardens. I hope to form corn and potato clubs with the assistance of the State College at Amherst and in connection with the local granges.
I take this opportunity to ask the co-operation of every patron of husbandry. There is no better way to unite the interests of home and school. I look forward to a local fair next fall under the auspices of the grange, where each pupil may show the results of home activities. Encourage- ment of this kind is legitimate work for the grange to do and will help both school and grange, for the child of to-day may be the patron of tomorrow.
Stores in the Fourth Grade
Store playing has been taken up in connection with the arithmetic of the fourth grade, in an attempt to make a practical use of the multiplication tables, the addition, subtraction, and all processes which have been learned. The child who can go to the store, make a half dozen purchases correctly, and be sure that no mistake has been
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made in change, has acquired something of value to himself and to his parents. I value the opinion of Mr. E. B. Carney, treasurer of the Lowell Institution for Savings, who voluntarily writes me, "I was favorably impressed in our recent visit to the schools under your charge, to find that in some of the schools practical examples in finance and business were being taught by means of the various artieles offered for sale in the school stores.
" I believe that it is a step in the right direction and will materially help the scholars, the teachers, and the deposits in the savings banks.".
High School
The High School is in excellent condition. Mr. Orr, the Deputy Commissioner, who visited the school last fall, spoke in commendation of the work of Principal Carrier.
I believe the work of the commercial department is carried on very effectively. The new curriculum required by the State Board of Education went into effeet last September.
We are strengthening the English by trying to make it of practical use to the non-college student. The work of public speaking and debates has been continued this. year. Spelling also is taken. A course of lectures has been arranged which will be given evenings at the High School building for the pupils and those citizens who wish to attend. These addresses, for the most part by local speakers, are intended to give a connection with important events in present out-of-school life which the students cannot get from books.
While I cannot at this time publish the names of all the speakers, I take this opportunity to thank them, and assure them that they are doing a valuable service to the school.
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