USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1917-1918 > Part 9
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Elizabeth Gill Norcross
Mary Louise Doyle
13 Sept. 12 Burton Raymond Bullard Ida Grace (Allen) Brooks Sept. 26 Albion W. Fiske Edith (Perham) Perham
14 15 Oct. 23 Sylvine Joseph Surette Mary Delia Babine
16 Oct. 28 Irwin E. Morse Lydia Jane (Newman) Glover Milne
33 39
Wilmington Woburn
12 38 23 20
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
77 61
Wilmington Wilmington
R.R.Trackman At home
Brakeman Housekeeper
Saugus England
R.R.Section Man Andover Domestic
Wilmington
Farmer Housekeeper
Brookfield, Vt. Gloucester
George Raymond Bullard, Susan Bates St. John bury, Vt. John Allen, Emma Carr Canada
Wilbur E .Fiske, Betsey Pope Robert B. Perham, Merina Trenchard
Edward Surette, Eliza Doucette Mark Babine, Rose A. Muse
Samuel Morse, Sarah Hibbard John Newman, Hypsa Gott
43
DEATHS REGISTERED IN THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON FOR THE YEAR 1918
Date of Death
Name of Deccased
Sex
Con
Age Y. M. D.
Diseasc or Cause of Death
Residence
Place of Birth
Names of Parents
1 Jan. 6
Charles Colgate
M
S
4 4 0|Sarcoma Adrenal Gland and Liver
Wilmington
Wilmington
Walter E. Colgate, Charlotte F. M. Snelling
2 Jan.
10 Stillborn, twin
M
S
3 Jan.
10
Gertrude (Jordan: Fiskc
F
M
38 4 27 Myocarditis
4 Jan.
10
Fiske, twin
F
S
5 hrs. Premature Birth
5 Jan.
23
William C. Byam
M
M
46 0 0 Broncho Pneumonia
6 Jan.
28 Albert Gould
M
M
82
1 25 Bronchitis and Phthisic
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Baring, Me. Wilmington Lowell Brookfield, Vt.
Jordan, unknown Albion W. Fiske, Gertrude Jordan Chelis C. Byam, Sarah M. Grey Joseph Gould, Hyde
7 Feb.
2 William E. Benjamin
8 Feb.
5 Catherine E. McMahon
9 Feb.
8 Sarah J. Eames
S
75 11 13 Angina Pectoris
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Somerville Wilmington Wilmington
Henry A.Benjamin, Bessie M. Kimball Peter F. McMahon, Annie M. McEnroe Jacob Eames, Abigail Eames
10 Mar. 7 Sarah M. Woodman
11 Mar. 12 |John L. Hoban
M
2 9 21 Epidemic Meningitis
12 Mar. 20 |Catherine (Higgins) Kelley
F
W
79 3 20 Acute Bronchitis
Ireland
13 Mar. 23
Margaret Virginia Paklaian
F
S
0 5 14 Broncho Pncumonia
Wilmington
14 April 10 George W. Walker 15 April 25 Thomas H. Mc Mahon
M M
W M
64
0 26 Dilatation Stomach
Wilmington Wilmington
Wilmington Ireland
George Walker, Hannah Eames Michael McMahon, Mary Jones
16| May 3 Elizabeth Brunelle
F
M
69 5 11 Broncho Pncumonia
17 | May
6 Peter McGranc
M
M
78 2 22 Broncho Pneumonia
18 May 26 Lucy Lavoie
F
S
2 3 26 Tubercular Meningitis
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
St. Hiline, P. Q. Ireland Wilmington
Theodore Bourbanille, -Fontaine Patrick McGrane, Ann Blake Joseph Lavoie, Alphonsine Marion
19 June 6 Elizabeth Ann Eames 20 June 7 |Eugene H. Savory
F M
M S
1
9 10 Tubercular Meningitis
Wilmington Wilmington
Wilmington Somerville
Elbridge Carter, Roxann Nichols Harland J. Savory, Christina A. Par. sons
21 June 15 Edward B. Mitchell
M
M
75 2 11 Angina Pectoris
Wilmington
Lynnfield
William Mitchell, Rucia Patch
22 July 24 Susan E. Young
F
S 0 0 9 Spina Bifida
Wilmington
Wilmington
Albert A. Young, Maud E. Dearborn
23 Aug. 10 |Harriet (Clark) Richards
F
W 70 1 23 Apoplexy
Wilmington
England
Joscph Clark, not known
24 Sept. 8 |William E. Shoen, Jr.
M S
0 1 23 Premature Birth
Wilmington
Lowell
William E. Shoen, Mary Williams
25 Sept. 9 |Stillborn
F
S M
46
8 4 | General Paralysis
27 |Sept. 16 Nathan Goldberg
M
M
48 0 0 Railroad Accident
F
S
M
M 154 0 1 Aortic Stenosis
Wilmington
Nova Scotia
William Brooks, not known
·
0) 1 15 Pneumonia
M F F
S S
11 4 13 Tubercular Meningitis
F W S
91 5 5 Senile Decay
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Calais, Vt. Lowell
Elihu Milos, Sally Bliss Leo A. Hoban, Helen C. Sheldon William Higgins, Roseanna Daley Mugerdich Paklaian, Mary Chopoorian
84 7 7 Heart Disease
76 6 21 Tabor Dorsalis
Wilmington Wilmington
| Rockport Russia
Solomon Choate, Mary E. Chase Israel J. Goldberg, Bessie
28 Sept. 17 |Stillborn
-
29|Sept. 21 |Spurgeon A. Brooks
M
26 Sept. 15 Addison Choate
30 Oct. 3 Albert A. Young
M
M 31 0 12 Accidental Fracture of Wilmington Vertebra and Paralysis
31 Oct. 4 Alfred Ferry
M F F
S M
27 7 3 Broncho Pneumonia
33 Oct. 12 Bertha L. Taylor 34 Oct. 17 Carrie L. Taylor
S
17 7 25 Broncho Pneumonia
35 Oct. 19 Rosanna Belanger
M
M
32 0 0 Influenza
36 Oct. 27 John Ryshko 37 Oct. 29 Augusta M. (Fogg) Wells
F
M 65 11 27 Chronic Arthritis Defor- Wilmington mans and Nephritis
38 Nov. 9 Kazimir Shembel 39 Nov. 14 Philip James Snowman
M M
S
1 6 6 Hydrocephalus
40 Nov. 14 Josie Hattie Bisbee
F
W
51 5 22 Pulmonary Tuberculosis
41 Nov. 15 Mary Milaszesky
F
M
29
0 0 Influenza
42 | Nov. 20 Mary J. Milaszesky
S
0
() 10 Gastro Enteritis
43 Nov. 20 Marie Tannenbaum
M
31 8 12 Lobar Pneumonia
44 Nov. 25 Florence E. Carter
S
10
7 25 Typhoid Fever
45 Dec. 1 George Gardner Fortis
M F
M
69 4 8 Broncho Pneumonia
46 Dec.
3|Rosie Russo
S
14
7 13 Broncho Pneumonia
47 Dec. 10 Frank E. Maybee
M
M
27
5 16 Tuberculosis of Lungs
48 Dec. 14 Edward A. Hamlin
M
S
58
2 4 Pleurisy and Pneumonia
49 Dec. 15 William H. Putnam
W
74 11 14 |La Grippe
50 Dec. 16 Christopher F. Nee
51 Dec. 21 Sarah A. Horn
S
88 1 7 Cardiac Dropsy
52 |Dec. 24 | Roscoe Samuel Rice
M
S
3
1 28 Tubercular Meningitis
53|Dec. 30 Gertrude C. Mosher
F
M
47
5 25 Broncho Pneumonia
Wilmington
Edward Young, Mary E. Miller
Michael Ferry, Theresa Casaletto Richard C. Young, Lizzie W. Burley Edward Young, Mary E. Miller James M. Taylor, Vesta Surtevand Joseph Surprenant, Victoria Dubre Supivik Ryshko, Antonia Kuplinski Jeremiah W. Fogg, Susan C. Davies
Not known William G. B. Snowman, Mabel S. James
Herbert Gowing, Mary J. Taylor Michael Zaklieka, Julia Habirwaka Victor Milaszesky, Mary Zaklieka Samuel Stark, Sarah Newmark Ellis E. Carter, Emma F. Blaisdell
William Fortis, Mary A. Bonds George Russo, Vita Saiti Frank E. Maybee, Sara Osgood John P. Hamlin, Susan A. Överlock Joseph B. Putnam, Sarah H. Bickum Patrick Nee, not known Oliver Horn. Sarah Estes Charles H. Rice. Susan A. Wells John Richards, not known
The following named persons were buried in Wilmington, but who died elsewhere, during the year 1918.
July 29 Almira E. Eames at Reading, Mass., aged 68 yrs. 10 mos. 10 dys. Sept. 17 Laurence Allison Fisher at Somerville, aged 16 yrs. 2 mos. 24 dys. Sept. 23 Arthur C. Parrott at Boston, aged 26 yrs. Sept. 26 Eben W. Roberts at Boston, aged 25 yrs. 3 mos. 8 dys. Oct. 10 Bradford F. Blaisdell at Hartford, Conn., aged 44 yrs. 2 mos. 13 dys.
Oct. 13 Harold R. Rogers at Fort Ethan Allen, aged 29 yrs.
Nov. 23 Benjamin J. Cole at Reading, aged 49 yrs. 4 mos. 29 dys. Dec. 9 Myra Crockett at Boston, aged 54 yrs.
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Boston Medford Wilmington Canada Turners Falls Russia Newburyport
Wilmington Wilmington
Russia Arlington
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Wilmington Russia Woburn New York City Wilmington
Wilmington Wilmington
Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington Wilmington
Wilmington Wilmington Brooklyn, N. Y. Malden Wilmington Ireland
M M F
W
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Dover, N. H. Wilmington Great Falls, Me.
32 Oct. 5 Edith Marion Young
S 4 3 19 Bronchial Pneumonia 6 11 26 Bronchial Pneumonia
28 0 ( Broncho Penumonia M
ab't28yrs Broncho Pneumonia
16
RECAPITULATION
Births registered in 1918
47
Males .
.
23
Females
. .
24
Marriages registered in 1918
16
Deaths in 1918
53
Males
26
Females
27
Dog License Account :
Number of Licenses issued .
182
By cash paid County Treasurer
$414.60
Account of printed Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths:
Number on hand January 1, 1918 209
Sold during the year . ·
.
Number on hand January 1, 1919 .
209
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. KELLEY, Town Clerk.
The Town Clerk will furnish to parents, householders, physi- cians and midwives, applying therefor, blanks for returns of births as required by law.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Together with the Reports of the SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
For the year ending December 31, 1918
School Committee
Charles C. Alden
Term expires 1919
Fred W. Carrier (Resigned)
Term expires 1920
Philip B. Buzzell
Appointed until March, 1919
Ellen S. Perry
Term expires 1921
Superintendent of Schools Roscoe G. Frame
Attendance Officer A. D. Butters
School Physician Daniel T. Buzzell, M. D.
49
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Wilmington:
The School Committee of Wilmington submits the following report, together with the reports of the Superintendent, the High School Principal, and Music Supervisor.
Our school system like everything else has been affected by war conditions Many of our teachers, induced by higher salaries elsewhere, have resigned. We feel, however, that the vacancies have been filled by efficient teachers.
Il was impossible to procure a Manual Training teacher to fill the position formerly held by Mr. Beresford. Every effort will be made to have this position filled in September. The Committee deemed it wise to close the East and North Schools chiefly because of its inability to secure competent teachers for these schools
Repairs this year have been confined to the Walker and West Schools which are now in good condition. Considerable work will have to be done soon in the Central Grammar building. New floors ought to be laid in two rooms. For two years there has been no trouble caused by water running into the gymnasium of the High School. With very little cement work a floor could be put in and the gymnasium could be used. A special appro- priation should be made for this. A much larger equipment is needed in the commercial department of the High School. Plans and estimates will be submitted at the Town Meeting.
50
By the resignation of Mr. F. W. Carrier the Committee has lost a valuable member. At a joint meeting of the Selectmen and the School Board Mr. Philip B. Buzzell was elected to fill the vacancy until the March Town Meeting.
Again the splendid public spirit of one of our citizens has been shown by the Christmas gifts of ninety-seven Thrift Stamps to the pupils of the Whitefield School.
The necessary increase in the salaries of teachers and janitors and the increase in price of fuel and school supplies is such that a substantial increase in the appropriation for schools will be necessary.
The Committee wishes to thank the Board of Selectmen for their co-operation and the citizens of Wilmington for their loyal support.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLEN S. PERRY, Chairman, CHARLES C. ALDEN, PHILIP B. BUZZELL,
School Committee.
Grades
Aggregate Attendance
Number of Days
Aggregate
Membership
Average
Membership
Average Daily
Attendance
Per cent of
Previously reg-
istered in State
High School
IX-XII
17,882
188
117
101
95
94
I
Center School:
Eva L. Hersey .
VIII
5,545
179
41
34
31
91
Caroline M. Swain
VII
5,614
177
42
35
32
90
M. Ethel Chapman
I-IV
4,857
179
33
29
28
92
1
Walker School:
Ida L. Shaw
VI
6,152
180
46
38
34
89
Henrietta A. Swain.
V
6,921
179
52
13
39
90
HI. Mildred Eames.
III-IV
6,786
180
47
41
38
91
3
Gertrude M. Eames
I-II
6,677
178
51
13
37
87
4
Whitefield School:
Hilda M. Buck ..
V-VI
4,782
177
33
29
27
93
Nettie M. Haley .
I-IV
5,423
179
35
34
30
88
South School: Marion A. Perry
I-IV
4,572
181
31
28
25
88
1
East School:
Dorothy M. Perry .
I-IV
3,943
182
28
26
22
8.4
1
West School:
Helen Bromley .
I-III
3,947
177
27
23
20
86
2
North School:
Genenia M. Kimball.
I-III
2,085
180
15
14
12
85
3
-
51
Schools in Session
Attendance
DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY SCHOOL AND GRADE
Grade
School
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Totals
High. .
34
30
19
14
97
Center.
9
9
8
5
37
33
101
Walker.
21
24
15
25
43
37
165
Whitefield.
8
22
12
13
13
15
12
95
South.
7
7
9
11
34
West. .
6
7
6
19
Totals. .
51
69
49
54
56
52
49
33
34
30
19
14
510
52
DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY AGE AND GRADE
Age
Grade
5
6
7|
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Totals
I
10
23 10
15 31
22
5
1
69
III
8
22
13
6
49
IV
54
V
10
20
15
6
3
2
56
VI
6
22
17
3
4
52
VII
8
23
10
8
49
VIII
6
17
10
33
IX
1
10
14
9
34
X
1
2
14
10
3
30
XI
3
9
7
5
3
14
Totals
10
33
54
53
51
49
50
53
37
36
32
28
16
5
3
510
3
51
II
6
23
16
5
1
2
1
53
19
XII
6
54
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Recapitulation
Appropriation for 1918
$22,000 00
Donation
4 50
$22,004 50
Expenditures:
Fuel
$2,456 30
Repairs
413 40
Industrial Education
473 29
Attendance Officer
4 25
Miscellaneous
226 67
New Equipment .
164 51
School Committee
200 00
Superintendent of Schools
970 85
School Physician
75 00
Insurance .
735 86
Books and Supplies
1,097 75
Salary of Teachers
13,047 82
Salary of Janitors
1,734 00
Transportation
400 00
Total Expenditures
.
$21,999 70
Balance unexpended .
$ 4 80
Fuel
Frank L. Eames (coal and wood)
$ 978 80
John C. Horton (sawing wood) Walter Hale (coal)
39 00
·
1,102 38
E. A. Hamlin (splitting wood) ·
12 81
Howard M. Horton (wood) ·
67 44
.
.
·
55
James E. Kelley (surveying wood)
S 2 12
Kelley and McGrane (wood)
100 00
Daniel T. Buzzell (wood)
151 25
Ellen S. Perry (wood)
2 50
Total
$2,456 30
Repairs
Howard M. Horton (labor)
$ 16 87
Woburn Machine Co. (labor and material)
44 50
C. H. Rice (labor)
1 30
H. S. Wright (labor and material)
156 13
Owen Littlefield (labor)
4 00
E. J. Lyons (labor)
10 00
Frank Hamlin (labor) .
3 67
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
8 20
Hodson Bros. (labor and material)
134 00
Atlantic Clock Co. (labor)
18 07
J. H. Addison (labor)
2 50
Wilbur Staveley (labor)
3 85
Westheimer and Wensell (labor)
7 81
Albert Robinson (labor)
2 50
Total
$413 40
Industrial Education
City of Lowell
$ 45 00
Middlesex County
.
.
51 29
Town of Reading
.
.
·
377 00
Total
$473 29
Attendance Officer
Albert D. Butters (salary) . Total · $4 25
$4 25
·
56
Miscellaneous
C. S. Harriman
·
$ 2 02
N. E. T. & T. Co.
·
115 55
Reading Municipal Light Co.
25 96
S. R. McIntosh
1 85
Charles F. Perry
11 15
Singer Sewing Machine Co.
1 50
W. F. Allen
2 99
B. & M. R. R.
2 10
R. G. Frame
3 66
Walker Pratt Mfg. Co.
2 50
Mrs. Surrette
3 00
American Express Co. .
64
Charles Blaisdell
39 50
Mrs. Munday Babine
14 25
Total
$226 67
New Equipment
Blake Piano Co. .
$105 00
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
4 03
Andrew Dutton Co.
29 92
A. L. Thompson Co.
25 56
Total
$164 51
School Committee
Ellen S. Perry
$75 00
C. C. Alden
62 50
F. W. Carrier
62 50
Total
$200 00
Superintendent of Schools
R. G. Frame Total
·
$970 85
$970 85
.
.
. .
.
.
. .
·
.
.
.
57
School Physician
Dr. Daniel T. Buzzell
$75 00
$75 00 Total .
Insurance
F. A. Eames
$440 10
W. L. Dean
184 00
J. W. Strong
92 00
W. H. Doucette
19 76
Total
$735 86
Books and Supplies
George E. Hutchins
$ 9 10
Edward E. Babb & Co.
661 47
Ginn & Co.
82 78
D. C. Heath & Co.
4 97
Macmillan Co.
2 86
J. P. Allen
1 58
F. A. Lowell
42 75
B. H. Sanborn Co.
9 02
Allyn & Bacon
42 51
Oliver Ditson Co.
6 24
A. G. Pollard
3 05
L. C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Co.
20
American Book Co.
24 26
S. R. McIntosh
42 74
J. L. Hammett
72 44
C. C. Birchard
.
4 80
Maybelle P. Counce
5 11
C. A. Livingston
26 75
Grace A. Jenkins .
40
Andover Press
4 05
.
.
.
58
Beale Press .
$ 4 50
Standard Oil Co. .
.
12 25
Ellis E. Carter
26 29
Longmans Green Co.
1 33
Scribner Publishing Co.
60
Silver, Burdett Co.
4 95
J. C. Winston Co.
75
Total
$1,097 75
Salary of Teachers
Pay Roll
$13,047 82
Total
$13,047 82
Salary of Janitors
Pay Roll
$1,734 00
Total
$1,734 00
Transportation
H. C. Barrows .
$400 00
Total
.
$400 00
Total
$22,004 20
59
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Wilmington, Mass., January 1, 1919.
The School Committee of Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Madam and Sirs: Your superintendent has the honor to submit this, his second annual report of the work of the public schools, to the School Committee and to the voters of Wilmington.
During the past year the old, regular, established routine of the schools has often been interrupted and frequently new forms and methods have had to be substituted, owing to the constantly changing, and varied demands of war conditions and activities. The ground covered has been about the same as in previous years, but the value of our new activities has far outweighed their inconvenience and the extra work involved. One direct result of the form of war work in the schools has been a solidifying of juvenile ideals into a united Americanism. With children, as well as adults, a serious menace of past years has been a growing indifference toward civic problems and duties. It is to be hoped that this newly awakened interest, obtained at such an enormous cost and sacrifice, can be con- tinued and made more real each year.
Our war work has been limited to those activities which have been requested or authorized by the State or Federal Govern- ments. Junior Red Cross, Liberty Loan advertising, War
60
Saving Stamp campaigns, distribution of material, for Food, Fuel and Agricultural Committees, have been a number of the departments in which the children have done their best.
The interest shown in the purchase of Thrift and War Saving Stamps has been very good. Both the High and Whitefield Schools have a one hundred per cent score, that is, every child registered owns at least one Thrift Stamp. In the other build- ings the per cent is good, but there are always a few to hold back the rest. Two mechanical devices to stimulate interest have been used. One, a Certificate of Honor for each room in which every child owns a Thrift Stamp, and a Thrift Meter, by which is indicated the per cent of pupils participating, the average owned per capita of registration, and the total value of stamps owned in the room. Both of these devices have increased the sale greatly. During this year the parents are urged to encourage the purchase of Thrift Stamps, and it is hoped that those who in the past have refused to allow their children to make these patriotic purchases will do as much as they can to correct their mistaken ideas. It does not seem possible that any American parents should refuse to allow their children to purchase the security of the United States, yet unfor- tunately this has been the case in a number of instances.
One teacher used rather a drastic method after repeated appeals had failed. On the board was placed, "Helping the Kaiser," and beneath, the names of all pupils in the room who did not own Thrift Stamps. The next morning every one asked to have their names erased, many of them bringing a stamp as. evidence of ownership.
The schools were closed for three weeks in common with almost every town and city because of the epidemic of influenza. By changing the time of vacations and increasing the pace, the lost work will be completed before the end of the year. The amount of extra assignments in lessons has been a severe tax
61
on the teachers, but without exception, all have loyally worked for the good of the school, and have taken on this burden with- out complaint.
The temptation offered by business conditions in the form of high wages has reduced our High School enrollment to a considerable degree. Many pupils have left, and others did not enter, after graduating from the Grammar School. Un- fortunately, now that they are being discharged, they feel that they are out of touch with their classes, so do not return to com- plete their education, but continue to drift from one job to another, having no trade or profession, and adding seriously to the labor problem of the country.
Many teachers have left the profession and are earning a fair and just salary, which was never received as a teacher. Every vacancy which we have had this year because of resig- nation, was to accept a larger and higher paid position. We were very fortunate in being able to fill so many vacancies with such excellent candidates. For the higher paid and more pleas- antly located positions there is usually a fairly large field from which to choose, but this year there were more positions than candidates. For the rural schools very few suitable teachers could be found who would consider such a position, regardless of the price. Next summer it is expected that conditions will be even worse, as the Normal Schools are graduating smaller classes than they have for years.
During the summer, resignations were received from the fol- lowing: Miss Alice N. Richards, Miss Esther M. Patch, Miss Agnes M. Hayward, Miss Alice N. Rigby and Miss Marion E. Roys, all from the High School. Miss Eva M. Hersey from the Grammar School, Miss Gertrude Eames from the Walker, Miss Marion Perry from the South and Miss Dorothy Perry from the East. Their places have been filled as follows: Miss Carol Judkins, Miss Alice Oliver, Miss Beatrice Page, Miss
62
Mary Doherty, Miss Irene H. Wilson at the High School, Miss Fern R. Price at the Grammar, Miss Vilma Bryant at the South and Miss Margaret Knights at the Walker. Miss Margaret Lyons was placed in charge of the new room opened at the Whitefield, made necessary by the division of the seventh grade on account of its size. The pupils of the seventh grade living in North Wilmington together with the sixth grade make up the new room. Because of the impossibility of securing a suit- able teacher for the East it was decided to close the East and North Schools and furnish transportation to the Whitefield; thus saving two teachers. It has worked excellently, the atten- dance being much better than it was last year; the pupils are making better progress in their lessons, they are brought into contact with a larger number of children, and the moral tone of each group is greatly improved.
Mr. Daniel Norcross for a number of years in charge of the janitor work at the High School resigned during the fall to enter war work. His place has been filled by Mr. John Dunn.
The discontinued service, the constant increases in fare, and recently the refusal on the part of the Bay State Street Railway to sell the Scholars' Tickets nearer than Reading or Lowell, has made school attendance on the part of children depending on electric transportation a serious hardship. Relief in the matter of obtaining tickets has been promised.
At present we have two pupils at the Agricultural Depart- ment of the Reading High School, at an expense of thirteen dollars per month per pupil. This is one less than we have had for the past year. There is no reason why we should not give the same course at the Wilmington High School except that as yet it has not been authorized by vote of the town. The State will refund to the town two-thirds of the instructor's salary, making the final cost a relatively small amount. The course is open to all pupils over fourteen years of age, who, in the judg- ment of the principal, are able to do the work. This work, if
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offered here, should make it possible for many boys to remain in school, who now leave because they cannot see any direct value in the usual academic training.
This course should not be confused with, or be considered a substitute for high school work. It is practical training under usual working conditions, together with correlated subjects from text-books, such as cost accounting and biology. In the school report for last year the form of vote necessary to insti- tute such a course was given in full.
The Commercial Course continues to be the most popular department at the High School. Doubtless many are attracted by the feeling that a diploma may be earned more easily there than in the other departments, yet it is hoped that the majority believe they are obtaining something of value to themselves. At present our training is limited to stenography and type- writing, which is a small part of the mechanical training required in the business world. The purchase of additional equipment for an intensive course in office practice will add greatly to the value and effectiveness of the work. In order to do more inten- sive work with supervised study, two sessions for all departments are advisable. The only excuse for one session is that it per- mits pupils to work during the afternoon, and supposes that they will prepare their lessons some time before the next recita- tion. In a few cases this is done, but in the majority we have poorly if at all prepared recitations, and the time of the class is taken up with work that should have been done in advance. Should the Committee deem it advisable to take this action, it will doubtless meet with considerable opposition by the people of the town, and will be decidedly unpopular with a majority of the teachers. A return to two sessions has been the experi- ence of many towns and cities with most excellent results.
One result of the war has been a marked appreciation of the so-called practical courses. Chemistry is offered this year, and
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the class of fourteen find the working quarters rather crowded. Before the course is given another year an extra table and sink should be provided.
Due to the universal shortage of teachers we have been unable to maintain our instruction in Manual Training and Drawing. Just as soon as suitable teachers are available for these depart- ments we hope to resume work with these subjects. The room teachers have done excellent work in drawing and much credit is due them for their efforts, as they have kept the subject material fresh in the minds of the children.
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