USA > New Hampshire > Belknap County > Alton > Annual report for the Town of Alton, New Hampshire, 1907-1911 > Part 6
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Grace E Lord .
40 00
33
Feb 3 W P Emerson .
11 77
8 Louie M Small
42 00
11 Chas H Davis . 14 30
Margaret Manning
40 00
12 Fannie G de Rochemont 20 00
Grace E Lord . 20 00
Carolyn C Varney
10 00
13
Geo W Place
83 33
Calvin Rollins .
13 50
Seth E Grant .
9 20
Rachel B Moore .
7 70
Nelson S Mitchell
65 00
Alton & Alton Bay Water Co
10 00
J Jones & Son
50 14
Mabel G Rice
59 50
B L Blaisdell
17 25
14
H L Moore
56 66
A J Jones
21 50
Total
$4,951 37
Balance in treasury
366 88
Total
$5,318 25
FRANK A. VARNEY, Treasurer.
We, the undersigned, having examined the foregoing account, find it properly vouched and correctly cast.
WILLIS P. EMERSON
CHARLES H. DOWNING Auditors.
Alton, N. H., Feb. 15, 1908.
34
Annual Report of the Super- intendent of Schools.
To the school board and citizens of Alton :-
I have the honor to submit to you my first annual re- port as superintendent of your public schools. This report will be intentionally brief as my term of service has yet cov- ered but half the school year.
In Part I, I call your attention briefly to some general mat- ters of educational interest, in Part II to a statement of school conditions in Alton, together with figures and recom- mendations relating thereto.
PART I. A NEW EDUCATIONAL IDEAL.
The ideal of education in the United States is changing. Heretofore, even from the early years of the public school sys- tem, the ideal has been for good citizenship; such a training as would lead to a love of country and a disposition to obey its laws, to a strength of moral character, and a power to think and to act intelligently. Such a citizenship was con- sidered all-essential to the highest welfare of the state. And it was for the state that all education existed. Education for utility was never considered the function of the public school.
But this is changing. With the increased business activity of the past generation, has arisen a new demand upon the school. And with this demand a consequent change of view as to the proper ideal which education should assume. The
35
school should take to itself a new burden. It should add to its effort for good citizenship, in all that the term has for- merly implied, that of training along specific vocational lines. In other words, the ideal should become in part utilitarian.
This movement is wide spread. It includes what is com- monly termed industrial education, or education for the work shop and the factory; commercial education, or education for the office and the store; and most important and recent of all, agricultural education, or education for the farm.
In the cities and manufacturing centres of the country. the industrial and commercial phases are making rapid strides- Smaller towns and rural communities are becoming interest- ed in agricultural training. New Hampshire has already recognized the movement by the adoption of commercial and mechanic arts courses for her high schools, and courses in agriculture for all schools. None of these courses are yet required, but optional with each school district.
The demand for such training at public expense is real and deep set. But there is danger in overestimating its value. Good citizenship must still remain the paramount aim of the public school, at least under democratic institutions.
RESULTS FROM THE COMMON SCHOOL.
What results may the public reasonably expect at the end of the common school course ? It is difficult, often impossi- ble, to estimate educational values. I cannot attempt it here. Yet in general terms the following may be reasonably ex- pected of the average child at the end of an eight or nine year's course:
The ability to read and write simple English, and to figure within his comprehension with a fair degree of accuracy.
A knowledge of a few simple facts of geography, history and science.
A knowledge of the right with a disposition to act the right.
36
And, as a result of the above, with the attendant mental training received, POWER to think, to develop and to grow.
This is the best the school can do. It cannot MAKE a good citizen. That is a process of years. It can merely set the child upon the right track and give him a start, but only a start. It cannot furnish the motive power.
Do the schools of the present day fairly effect these re- sults ? I believe they do, and with better success as the years go by.
Certain facts must be borne in mind, however, or our esti- mate becomes unjust. First, that the child is but a child. His is an immature mind, lacking in that comprehension and confidence bred only by years and experience. The law con- siders him an infant until 21, and with reason. It is hardly just to expect him to prove the equal of his seniors in knowl- edge or in accuracy even in the lines of his daily school work, nor should the school be held wholly at fault at his failure. It is all too true that the successful man, an expert in his own line, views with disdain in another, be he man, woman or child, anything less than his own proficiency. The child is a child, and the human mind develops slowly.
In the second place tangible results of school training al- ways depend upon the individual pupil's capacity. The school must take the children as they come, the brilliant, the dull, the indifferent. It cannot make its own selection. Equal results cannot justly be expected of all.
Finally, the public often expects more than it is willing to give in return. Granted the existence of poor schools, they are always the result of poor teachers. And poor teachers are the result of poor salaries.
I believe in the public school of today. Many defects exist; they always have and they always will. But in spite of these defects it is universally conceded that the school is giving the child a better training, a better start, today than it has ever given before.
37 PART II.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The requirements made upon the secondary schools of the state are high. The courses outlined as a basis for state ap- proval are broad and thorough. It is the intention that a high school diploma shall be evidence of four years of hard, honest study.
This means a faithful effort every day of the term on the part of the students. The student should ever hope to ob- tain from his course in the shape of knowledge, mental training of power more than he is willing to put in, in the way of persistent and honest effort. His high school life is but four years of his larger life. Study is his business.
An option has been provided for between Latin and, some other study each year of the course. This is intended for be- ginners who prefer the English to the Latin course, and for those who, at the end of any year, desire to change from one to the other. I believe that no pupil should ever be allowed to substitute one study for another during the school year merely on the grounds of dislike or inadaptability, The moral strength due to persistency in overcoming difficult places is often worth far more to the student than the value of the study involved.
For an outline of the approved high school course I refer you to the appendix.
REPAIRS.
Repairs during the year have been confined to the Clough, Mountain, and West Alton schools. The Clough and Moun- tain buildings have been thoroughly renovated. Hard wood floors have been laid, plastering repaired and walls repainted. They now are in good condition. Minor repairs have been made on the building at West Alton.
38
Much is still needed. It is but a question of time when the village building must be either extensively remodeled, or replaced by a larger and more modern building. The three rooms are now filled to their full seating capacity, The tem- porary room in the block is also filled. This room is hardly fit for school room purposes, to say nothing of its entirely in- adequate sanitary and toilet facilities. The school enrolment is increasing. It is becoming a pressing matter, one the district must soon decide.
ATTENDANCE.
I would urge upon parents the importance of a more reg- ular and punctual attendance. A day out is a day lost. It cannot be made up. Each time a child is tardy makes it easier for him to be tardy again. A habit is being formed detrimental to his school work and pernicious in all his later life.
Our per cent of attendance is low, our tardiness high. For a detailed statement I refer you to the final table of this re- port.
It is probably true that the illiterate man earns $150 more than is necessary to supply his physical needs each year from the ages of 25 to 55; the man with a common school educa- tion averages $300 in the same time; the high school grad- uate $600; and the college trained man $1200. This fact applied to the boy in school means that every day he spends in school is worth $10 to him; every day he is out costs him $10.
MONTHLY REPORT CARDS
The attention of parents is particularly called to the monthly cards brought home by the children. These cards give the pupil's standing in each of his respective studies, also his deportment, and instances of tardiness and half days absence during the preceding month. These cards the par- ent is requested to sign and return to the teacher. It is not
39
the intention, however, that they be merely signed and re- turned, but that they be carefully examined, and each item duly noted. They are the school's means of keeping the parents informed of what the children are doing.
I would urge parents to investigate at once any unsatisfac- tory report. Visit the school, consult the teacher and en- courage the child. The school is doing its best with the facilities placed at its command, but fails of highest results without the intelligent cooperation of the home.
CONSOLIDATION AND TRANSPORTATION.
Three rural schools have been closed this year, those at the Gore, Loon Cove and the Bay. The pupils are now trans- ported to the village at the expense of the district
Some, I believe, question the wisdom of this action from the standpoint of the pupils affected. They are receiving better schooling, longer terms, at less per capita expense. I need not enter into a discussion of this phase of the matter. It has been well presented in the report of my predecessor. I shall simply outline the legal aspect of the problem in gen- eral, and its application to the present situation in Alton in particular.
The school law reads as follows: "The school board of every district shall provide schools at such places within the district and at such times in each year as will best subserve the interests of education, and will give to all scholars of the district as nearly equal advantages as may be practicable.
They may use a portion of the school money, not exceeding twenty-five per cent, for the purpose of conveying scholars to and from the schools. Chapter 92, Section 1.
"Every person having the custody and control of a child between the ages of eight and fourteen . . . residing in a school district in which a public school is annually taught shall cause such child to attend the public school all the time such school is in session." Chapter 93, Section 14.
40
The vital question then for the school board to decide in determining whether or not a school shall be closed is: Will it best subserve the interests of education in the WHOLE DIS- TRICT to close the school ? Is the number of pupils so small that the cost per capita in maintaining the school is all out of proportion to the cost per capita in another school in another part of the district ? If in school No. 1 the cost is $23 per pupil for a thirty weeks term, and in school No. 2, $13 per pupil fer a thirty-six weeks term, is there being an approxi- mately equal distribution of pubilc funds ? Is it giving to all schools of the district as nearly equal educational advan- tages as are practicable ? These questions the board must decide.
It is not a question for them at all as to whether it will be best for any particular section of the district, nor whether or not it will best serve the convenience of Mr. A or Mr. B. It is a matter of broad educational policy.
If, in the judgment of the board, the best educational in. terests of the district will be promoted, and a more equal distribution of educational advantages be provided by clos- ing the school, it is their duty to close it. The board also must decide as to whether the children affected shall walk to the next nearest school, or be transported.
In brief, the school board are not required by law to main- tain a school if they believe it should be closed, nor are they required to convey children for all distances over and above a given distance.
The parent, on the other hand, is bound under the law to abide by the judgment of the board, and to send his children regularly to the schools provided. But he is not bound to require his children to walk an unreasonable distance nor to attend under circumstances which he believes detrimental to their welfare.
41
The matter of unreasonable distance for children to walk should be settled by parents and board together upon the merits of each individual case. The law fails to specify, rec- ognizing that what may be unreasonable in one case may often be entirely reasonable in another. Actual distance, age and sex of children, condition of roads, etc., are all involved. In case no agreement can be reached, the matter becomes a case for the jury.
But where transportation is conceded necessary the board cannot compel a parent to convey his own children, even for pay, if the parent refuses to do so. Here again parent and board must work together.
To sum up, quoting from the state superintendent of pub- lic instruction: "The parent can compel neither the school board nor the district to furnish either a school or a convey- ance. The school board cannot compel the parent to require his child to walk an unreasonable distance, nor yet can it compel him to convey the child to the nearest school."
The situation in Alton is apparently this: Children from sections of the district where schools have been closed are being transported to the village at public expense. Parents in other parts of the district have become dissatisfied on the ground that their children have been and are now obliged to walk a greater distance than the above are being carried. In other words, the district is transporting children one mile, for instance, while other children a mile and a half or two miles from school must walk or be carried by parents.
In so far as this is true an inconsistency certainly exists. There is no denying the fact. It is one of the immediate consequences often attending the closing of a school where insufficient funds are available for extended transportation.
The remedy is this: First for the district to raise an appro- priation at its annual meeting large enough in its judgment to cover such expenses of transportation as it deems reason-
42
able. This is all the district can do. Here a wide field for difference of opinion arises. What is a reasonable amount ? The law only specifies a sum not over twenty-five per cent of school money.
Second, for the board and parents directly interested to meet and come to a proper agreement either by deciding to take each case separately on its own merits, or, failing in this, by unitedly agreeing upon some reasonable distance over and above which the board shall convey the children or pay the parent a daily wage for so doing.
But whatever action be taken, two things should be rigidly guarded against: the introduction of any taint of personal feeling, and the idea that parents should be paid or in any way compensated for sending their children to school. The first results in a gross injustice to the children and the entire educational welfare of the district, the second in a low mis- conception of a public duty and a public privilege, the end of which is simple graft.
IN GENERAL.
I would commend to you the report of my predecessor in his recommendations for the schools of Alton, the following in particular:
That beginners be allowed to enter only in the fall term, and then not under a certain age.
That whenever possible all teachers be hired by the year.
That definite days be assigned for the payment of teach- ers, preferably the Saturday of every fourth week, also the final week of the term.
I would add further that each teacher be allowed at least one day during the year for visiting other schools, and sug- gest for this purpose the schools of Laconia, Rochester. and Dover, also the model school at Plymouth.
43
The schools all are working in harmony and well. I would commend the teachers for their faithful effort.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to school board, teachers and pupils for their cordial support.
Respectfully submitted, H. L. Moore, Superindendent. Alton, N. H., February 14, 1908.
Roll of Honor.
FALL TERM 1907. HIGH SCHOOL.
Dorothy Collins
Marjory Twombly
Gertrude Colbath
Edith Webber
Gladys Dodge
Edith Welch
Mildred Davis
Raymond Duncan Edward Downing.
Edna Gilman
Stephen Gilman GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Albert Adams Wallace Adams
Pearl Hanson John Hanson
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
Ella Adams
Doris Stiles
Gladys Smith PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Joseph Chandler Rexford Normand
Doris McDuffee
Eddie Smith
Helen Gilman
Hazel Ricker Mina Smith Edna Whitehouse
Helen Whitehouse
44
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY.
ENGLISH COURSE LATIN COURSE
FIRST YEAR
Latin
5
Arithmetic 5
Algebra
5
Algebra
5
English
5
English
5
History
5
History
5
SECOND YEAR
Latin
5
Biology
5
French
5
French
5
Geometry
5
Geometry
5
English
5
English
5
THIRD YEAR
Latin
5
Mathematics
5
French
5
French
5
English
5
English
5
Physics
5
Physics
5
FOURTH YEAR
Latin
4
Chemistry 4
French
4
French
4
English 4
English
4
U S History 4
U S History
4
Mathematics4
Mathematics
4
NOTE
The figures denote the number of recitation periods per week in each of the respective studies. They also repre- sent the number of credits a student receives at the end of the year on satisfactorily completing the subject. Eighty credits are required for a diploma.
45
REPORT of FALL TERM, 1907
School
Teacher
Total No. Pupils Boys
Ave. Daily Daily Girls Atten Absent
Ave. Percent Cases of
Visits of
of Atten Tardy Parent
Village Prim.
Mrs. Whitehouse
16
18
26.84
2.18
92.48
45
16
Village Int.
Miss Manning
11
17
24,50
1.59
93.90
41
15
Village Gram.
Miss Lord
16
14
24.61
2.47
90.87
49
9
High School
N. S. Mitchell Miss DeRochemont 16
22
34,93
3.07
91.92
6
2.2
Clough
Miss Rice
7
6
6.14
3.82
61.64
22
11
McDuffee
Miss Harris
5
3
6.47
.76
89.48
13
25
Mountain
Miss May
10
9
15.71
2.67
85.47
1.06
12
West Alton
Miss Small
7
5
7.03
2.36
74.85
45
38
88
94
146.23
18.92
88.54
3.27
1.48
46
Library Report
DR
To cash on hand Feb 15, 1907 $ 20 03
May 24 to cash received from town treasurer 181 30
Feb 3 6 Eveline L Palmer fund 17 50
Total
$218 83
CR
By cash paid News agency $ 20 60
Express on books 1 80
Charles Lanna, books
117 25
Annie M Wright, making catalog
5 00
Farmington News, Printing 9 50
G C Neal, binding books 19 25
H H Bennett, making bookcase 12 00
A C Cotton, book for library 2 90
F E Nutter, painting bookcase 2 75
Outlook for library 1 50
J Jones & Son, curtain bookcase 94
Freight on books 25
Curtain rod for bookcase
18
Postage
33
By cash on hand Feb 15, 1908 24 58
Total $218 83
Number of books in library
8,087
loaned for year
5,375
Respectfully submitted
ALONZO S FRENCH, Library
OLIVER J M GILMAN,
ANNA M WRIGHT,
Trustees
47
MARRIAGES REGISTEREO in the TOWN OF ALTON, N. H., for the YEAR ENOING DECEMBER 31, 1908.
Name and Surname
Residence nt
Occupation of
Dato,
Place of Marriage,
of
Each at time of Marriage.
Groom and Bride.
Placo of Birth of Fach.
Name of Parents.
Occupation.
Condition ..
Name, Resulence soloMclal Sta. thin of person by whom marrtel.
30 Braith' U'ro V | WillIn P Emerson
Alton
41
Merelmut
Allon
Chu< P Emerson Ellor J Jones
Alion
Merchant
I Elni'll OS Osgoor. rtergyman
Feb 15 Alton
Ilorohl C Goorh
Allon
20
Mull currler
Alton
Nellle MI l'uterson Londonderry Ve l'age D liooch
EmmaJ Pinkbam
Allee M Britt
=
21
Housekeeper
1livlley Mitss
May 10
Perley P Presentt
Carpenter
Allou
Michael J Britt Mary Rawlelgh Josyph I'rescott Barrlet Phicr
Epson JAltın
Hullbewife
Jonnie M Ames
Frank L. Emerson
-
Clerk
Alton
Lesmil'rFkmerson Altou Anlenl V Perkins
1Chns A Price
i . Alton
G Klarer Davis
Alton
Cora P' Jones
21
Altun
Eustuort Me
1.17xte Reynobls Warren Kenney
Moultonboro
Furmer
L
U
Forrest I. Notter
Alton
Shoeunker
Alion
| los \ Xilter Ann M Vorney Inho 1. Gerrialı
Harusteml
Furiner
Housewife
Foriner
1 Alton
Sept 10
Horbirt k Morrill
Ethel \ Wella
Rokkeeper
Boston Miss
AIDOS B Wells
Charlestown Miss Teamster
1 Alton
Herbert & Webbrrr
=
R R Employes Tilton
Stenugrapher
Dover
WOOD F Webber MIDICE Wopil Alfriul R Mend
Hacksport Me
Housewife l'lergyun Honsawtto
I Alton
Nov 14
Wendell Wesley Benils Wellestry M º 84
Nurse
langor Me
fon nab A Emerson Allon .lucoli Renils Levhin M Staples lotu K Boynuin Almira T Hunson Rochoetur
luxton Me
Housewife Tullor
1 Gllınınton
BIRTHS REGISTERED in the TOWN OF ALTON, N. H., for the YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908.
Sex. Condillon.
Duty EsIrılı.
Naipo of the Chill. (1( np
Female-
Living or
Stillborn-
No of Child.
1st, 2cl, etc.
Name of Fathor.
Malden Nome of Mother.
Reshloneo ot Paronts,
Ochmutton of Fathor.
Birth place Frulier.
Birthplace Mother
Agr of Mother. J
JAN 16
Varney M
34 Paullue R
w [. civls P' Vurney Albert Whitehouse
Feb 24'
Allre Baker
Mury A Drew
Mury K Lovering
Trimster
Comford RIMINIICY Dayton My Alton
Romney
15|1tutus Rothand MI
Philly L Drew
HrIn A Rieker
Wennle D Miller
Bir.ic B llayes
Kvn M Wise
Imborer
ti mingy
Ituchestrr Rnniney Middleton
28 00
July 21
-
Matbilln ": Gumit-on
18 wedeu
Św ulon
91 Bentrieu D
AWHY M MOHVrve
Ang 10, BIMsIr Allce
EsTrenc V
T
Gearge W Labjier Fullest 1. Nuter Willie Elllott
Myrthe M Chuyes Brorgin K Garish
Shomunker
220
Ruinney
Grolon
21
1
Mubrl Terrio
Wulver
Giriliner Mo
21 1;
firoce A Iblyom
Flora M Lmmper
Pututer
Alton
19
=
Housekeeper
Clerk
Hummb 1. Glimmmm Glbunton Most' W' Morrill Osalpes Munley Blukrley Almun
Housewife
Housewife
churgy man
Gruce Evs Mead
Waterbury V120
I'lergymna
1 .FX Salunurah
rlergynulu
Bertha 1. gil Royubin Ahon
Alto
1w Foreman
Alton
Duvid 11 Murrison Nunes J Wolker SILIA B Page
Alton Ru rustend
Grace E Brown
:
20
Housekeeper
Kpsom
.Inmes A Miller
Farmer
New Dnrhini
New Durham Gilford
Firmer Iluusr wife Farmer Housekeeper Furiner House wife
Melville A Shaver clergyminu 2 |Alton
I E W Cummings clergyman Alton
Helen A Finnder's
Milton
181
Ein J Glbblon Huhn Flanders
Corneille Me
Chura M Fhunders Mhblleton
Innsewife
Mury B Piggott
limatileb'ro V 2!
Brattleboro Virileb & Blinkesirve Richmond Mass
2 Brattleboro VI
lune I Glimanton
S Fraures Price
Glhn'nt'n 1W /21
Gfninton
Annu Emerson Geo O Davle
Ba rustenil Gilford
Housewife Firmer
Housewife
Sollor
I EW Cumming<
Eløle M Sniltlı
Wulfboro
Housekeeper
Wolfbora
Ku Ciniherin Tu tionboro
Elinsewife
1 E W CuminIngs clergyman
Georgla E Gerrish
W' Lebanon Me
Innewite
R R Conductor
Eilwin B siles
clergymun
K.Hlot Me Newbury Ve
Alion Malileton Sandown Carroll
Hampstead Wolfboro
Mur
1.01Kטיי at
2 |Doris Pauline
t
-
2
Luther F Killott F I.von Furbir
Flor A.Inar's 1. uh E Irarkeit
Farmor
lowell Mus4
NostIn MAMM
34 .0
32 Amy
Mary Ann Mohrll
Wool Tlukur Fin mer
Spillerville Muss
Alton
New Durham Allon
137 .311 47 ts
NPp NUM Der
Lan por
Nutter I
Mbert D) Variy I'hurles I, Amulti'w E'1mor Constall N I POlerson Brasge W Horne Albert E Barnx Ira I Benneti
Luln Y Fint K Helle Conln
Farmer 1.
Mubien PHU Mother.
Name ofl'hyAl ohn for other perAoa report. Ing Death.
Years
Montha. Days.
Male-
Color-
tn npilu
iC'unaitn
Clement Dulola Dollon Shuk Willimyn fluye,
Polly Went worth In fuenxu
21 Willlain Ilnyl'n
GD 1,21 Altun
& Farmer
Formingtyn Mann
Mudbury
Tolin D Hurklus Mary 1.1k)
001 524 THHonhuro
w' Shor rutter
Now Durham Alton
=
Angeline 1111
Mar ilmuil Dure
T Alton
M Mull currier
Spring Dell
Farmington Alton
Charles & Florid Betsy Selber
Muy & tt f, Wentworth DI Karl 1. Spluury 1 1 29
M
Anne # Ann E Miller
k
Int Mury J Vurury 711 10 Alton H4 Kun T Vurnry 1. Jun W. Bolumin 1 4 19 Konneb'nk & M
W Carprier
I'nul Varney
Maryl'imt'rim Caurrr
July 11 Nancy J French 71 1 Ju; 15140)1 Mil Ms
Soft 10 Erl Warner
[20 11 2M, TownBrin! " MI # IX Alton M
2 11
A Trimoxtur
AHon
John Young
Surab Money
Nov 15 Maruli M P'urker V1 0
1 Lanta F Drew
L
Nuw Durham Klunger D Drvw
Drygin Annenren
..
Drew
וג טיות
Withor M Ewen Allto 3 Ger Elrury \ Elllott
Frank A Longer Jolin P Hurt
APP IN Muv 16
Furher
א׳ גיומיוח'?
Ibiston Mithy
Lemington Mir PEIstmit
irene B 14
DEATHS REGISTERED in the TOWN OF ALTON, N. H., for the YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908.
Ago.
8 mini Cal
I'Inco of Birth.
Date Dpatlı.
Name nad Sur Hano of thy' Ducesseil.
Pline of Birth.
Occupatiun.
Father.
Muthur.
Fr.b 1 Henry F Goor IN Mury E Hurry 25 Lewis told
Apr 5 l'un'DE Bukleytr2 1 1 Gilltoril r
1 - TAlton
Alton
Laweil Muss Short 1 Varney, Inlu K konkrete Common
16 Currle A Vino DR John SE Florhl' 'S Alın t' Beninvit 47 8:14 Alton
31
4H 7 Montbinborn 3
'r'nfonları
Vyromi VI
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