USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Fremont > Annual reports of the Town of Fremont, N.H. 1921 > Part 2
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REPORT OF LIBRARIAN.
Whole number of books in the library
2,060
Added by Town in 1920, Vols.
27
Gift by Paul G. Hayes, Vol.
1
Olive Clark, Vol.
1
Nellie King, Vols.
2
Carneigie Endowment Fund, Vols.
3
Alice L. Philbrick, Vols.
9
Whole number of cards issued
792
Issued during the year
25
Circulation 1,831
Incidental expenses
$1.58
Fines received
6.25
Cash on hand
4.67
Paid same to Treasurer.
CORA B. FROST,
Librarian.
1
3
33
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
This is to certify that I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, the Town Treasurer, Town Clerk, Trustees of Trust Funds, Library Trustees, Road Agents and Janitor of Town hall for the year ending January 31, 1921. I find these accounts to be in very good shape, correctly cast, and supported by proper vouchers for the several charges.
The Treasurer has a balance on deposit in favor of the town of $2,037.32, and there appears to be no outstanding bills.
WILCOMB H. BENFIELD, Auditor.
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1
1
REPORT OF THE TRUST FUNDS OF THE TOWN OF FREMONT, N. H., ON JANUARY 31, 1921.
Date of Creation.
TRUST FUNDS- PURPOSE OF CREATION.
HOW INVESTED.
Amount of prin-
Rate of interest
Bal. of income
ginning of year
Income during
Expended during
Bal. of income
on hand at end
of year.
1917
Methodist Fund, Josiah Amoskeag Savings Bank. ..
$1,300.00
4%
$58.02
$101.00
$101.00
$58.02
May 31
B. Robinson, donor ... Manchester Savings Bank. . Cemetery Fund, Aaron J. Merrimack River Sav. Bk .. . Robinson, donor ..... N. H. Savings Bank
1,000.00
3,000.00
4%
270.38
126.97
23.35
374.00
1915
Dec. 15
Cemetery Fund, Mary R. Amoskeag
100.00
100.00
4%
16.84
4.56
21.40
1873
Aug. 23
Universalist Fund, Sarah Manchester
Savings Bank ..
500.00
1,000.00
23.34
40.20
40.20
23.34
A. Chase, donor ..
Manchester
Savings Bank. .
696.71
Aug. 23
Worthy Poor Fund, Sarah
A. Chase, donor.
Amoskeag Savings Bank ...
700.00
1,396.71
4 %
126.54
59.30
85.82
100.02
1920
Methodist Fund, Mary
Susan Higgins, donor. Liberty Bonds, 414 's .. .. . .
2,250.00
2,000.00
4 14 %
34.35
37.42
.. . .
Nov. 3
Cemetery Fund, Mary Su- san Higgins, donor ... Amoskeag Savings Bank ...
100.00
100.00
4%
·
.
From the Universalist Fund was paid to Henry A. Cook, treasurer
$40.20
From the Methodist Fund was paid to Mary S. Whittier, Treasurer and Secretary ... 101.00
37.42
From the Methodist Fund was paid to James B. Martin. . . From the A. J. Robinson Cemetery Fund was paid for : Work and care of lots.
18.00
Plants
5.35
From the Sarah A. Chase Worthy Poor Fund was paid to:
George Emerson
20.00
Frank Palmer
25.00
Charles West, Jr.
15.82
George Emerson
25.00
4%
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.
.
FRANK H. LYFORD JAMES W. WILKINSON, STEPHEN A. FROST
Trustees.
Savings Bank. . .
Savings Bank .. .
500.00
Chase, donor .
Amoskeag
1,200.00 $2,500.00
2,000.00
cipal.
on hand at be-
year.
year.
May 31
May 1
-
School Report.
1
FINANCIAL STATEMENT (Year ending August 31, 1920.) Receipts.
Received from Selectmen :
On $5 on valuation tax
$2,495.74
High school tuition
1,100.00
$2 per capita supervisory tax
182.00
Dog tax
41.40
Received from State:
Qualified Teacher fund
58.00
State Equalization fund
512.06
Balance on hand from August 31, 1919
57.97
W :
$4,447.17
Disbursements.
Salaries, School Board
$45.00
Clerical expenses
7.17
Salaries, other district officers
13.00
Superintendent's salary
216.00
Superintendent's expenses
50.00
Truant officer and school census
16.81
Other expenses of administration
65.66
Teachers' salaries
1,788.00
Text-books
160.43
Repair and replacement of apparatus
9.18
Scholars' supplies
89.15
Flags and appurtenances
.80
Other expenses of instruction
10.34
35
36
Janitor service $46.30
Fuel .
190.50
Building and janitor supplies
20.48
Minor repairs
28.15
Other expenses of operation and maintenance ...
5.85
Libraries
50.00
Medical inspection
50.010
Transportation of scholars
662.00
High school tuitions
604.80
New maps and apparatus
46.99
Balance on hand, Aug. 31, 1920.
270.56
$4,447.17
H. L. JONES,
E. S. GEORGE, J. B. MARTIN, School Board of Fremont, N. H.
BUDGET OF EXPENSE
For Fremont School District year ending Sept. 1, 1921.
Administration :
Salaries of district officers
$73.00*
Superintendent's excess salary
68.18*
Truant officer and school census 25.00*
Expenses of administration
30.00*
Instruction :
Teachers' salaries 450.00+
Text-books 180.00+
Scholars' supplies 110.00+
Flags and appurtenances
12.00+
Other expenses of instruction.
18.00₺
Operation and Maintenance of School Plant:
Janitor service
60.00+
Fuel
167.00+
Water, light and janitor's supplies 24.00+
Minor repairs and expenses
63.00+
3/7
Auxiliary Agencies and Special Activities :
Medical inspection $50.00+
Transportation of pupils (2 routes) . 936.00+
High school and academy instruction. 670.00* Other special activities 20.00₺
Fixed Charges : None.
Outlay for Construction and Equipment :
New equipment
88.50*
Debt, Interest and Other Charges:
Tax for state-wide supervision
216.00*
$5,260.68
Out of this the State participates in all charges marked (t) and pays all over the amount of the $5 taxation.
The charges marked with (*) are straight Town charges.
MONEY RAISED AT MARCH, 1920 SCHOOL MEETING.
$5 tax $2,475.91
High school tuition 670.00
General purposes
544.00
State supervision, $2 tax
216.00
Dog tax (estimated)
40.00
$3,945.91
REPORT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
September 1, 1920, to January 28, 1921.
RECEIPTS.
Received from selectmen:
$5 tax on $1,000 valuation. $2,475.91
High school tuition 670.00
General purposes 544.00
$2 scholar tax on 108 216.00
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Received from Charles York for Fall term : For Evelyn York at Pine school. $6.00
Balance on hand from year ending August 31, 1920
270.56
Total receipts to January 28, 1921. $4,182.47
DISBURSEMENTS.
Salaries school district officers
$73.00
Clerical expenses
4.55
State-wide supervision tax.
190.00
Superintendent's excess salary
68.18
Truant officer
15.00
School census
10.00
Other expenses of administration
10.99
Teachers' salaries
1,252.10
Text-books
140.00
Scholars' supplies
60.73
Janitor service
13.00
Fuel
71.04
Janitors' supplies
23.26
Minor repairs
46.30
Other expenses of maintenance
19.60
Transportation (two routes)
368.00
High school tuition.
284.00
New equipment
62.88
Cash balance on hand January 28, 1921.
1,469.34
.
$4,182.47
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DISTRICT TREASURER. For Year Ending August 31, 1920.
Cash on hand September 1, 1919.
$57.97
Received from town treasurer :
Town appropriation
3,595.74
Dog licenses, 1919
41.40
State school fund
58.00
State supervision
$182.00
State aid
512.06
$4,447.17
Paid vouchers from school board.
4,176.61
$270.56
LILLIAN E. FROST, School District Treasurer.
SCHEDULE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.
Five school buildings.
$2,500.00
Furniture and equipment 2,000.00
$4,500.00
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
FREMONT, N. H., September 29, 1920.
This is to certify that I have examined the accounts of the School Board and Treasurer of the School District of Fremont for the year ending August 31, 1920, and find the accounts correctly cast and supported by proper vouchers.
WILCOMB H. BENFIELD, -
Town Auditor.
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SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET OF ESTIMATED EX- PENDITURES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 1, 1921.
*Teachers' salaries $2,450.00
*Books and supplies. 290.00
*Flags and appurtenances 12.00
*Other expenses of instruction 18.00
*Janitor service 60.00
*Fuel 167.00
*Janitors' supplies 24.00
*Minor repairs
63.00
* Medical inspection
50.00
*Transportation of pupils
936.00
*Other special activities
20.00
High school and academy tuition
670.00
$2 per pupil state tax.
216.00
General purposes (officers' salaries, equip- ment, etc.)
285.00
Total needed for all educational purposes Amount received from other sources. 1,530.00
$5,261.00
Amount to be raised by taxation of the dis- trict
$3,731.00
Amount estimated to be received from state ..
$1,490.00
Amount estimated to be received from dog tax 40.00
Total received from sources other than taxation
$1,530.00
*The items so marked are the joint expense of the dis- trict and state, the district paying an amount equal to the $5 per $1,000 of the inventory tax and the state paying the balance. Items so marked total $4,090.
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To the Voters in the Fremont School District:
The tabulated figures which appear before this letter are taken from the school record book, but this letter I am alone responsible for, so if there is anyone who feels that they want to criticise it, criticise me alone, not the other two members of the school board.
Supervised Schools.
We are rounding out the second year of supervised schools, and notwithstanding the fact that some of the par- ents think that supervision is not necessary, I believe that the schools speak for themselves and in this short period show that the standard has been raised at least 50 per cent. This became possible through state-wide supervision, standardizing of all elementary schools by bringing up the studies to a certain standard. This has progressed in the Fremont schools to a great degree of satisfaction, both to the superintendent, Mr. Pitkin, and the school board.
Noon-Day Lunches.
A certain number of the parents made a strenuous pro- test to the noon-day lunch proposition. This is something that has been in effect ever since "Adam and Eve" went to school, provided they lived far enough away from the school to warrant carrying their dinner-box. Now the only difference in this old plan and the new is this: the town furnishes an oil stove, on which lunches are warmed up, and instead of having your children sit around and eat a cold lunch, there is a chance of warming it. Cocoa is made, and in all a wholesome rather than a cold lunch is enjoyed by the pupils. To be sure, this could be carried out to a better conclusion if we had more room in the schools; but under the circumstances we are doing the very best we can for the pupils with what we have to do with.
Health Crusade.
Another lot of parents have protested the Health Cru- sade as being a foolish move, and one that is working a
42
hardship on the children. For your benefit I will outline the things that the pupils are asked to do, not compulsory, but to do it on his or her own free will and accord, but that a daily record must be kept of this performance.
1. Wash the hands, neck and ears at least once a day.
2. Clean the teeth at least twice a day.
3. Take at least 15 good, long breaths of GOOD FRESH AIR every day.
4. To get at least 10 hours' sleep each night.
5. To keep fingers and pencils out of mouth.
6. To abstain from tea and coffee with their meals, using milk or water.
7. To take a body bath at least once a week.
8. To take at least 15 to 20 minutes' healthful exer- cise each day.
This is in effect the Health Crusade, and if keeping children clean and healthful is working a hardship on them, I say it's time the hardship was worked on them.
School Rooms.
We are badly pressed for room in our schools, the pri- mary having 51 enrolled and the grammar 41. This, as you all know. is somewhat of a crowd and makes the air bad in both rooms, notwithstanding the fact that there is good ventilation in all of our schools.
About a year ago some talk was made of centralizing the schools in one building, and a meeting was held to dis- cuss the project. Soon after this meeting the Board was asked to withhold action, as it then looked as if we were to receive the gift of a model brick schoolhouse from the Spaulding heirs. This plan, however, did not material- ize, for when the plans were submitted for bids the lowest bid received was approximately 100 per cent more than the architect had estimated. This was due to the rising market in building material and labor, and it was de- cided to wait until the building operations got down nearer to a normal basis, which, I believe you will all agree, was good common sense. We had been excused on the strength
43
of this new school building from making repairs on the old ones, but after it had been decided to wait, Mr. Frost of Spaulding & Frost Co. gave the Board authority to have temporary repairs made, as was necessary, and they paid the bills ; so to date the repairs on all of our schoolhouses have cost the town nothing. The temporary repairs, how- ever, do not take care of the housing proposition at all, and we are still in an overcrowded condition, which can only be taken care of by a centralized school of at least three rooms. Some might say reopen the South Side school. This would not relieve the situation at all, as the scholars do not all go to one school, and the small number that come from that district would not relieve the con- gestion.
We hope that the Spaulding heirs will see their way clear to erect a school for Fremont that will accommodate the children and give them more of the advantages that the chilren of the same ages are getting in some of the larger towns.
Teachers.
We have been more than fortunate in securing teachers of great merit. Our grammar school, under the tutoring of Mrs. J. H. Ellis, is making great strides in the line of progress ; and the work of Miss Dorothy Parks of Barre, Vt., in the primary and Miss Ruth King of Passumpsic, Vt., in the Pine District is certainly remarkable. I be- lieve that our schools rate as high as any in the supervisory union.
Superintendent.
While we know that our teachers are as good as the best, all the credit of their success is not alone due to their own efforts. In our superintendent, F. E. Pitkin, we have a man who is working night and day for the good of the schools, and it is through his efforts, combined with good teachers, that our schools are surely raising their standard, and in time will equal those of the cities, where greater advantages have been had in the line of buildings and equipment. I believe that it is surely "up to every par-
44
ent" to give the teachers and Mr. Pitkin the necessary support and encouragement in the good work that they are carrying on.
Co-operation.
The secret of success in any line of business is co-opera- tion, and this same thing applies to the schools. If the parents do not co-operate with the school board, teachers and the superintendent, then a certain amount of the good of the schools is lost. This reminds me of a certain party in Fremont that made this remark, "Well, I suppose you have got the schoolhouses now so the scholars cannot see a thing, and now you are satisfied." I asked him if he had been in the schools since the lighting had been changed and he said, "No," so he was in no position to know whether the children could or could not see. This same line of ar- gument applies to the different things that come up in the school life that look like a hardship to the parents. They do not understand them, and some of them do not try to understand them, and criticise the different things with- out knowing what they are talking about. Full co-opera- tion is an absolute necessity to enable the schools to suc- ceed in the way they should.
Conclusion.
As I am finishing up my three-year term, which expires at the next school meeting, I wish to say that I have en- joyed the work and have tried to help the schools in any way that I could. I have been asked by a lot of the voters to come up for re-election, but I can only say now, as I have told them, I have served my time and do not care for another term. I have not the time to devote to it, so I will not allow my name to be put before the school meeting next spring. Wishing the schools of Fremont the success that they deserve,
I am sincerely yours, 1
HAROLD L. JONES.
Chairman Fremont School Board.
Fremont, February 4, 1921.
1
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Board and Citizens of Fremont:
Herewith I submit to you my first annual report for the year which, by law, began Sept. 1, 1919, and ended Aug. 31, 1920.
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW OF 1919.
Fremont is one of the six towns forming Supervisory Union No. 14, of which the other towns are Epping, Sandown, Dan- ville, Kingston and East Kingston. The school boards of the six towns meet annually, and jointly nominate and fix the salary of a superintendent to be employed by the State Board of Education. In 1900 Fremont, Salem and Hamp- stead formed the first supervisory union in the state.
The law provides that each town must maintain standard schools which are defined by the law as follows :
1-Maintained at least 36 weeks in each year.
2-Equipped with approved furniture, books, maps and necessary appliances.
3-Taught by an approved teacher.
4-Directed and supervised by an approved superintendent.
5-With suitable provision for the health and physical wel- fare of the pupils.
6-In a suitable and sanitary building.
The last two statements are further defined by the State Board as follows :
1-The major portion of the light in a class room shall come from the left and rear of the pupils.
2-Ratio of the window area to floor area not to be less than 1 to 5. Several states have the higher standard of 1 to 4.
3-Walls must be in good condition and painted some light color.
45
46
4 Toilets must be free from obscene markings, furnish proper privacy, the vaults to be fly-proof and cleaned three times a year.
5-Heating arrangements must be adequate to maintain a temperature of 68 degrees and ventilation without drafts provided.
6-No common drinking cups allowed; water to be pro- vided in a covered tank with faucet or pump. Facil- ities for washing hands must be provided, but indi-
1 vidual or paper towels must be used, as common towels can spread disease.
DUTIES OF THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT.
The School Board elect and determine the salaries of the teachers, authorize all purchases, prepare financial budget, adopt a curriculum, make out the school calendar, make rules for the attendance of pupils under 8 years of age, arrange for the transportation of pupils, repair buildings, determine which holidays shall be no-school days.
The superintendent prescribes the methods of teaching, nominates the teachers, chooses the text-books and supplies, arranges the order of the topics in each subject of the cur- riculum, sets standards of promotion from one grade to an- other, assisted by the advice of the teacher he promotes and denotes the pupils, distributes and keeps account of the sup- plies.
STATE AID FOR SCHOOLS.
The law provides that if a tax of $5 per $1000 of the in- ventory of the town is insufficient to maintain the required standard schools (pay the teachers, for books, supplies, jani- tor service, fuel, and transportation of pupils two miles or more), the State will furnish the balance required. The $5 tax of this town amounted to $2495.74, and the balance fur- nished by the State amounted to $570.06.
47
SUBJECTS TO BE PARTICULARLY EMPHASIZED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 1920-21.
First: Reading in Grades 4 to 8.
In common with a large percent of the schools throughout the country the pupils of the upper grades are lacking in ability to read to themselves rapidly and remember what they read. Even at the slow rates at which they are able to read silently, they averaged to be able to remember only one-third of the ideas. They ought to read more rapidly and remember two-thirds of the ideas. As this kind of reading is the basis of nearly all studying and of most of the read- ing done after school days are over, we shall give all pupils of the upper grades daily practice in reading.
Second: Fundamental Processes of Arithmetic; Grades 3 to 8.
There is considerable criticism on the part of parents and citizens to the effect that the pupils are not well grounded in the fundamentals of arithmetic. If a pupil is to really profit by the more advanced work, he must have the simple opera- tions of arithmetic so well mastered that the responses are immediate and accurate. We have planned daily drill in this work for all pupils in these grades. We hope as a result that the pupils will have them right on the tips of their tongues.
You are invited to come in and see this drill; it is quite in- teresting.
Third: Health Work and Supervision of Play.
This work will consist of the following four features :
1-Health drills of 3 to 5 minutes given daily in the school room while the room is being aired. This includes exercises that stimulate deep breathing, correct posture, straighten round shoulders, decrease constipation, stimulate the heart, and give suppleness and grace.
2-School ground plays, and games supervised by the teacher. In the old days all boys knew and practiced a great
48
number of games and stunts. They had knocking off hats, collar and elbow wrestle, French wrestle, pom pom, pull away, hare and hound, bull in the ring, snap the whip, common tag, cross tag, stone tag, chin the bar, hop-skip-and-jump, all kinds of jumping, etc., etc.
In general, the boys of today seem to know a very few such games and have little desire to their skill, grit, strength or en- durance in individual contests such as wrestling, pulling the broom stick, twisting wrists, and the old group games Their interest is nearly limited to the games of baseball and football, which are abnormally popular because of the atten- tion given them by colleges and moneyed leagues. In playing these games at school a few of the best developed boys usually monopolize the playground, while the third and underdevel- oped pupils who most need the exercise are only bystanders. The girls likewise know and enjoy but few outdoor games.
Through the supervision of the play by the teachers we plan to increase the number of games and activities that the boys and girls use and enjoy, and to see that the timid and un- developed are taken into the games.
3-Competitive field meets will be held in which all the pupils meet in outdoor physical tests adapted to their ages and sex, and have a few special contests between pupils from different schools and towns. Parents are invited to attend these field meets.
4-The Modern Health Crusade. This work is in part supported by the sale of Red Cross stamps. Pupils are re- warded by appropriate pins for regularly washing their face and hands, sleeping ten hours a day with windows open, draw- ing deep breaths, brushing teeth, drinking plenty of water, etc.
Fourth : Good Manners and Civil Behavior.
It is part of the teacher's written contract that she will supervise the play at recess and the children and building during the noon hour. By this means we hope to prevent
49
cheating, bullying, swearing, immoral talk, and unfair teas- ing and fighting on the playground. Teachers are asked to insist that the pupils use good manners and decency at all times on the school premises, to respect school and neighbor- ing property and that of other pupils, and not to let the fol- lowing go unpunished : saucily speaking to a passerby, defac- ing books, marking desks, toilets or buildings, snowballing girls, little boys and passing people, or interfering with teams left standing near the school. If the plan succeeds, it will be of more value as training for citizenship than reading and reciting on many pages of civil government.
Too MANY PUPILS PER TEACHER IN VILLAGE.
Though the teachers in the village were exceedingly dili- gent and faithful, it was a great injustice to the pupils to be in four-grade rooms with 51 pupils enrolled for one teacher. It either means that it must take the pupils more than eight years to complete the eight grades or that the work must be done less thoroughly. The fact that the rooms are small, that the seats are double, and that practically every seat has two pupils in it makes conditions for teaching still more un- favorable. The teachers are at a great disadvantage in en- deavoring to obtain standard results with the pupils. There should be at least three rooms and three teachers in the vil- lage.
On the following pages you will find the following groups of data and information which will aid you in understanding the work and in judging the efficiency of the schools. Brief remarks follow in some cases.
1-Regulations concerning the attendance of pupils under 8 years of age.
2-Dates for terms, holidays and hours of school.
3-Outline of the curriculum adopted by the School Board.
4-Standards of promotion set by the superintendent for 2 each grade.
5-Daily time-tables of the school day.
6-Attendance statistics.
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7-Promotion and loss table.
8-List of teachers for 1919-1920.
9-List of high school and seminary pupils.
10-Results of standard tests in handwriting, silent reading, addition and substraction.
11-Report of health inspection.
Respectfully submitted, F. E. PITKIN, Superintendent of Schools.
REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD CONCERNING THE ATTENDANCE OF CHILDREN UNDER 8 YEARS OF AGE.
1- No pupil is to be admitted that is less than 5 years and 11 months of age on September 1 of the year he enters.
2-Attendance must be regular, except in case of quaran- tine or sickness of pupil. For irregular attendance, a pupil under 8 years of age may be dropped from school for the remainder of the year.
3-Pupils beginning the first grade must enter during the first three weeks of the fall term.
SCHOOL CALENDAR ADOPTED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD.
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