USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Milford > Annual reports of the Town officers of Milford, New Hampshire, 1920-1921 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
"The school board of each district in its annual report shall state in detail the additional sums of money, if any, which will be required during the ensuing fiscal year for the support of the public schools, for the purchase of text books scholars' supplies, flags and appurtenances, ** *and for the payment of all other statutory obliga- tions of the district. The selectmen of the town in their next annual assessment shall assess upon the taxable property of the district a sum sufficient to meet the ob-
95
ligations above enumerated, with such alterations thereof as may be voted by the district, and when collected shall pay the same over to the district treasurer."
Section 22 states : "In any district in which the money produced by a tax of five dollars on a thousand dollars of the value of the ratable estates in the district is in- sufficient to maintain the required elementary and spec- ial schools, and to purchase the required text books, scholars' supplies, flags and appurtenances, the state board shall provide the balance of the money necessary from the money appropriated for that purpose by the provisions of this act. In districts so aided the state board, acting through the local school board, shall ad- minister all money available for the maintenance of the public schools and shall account for the money raised by the districts as well as that furnished by the state."
Section 10 states: "Each school district in the state shall pay to the state treasurer on or before December I in each year, as its share of the expense incident to state- wide supervision of the public schools, a sum equal to, two dollars for each child residing in the district who was enrolled in the public schools in the last preceding school year, and the selectmen shall annually assess up- on the value of the ratable estate of the district a sum sufficient for this purpose."
This means that the school board reports the number of children registered to the selectmen, who assess this two-dollar tax without vote of the school district.
Laws of 1909, Chap. 22, state: "At its annual meet- ing each school district shall determine and appoint the salaries of its school board and truant officer. Truant officers or agents appointed by school boards are re- quired annually in September to make enumeration of children.
Laws of 1917, state: "The fiscal year of town and special school districts beginning February 16, 1917, shall end August 31, 1918, and thereafter the fiscal year
96
and scholastic year shall end August 31 annually."
Milford is one of the few districts not yet actually on this basis, but should become so in order to be eligible for state aid. A thorough analysis of costs seems to indicate that we have spent and must continue to spend for support of elementary schools more than the amount of money produced by a $5 tax as mentioned above, and that accordingly we are eligible for state aid. To se- cure this we must raise and appropriate money for schools for the fiscal year Sept 1, 1920 to August 31, 1921. The period from Feb. 1, 1920 to August 31, 1920 must be bridged by a deficiency appropriation, or by a vote authorizing the school board to borrow money September 1, 1920 to cover the expenses incurred up to that date. In this way the burden could be distributed over a period of years.
The budgets submitted in Appendix H show esti- mates for both periods and are framed to meet the re -. quirements of eligibility for state aid.
Conclusion
In this report I have not attempted to cover the field at all fully, but rather to point out some things that need to be carefully considered in the formation of plans for next year.
Although we may truly say that the teacher is the most important part of the school system, yet, in New Hampshire, the state board of education, the superinten- dent, the local school board, the parents and the citizens all have a part to do if we are to make New Hampshire schools meet the standards set up by the Educational Law of 1919-standards which are being recognized all over the United States as superior to those of any other state in the Union.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD C. BALES
Feb. 5, 1920.
97
REPORT OF HEADMASTER
Mr. Harold C. Bales :
I am submitting herewith my report as headmaster of the Milford High School.
The total enrollment of the school to date has been 158, of whom 82 are boys and 76 girls. Among these are 37 students from the neighboring towns of Amherst, Bedford, Lyndeboro, Greenfield and Bennington. As a rule these non-resident pupils can be classed with our most earnest and capable students.
Last year 21 students were graduated, of whom nine went to college, four to business college, two, to a nurses' training school, one to Normal school, one to Wentworth Institute, and one to a school for gymnastics.
We are working this year under the Revised Program of Studies for Secondary Schools which was issued dur- ing the past summer and which is the first to be issued since the recent school law went into effect. According to this law the state board of education controls all the public schools of the state. The scheme of administra- tion that is followed is a most sensible, practical and ef- ficient mean between the loose and de-centralized sys- tem of Massachusetts and the autocratic centralized sys- tem of New York State. The New Hampshire State Pro- gram serves as a most helpful guide to the school officials as it outlines all the subjects to be taught and also sets the standards which the approved schools must maintain. The Milford high school is keeping up to the required standards and has been approved by the state board after recent visits by the state agents.
The courses offered are the same as last year, namely : academic, commercial, domestic arts, and mechanic arts. This year we graduate the first group of boys to. com- plete the four-year mechanic arts course. Five boys are expected to receive their diplomas.
98
Thirty-one boys and 35 girls entered the freshman class last September. Fifteen pupils elected the aca- demic course, fifteen the commercial, fourteen the do- mestic arts, and twenty-two the mechanic arts. The pres- ent senior class has seven pupils in the academic course, 12 in the commercial, seven in the domestic arts, and five in the mechanic arts, making a total of 31. Comparing the entering and outgoing classes it is seen that the per- centage of pupils taking the Latin course has remained about the same; that of those taking the commercial course the percentage has dropped from 40 to 24; that for the domestic science course it has remained the same ; while for the mechanic arts course the percentage has nearly doubled.
Some good work is being done in the various depart- ments. The commercial group has gained valuable ex- perience while helping the other parts of the school by doing a considerable amount of typewriting for them. It has also, when called upon, supplied stenographers to the superintendent, to myself, and others.
The domestic arts girls are doing well. The first year students are studying cooking and sewing. At the beginning of the year they learned a great deal by can- ning many fruits and vegetables sent in to be done by various people. They have served five meals to invited guests, three girls-one hostess, one waitress, and one cook-having charge of each meal and being criticised afterwards upon the way in which they per- formed their various duties. The sophomore girls are studying sanitation and household appliances; the jun- ior girls physiology and nursing ; and the senior girls household organization.
The state agent in charge of mechanic arts expressed himself as highly pleased with the work being done in our shop. The boys are interested and are being taught to make things that are useful and that will pass the tests of workmanlike appearance and actual usability. During
99
the past year the boys have made a large percentage of the small repairs needed about the building, wired the White school, built a tool room for the machine shop, , made a table with a 12-inch octagonal standard and a 5-foot top for the domestic arts department, established a checking system for tools, and made many useful articles such as egg beaters, garden markers, drying screens, wheelbarrows, small wagon bodies, chains, hooks and rings, hand cultivator, hand truck, completed an emery wheel grinder, and many other things as well as install- ing an electric motor. The department must have a mil- ling machine if the seniors are to complete the work re- quired of them by the state board. Also, with this machine the boys could make several other machines that are very necessary.
During the past week reports for the second quarter of the year were sent out. An analysis of the ranks ob- tained by the pupils is interesting. For this period, as well as for the first quarter, Miss Alma Sargent of the freshman class was the only student to receive a rank of 90 per cent or over in each of her studies. Eleven pupils reached 85 or over in each subject, 29 had an average of 85 or over, while 35 students failed in one or more sub- jects. The majority of the latter are deficient in only one subject and can catch up by working hard. Some of the failures are more serious. This leaves over one half of the school doing work that ranks between 70 and 85 per cent. Of this number there are some who are con- tent with merely passing, and too few who take pride in mastering a subject that can be conquered only by a struggle. While there are a considerable number of very fine students in the school, there are also more of the in- different ones than should be expected.
There may be reasons for this last failing, but there are at least a few things that will improve the situation. When the pupils can be brought to realize, outside of school as well as inside, the necessity and value as well
100
as the real satisfaction that comes from hard work well done, many of them will do better. Too few of them realize this now, although the number who do is increas- ing. It would help too if more could know earlier in their course what they are going to do after graduation. If they would decide early enough, the right kind of students could prepare for any school or college in the country right here in Milford. It would mean hard work of course, but the means are at hand. And this can be done without in any way neglecting the rights of the great majority who will not or can not continue their ed- uration beyond the high school. I would suggest that parents who want their children to go to higher institu- tions, but do not see their way clear to do it four years ahead, at least have their children elect the right course when entering high school. Then, if opportunity comes later, the children will be ready to grasp it. Very often are students discouraged because, when they decide at the last minute that they want to continue their educa- tion, they find they have not taken the right courses and are blocked. On the other hand, if a student wants a practical arts course and knows why he wants it, he should take it and should be prepared to find that it is just as hard and just as useful to a boy with a definite goal in view as is the academic course. There are a few in school who should change their courses if they intend to reach the schools which they now have in mind. Such a procedure has been recommended to them. Unfortu- nately some have the idea that it doesn't matter anyway, as they are going to another school to finish their pre- paration. Now schools are like people, and while many do not live up to their reputation and to what is expected of them, very few do more than that. Students should be led to expect that all the preparation needed can be ob- tained right here, as I have said before, for it can be done. Such an attitude as this would have a very helpful effect on scholarship.
101
We are continuing this year with the six and one- quarter hour day and supervised study. While super- vised study will not always make it possible for a stu- dent to do all of his work in school, it will help to show him how to use his time efficiently wherever he may study. The system is good and is giving good results, but even so many of the poorer students should do a considerable amount of work outside if they plan to keep up with the standard set by the State of New Hampshire.
I should like to suggest to the parents who may read this report that if they notice that their children are do- ing little or no studying at home, they carefully scrutin- ize the next report cards that are sent home and notice whether the marks are of much more than merely pas- sing grade. One more thing that is hurting the work of the pupils is the unusually large number of outside at- tractions. With children of high school age school should come first, and while parents are to decide how their children shall spend their time, nevertheless it re- mains true that no high school student can do the work he should if he goes out several evenings each week.
The discipline as a whole has been satisfactory.
To relieve the tediousness of the long 60-minute reci- tation periods a system of physical exercise has been established. At present the school is divided into four groups and each group devotes ten minutes each day to physical exercise which is held in the assembly hall. The students find it very interesting and it is hoped that it will be beneficial to their health and tend to make them more alert in their classes. When the weather permits outdoor work the four groups will be combined into one group which will meet twice daily.
Respectfully submitted,
AUBREY F. HILLS
February 2, 1920.
Headmaster.
102
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To Harold C. Bales :
I respectfully submit to you my report of the work in music.
Although I have been working in the schools only a short time I believe that improvement has been made.
I find that the sight singing books in use in the schools are extremely technical. Unless children are taught beautiful songs which appeal to them they soon lose interest in their music. Each month I have made it a point to be sure that the children had beautiful songs on their outline. I firmly believe that all technical work can be mastered through the song.
I have selected the songs for the first grade from "The Congdon Music Primer" which is especially arran- ged for first and second grades. We have ordered a suf- ficient number of these but they have been delayed. This has been a handicap as I have had only three books of this kind to use in the seven first grades. It has been necessary for me to copy the songs on the blackboards. The children love the little songs and not only sing the words but learn the notes as the second verse. In fact some children prefer the notes, which is gratifying.
Through the lower grades a great deal of individual work is being done. The children like it and think it is quite an honor to stand and sing a song to the teacher.
Nearly half the children are monotones when they enter school. The monotones were discovered during the first month and work started to awaken their musical perceptions. They beam with happiness when they feel they can sing like the other children.
I find the books used in the grammar grades are too far advanced and pupils lose interest on that account. In the rural schools we are using one book in four grades and as long as these books are in use it is not possible
-
103
for me to establish a definite course in music as I hoped I might do.
The adolescent period especially is an age of emo- tionalism for the development of the finer sentiments. The child is becoming conscious of himself as a factor in the race. The "gang" spirit is in the air and should be recognized in our music. Team work finds its expres- sion in part singing. Here music of sheer beauty of melody and appealing harmonies must be used if we are to hold the interest of these young people.
To my mind the most important point in music in the schools is teaching the pupils to love to sing and to ap- preciate good music. They cannot ALL become good singers (some are physically incapacitated) but all can become good listeners. Now to do this we must have music books flooded with songs so that to be able to sing will be a pleasure.
Another means of awakening an appreciation of music is through the mechanical player. The phono- graph might be used very successfully to familiarize children with excellent music. It a few public spirited citizens who have phonographs would care to help us along this line it would be highly appreciated.
Most of the teachers have worked with me in music very well. An outline of each month's work has been sent to the teacher in advance, giving her ample time to prepare the work before teaching the lessons. In this way the teachers work with me and we are accomplish- ing a good deal.
Respectfully submitted
GLENDEEN B. SHARP.
104
STATISTICS OF SCHOOL YEAR 1919-1920
Whole number registered 796
Whole number registered who have not at- tended school elsewhere in the state
737
Boys
387
Girls
350
Number under 5 years
0
Number between 5 and 8
164
Number between 8 and 14
400
Number between 14 and 16
105
Number over 16
63
Number non resident pupils attending high school
19
Number non resident pupils attending elementary II
I4I
Boys
75
Girls
66
Average attendance in high school 116.77
Percent attendance in high school 95.30
Average attendance of all schools 634.51
Average absence of all schools 43.96
Average membership of all schools
679.56
Percent attendance of all schools
94.06
Number not absent or tardy during year
34
Aggregate number of tardinesses 955
Weeks in year, high school
38
Weeks in year, elementary schools
36
Total number schools below high school
I7
Number of mixed or rural I-room schools
5
Average membership of one-room schools
21.14
Aggregate number of days lost from all causes
232.5
Average weekly salary of women teachers
below high school $17.14
Number pupils registered in high school
105
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES, 1919
Theodore Bernasconi
Ida Calvetti
William. Courage , Alice Cragin
Ina Crosby
Emily Frye
Kent Greeley
Pearl Hartshorn
Elizabeth Henricson
Ruth Holt. Hertha Hussey Winston Kittredge Harry Melendy
Patricia Murphy
Theresa O'Neil
Pauline Peabody
Gertrude Pirovano
Edwin Quimby
Lillian Richardson
John Rizzi Kenneth Reiley Ida Ruonala
Lucie Russell Elizabeth Sario
John Scaglarini Lloyd Stimson Rita Thomas Leo White
Fred Bills Edward Cassidy Raymond Consigli Percy Crowell Dorothy Dolliver Horace Gilson Royal Harmaala John Harris Frank Holland Royal Hutchinson Harold Joslin Christine MacDonald Almeda Merrill John O'Neil Leland Parkhurst Russell Philbrick Edwin Putnam Frances. Rawding Russell Riddle Kathleen Reilly Annie Riley Elgin Sanderson Lillian Stein Alma Sargent Agnes Stanton Helen Sullivan Carl Wendelin Charles Woodbury
Andrew Young
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, CLASS OF 1919.
Jennie Blood Leo Brahaney Martin Calderara Ellen Conley
Bertha Bohonan Mary Caccivio Guy Came Marion Crosby
106
Ruth Emerson
Esther Fox.
Malcolm Jewett
Earl Dunbar Lucinda Jennison Daniel Lorden
Marian Parker
Ethelyn Rice
Mary Macchi Ida Romani Thomas Soraghan
Mario Trentini
Winifred Stearns
Mary Sullivan
Winthrop Wadleigh
Joseph Goldman
Report of Medical Inspection
Health Inspection of Milford School Children, Oct, 1919
Number examined 639
Notices sent to parents
384
Defective teeth 327
Hypertrophied tonsils
I29
Defective vision
44
Unvaccinated
IO
Gland diseases
2
Orthopedic defects
2
Endicott Park Account
Dr.
Balance from last year
$264 54
Rent of Park 46 00
$310 54
Cr.
Paid Frank P. Fisk, new seats
$19 61
Cash on hand 290 93
$310 54
107
STATISTICS OF TEACHERS, FEBRUARY 1, 1920
Name
Grade
Weekly salary
Years in Milford
Previous experience
Training or school
Barker, Edith A.
2&3 $16 00
2
5
Lowell Normal, 1910
Colburn, Althea S.
8 $18 00
1
5 Plymouth Nr. Sum '19
Cooley, Leon F.
H $34 21
0
11/2 N. H. State College '17
Dickinson, Mabelle C. 6 $17 00
Garrity, Beatrice
H $21 05
0
Goldman, Deborah
1-5 $15 00 6
1
Hagar, Alberta
$17 00
1
4
Herlihy, Alice F.
H $26 32
1
20 Nashua Training C's.
Hills, Aubrey F.
H $44 79
1
91/2
Boston University. '08 Keene Normal, 1915 Cushing Academy
Kendall, P. B. H
$32 89
2 11/2 9
3 Bridgewater Normal Fitchburg Normal
Lancey, Gladys I.
1-5 $15 00
1
30 Wilbraham Academy
Marsh, Evelyn .
1-5
$16 00
1212
3 Cushing Academy
Moore, Edith C.
Ħ
$23 68
1
0 Worcester Business In
Needham, Ina M.
8 $19 00
2
28 Danville, Ill. Normal
Pettee, Mary A.
1 $18 00
15
10
Francestown Acad.
Sandlun, Hazel R.
4-5 $16 00
1 Keene Normal, 1918
Sharp, Glendeen,
Sp $ 6 56
5 Detroit Music Col.
Sutherland, Bessie
3 $17 00
20
Shelburn Training. Brown University '19
Tobie, Minnie M.
$20 00
141/2
22
Keene & Ply. Normal
Trumbull, Clara M.
5 $19 00
10
8 Norridgewock Me. H.S
Twombly, Belle
H $21 05
2
41/2 Bates College, 1912
Wheeler, Mary A.
1-5 $15 00
Young, Muriel B. 1-2-3 $14 00
0
1 Fitchburg & Keene Nr Wheelock School.
0
11
· New Hampton Com. Simmons College Salem Normal Keene Normal
Hutchinson, Edith
1 $16 00
Kieley, Eleanor M. 2 $18 00
Mack, Mary E. M.
4 $17 00
Thomae, Florence R Ħ $18 42
7
The average weekly wage of women teachers in the elementary school is $16.77; in the high school $21.49; and of all women teach- ers, $17.95.
108
REPORT OF TREASURER OF SCHOOL DISTRICT
MAURICE G. JEWETT, Treasurer, In account with School District of Milford
Dr.
Balance as per last report $ 1,474 69
Unexpended balance on Park acct. 264 54 Amounts received as follows :
Board of Selectmen
Appropriations
30,505 00
Advances to cover overdraft
4,495 00
Tuitions
1,617 50
Domestic Arts Dept.
51 97
Mechanic Arts Dept.
SI 26
Sale of books and supplies
61 81
Sale of lawn mower
5 00
Sale of wheelbarrow
4 00
Sale of boiler
20 00
State of New Hampshire
Vocational Education
500 00
Dog licenses
476 60
Rent of Park
46 00
Rebate of freight on coal
37 79
$39,641 16
Cr.
Payments on orders of School Board
$38,756 68
Balance of cash on hand 593 55
Bal. of Park Account unexpended
290 93
$39,641 16
Respectfully submitted, MAURICE G. JEWETT, Treasurer.
109
SCHOOL BOARD'S FINANCIAL STATEMENT Receipts
Balance as per last report $ 342 68
Appropriations 1919
30,505 00
Tuitions received to Feb. 1, 1920
1617 50
Cash from Domestic Arts
51 97
Cash from Mechanic Arts
81 26
Sale of books and supplies
61 81
Sale of lawn mower
5 00
Sale of wheelbarrow
4 00
Sale of old boiler
20 00
State of N. H. Vocational aid
500 00
Dog licenses
476 60
Rebate freight on coal
37 79
$33,704 61
Expenditures
Orders drawn on District Treasurer
$38,716 07
PURPOSE OF EXPENDITURES Administration
Superintendent
$802 48
Truant officer and census
60 00
Clerk
50 00
Other expenses
165 80
$1078 28
Instruction
Salaries of teachers
$22,929 19
Textbooks
730 19
Scholars' supplies
I821 26.
Graduation expenses
36 89
Other expenses of instruction
88 30
$25,605 83
Operation of Plant
Janitor service Fuel
$1777 79
Water
1902 10 207 33
110
Light and Power
358 13
Building supplies
197 08
$4442 43
Maintenance of Plant :
Upkeep of grounds
$ 21 40
Repair of buildings (regular)
333 63
Repair White school (special)
440 87
Repair and replacement of heating, lighting, plumbing equipment 562 08
Other repairs 37 45
$1395 43
Auxiliary Agencies and Special Activities:
School libraries
$ 56 10
Health service
23 17
Cartage
32 09
Transportation
2157 36
$2268 72
Fixed Charges:
Insurance
$
52 50
Debt, Interest and Other Charges:
Tax for statewide supervision
$1692 00
Payment on principal of debt
1000 00
Payment of interest on debt
380 00
$3072 00
Outlay for Construction and Equipment :
Blower (special)
$220 02
Mechanic Arts (special)
461 14
Domestic Arts
5 86
High School
39 17
Elementary schools
74 69
$800 88
$38,716 07
Receipts as above
$33,704 61
Overdraft
$50II 46
111
ORDERS ON DISTRICT TREASURER
Superintendent
A. W. Smith Harold C. Bales
$702 48
100 00
$802 48
Truant Officer and Census
J. J. Monteith (for 1918)
$
60 00
Clerk
Vileta P. Nelson $ 50 00
Other Expenses of Administration
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co., service and tolls $60 10
Harold C. Bales, postage and carfare 30 87
A. W. Smith, postage and carfare 19 72
A. B. Rotch, postage II 29
Milford Cabinet, printing 24 53
C. F. Williams Co. account sheets 6 24
Office Appliance Co., duplicator 5 83
Library Bureau, cards and guides
4 14
E. E. Babb & Co., file I 08
Vineland Training school, Binet sheets I 00
College Entrance Ex. Board I 00
$165 80
Teachers' Salaries, High School
Herlihy, Alice F.
1390 62
Hills, Aubrey F.
894 70
Kendall, Pierce B.
1360 95
Kimball, Roy
743 46
Cooley, Leon F.
648 20
Bruce, Robert
463.16
Burnett, Agnes
437 67
Garrity, Beatrice F.
417 63
Keirstead, Edith S.
294 72
Moore, Edith C.
975 06
O'Connor, Margaret
428 20
112
Rourke, Anna
436 51
Twombly, Belle
858 46
Thomae, Florence R.
368 40
Wyman, Charles
210 00
Gilson, Stella A.
90 00
Kendall, Sara
3 37
Reese, C. A.
2 10
N. E. Teachers' Agency
65 00
$10,124 21
Teachers' Salaries, Elementary
Barker, Edith
$660 20
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.