USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Pittsford > Annual report of the board of officers of the town of Pittsford, Vermont, for the year ending 1906-1909 > Part 11
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It seems to me unfortunate that, when a new building is erected, the school rooms in it should not be made in con- formity with what authorities upon the construction of mod- ern school building's state is essential in the matter of light- ing, heating, ventilation, and the arrangement of blackboards. I will merely state that in the arrangement of blackboards, and lighting, these rooms seem to me very faulty and tend to injure the eyesight of pupils.
ENROLLMENT.
The following table shows the largest number of pupils in attendance in each of the schools of the town. The present enrollment is a little less.
45
High School,
62
Grammar School,
41
Village Intermediate,
50
Village Primary,
35
Mills Intermediate,
35
Mills Primary,
44
Fowler Grammar,
24
Fowler Primary,
46
Florence Grammar,
18
Florence Primary,
37
Furnace,
30
Douglas,
24
Goodnough,
25
Hudson,
19
East Pittsford,
14
PUBLIC INTEREST.
That there is an awakening interest in the schools by the citizens of the town is shown in several ways: a "teachers' club"-social in its nature-has been formed, and several citizens have already opened their homes for its meetings; several "mothers' meetings" have been held by the ladies · of the town, at which addresses on school matters have been made; the Friday Club has had special educational programs during the year, when the needs and the work of the local schools were taken up; the "Parents' Days" held at several of the schools have been well attended, and several citizens have already addressed the High school, and others have promised to do so. Addresses have been given by Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, of Webster, Mass., Dr. Chadwick, Miss Eleanor Manley and Mr. Rollin Smith. At the Pre-Memorial Day exercises last May, Rev. Mr. Smith, Rev. Mr. Curtis and Rev. Father Lynch gave addresses in different schools. The pub- lic schools are a public trust, and those who can contribute to their usefulness should be willing to do so.
46
MUSIC.
Instruction in music is being given systematically and well, and constant improvement among the pupils is being made. For detailed information in regard to the work I refer you to the report of Miss Rockwood, the Supervisor of Music.
SCHOOL ROOM DECORATION.
Until this year, no attempts have been made to render the school rooms more attractive by tinted walls, and the pur- chase of pictures. If no funds are at hand for the purchase of pictures, the walls of all rooms can, and should be, tinted in colors which are pleasing and restful to the eye. This has been done at several of the school houses.
The pupils at the Grammar school, under the direction of their teacher, Miss Cline, raised money for the purchase of three pictures for their room, namely: "Sir Galahad," by Watts; "The Angelus," by Millet; and "The Colosseum." Miss Parsons presented her school at Christmas time with the picture "Feeding Her Birds," by Millet. Miss Erickson's school has raised money for the purchase of a picture of Lincoln, which will be presented at the Lincoln exercises.
Here is an opportunity for those who may wish to help make our school rooms more attractive.
TEXT BOOKS.
Additions have been made to our text books, especially in the way of additional and better reading books, music books, - spellers and text books for the High school. I recommend a gradual displacementof the Ward readers now in use and the substitution of a series in which the element of interest is greater.
No maps have as yet been purchased for the schools. These are greatly needed, and inasmuch as the schools are now quite well supplied with text books, attention should be given to the purchase of wall maps for all our schools.
47
HIGH SCHOOL.
During the past two years the work of the High school has been systematized and is gradually being brought to a higher standard. Excellent work is being done by the High school teachers. For detailed report I refer you to the report of Mr. Ratti, Principal of the High school.
THE GREAT NEED.
That a new building is greatly needed for the High school and village schools and part of the students at the Mills, is a fact known to the citizens of Pittsford. That there should be a building suitable for the needs of these schools, before next winter, seems hardly open to argument. That Pittsford can well afford to erect a building, ample for the needs of the town for many years to come, and one that every person in town may be proud of, is already talked by those who have the town's interest at heart. The following are facts. The High school has outgrown its present quarters. More recita- tion room must be provided for. A physical laboratory should be provided for. The Grammar school, too, is not properly provided for. The cloak rooms in the present building are inadequate. The toilets are not well located. The Village Intermediate school has outgrown its room. The lighting in this room is poor. The ventilation is poor. There are too many grades in the room and also in the Primary room. This is true also of the schools at the Mills. The boys and girls of Pittsford cannot receive the best instruction under present conditions. I recommend that steps be taken with- out delay looking towards better school accommodations for the High school and schools in the two villages.
IN GENERAL.
I wish to state that all teachers in the town seem to have the interest of the pupils at heart, and are doing good work in the schools. There seems to be a growing interest in school work on the part of the pupils. We wish that parents
48
would visit the schools oftener and confer with teachers about their children's work. The schools have been more closely connected with the Public Library this year through the will- ingness of the teachers and the librarian to place books from the library in several of the schools.
I have made over 160 visits to the schools of the town, con- ferred with the teachers regarding their work, given assis- tance whenever I could, addressed various schools and have endeavored to bring more interest into the school work.
I wish to thank you, gentlemen, for the consideration you have given the questions brought to your notice and the aid you have given me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
WINTHROP P. ABBOTT, Superintendent of Schools.
February 1st, 1909.
Report of Principal.
MR. W. P. ABBOTT, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- I beg leave to submit the following report of the work of the Pittsford High school during the past year.
Among other things worthy of note is the fact that a sup- ply of new text books has been added to our equipment since last spring. For the present, our needs in this respect are fully supplied. Besides this, enough new physical apparatus has been placed in our laboratory so that we can now give a thorough course in Physics. This addition is much appre- ciated by the students and the quality of the work done there has been noticeably bettered.
The school was somewhat handicapped last year, but this year it has readily taken up the work outlined and with such satisfactory results that we can now give courses equal to those given by the larger High schools of the State.
49
This year the school is much larger than it has been for some time; and, although we shall graduate a class of thir- teen, the prospects are that we may have a still larger school next year, as the entering class is large. In that case we fear that the recitation rooms will be inadequate.
One of the most noticeable things about our rooms is the entire lack of decorations. This condition seems to us to be deplorable, especially since the rooms could be made very attractive at a moderate expense.
We also wish to call attention to the lack of proper fire protection. It is true that a fire-escape has been purchased, but it has not been set up. If a fire were to start from the furnace room, which is directly under the exit, the results might be rather serious.
In looking up the record of work done by the pupils, we have several times found that the records are incomplete and unsatisfactory. This is due to the fact that the record book is entirely inadequate for the needs of a school offering the courses that we now do.
This term outside work of two kinds is being done by the school. One of these is a play to be given by the Senior class. Miss Pomeroy has given the choice of the play and the drilling of the cast much time and attention. The other is the preparation for the presentation of an operatta to be given by the whole school for the benefit of the Athletic association. This work is in charge of Miss Rockwood, the Supervisor of Music. In this work, as well as in the regular routine, the students have shown an admirable spirit of will- ingness.
In the latter part of the Fall term, a High school orchestra was organized. This has been working steadily under the leadership of Miss Rockwood, and promises to become a pleasant and beneficial feature of our school activity.
The meetings of the Lyceum have been discontinued, and in their place we have substituted rhetoricals on alternate Fridays. On each of the other Fridays we have tried to have
50
a speaker from among the local men and women, who could talk to the school on some subject of interest and educational value. So far, our experience has been a decided success, and we wish to here thank publicly all those who have so kindly assisted us in making it the success that it is. Both the speaking and the rhetoricals commence at three o'clock on Friday afternoons, and we most urgently invite the parents and friends to attend.
For the Winter term we have thought it best to introduce each afternoon a period of light gymnastics. It is hoped that this may offset the effects of the close confinement of the pupils during these months.
Lately there has been an evident increase of interest in the schools on the part of the ladies of the town. We think that it is a matter of the utmost importance that there should be co-operation between the parents and the teachers, if the best results are to be obtained. One of the things that the parents should insist upon is regularity and punctuality in attendance. Without this, the work of the classes is broken up and the standard of the school is lowered.
In closing, I wish to thank the teachers for the interest which they have shown in the school and for their willingness to do even more than could justly be demanded of them. I also wish to thank you for your kind and helpful advice which we have always found most practical and acceptable.
Respectfully submitted,
GINO A. RATTI, Principal.
Pittsford High School, February 2, 1909.
Report of Supervisor of Music.
MR. W. P. ABBOTT, Superintendent of Schools.
I have the honor to submit to you my first report as teacher of music in the schools of Pittsford.
When music was introduced in January, 1908, there had been no systematic instruction of the subject except in the
51
village schools. Now every school in the town with the ex- ception of East Pittsford is visited at least once in two weeks. Besides the work given by the grade teachers the following schools are visited by the supervisor:
Twice a week, Village Primary and Intermediate, and Mills Primary and Intermediate.
Three times in two weeks, Florence Primary and Interme- mediate, and Fowler Primary and Intermediate.
Once every week, High school, Furnace and Hudson.
Once every two weeks, Goodnough and Douglas.
The Primary schools have fifteen minute lessons, the Inter- mediate twenty-five, the Grammar and District schools a half hour, and the High school forty-five minutes.
Thus far no course of study has been made, for until the work is more settled it will be difficult to plan work for rooms having three or more grades. In our work now we try to keep the Primary and Intermediate schools in the different parts of the town along the same lines, so as to make easier the work in the Grammar school.
In the Primary schools we have a good number of pretty art songs taught by rote and sung with the best possible in- terpretation. A few simple songs are studied as a basis for key work and the other fundamentals of music. We have already studied the keys of C and G and aim to take several more in the same way before the close of the school year.
The work in the Intermediate schools moves slowly on account of the number of pupils of different grades. We aim to teach the nine common keys quite thoroughly before June. There is, as yet, only one-part singing, but through rounds and canons the children become accustomed to the sound of two or more parts singing at the same time, and are thus better prepared for part work in the Grammar school.
The Grammar school has naturally shown the most improve- ment in music, as the children's minds are more mature and can grasp the subject more quickly. We began with one-part singing and are now doing very good two-part work. We
52
hope before June to do a little three-part singing. The nine common keys have been studied and most of the chromatics. All time problems have been touched.
There is considerable interest in music among the pupils of the High school. Three rather difficult choruses were studied for graduation and several more simple ones during the year. We are now working upon an operatta, "Peppery Pa," to be given at the beginning of the Spring term. An orchestra composed of four boys has been organized and is doing earn- est work.
In the District schools the results are coming more slowly. We have given a number of art songs and song studies; also a little key work and some rhythm problems.
In all the schools written work is required, given either by the grade teacher or by the supervisor. The results of this written work are used in helping to determine the marks of the pupils in music.
The reason so much has been accomplished so far is the enthusiasm of the children, combined with the hearty co-op- eration of the teachers. I wish here to thank the teachers for their never-failing courtesy and anxiety to do their very best. I wish that some arrangement might be made whereby the teachers might meet once in a while for conferences on music. We are handicapped on account of their having had little normal training in the subject of teaching music. With this overcome, there is no reason why Pittsford should not stand high in music, for the teachers and pupils have the ability to do some very excellent work in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
N. PAULINE ROCKWOOD,
Supervisor of Music.
Pittsford, Vt., February 2, 1909.
.
53
Town Treasurer's Report.
RECEIPTS.
Date.
Amount.
1908
Feb. 1 Balance cash on hand,
$3,995 37
12 School Directors, for old sleigh, 7 00
12 Balance note, P. J. Fleming, 4 25
12
Vt. Sanatorium, rent school lands, 1907, 32 46
Road Commissioner, tile sold, 60
29 29
old cart, 5 00
Mar. 31 R. E. Loveland, rent school land, 1 25
April 9 Justice Stiles, State vs. Kelsbro, fine, 5 00
יי Kolenski, fine, 5 00
9 11 Mrs. Emma J. Loveland, treasurer's note, 100 00
20
Overseer of Poor, Town of Sudbury, Reckert case, 64 33
24 Justice Sturtevant, State vs. Fredette, 2 00
29 Overseer of Poor, Fanny Hall account, 24 66
May 1
Proctor Trust Co., 3 months note,
1,000 00
8
2 months note, 2,000 00
11 Mrs. Emma J. Loveland, treasurer's note, 100 00
12 Mrs. Julia D. Fleming,
1,200 00
21 School Directors, Whipple Hollow school house, 150 00
June 10
Proctor Trust Co., treasurer's note, 1,000 00
26
66 1,000 00
July 7 Pittsford Aqueduct Co., treasurer's note,
5,000 00
10 Mrs. Julia D. Fleming,
600 00
20 State Treasurer, app. State School tax, 691 71
20 Per. School fund, sec. 1084, 185 59
23
66
66
66
1095,
348 64
1084, 116 22 23
25
60 Transp't'n 1014, 422 35
29 Justice Sturtevant, State vs. Rossi, 10 00
Aug. 14
School Directors, tuition Town of Chittenden, 50 46
54
Date. Amount.
Sept. 1 Town and State taxes, $19,719 82
25 School Directors, tuition Town of Rutland, 30 84 28 Justice Sturtevant, State vs. Pratt & Greeno, 2 00
28 Constable Tennien, acct. delinquent taxes, 100 00
Oct. 3 School Directors, tuition town of Proctor, 126 72
14 State Treasurer, State Highway tax,
549 28
22 Justice Sturtevant, State vs. Dimmick, 5 00
30 State Treasurer, Permanent Highway fund, 300 00
Nov. 9 Constable Tennien, acct. delinquent taxes, 78 65
25 Overseer of Poor, Proctor town order, 93 96 28 Justice McCormick, State vs. Francis et al., 9 00
Dec. 12 Road Commissioner, tile sold, 45
1909
Jan. 12 Overseer of Poor, Town of Brandon, Guyette account, 5 00
15 G. F. Hendee, rent school lands,
3 75
19 R. E. Loveland, 1 25
19 T. C. Riordan,
2 50
19 D. D. Burditt,
50
22 N. Hack Estate,
3 75
25 Justice Sturtevant, State vs. King and Carrigan, 3 00
25. Justice Sturtevant, State vs. Turner, 5 00
27 Mrs. Ann Steele Estate, rent school lands, 20 25
27 Vt. Sanatorium, 32 46
30 Constable Tennien, acct. delinquent taxes, 165 00
30 J. A. Duffy, Town hall rentals, 2 40
30 Town Clerk, dog licenses, 209 dogs, $287 Error P. A. Kendrick, 12- 299 00
30 Road Commissioner, Selectmen's orders Nos. 59 and 60, 322 50
$40,003 97
Payments,
33,064 65
Balance cash in treasury,
$6,939 32
55
PAYMENTS.
Date.
Amount.
1908
Feb. 8 Dr. Baker, reporting birth, $ 25
12 D. T. Holden, balance note and interest, 27 53
Mar. 25 E. L. Paine, interest on note, 80 00
25 Hiland Holden,
26 66
April 1 Emma J. Loveland,
8 58
1 H. A. Noyes, 37 00
3 D. T. Holden,
14 36
24 E. L. Paine,
balance,
5 55
11 Justice Sturtevant, costs State vs. Sokolis et al., 30 03
25 Pittsford Band, acct. Dec. Day app., 100 00
May 6 Eliza M. Bailey, interest on note,
52 05
9 Harriett C. Barnes, 56 00
June 2 County Treasurer, County tax, 1-4 per ct., 37 55
6 P. E. Mooney, services License Commission, 24 00
6 P. H. Kendrick, 60
26 00
20 T. F. Bogue, 28 50
6 L. S. Kendall, services Ballot Clerk,
2 00
July 7 Proctor Trust Co., note and int., May 1, 1,008 37
7
May 8, 2,014 75
20 66 66 June 10, 1,005 00
20
66 66 June 26, 1,003 00
Aug. 1 Maclure Library Ass'n, interest on note, 40 00
Sept. 5 Decoration Day expenses, 21 30
5 Pittsford Band, bal. 1 per ct. app. for Decoration Day, 27 20
8 S. K. Burbank, Treas., 1 per ct. collecting taxes, 197 20
Oct. 5 Congregational Society, interest on note, 40 00
8 D. T. Holden, payment on note, 50 00
1909
Jan. 16 Dr. O. C. Baker, reporting death, 25
30 Maclure Library, note and interest,
1,020 00
56
Date.
Amount.
Jan. 30 Supplies for Town, postage on Reports, express, etc., $ 20 20
30 Town Clerk, salary,
.
125 00
30 Town Treasurer, salary,
50 00
30 Building Committee, orders,
4,577 91
Selectmen's 66
3,766 86
School Commissioners'
11,609 13
Road Commissioner's
4,172 51
Overseer of Poor's
1,559 91
Bowen Fund
200 00
$33,064 65
SUMMARY OF TAXES.
Grand list,
$14,850 33
Whole tax, 143 per cent.,
$21,235 97
Less delinquent, -
734 59
$20,501 38
Less 4 per cent.,
820 06
$19,681 32
Add 14 lists not reported,
38 50
Whole tax collected by Treasurer,
$19,719 82
DELINQUENT TAXES.
February 1, 1908,
$179 39
September 1, 1908,
734 59
$913 98
Abated,
230 41
$683 57
Cash from Constable,
343 65
In Constable's hands February 1, 1909,
$339 92
57
TREASURER'S NOTES.
Bowen fund,
$5,000 00
Congregational Society,
1,000 00
Hiland Holden,
1,000 00
Emma J. Loveland,
200 00
H. A. Noyes,
1,000 00
D. T. Holden,
350 00
Emma J. Loveland,
100 00
E. L. and Francella M. Paine,
2,000 00
Eliza M. Bailey,
1,950 00
Harriett G. Barnes,
2,100 00
Emma J. Loveland,
100 00
Julia D. Fleming,
1,200 00
Pittsford Aqueduct Co.,
5,000 00
Julia D. Fleming,
600 00
$21,600 00
Accrued interest,
508 75
$22,108 75
S. K. BURBANK, Town Treasurer.
Bowen Fund.
The annual interest on the fund left by the late Mr. Crom- well Bowen, for the relief of the worthy poor, was duly received from the the town treasury and paid in small sums to the persons designated by the board of distribution. The orders upon which the money was paid are in the possession of the Trustee, and may be examined by those interested in the matter.
S. K, BURBANK, Trustee.
58
Maclure Library.
Report of the Librarian for the year ending December 1, 1908.
Number of days the library has been opened, 151
Number of books circulated, 9,455
Average circulation each day, 62.6
Average circulation Saturday evening, 45
Per cent. of fiction drawn, 72.8
Number of books added to the library by gift, 28
Number purchased with memorial funds, 49, cost $45.72
Number purchased with money given by Dr. Walker, 92, . cost $94.74
Number purchased with money received from the town, 21, cost $13.84
Number purchased with money collected for the juvenile alcove, 77, cost $57.32
Number of periodicals bound, 23, cost $18.40
Total additions,
290, cost $230.02
Total number of books in library, 6,857
Early in the year an active canvass of the town was made, asking for a five cent contribution from every one, the money to be used to replenish the children's corner. The result was a sum of $57.32, which was all used to replace worn-out books and add new ones.
Three sets of stereographic views have been purchased for circulation, one set of 25 pictures of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, another set of 100 pictures of Italy, and a third set of 100 pictures of the Hawaiian Islands.
The Trustees have placed the money collected from fines at the disposal of the Book Committee, to be used for the pur- chase of pictures if so desired.
Twenty-seven periodicals are purchased for the reading- room table and the Magazine club, and three more are con- tributed. These magazines cost $74.70.
59
The total running expenses of the library for the year ending Dec. 1, 1908, is $903.09, of which sum the town pays $297.85.
The library has never been used so freely by the teachers and pupils in the public schools as it is this winter. The little school libraries are in demand and are doing good work. Twenty books are in the Fowler school, 20 in the Florence, 10 in the Douglas, and 20 in the East Pittsford school. There are also 30 books in the Willis store for the use of the people in that part of the town.
Our school teachers are showing an active interest in the quality of the reading matter put before their pupils.
If our boys and girls, as they go out from the school room, have acquired the ability to appreciate good literature and to continue their education through the medium of good books, much has been accomplished.
The library will be open Wednesday evenings until May 1.
Respectfully submitted,
BERTHA M. SHAW, Librarian.
1
60
Auditors' Report.
TO THE TAX-PAYERS OF PITTSFORD:
We have carefully audited the accounts of the various town officers for the year ending February 1, 1909, and herewith present you our report as per vouchers received.
LIABILITIES.
Bowen fund,
Treasurer's notes,
Accrued interest,
$ 5,000 00 16,600 00 508 75
$22,108 75
RESOURCES.
Cash in treasury,
$6,939 32
Taxes in hands of Constable,
339 92
Rents school lands due,
33 25
$7,312 49
$14,796 26
The total debt of the town February 1, 1908, was $11, 692.79, therefore the town's debt has been increased $3,103.47. The Fowler school cost the town $2,871.43, and the School Direc- tors have expended about $1,000 on repairs on other school buildings. The contractor of the Town Clerk's office has been paid $754.47, and $952.01 has been expended on land and foundation for Town Clerk's office. The same tax voted for another year will meet the running expenses with a good amount left to apply on town debt.
J. E. McCORMICK, T. H. CANDON, Auditors. W. J. KEITH,
.
Warning for Annual Town Meeting.
The legal voters in March Meeting of the Town of Pitts- ford are hereby notified and warned to meet at the Town Hall in said town, on Tuesday, the second day of March, 1909, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, to transact the following business:
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator.
ARTICLE 2. To hear the reports of the Town Officers and to take proper action thereon.
ARTICLE 3. To elect all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 4. To see what tax said Town will vote to pay the current expenses of said Town for the year ensuing; and to pay the indebtedness of said Town.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to have all taxes paid into the treasury as provided by law.
ARTICLE 6. Shall license be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this Town.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote two per cent. on the Grand List for the running expenses of the Maclure Library for the ensuing year.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate money for the proper observance of Memorial Day.
ARTICLE 9. To transact any other legal necessary busi- ness.
E. D. HINDS,
MARTIN C. FITZPATRICK, Selectmen. C. A. CREED,
6/1/2009 PT 167927 1 2 00
HF GROUP- IN
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