USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1887 > Part 14
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ARITHMETIC.
1. Add twelve thousand forty-six and forty-five ten thou- sandths, forty-six and three thousandths, and five millionths.
2. Divide 17.28 by .0144 and multiply the quotient by .025.
3. A certain number is divided by 18 giving a quotient of 10 and a remainder of 17. Find the dividend.
4. Reduce to simplest form 12
23 + } of 4.
5. What fractional part of a hogshead is 2 gal. 1 qt. and 2 pt .?
6. A room is 16 ft. long, 12 1-2 ft. wide and 9 ft. high. How much will the boards for the floor cost at $125 per thousand ? How much to plaster the walls and ceiling at 30 cents per square yard ?
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ANNUAL REPORT.
7. Find the difference between the simple and the compound interest of $550 for 2 years 3 months, at 4 per cent.
8. A man had a purse containing $700. After spending $175 what per cent. of the original amount had he left ?
9 A can do a piece of work in 4 days, B in 8 days, and C one- half of the work in 3 lays. When the three work together, how long long will it take them to do the work ?
GEOGRAPHY.
1. Define latitude and longitude.
2. Name the zones and state how they are bounded.
4. Locate Chicago, New Orleans, Albany, Baltimore and New Haven.
5. Describe the monntain systems of the United States.
6. Locate Santiago, Naples, Venice, Hamburg and Calcutta.
7. Explain, in full, how the Suez canal is a great aid to com- merce.
8. Describe the following rivers: Merrimac, Rhine, Danube, Nile and Thames.
9. What form of government has each of the following coun- tries ? United States; Russia; England; France.
10. Locate the Black Sea; Bay of Biscay; Bay of Bengal ; Behrings Strait and North Sea.
GRAMMAR.
1. Analyze and parse the following sentence: The man who was sick injured his hand yesterday.
2. Correct the following sentences : Each of the men bought a hat for themselves. They was all there. These words were wrote yesterday. He that will not work you must not reward. You have not acted wise.
3. Write a composition, correct in spelling, capitals and punc- tuation, on the Fourth of July.
UNITED STATES HISTORY.
1. Give a short account of the discovery of America.
2. Who was Sir Francis Drake and in what way is his name connected with American history?
3. Write a short account of Sir Walter Raleigh.
4. Give an account of the first English settlement in America.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
5. Give an account of the introduction of Negro slavery into the American colonies.
6. Give the origin of the name "America."
SPELLING.
Which, ceiling, Wednesday, quotient, coming, original, running, system, vaccinate, commerce, receive, government, command, until, alcohol, secretary, weather, preceding, gratitude, adjourn.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
In most of the primary schools great improvement has been made during the year both in scholarship and in discipline. Written spelling, which has largely taken the place of oral spelling, even in the youngest classes, has proved to be a great improvement, wherever adopted. The first spelling the child now does is upon the slate, in copying words in script, from the blackboard. The results here, as elsewhere, confirm the theory of the most experienced educators that the object and word method of teaching begin- ners to read, with the constant exercise in writing, is the best means of making good spellers. In arithme- tic there is much difference in the character of the work done in the various schools. While in some too much time was devoted to the text book and too little to drill outside of it, in others most of the examples given were prepared by the teachers themselves for a special purpose, and suited to the progress of their classes. In primary schools particularly should haste be made slowly, and it is poor policy to teach how to use thousands and millions till the pupils can accu- rately and rapidly perform all the fundamental opera-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
tions with small numbers. Many scholars go through the arithmetic who cannot add with certainty and rapidity a single column of figures. Rapid drill for a few minutes each day, if practiced in all the grades of the primary and grammar schools would produce results that would appear almost miraculous to the uninitated. At the close of the year a new feature was introduced in the form of a written examination for admission to the grammar schools. The result in most of the schools was unexpectedly good, particu- larly so in language, which combined writing, spelling, punctuation, and the proper use of capitals; and teachers, who had doubted the result, found that their classes had succeded beyond their anticipations It is believed that if this plan is adhered to the grammar schools will be greatly benefited as well as the primary. In April, the school department was de- prived of the services of an excellent and faithful teacher by the resignation of Miss Carrie M. Clem- ent, principal of the Bromfield street primary school. Miss Cora B. Lougee, her assistant, was promoted to the principalship, her place being filled by the election of Miss Abbie L. Frost, as assistant.
JACKMAN (BOYS) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
HELEN M. CURRIER, Principal, HANNAH H. PAGE, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 90
Average membership 73
Average attendance. 60
Per cent. of attendance 82
Average age. . 8 years 6 months Number under five years of age .. 0
Number admitted to the grammar school 16
1
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ANNUAL REPORT.
JOHNSON (GIRLS) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
FRANCES J. PEARSON, Acting Principal. JENNIE P. HASKELL, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 86
Average membership 73
Average attendance. 58
Per cent. of attendance 80
Average age 8 years 1 month
Number under five years of age. 3
Number admitted to the grammar school. 18
BROMFIELD STREET (MIXED PRIMARY) SCHOOL.
CORA B. LOUGEE, Principal. ABBIE L. FROST, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 98
Average membership. 79
Average attendance. 64
Per cent. of attendance 81
Average age.
7 years 7 months
Number under five years
9
Number admitted to the grammar school
15
TEMPLE STREET (GIRLS) PRIMARY SCHOOL, MARY E. ESTES, Princiapal.
Number of different scholars during the year. 52
Average membership 37
Average attendance. 28
Per cent. of attendance 76
Average age.
8 years 1 month
Number under five years 1
Number admitted to the grammar school 7
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ANNUAL REPORT.
DAVENPORT (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL. SARAH E. WHITMORE, Principal. ELIZABETH H. CHEEVER, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 67
Average membership 59
Average attendance . 49
Per cent of attendance
83
Average age.
8 years 11 months
Number under five years of age 0
Number admitted to the grammar school 11
DAVENPORT (GIRLS) PRIMRAY SCHOOL.
CLARA J. EDGERLY, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 35
Average membership 28
Average attendance 23
Per cent. of attendance
82
Average age.
9 years 7 months
Number under five years of age. 0
Number admitted to grammar school. 13
KENT STREET (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL. ANNA L. WHITMORE, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 66
Average membership 42
Average attendance. 28
Per cent. of attendance
67
Average age.
. 6 years 4 months
Number under five years of age.
1
Number promoted.
32
ASHLAND STREET (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
FRANCES L. PETTIGREW, Principal. FLORA PETTIGREW, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 109
Average membership. 96
Average attendance. 78
Per cent. of attendance 81
Average age. .
7 years 6 months
Number under five years of age. 0
Number admitted to grammar school.
21
1
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ANNUAL REPORT.
EVENING SCHOOLS,
During the winter of 1886-1887 an evening school was established in the Temple street school house, but after a few sessions the number of scholars be- came so small that it was decided to close at once. Although properly it belongs to next year's report, it may not be amiss to state that, in compliance with the law, evening schools have again been opened at the same place. The school committee feeling that some plan must be adopted which would secure good order and regular attendance determined to issue tickets for admission. All desiring to attend could secure tickets by depositing one dollar in the case of males and fifty cents for females, this money to be refunded at the close of the term to those who had complied with the rules of the school. If any were unable to afford the small fee required, a satisfactory reference was ac- cepted instead. So far this system has worked ad- mirably, the best of order having prevailed both in and about the school.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS,
On Wednesday, April 13, four young ladies pre- sented themselves for examination. Three of these, Miss Annie B. Merrill, Miss Eleanor J. Towle, and Miss Alice M. Paul, having successfully passed the examination, were granted certificates as teachers.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ONE SESSION.
In March last an arrangement was made with the Fire Department to have the fire alarm sounded at fifteen minutes before 12 to give notice when one ses- sion of the primary and the grammar schools was to be held. Since that time there has been only two oc- casions when the weather has rendered it advisable to keep but one session.
COST OF TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
By the law which went into effect September 1st, 1884, all text books and stationery used in the schools are supplied at the expense of the city. The school committee has nothing to do with the merits or de- merits of this plan. The consequence has been a considerable increase in the yearly school expenses. The first cost was of course large, as books were worn out or new ones introduced, additional outlay was necessary. The average life of books in use at school varies greatly ; those used by young children last but a short time, while those used by older pupils gener-
ally wear several years. Taking all together as one whole, the average time of duration has been put by different authorities at from three to four years. Not only books must be supplied, but slates, pencils, pens, paper, ink, and everything that is needed for school work.
As near as can be ascertained, the cost of books
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ANNUAL REPORT.
and supplies since the law went into effect is here given:
From September 1, 1884, to January 1, 1885 $2,123 76
January 1, 1885, to January 1, 1886 1,903 47
January 1, 1886, to December 1. 1886 1,266 82
December 1, 1886, to September 1, 1887 451 72
Amounts for books and supplies for three years. $5,745 77
Amount expended from September 1 to December, 1887. 497 79
6,243 56
Value of books in use December 1, 1887, estimated at cost, is as follows :
High school
$1,182 27
Kelley school. 847 76
Johnson grammar. 298 08
306 68
Jackman grammar 268 49
Forrester Street (male) grammar
255 86
Forrester Street (female) grammar.
228 85
Moultonville (mixed). 84 65
Wesley Street (mixed).
113 42
Temple Street grammar
95 20
Johnson primary.
63 22
Bromfield Street primary.
77 88
Jackman primary
68 76
Temple Street primary.
43 22
Congress Street (mixed) primary
54 67
Congress Street (girls) primary.
37 62
Kent Street primary.
9 18
Ashland Street prlmary
52 50
Evening school.
39 75
$4,128 06
Books in agent's office December 1, 1887
296 25
Supplies in agent's office December 1, 1887. 133 19
The sum expended for books and supplies in any one year does not always show the actual cost of sup- plying the schools for that year, as the amount left in
Bromfield Street grammar.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
the agent's hands may not be the same as at the be- ginning of the year.
For the year ending August 31, 1887, the actual expense of books
and supplies furnished the schools was $1,445 98
Cost per scholar (based upon average membership) 1 05
Comparative cost in other places :
Salem, cost, 1886 1 53
Boston, 66 98
Weymouth, " 66 1 41
Holyoke, .“ 66 1 38
Somerville, (expenditure) 1886 96
Lawrence, cost, 1886. 1 07
By frequent and careful examination of these books which should certainly be as often as once each month, teachers will be able to secure better treat- ment of them by their pupils. And here is an admir- able opportunity to combine moral instruction with pecuniary benefit to the public. Let the children learn that public property is as sacred as that belong- ing to the individual, and that it is just as dishonest to injure or deface a book belonging to the city as it would be if it was the property of a private person. If the books at the close of each session are always neatly and carefully placed in the desks, if scholars are not allowed to lean with their elbows upon them, and if a new book is demanded of the parents, whenever one is wilfully injured, mueh may be done in saving expense to the city and in training the pupil in habits of honesty and economy. During the year past a number of parents have been called upon to replace books injured by the scholars, and in most in- stances have cheerfully complied.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Laws of the State as to Attendance of Children and their Em- ployment in Manufactories.
1st. All children between the ages of eight and fourteen are required to regularly attend school, and parents who neglect to send their children are liable to a fine.
2d. No child under ten shall be employed in any manufactory, at any time.
3d No child under twelve shall be so employed on any day when schools are in session.
4th. No child under fourteen shall be so employed, except in vacations, unless he has attended school twenty weeks within the year next preceding and can read and write in the English lan- guage.
5th. No minor who cannot read and write in the English lan- guage, shall be so employed, unless he is an attendant of a day or of an evening school when such such schools are held.
6th. All children under sixteen, employed in manufactories, must have certificates of age and birthplace, signed by some one authorized by the school committee.
The laws regarding the attendance of children at school, and their employment in manufactories are substantially as given above. But few cases of tru- ancy are reported by the teachers. These generally originate in the indulgence or neglect of parents; very rarely does a child begin to play truant till he has first acquired a distaste for school by frequent ab- sence for trivial causes. The worst effect of such absences is not the lost ground in his studies, but the loss to the character of the child. This is where we generally overlook the great work which the schools are quietly performing; not the instruction in arith- metic, reading, writing, etc., but the work of controll- ing the child till he acquires the habit of governing himself; the gradual formation of habits of industry
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ANNUAL REPORT.
and application till such habits become pleasant and natural. The child that does not attend school, or at- tends irregularly, loses this, and in place acquires habits of indolence, self-indulgence and vice. The restraint of the school which is so irksome to the street boy is one of the advantages which the regular attendant receives, and which usually results in mak- ing of him a useful and law-abiding citizen.
1
NUMBER OF CHILDREN OF SCHOOL AGE,
Ward One. 429
Ward Two 430
Ward Three. 426
Ward Four 350
Ward Five 469
Ward Six 411
Total 2514
Number in the public schools during the year 1620
J. OTIS WINKLEY, (Mayor), Chairman,
NATHAN N. WITHINGTON, Vice-Chairman,
CHARLES H. BLISS.
GEORGE W. SNOW,
ELISHA P. DODGE,
WILLIAM A. EASTMAN,
School
JAMES PARTON,
WILLIAM E. CHASE,
JOSEPH B. LITTLE,
Committee.
JAMES M. JACKMAN,
MISS H. E. LUNT,
PRENTISS H. REED,
GEORGE H. PLUMER,
WILLIAM P. LUNT, Secretary and Agent.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
FROM DECEMBER 1, 1886, TO DECEMBER 1, 1887.
Income.
Appropriation
$20,000 00
One year's interest on Brown fund.
675 00
State school fund.
173 29
Tuition fees from non-resident pupils.
174 40
Sale of books.
5 27
Fees from E. F. Bartlett, clerk of police court
20 00
$21,047 96
Expenditures.
Salaries of teachers
17,969 40
Janitors
968 09
Secretary and agent.
769 79
Books and supplies
949 51
Evening school
83 00
Printing, school reports, rules, etc
152 50
Census of school children
75 00
Sundries
101 21
Rent of Putnam school.
500 00
21,568 50
Overdrawn
520 54
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT.
Appropriation.
Income from all sources.
Expenditures.
Overdrawn.
1878
$25,000 00
$26,510 27
$28,173 40
$1,663 13
1879
24,000 00
25,320 61
26,814 73
1,484 12
1880
23,500 00
24.550 24
24,590 57
40 23
1881
24,000 00
25,065 88
26,848 60
1,782 72
1882
24,000 00
25,026 71
26,407 40
1,380 69
1883
22,000 00
23 108 52
25,988 40
2,879 88
1884
22,000 00
23,146 87
28,550 90
5,404 03
1885
20,000 00
20,965 89
25,334 46
4,368 57
1886
20,000 00
20,965 65
22,679 72
1,714 07
1887
20,000 00
21,067 96
21,568 50
520 54
·
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ANNUAL REPORT.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES,
1887-1888
E. C. Adams, A. M., principal, salary $2,000, paid by city $1,500
High School
O. B. Merrill, A. M., aasistant. 1,100
Miss Sara A. Leonard, 66 650
Miss Mary T. Spalding. 6 6
500
Miss Emma H. Parker,
500
A. F. Gilbert, principal. 1,000
Miss Abby Short, asssistant. 375
Miss M. J. Bradley, 350
Miss Eva J. Smith, 350
Kelley School
Miss M. E. Cogswell, “ 350
Miss Alice H. Olmstead, assistant 350
Miss Susan I. Adams, assistant 325
Miss Sarah F. Badger 325
Jackman (boys) Grammar
George W. Brown, principal 1,000
School
Miss Rhoda Tilton, assistant. 375
Currier (boys) Grammar
Miss Sarah B. Chute, principal. 750
School
Miss Ellen Frothingham, assistant .. 350
School
Miss E. M. Lander, assistant. 350
Miss Priscilla G. Craig, Principal. 450
Currier (girls) Grammar
Miss Agnes A. Somerby, assistant. 350
.Miss Lizzie C. Ireland. 350
(Miss Cora B. Lougee, principal. 350
Miss Abbie L. Frost, assistant. 300
(Miss Annie A. Currier, principal. 350
Johnson (girls) Primary
Miss Jennie P. Haskell, assistant. 325
Jackman (boys) Primary
Miss Hannah H. Page, assistant. 325
350
Davenport (girls) Primary.
Miss Clara J. Edgerly, principal.
350
Davenport (mixed) Primary. . .
(Miss Sarah E. Whitmore, principal. . Miss E. H. Cheever, assistant .. 325
350
Kent St. (mixed) Primary. Miss Anna L. Whitmore, principal ...
300
Ashland St. (mixed) Primary .
Miss Frances L. Pettigrew, principal. Miss Flora Pettigrew, assistant. 325
350
Wesley St. (mixed) Grammar and Primary
Miss Ednah E. Greaton, principal .... 400
Moultonville (mixed) Gram-
Miss Alice T. Whittier, principal .. 375 mar and Primary
Miss Anna L. Coffin, principal. 450
Bromfield St. (girls) Gram- mar School Miss Susie B. Lowell, assistant. 350
Miss S. D. Toppan, principal. 450
Temple St. (Mixed) Grammar.
Bromfield St. Primary (mixed)
(Miss Helen M. Currier, principal. 350
Temple St. (girls) Primary
Miss Mary E. Estes, principal.
Johnson (girls) Grammar
4028-15
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