USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1903 > Part 15
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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
The corps of teachers for the year ending June 30, 1903, was the same as during the preceding year. For the new school year, commencing September, 1903, there were two changes, Miss C. Maud Norris was appointed to the po- sition held by Miss Edith M. Brown, and Miss Mary A. Stark was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Miss Mofatt. It is believed that these teachers will be valuable additions to the teaching force of the High school.
Of the pupils graduated, ten entered college, one Bryn Mawr, one Holyoke, one Wellesley, one Boston Univer- sity, one Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one Simmons, three Smith, one Brown. Five entered the Newburyport Training school. There were nine prelimi- nary candidates accepted at the Institute of Technology. Seven graduates returned to the High school to take a post-graduate course.
At the close of the year, there were admitted to the High school, on the recommendation of the principals of the grammar schools, and of the superintendent, in accordance with the new rules for promotion, fifty-two pupils. At the examination given for non-residents, eighty-two pupils were admitted. Ten of these were for Putnam school, and eighteen were city pupils, coming from Parochial and pri- vate schools, and from the eighth grade of public schools.
8
ANNUAL REPORT
The demands made upon the high schools by colleges have convinced the school committee of this city, as they have those of other cities, in which first-class high schools are maintained, that average pupils cannot be fitted for the higher institutions of learning in the period of four years, that was formerly thought sufficient. Such cities have accordingly made the classical course five years, either by adding a year to the course in the high school it- self, or by doing one year of such work in the grammar school.
The committee thought it best to place the additional work in the High school, but it was also voted that pupils whose average reaches eighty per cent. may be allowed to complete the college preparatory course in four years, provided the parent makes a written application to the principal for that privilege, and shows that he understands the amount of work necessary. In all cases the pupil must continue to maintain an average of eighty per cent.
The need of apparatus for use in teaching physics has been felt for several years, but it was thought best to defer application for its purchase until matters pertaining to the schoolhouse were settled.
Most of the lecture room apparatus was bought a half- century or more ago, and while still useful in illustration of natural laws as then known, is entirely inadequate to the wants of the instruction as to new discoveries.
A list of things needed in this department was made by the teacher of natural science, and after careful examina-
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
tion by the committee on books and supplies, lecture room apparatus to the amount of about $450 was purchased.
It is hoped that this, with the apparatus formerly on hand, and with the chemical laboratory and apparatus, will enable the school to offer its students all that is needed for instruction in physics and chemistry.
STATISTICS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL .
Whole membership of boys in High school.
II3
girls 66
III.
pupils 224-
Average 66.
boys
66
93
girls 66 66 IOI
66
66 pupils
194
attendance of boys
66
6
girls 66
6.5 pupils 66
184.55
Per cent. of "
boys 6.
66
girls .
.6
66 pupils 6.6
Whole number of boys in Putnam
26
girls 66 .6
39
pupils 65
pupils in High and Putnam schools. 289
Average age of boys in I class, High school
66
1 girls in I
66 boys in I
Putnam school
16.7
6. 66 boys in II
High school. 17.0
66 66 girls in II 66
boys in II
Putnam school 17.2
16.6
6% boys in III
High school 16.0
16.0
Putnam school. 16.0
15.4
6.6 66 boys in IV 6.6
High school. 14.9
14.7
6.6.
boys in IV “
Putnam school 15.4
14.8
Number over fifteen years of age, boys, in High school
93
66
66
girls, 81
of non-resident pupils. 4
non-residents sent by trustees of Putnani school
65
IO
17.1
17.5
66 girls in I
66 17.5
66. girls in II 66 66.
66 66 girls in III 66
boys in III
66. 66. girls in III "
6 6. girls in IV “
66
66
girls in IV “ 66
6
95.
GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1903
CITY HALL, JUNE 30, 1903
MUSIC, " March Hiawatha "
ELIZABETH COFFIN WHITON
PRAYER
REV. GEORGE H. MINER
MUSIC, "The Mill" A. Jensen SCHOOL CHORUS
ESSAY, (Salutatory Rank), "The Women of Homer " THETIS GREELEY QUESTROM
PROPHECY
MARGUERITE CUSHING BUSWELL
VIOLIN SOLO, " Tarantella " Joachim Raff THETIS GREELY QUESTROM
ADDRESS, "Mental Health "
REV. EVERETT D. BURR, D. D.
II
12
ANNUAL REPORT
MUSIC, "Olav Trygvason " . Grieg
SCHOOL CHORUS
ESSAY, " The Real Heroine of Ivanhoe," with Valedictory LIDA AGNES EATON
AWARD OF TOPPAN PRIZE
Rev. George H. Miner, Judge T. C. Simpson,
Committee of Award
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS
CLASS ODE . .
.
Music, Fair Harvard
WORDS BY ALICE GERTRUDE HIGGINS
Today we must part and set out on life's path, With its duties and tasks to fulfil ; May we ever be faithful and true to the last, Our work to perform with a will.
In our hearts throughout life, shall remain as a treasure, Recollections of teacher and friend ;
While the thought of our school days shall be without measure Enshrined in our hearts to the end.
In memory's mirror reflected shall glow, The faces of classmates so dear ; In Heaven, may we, when life's ended below, In happy reunion appear.
May our motto so true, guide each one day by day, Inspire and encourage us more To press forward through life, and seek the bright way That leads to eternity's shore.
BENEDICTION
GRADUATING CLASS
HIGH SCHOOL
Elizabeth Mary Bailey John Lawrence Barrett Merle Latmer Beckman Marion Elizabeth Blake Elizabeth Edwards Boardman Vera Castlehun Harry Hobart Chandler Frank Rogers Coffin Marguerite Hayes Corcoran Flossie Carlton Danforth Edith Emily Davis John Joseph Doyle Mary Agnes Doyle Harriet May Grover Clarissa Eliza Hathaway Alice Gertrude Higgins
Charles Edward Houghton John Joseph Kenney Marion Hunt Legate Eleanor Johnson Little Harry Lawrence Moody Jeannette Frances Noyes Blanche Linwood Perkins Andrew Fowler Pettingell Louisa Jeannette Pillsbury Elizabeth Bogman Pope Marguerite Ludwig Pritchard Thetis Greely Questrom Allan Richards Shepard Albert Brookings Toppan Eliza Belle Woodman Jane Rose Woods
PUTNAM SCHOOL
Marguerite Cushing Buswell Margaret Tomlinson Dickens Lida Agnes Eaton Alice Hale Little Lena Davis Pearson
Hannah Wheeler Pingree Susan Jane Plumer
Bertha Folsom Taylor Susan Chase Thurlow Edith Crawford Woods
13
14
ANNUAL REPORT
HONORS IN GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP
Lida Agnes Eaton
Thetis Greely Questrom
Vera Castelhun Marguerite Ludwig Pritchard Marguerite Cushing Buswell
Eliza Belle Woodman Elizabeth Mary Bailey Elizabeth Edwards Boardman
Alice Hale Little
Elizabeth Bogman Pope
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
-
No changes have occurred in the corps of grammar school teachers since the publication of the last annual report. Almost the only variation from the system so long pursued here has been the change in the methods of pro- motion. The new regulations adopted by the board were carried into effect for the first time last June. Whether the plan now adopted is better for the welfare of the schools, time and experience can alone determine.
The new geographies introduced last year have had only a few months' test. At first, as the books differed so · much from those previously used, it was necessary to give more time than is usually devoted to geography in order that the various classes could gradually prepare the work of preceding grades. Some help was obtained by using the geographies part of the time as reading books. In this way much ground was gone over, especially as they were well adapted for that purpose.
The room opened in the Congress street ward room af- forded much needed relief to crowded rooms in the Currier and Kelley schools. Although it does not properly belong
15
16
ANNUAL REPORT
to the last school year, it may not be out of place to state that it is again in use, relieving the same schools and do- ing most efficient work with those pupils who have been transferred there. But even with this relief there are sev- eral rooms of the Kelley school with more pupils than any teacher ought to have. The same is the case at the Jack- man school.
A school in the true sense is not a mere aggregation of . changing pupils, some going higher, others dropping out as the years go by. It is an organism that develops and expands after nature's methods. And though the teacher must instruct each new class in the same branches, he will do this with an everwidening view of the relation of these topics to each other, and to the life opening to the child. We see that the teachers of these schools realize this, and so have done better work this year than ever before. No- new branches of study have been introduced, although it seems as if something should be done to supply the boys with industrial training that the girls receive through their lessons in cooking and sewing. The subject of man- ual training for the boys has been alluded to many times in the annual reports. But it is to be presumed that the increased expense connected with its introduction and maintenance, has always prevented any decisive action in that direction. Yet it is difficult to understand why the education of those who intend to enter the learned profes- sions should be at public charge any more than the train- ing of those who will seek other walks of life.
The lessons in drawing form, or should form, a founda-
I7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
tion for further work, otherwise they have little reason of being. Those who will become artists are so few in num- ber that drawing should not be required of the schools if that was the only aim of such instruction. The end is not the production of pretty pictures, but the training of hand and eye that will be useful in whatever calling the pupil may enter, and especially useful for all who engage in any mechanical pursuit. Drawing also cultivates the habit of accurate observation, and is a form of expression as well as either written or spoken language.
At the close of the year when pupils were promoted by the principals and superintendent, it was voted by the school board that pupils of the eight grade might take the same examination for admission to the High school that was given to non-residents. But few from the grammar schools took advantage of this opportunity. While it is perhaps desirable that those intending to enter some higher institution on leaving the High school, should be- gin their work in that school as early as possible, in order that they may complete their education before they have reached middle life, it is certainly not desirable that those who intend going to the High school for a short time, should be allowed to leave the grammar schools before they have the best instruction that those schools can give. The ninth grade work is of far more value to the pupil who does not intend to take a full course at the High school, than anything he will get from a partial course there. If possible it would be well to make some rules which will successfully regulate this matter.
18
ANNUAL REPORT
We now have four grammar schools, the Johnson and Bromfield having been merged with the Jackman. The grammar schools are the Jackman, the Kelley, the Cur- . rier, and the Moultonville. There are a few grammar school pupils also in the Storey avenue school. In all there are seventeen rooms devoted exclusively to gram- mar schools. This does not include the ward room in Congress street, which is considered a temporary arrange- ment. Including that school there are now employed nineteen teachers for grammar grades, the ungraded room at the Jackman school having two teachers. Of these teachers two are men. These teachers are efficient, capa- ble, and conscientiously devoted to their work. On the whole they keep their schools well up to the proper standard.
GRAMMAR PUPILS PROMOTED TO HIGH SCHOOL
(Only those marked (e) actually entered)
JACKMAN SCHOOL
e Mary E. Chesterman
Margaret Casey
e Dorothea Castelhun
e Ada Simpson
e Ethel Pritchard Ruth Somerby
e Katherine Langlands Sadie Magner
Rosa James
e Mary Jones
e Maud Currier
e Ruth Macintosh Harriet Sargent
e Norman Tilton
e Edward T. Thurlow
e Arthur Quill
è Frank Reade
e William Colby
e Harold Fowler
e Olin Ladd
Henry Poore
Burton T. Lunt
Christine Johnson
Percy Merrill
e Ethel M. Stevens
e Rachel Campbell
e Bertha M. Fogg
e Florence Gagnon
è Anna Rourke Mattie Towle
e Rudolph Jacoby
e John Shae
e Carl Emery
e John Hegarty
e George Welch
e Harold Fowler
e Jamies Kimball
Agnes Towle Katherine Furlong
19
20
ANNUAL REPORT
KELLEY SCHOOL
e' Beatrice Barton
Eliza J. Bell
e Georgie N. Cashman
Marion T. Fox
e Elizabeth Haldeman
e Ethel W. Lewis Hattie Kellie
e Ruth M. Moodie
Charlotte Frederickson
e Mildred Lovejoy
B. Helen Richardson Alice P. Wilson
e Howard E. Butler John C. Colman
e George C. Stickney
e Henry P. Noyes
e Lawrence Cheney
e Jere Cashman
e Bertram Littlefield
Walter Tyler
e William Chisnell
CURRIER SCHOOL
e Malcolm G. Rollins
Charlotte L. Magowan
Marion B. Cummings.
Etta M. Ballou
e Frances E. West Mary M. Coffill
e Ethel M. Rodigrass
& Lucenia G. Short Edith F. Steer
& Nora F. Huntington
s Clara R. Huntington
e Thurza S. Grover
Carolena Magowan ·
e Harley C. Calkins
Benj. H. Thurlo
e William Boyle
e Beulah E. Weare
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL
Mary A. Jackman e John Davis
e Mary A. Wilkes
STATISTICS OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
JACKMAN SCHOOL
GEORGE W. BROWN, Principal
PRISCILLA G. CRAIG
MARY T. COLBY
EMMA M. LANDER
ABBIE L. FROST
JOSIĘ W. KIMBALL
Assistants
NELLIE DES. BARRETT LILLIAN GREENLEAF DOROTHY PACKER
Total enrollment. 436
Average membership. 352
Average attendance.
.327
Per cent. of attendance. 92.9
Average age. 12 years, 9 months
Cases of tardiness. .
.792
Number over fifteen years of age 28
Number admitted to High school 39
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL
HELEN S. MERRILL, Principal
Total enrollment. .25
Average membership. 2I
Average attendance. . 19
Per cent. of attendance
. 90.5
Cases of tardiness
.95
Average age . II years, Io months
Number over fifteen years of age I
Number admitted to High school. 2
21
22
ANNUAL REPORT
KELLEY SCHOOL
IRVING H. JOHNSON, Principal
NELLIE G. STONE
E. JOSEPHINE COFFIN
ANNA L. WHITMORE Assistants BERTHA F. INGALLS
Total enrollment. 288
Average membership. 216
Average attendance 20I
Per cent. of attendance 92.8
Cases of tardiness.
531
Average age 12 years
Number over fifteen years of age 15
Number admitted to High school 22
CURRIER SCHOOL
SARAH B. CHUTE, Principal
ADELENA SARGENT, Ist Assistant CLARA J. EDGERLY, 2d Assistant CASSINE H. BROWN, 3d Assistant
Total enrollment. 16I
Average membership 140.6
Average attendance. 131.9
Per cent. of attendance. 93.7
Average age. . II years, 9 months
Cases of tardiness. 85
Number over fifteen years of age 6 Number admitted to High school. I7
23
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
STOREY AVENUE SCHOOL (GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY)
JULIA BOYLE, Principal
Total enrollment. I9
Average membership I7
Average attendance. 15
Per cent. of attendance 88
Cases of tardiness
.50
Average age. .9 years, 5 months
Number over fifteen years of age. I Number under five years of age. Q
WARD ROOM, WARD FIVE
ALICE E. SILLOWAY, Principal
Average enrollment. 43
Average membership. 54
Average attendance. 30
Per cent. of attendance. 90
Cases of tardiness
.324
Average age. II years, 6 months Number over fifteen years of age 2
Number under five years of age.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
But little can be said in reference to the primary schools that has not been stated in recent annual reports. There are at the present time twenty-five rooms occupied wholly as primary schools, and one at Storey avenue, which has both primary and grammar pupils. But as this is prop- erly a report for the year ending June 30, 1903, it should be stated that there are twenty-three rooms for primary schools not including that at Storey avenue. Four of these were in the training school, under the instruction of the principal, assisted by the pupil teachers. Of the re- maining nineteen rooms fifteen were taught by graduates of the training school.
This will show how large an influence the training school has on the teaching and management of the pri- mary schools of the city. The teachers who were teaching before the training school was established, and who still are with us, have not remained stationary, while the methods of instruction and the new ideas in education were being developed. They have generally kept up with the progress of the times, and are endeared to the parents and pupils by long years of faithful service and devotion.
24
25
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The branches of study pursued in these schools are first of all in importance-reading ; then writing and arithme- tic, with spelling, music, drawing, and later geography. It is now generally believed that very little arithmetic should be taught during the first year. It is much more important that good progress should be made in reading than in arithmetic, except perhaps so much as cannot be very well kept out of the life of any child at that age. For inevitably he will acquire some knowledge of counting and numbers outside of school. The school should at least regulate and correct such notions of numbers as the pupil has so acquired.
The teaching of the younger children in reading is grow- ing better each year, through the experience of the teacher in previous years. A mixture of the word and phonetic systems has so far produced the best results.
But few changes in teachers occurred during the year. In April Miss Adelaide Pritchard as teacher of the first grade in the Bromfield street school resigned the position which she had filled with great satisfaction. Miss Grace A. Page was appointed to fill the vacancy and is doing excellent work.
At the opening of the new school year it was found that several rooms were much crowded. The committee on primary schools held a meeting at which it was decided to start a fourth grade room in the Johnson school, and a room for first and second grade pupils in the Purchase street school.
Pupils from the fourth grade in the Bromfield school
1
26
ANNUAL REPORT
were transferred to the new room in the Johnson school, which was for a time placed in charge of Mrs. Ina C. Hick- en. Later on, Miss Lena Kimball was chosen principal of the school and took the fourth grade, and Miss Tula M. Reed, a graduate of the training school, was elected teach- er of the third grade.
The room on Purchase street was quickly filled with pupils from the first and second grades of the Bromfield street school. Miss Mary E. O'Connell, graduate of the state normal school and also of the training school, was elected teacher of this school.
1
STATISTICS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS
JOHNSON SCHOOL
LELIA KIMBALL, Principal.
GRACE E. BARTLETT, Assistant MARY F. WHITMORE, Assistant.
Total enrolment. IIİ
Average membership 95
Average attendance 78
Per cent of attendance 82 Cases of tardiness 340
Average age . 7 yrs. 4 mo.
Number under five years of age . 0
BROMFIELD STREET SCHOOL
JENNIE P. HASKELL, Princpal.
ANNIE B. RICHARDSON, Ist Assistant. LILLIE M. Ross, 2d Assistant GRACE A. PAGE, 3d Assistant
Total enrolment. 193
Average membership. 155
Average attendance. I35
Per cent of attendance 87
Cases of tardiness 450
Average age 8
Number under five years of age O
27
28
ANNUAL REPORT
TEMPLE STREET SCHOOL
BESSIE DAVIS, Principai. EDITH M. ANNIS, Assistant.
Total enrolment. 128
Average membership. 91
Average attendance 8 1
Per cent of attendance
89
Cases of tardiness
I16
Average age.
· 7 yrs. 3 mn.
Number under five years of age O
TRAINING SCHOOL
FRANCES W. RICHARDS, Principal.
Total enrolment 221
Average membership 18£
Per cent of tardiness Go
Cases of tardiness
656
Average age
. . 9 yrs. 2 mo.
Number under five years of age
O
CONGRESS STREET SCHOOL
ELIZABETH CHEEVER, Principal
SARAH L. Ross, Ist Assistant. GERTRUDE E. LEWIS, 2d Assistant. HORTENSE F. SMALL, 3d Assistant.
Total enrolment .. 177
Average membership I41
Average attendance 129
Per cent of attendance .91.5
Cases of tardiness
276
Average age.
.8 yrs. 5 mo.
Number under five years of age. O
29
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
CURTIS SCHOOL
FRANCES L. PETTIGREW, Principal.
SATAH F. BADGER, Assistant. CHARLOTTE DICKENS, Assistant. JULIA J. HUBBARD, Assistant.
Total membership. I34
Average membership. 128
Average attendance 118
Per cent of attendance
92
Cases of tardiness
184
Average attendance.
· 7 yrs. 5 mo.
Number under five years of age
I
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL (PRIMARY DEPARTMENT)
CARRIE F. MERRILL, Assistant.
Total enrolment 33
Average membership 29
Average attendance
25
Per cent of attendance
86
Cases of tardiness
Average age . .
7 yrs. 9 mo.
Number under five years of age I
TRAINING SCHOOL
The training school for teachers, which was started in the Kelley school in 1889, has during the last few years, become more successful and popular than ever before. Since its opening, ninety-two young ladies have completed the course of practice and instruction. Twenty-two of this number are now teaching in the Newburyport public schools, while a large portion of the others are employed as teachers in other cities and towns.
In February, 1903, four young ladies graduated, viz : Ruth Sargent, Laura C. Lamprey, Mabel W. Fogg and Mabel Currier. One, Miss Lamprey, was allowed to leave before the time of graduation, a good position having been offered her. The others found schools almost as soon as their course was completed. The following June, four more graduated, who found positions almost immediately. This class consisted of Retta V. Marr, Tula M. Reed, Katherine A. Pike and Edith M. Merrill.
Five new pupil teachers entered in September, 1903, making a class of thirteen. This number was reduced to twelve in October, by the appointment of Mary E. O'Con-
30
31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
nell as teacher of the new school opened on Purchase street.
The school at present consists of three seniors, four of the middle class, and five juniors, as follows:
Seniors - Adelaide P. Dodge, Ferolene L. Woods, Eliz- abeth A. Walsh.
Middle class - Myra Lord, Grace L. Noyes, Ursula E. Pendexter, Alice B. Smith.
Juniors - Margaret L. Pritchard, Elizabeth E. Board- man, Lida A. Eaton, Eliza B. Woodman, Elizabeth M. Bailey.
Five of these are residents of the city, while seven reside in other towns.
The work at the school during the past year shows no marked change. There are four rooms in the school. These are all under the general supervision of the princi- pal. The pupil teachers are divided among these rooms as the conditions and work seem to require. With so many teachers in each room, it is possible to give the chil- dren more individual attention and care than can be possi- ble where there is only one teacher in the room. That this is of benefit is shown by the fact that so many advance faster than the regular grades. There is now a class of children, who entered in January, nearly ready for the second grade work. This and the fact that so many of the graduates obtain positions almost as soon as graduated, make the school deservedly popular. The principal of the school, Miss Francis W. Richards, has endeavored to in- troduce the best methods of instruction and management
32
ANNUAL REPORT
in the four rooms over which her jurisdiction extends. Such methods are doubly beneficial, first to the children, and then to the pupil teachers, who can later on use them in schools of their own.
EVENING SCHOOLS
At a meeting of the Evening School Committee, held in November, 1902, it was decided to have the sessions of the evening school for girls and young women held at the Jackman school, and those for boys at the Purchase street school.
It was also voted to hold each of these schools four evenings a week. Mr. Wm. H. Merrill was appointed principal of the boys' school, with Miss Eva J. Smith and Miss M. Alice George assistants. Miss Lizzie C. Ireland was selected as the principal of the girls' school, with Miss Amelia R. Whittier and Miss Grace A. Page as assistants.
Hitherto the committee have avoided holding the even- ing schools in rooms occupied by the day schools, and there are many reasons why, if it can be helped, it is better not to do so. But as the boys' school was to be held at the Purchase street school in the only room available for that purpose, it was necessary to select some other place for the girls.
Under the excellent management of Miss Ireland and with the well behaved pupils entering the school, no trou- ble was made by holding the sessions in the Jackman school building.
33
34
ANNUAL REPORT
The boys had quarters less desirable, occupying the up- per room of the schoolhouse on Purchase street. Mr. Mer- rill and his assistants did all they could to make the place comfortable.
The principals of both these schools found that four ses- sions a week for these schools did not prove desirable, the attendance being less and more irregular. As far as the principals could determine, the schools cost , twice as. much, and the results were not as good as under the sys- tem of holding sessions two evenings each week.
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.