USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1904 > Part 15
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e Charles Mckinnon
e Sam Sargent Ralph Spalding Carrie Allen
e Florence Congdon
e Agnes Nelson
e Hazel Safford
e Effie Armstrong
Willis Ordway
e Harold Cobb
e Edward Cobb
e Alice Magowan
e Lillian Cook
e Julia Hopkinson
e Margaret Dickey Ernest Boutin
e Lawrence Weare
e Clarence Reiman
e Alice Congdon Marion Bridges Laura Williams
e Fannie Little
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL.
e Earl Raymond Delano
e Roscoe Gregory Spofford
e Nina Myrtle Spofford William Guy Kingsbury
STOREY AVENUE.
e Grace Winifred Grant
STATISTICS OF GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
JACKMAN SCHOOL.
GEORGE W. BROWN, Principal.
PRISCILLA G. CRAIG
EMMA M. LANDER
Assistants
MARY T. COLBY NELLIE DES. BARRETT
ABBIE L. FROST
LILLIAN GREENLEAF
JOSIE W. KIMBALL
DOROTHY PACKER
Total enrollment
416
Average membership .
376
Average attendance
348
Per cent of attendance
92
Average age
II years, 10 months
Cases of tardiness
977
Number over fifteen years of age
21
Number admitted to High school
.
36
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL. HELEN S. MERRILL, Principal.
Total enrollment
28
Average membership .
24.7
Average attendance
22.7
Per cent of attendance
. 90
Cases of tardiness
36 .
Average age
9 years, 10 months
Number over fifteen years of age
4
Number admitted to High school
. 3 .
.
.
22
23
SCHOOL COMMITTEE KELLEY SCHOOL.
IRVING H. JOHNSON, Principal.
NELLIE G. STONE
ANNA L. WHITMORE
( BERTHA F. INGALLS Assistants - E. JOSEPHINE COFFIN
Total enrollment
267
Average membership
221
Average attendance
203
Per cent of attendance
91.6
Cases of tardiness
. 550
Average age
12 years, I month
Number over fifteen years of age
I2
Number admitted to High school
. 11
CURRIER SCHOOL.
SARAH B. CHUTE, Principal.
ADELENA SARGENT, Ist Assistant. CLARA J. EDGERLY, 2d Assistant. CASSINE H. BROWN, 3d Assistant.
Total enrollment
I52
Average membership
I37
Average attendance .
129
Per cent of attendance
94
Average age
II years, II months
Cases of tardiness
I33
Number over fifteen years of age
.
7
Number admitted to High school
.
23
ANNUAL REPORT STOREY AVENUE SCHOOL. [GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY. ] JULIA BOYLE, Principal.
Total enrollment
33
Average membership
25
Average attendance .
21.6
Per cent of attendance
86.7
Cases of tardiness
51
Average age
8 years, 3 months
Number over fifteen years of age
1
Number under five years of age
. O
Admitted to High school .
. 1
WARD ROOM, WARD FIVE.
ALICE E. SILLOWAY, Principal.
Average enrollment . 43
Average membership
31
Average attendance .
29
Per cent of attendance
93 . 5
Cases of tardiness
. 234
Average age .
13 years
Number over fifteen years of age
. 4
Number under five years of age
.
O
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
A few changes have occurred among the teachers of our primary schools. In March Miss Annie B. Richardson resigned her position as first assistant in the Bromfield street school, a position which she had filled with great satisfaction. Miss Lillie Ross was promoted from the second grade to fill the vacancy. Miss Grace A. Page was promoted from the first grade to the room vacated by Miss Ross, and Miss Feroline C. Woods, a recent graduate of the training school, was placed in charge of the room left vacant by Miss Page's promotion. Miss Page occupied her new position but a short time when she resigned. much to the regret of all who were familiar with her and her school. Miss Woods was then promoted to the second grade, and Miss Adelaide Dodge was put in charge of the first grade.
No other changes were made in the primary schools during the school year except the opening of the fourth grade room in the Johnson school. Miss Lelia Kimball was promoted to this room and made principal of the Johnson school. Miss Tula M. Reed was appointed teacher of the third grade of the same school.
The other primary schools were fortunately able to retain the teachers who have for several years been doing excellent service.
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26
ANNNAL REPORT
The chief event of importance was the fire which broke out, December 11, 1903, in the Congress street school. The schools were in session at the time, and the fire had made considerable progress before the teachers discovered it. There was barely time to get the children safely from the building, which the teachers did, with presence of mind and excellent judgment, by the fire drill which they had frequently practiced. The building was damaged to such an extent as to prevent its use until extens- ive repairs had been made. Arrangements were made with the Trustees of the Methodist church, on Washington street, for the use of the vestry connected with that church, to accommodate the four rooms till the school-house was put in condition for use. The schools were closed for two weeks, till the necessary prepar- ations were made for their accommodation in that building, and it was not until June 1, 1904, that the Congress street school was ready for occupancy. During this time the teachers were put to many inevitable inconveniences, and it was difficult, with four rooms in one, to make the usual progress in their several grades. But, as all is well that ends well, it is now believed that the school has a much better and more comfortable building than before.
The primary schools are in good condition at the present time, with less crowded rooms than usual. When new pupils are admitted to the first grade, in January, there will probably be one or two rooms with more pupils than can be accom- modated. It is hoped, by judicious transfers, to provide for this emergency.
The new room opened for first and second grade scholars in the Purchase street school has been full ever since. Last August a new floor was laid and some other minor changes made, which
27
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
have greatly improved the room, and made it more comfortable and convenient for teacher and pupils. Excellent work is being done by the teacher, Miss O'Connell. The same may be said with reference to the Johnson school. The starting a fourth grade room in this school, and the appointment of Miss Reed, have been the means of relieving much of the pressure on several rooms of the Bromfield school, and at the same time providing better accommodation for the primary children of ward one.
The opportunities for visiting, which are allowed by the regulations of the school committee to the extent of one day each term, are, it is believed, of great benefit to both primary and grammar schools. Part of this time is given by the teachers to visiting schools in other cities, and part to visiting schools of like grades to their own at home. In this way good methods of teaching are observed in actual operation, and frequently intro- duced by the visitors into their own schools.
STATISTICS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
JOHNSON SCHOOL. LELIA KIMBALL, Principal.
TULA M. REED, Assistant. GRACE E. BARTLETT, Assistant. MARY F. WHITMORE, Assistant.
Total enrollment
144
Average membership
124
Average attendance . 109
Per cent of attendance
88
Cases of tardiness
576
Average age
7 years, 6 months
Number under five years of age
O
BROMFIELD STREET SCHOOL.
JENNIE P. HASKELL, Principal. ANNIE B. RICHARDSON, Ist Assistant. LILLIE M. ROSS, 2d Assistant. GRACE A. PAGE, 3d Assistant.
Total enrollment
. 185
Average membership
. 158
Average attendance .
143.6
Per cent of attendance
. 91
Cases of tardiness
. 450
Average age
8 years
Number under five years of age
.
O
28
29
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TEMPLE STREET SCHOOL.
BESSIE E. DAVIS, Principal. EDITH M. ANNIS, Assistant.
Total enrollment
145
Average membership
·
90
Average attendance .
. 79
Per cent of attendance
. 88
Cases of tardiness
104
Average age
7 years, 2 months
Number under five years of age
O
TRAINING SCHOOL.
FRANCES W. RICHARDS, Principal.
Total enrollment
249
Average membership
192.8
Average attendance . 171.6
Per cent of tardiness
89
Cases of tardiness
726
Average age
8 years
Number under five years of age
0
CONGRESS STREET SCHOOL.
ELIZABETH CHEEVER, Principal.
CORA OLIVER, Ist Assistant. GERTRUDE E. LEWIS, 2d Assistant. HORTENSE F. SMALL, 3d assistant.
Total enrollment
I77
Average membership
159.5
Average attendance . I39
Per cent of attendance
87
Cases of tardiness
.
412
Average age · Number under five years of age
8 years, I month
O
30
ANNUAL REPORT
CURTIS SCHOOL. FRANCES L. PETTIGREW, Principal.
SARAH F. BADGER, Assistant. CHARLOTTE DICKINS, Assisant. JULIA J. HUBBARD, Assistant.
Total membership
. 141
Average membership
131
Average attendance .
122.2
l'er cent of attendance
93.5
Cases of tardiness
. 145
Average age
Number under five years of age
7 years, 6 months C
MOULTONVILLE SCHOOL. [PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. ] CARRIE F. MERRILL, Assistant.
Total enrollment
39
Average membership
38
Average attendance .
34
Per cent of attendance
89
Cases of tardiness
23
Average age
8 years
Number under five years of age
O
PURCHASE STREET SCHOOL.
MARY E. O'CONNELL, Principal.
Total enrollment
66
Average membership
37
Average attendance .
32
Per cent of attendance
87
Cases of tardiness
130
Average age
8 years
Number under five years of age
O
THE TRAINING SCHOOL.
The year's work at this school has been carried on with its usual success. Anything that could be said would be a repeti- tion of the comments in the report for the previous year.
The school opened in September, 1903, with thirteen pupil teachers, five of whom were beginners and graduates of the Newburyport high school. Four were residents of this city ; one, Miss Lida A. Eaton, was a non-resident. The classes con- sisted of the following pupil teachers :
Seniors,-Adelaide Pearl Dodge, Mary Elizabeth O'Connell, Feroline Langley Woods, Elizabeth Agnes Walsh.
Middle class,-Myra Lord, Grace Lillian Noyes, Ursula Emma Pendexter, Alice Blanche Smith.
Junior class, - Elizabeth Edwards Boardman, Elizabeth Mary Bailey, Marguerite Ludwig Pritchard, Lida Agnes Eaton, Eliza Belle Woodman.
The following pupil teachers graduated in January, 1904 : Adelaide Pearl Dodge, Feroline Langley Woods, Elizabeth Agnes Walsh, Mary Elizabeth O'Connell.
Miss O'Connell was allowed to leave the school in October, 1903, to take charge of the Purchase street school, where she is
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32
ANNNAL, REPORT
still teacher. All the other members of the class are now teach- ing, two in the Bromfield street school and one in Winchendon.
The following were admitted to the training school in Feb- ruary, 1904 : Edith Emily Davis, Charlotte Jones Bruce, Mary Agnes Doyle, Clarissa Eliza Hathaway.
In July, 1904, the graduating class consisted of Myra Lord, Grace Lillian Noyes, Ursula Emma Pendexter, Alice Blanche Smith ; all of these young ladies are now provided with schools.
A change in the method of admission of pupil teachers has been made, by which candidates are voted upon by the whole school board. Under this rule the following candidates were admitted in September, 1904: Edith Wills Lambert, Emma Fair Batchelder, Ella Theresa Robinson, Bessie Florence Langley.
This school has been a very important aid in providing teachers for primary and grammar schools. Though all of the graduates cannot be supplied with schools here in Newburyport, they are eagerly sought for in other towns and cities. It is safe to say that no graduate who really wished to teach, and who was willing to accept a school away from home, has failed to obtain a position. Under the present principal the school has been a success in providing our own schools with efficient teachers and in securing for many young ladies good positions there and elsewhere.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
The evening schools were held in the Jackman and Kelley schools. Mr. Irving H. Johnson was appointed principal of the boys' school, with Miss Eva J. Smith and Miss M. Alice George, assistants. Miss Lizzie C. Ireland was chosen principal of the girls' school, with Miss Amelia R. Whittier and Miss Flora Pettigrew, assistants.
The schools opened immediately after Thanksgiving day, and continued through March. During the latter part of the term the attendance was so small that the services of the assistants were not required. The evening school committee were willing to furnish all the facilities needed, and it is to be regretted that so few availed themselves of the advantages offered.
The school for Armenians opened as usual in the school build- ing on Monroe street. Mr. William H. Merrill was principal of the school, with Mr. Matokia Yretzian assisting. The attend- ance here was small, although those who did attend were faithful and studious.
In all of these schools good order and industry prevailed through the whole term.
33
MUSIC.
The work in this department, which has been so satisfactory under the superintendence of Miss Adams, continued through the year. The Natural Music System, adopted several years ago, is still used through all grades. The Primer is the basis of the work in the second and third years of school. The First Music Reader is used in the fourth grade, the Second Reader in the fifth, the Third Reader in the sixth, the Fourth in the seventh, and the Fifth in the eighth and ninth grades. The Advanced Reader has been used in the high school, but the teacher of music, Miss Adams, feels the need of more material for her work in that school.
The usual music for the graduation in June was prepared. At the high school a select chorus of the pupils sang very accept- ably the following selections :
The Voices of the Woods
Rubinstein
Evening Primrose
Schmid
Jehovah Reigns
Mendelssohn
As in other departments of school work, the results vary somewhat in different rooms. In many, great progress is
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35
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
observed; in others, better application on the part of the pupils and more enthusiasm on the part of the teachers would be of great advantage.
One of the most distinguished educators of this country says : " Music is a subject which ought to be made much more of in all American schools. The elementary schools do more for music than the secondary schools; so that the course of musical instruction is broken off too early, and the skill gained before fourteen years of age is lost later through disuse. A moderate degree of musical knowledge and skill adds greatly to the enjoy- ment of life, no matter how the livelihood may be earned. To increase rational joy is one of the objects which public education should always have in sight. I need not say that music has always been a true culture subject ; an ally of art, literature, and religion."
DRAWING.
The course in drawing is briefly outlined as follows :
September October
Flowers, leaves, fruits, and vegetables.
The elements of landscape work.
November December
Thanksgiving and Christmas work.
Object drawing.
January February
Above the sixth grade, mechanical drawing. Below the sixth grade, object drawing, birds and animals, pose drawing.
March
April
May
June
Conclusion of object and pose drawing ; drawing of natural objects-birds, plants, fruits, flowers ; and the elements of composition and design.
In the lower grades most of the work is done with colored crayons. In the upper grades, pencils and ink are used, and in some cases water-colors.
Last year's course in drawing was somewhat changed from that of the preceding year. It was decided, in the grades above the sixth, to give three months in mechanical work alone, and also to increase the amount of mechanical work in the lower grades. Need is felt of more and better material, and more time for ink work.
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37
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The mechanical work in the upper grades is much limited by the lack of suitable drawing boards, squares, and triangles.
The classes in the high school are large, requiring eight periods per week this year, where only six were required last year. In the opinion of the teacher of drawing, better results would be obtained by those who are interested in this subject, if drawing were not compulsory in any class, and if it could be arranged so that those who did take it could have two periods per week instead of one, as they now do. This might be so arranged, without requiring any more time for the high school by the supervisor of drawing.
But the skill acquired by the pupil in drawing should be utilized in the other branches of school work. It is a mode of expression, like language, and produces a far more vivid and clear impression than words. The illustration of objects in nature study and geography by pupils, the diagrams in many mathematical problems, are some of the ways in which drawing may be used, making it with other studies mutually helpful.
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
The classes in cookery have been held the past year in the Purchase street school house.
The pupils receiving this instruction are in the eighth grade, and come from the following schools: From the Jackman, 20; Kelley, 20; Currier, 6; Ward Room, 13; Moultonville, 4.
The curriculum for these classes includes the study of food inaterials, their classification, composition, and nutritive value ; the relation of food to the body ; its digestion and assimilation ; the preparation of food ; the fundamental principles and pro- cesses of cookery ; the study of fuel and cooking apparatus.
These lessons are carefully prepared and arranged, that the student may have as thorough and practical a knowledge of plain cookery as it is possible to give in a course of thirty lessons.
The girls who had the highest rank prepared and served a simple luncheon in the kitchen, to which they invited the super- intendent and their teachers.
It is hoped that the school may be more centrally located in the near future. The pupils living beyond the Kelley district are conveyed in the electric cars at the city's expense.
38 .
39
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In May an exhibition was given, to which the parents and the public generally were invited to inspect articles cooked by the students.
SEWING.
The lessons in sewing have been given in the Purchase street school ; also, in the ward room on Ashland street.
Pupils of the sixth and seventh grades have had the advant- age of this instruction.
Jackman school. grade vi. 48; vii. 56.
Kelley school, grade vi, 31 : vii, 23.
Currier school, grade vi. 17; vii. 13. Ward Room school, grade vii. S.
Moultonville school. grade vi. 2 : vii. 2.
As the time for sewing is limited to one hour a week. the lessons in needlework are of the most practical kind .- plain stitches button-holes, darning and patches. with the cutting ot simple garments. As far as possible the pupils prepare their own work, and are thus made accurate and observing. as well as self-reliant. The entire course tends to train the eye and hand. and to cultivate the habit of industry.
The exhibition of sewing is held in connection with the cook- ing school exhibition.
The instruction given in these branches is of great value, and in many families is fully appreciated. No matter what the social position of the children may be, they will find in after life that no part of their education at school was of more practical use than this. Sewing and cooking are branches of school work prescribed by the school committee, and must be taken as part of the regular routine of the school, which they have no more
ut
ANNUAL REPORT
right to omit, without the authority of the school board, than any of the other subjects taught at school.
The teacher, Miss Sara A. Chase, has been very thorough and systematic in her instruction, training the children to habits of careful and economical ways. The neatness, order, and exactness required of the pupils are excellent preparations for the future housekeeper.
IN GENERAL.
THE ANNUAL REPORT.
This school report contains the usual school statistics, which are deserving of more careful examination than is generally given them.
Herein may be found a list of the school buildings, their capacity, method of heating, and how they are occupied ; the enrollment, membership, and average attendance of each school ; the financial statement of the year ; the census of school children ; the present list of teachers, with their salaries. Also, a list of janitors, with their salaries, the number of students pursuing each study in each class in the high school ; and other informa- tion connected with the school department.
In looking over the work of the year, I believe the public have reason to be congratulated that they have so faithful, devoted, and successful teachers ; teachers who exercise so justly and so carefully their control over the children entrusted to their care.
While every new idea in reference to the things that should be taught in school has not been adopted here, there have been
4I
42
ANNUAL REPORT
gradually more subjects of instruction added to the school course than those accusing us of being too conservative realize. Leading educators have never been more unsettled as to the proper branches to be taught in the schools, and the proper method of teaching them.
The time that must elapse between the realization that old usages are not equal to modern needs, and the full adoption of new measures is always a restless and difficult one. In this, as in other responses to popular demands, the wise course seems to be the gradual introduction of tested and approved methods.
While it is not believed that the public schools are the proper places to teach special trades, some plan by which all the child- ren of every grade could devote a part of their time to manual employment, such as would develop and cultivate their skill of hand and eye, and lay the foundation for future ability in any calling, should be adopted as soon as may be feasible. Youth is the time for physical activity and growth. It is far easier and more natural for the child to do than to think. He should have suitable training at nature's time.
REGULAR ATTENDANCE.
While our schools are doing excellent work in the various branches of study required, they may be greatly benefitted by the cordial co-operation of parents. This is especially true in regard to regular attendance. If parents will see that their children are never absent or late, if it can possibly be avoided, they will make the schools far more successful than they now are, and they will help their own children by training them to regular and systematic habits.
43
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The regularity of school life and attendance is in itself of the greatest benefit to the child, preparing him to accept and grad- ually accustom himself to a useful and industrious life when he leaves school. The teacher or parent who undertakes to teach good habits by lectures or talk makes a signal failure. But there are schools where the pupil lives in an atmosphere of order and industry, and where he acquires the habit of all the virtues unconsciously, and almost without hearing a word of them.
FIRE DRILLS.
Every school occupying more than one story should have a system by which the pupils can be safely dismissed in case of fire or an alarm of fire. There is no school, however con- structed, where an alarm may not occur, even if a fire is improb- able. Whatever the method adopted for dismissing the children, the main purpose should not be rapidity of exit, but perfect control of the pupils so that there can be no panic.
The recent fire in one of the New York schools, when 2500 children marched from fifty rooms, while the building was burn- ing, without a break in their ranks and without injury to a single child, is a good illustration of the effect of a system carefully planned and many times practised. Each teacher knew exactly what to do, and each child knew his place and kept it.
Most of our schools have and practice a fire drill. It is hoped that, should the occasion arise, the children will be safely removed. Twice during the last school year, school houses have been injured by fire. The use of wood, two years ago, has probably left the chimneys and wood-work about them in such a condition that a fire is more likely to occur than ever before.
44
ANNUAL REPORT
Last winter the attention of the city government was called to the condition of several buildings having only a single stair- way leading from the second story. If exit should be cut off by fire there would be no other means of escape for those on the second floor. The buildings mentioned were the Johnson, Bromfield, Temple street, and Currier schools. Since that time the Currier school has been provided with an exterior flight of steps leading from the upper story.
SCHOOL EXPENSES.
It will be seen by reference to the financial statement at the end of this report that there is an overdraft in the school depart- ment of $5,768.19. Of this sum $3,804.27 was for items over which the school committee had no control. The expense for fuel was $3,244.75, and the additional outlay for the accom- modation of the Congress street school, while the school house was being put in order after the fire, was not properly an item to be included in the expenditures of the school department. If these two items had not been included, the overdraft would have been much less. The amount paid for salaries and fuel alone, in 1904, was $2,000 more than the appropriation and all other income. There are many other necessary expenses. Under such circumstances an overdraft is unavoidable.
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