USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1910 > Part 11
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
greatly benefitted by these public concerts and it it with deep regret that they are discontinued.
The speaking for the Merrill prizes was of the usual order. Peter Dugan won the first for the boys, Philip Murphy the second. Marion Cof- fin was the first for the girls, and Grace Langley the second. The Toppan prize was won by Harold Jewitt Peabody. The judges were Mr. E. L. Wil- lard and Mr. Irving H. Johnson.
Yours truly, WALTER E. ANDREWS.
November 23, 1910.
GRADUATION EXERCISES, CLASS OF 1910
PROGRAM.
March, "Priest March" Athalie Mendelssohn Marion Gould Hazelton.
Prayer
Rev. A. McDonald Paterson.
Music, "Gloria in Excelsis" Chorus.
From Farmer's Mass
Essay, Salutatory Rank, "Spires and Towers of Newburyport" . Amelia Worth Little.
Essay, "The Panama Canal as an Aid to the United States Navy"
Joseph Herbert Currier.
Music, "Barcarolle," from "The Tales of Hoffman" . Offenback
"Song of the Dinah Dolls" Josephine Sherwood Girls' Chorus.
Essay, "The Astronomy of the Bible"
Sarah Elizabeth Ilsley.
Class Prophecy Gladys Whitson.
Essay, "A Safe and Saner Fourth"
Mollie Isabelle Collins.
Music, "Estudiantina"
Lacome
Chorus.
Essay, "Yellow and Near Yellow Literature"
Ross Campbell. Essay, "Five Episodes in the Life of Macbeth," with valedictory. Agnes Ellen Olive Burns.
18
ANNUAL REPORTS
Award of Toppan Prize
Edgar L. Willard, Irving H. Johnson, Committee of Award.
Presentation of Diplomas
Class Ode. Music, "Fair Harvard"
Words by Lillian Wilson Simpson.
Oh, golden and rosy the dreams of our youth, And bright are our hopes for success,
We look to the future with wide shining eyes
And to failure we'll never confess. Oh beckoning dreams and confident hopes, Starry visions your ardor reveals. In your soft lustrous haze all is beauty and joy, Every peril the future conceals.
Oh, where can we find an honorable shield, To keep free from the shadow of sin,
All our hopes and our dreams and our sterner resolves,
To fight the good fight and to win? Is this to be found in the stars, in the skies, In the glittering castles of kings
Or behind the closed portals of Paradise
In the flutter of Angels' wings?
1 Oh, the answer is borne on the whispering wind, In a voice that is thrilling and fair,
You must find this great shield in your own heart of hearts,
For 'tis there, I repeat, it is there.
Oh beautiful voice, oh wonderful voice,
We have harked to the message you bring. We have found the great shield, and the short simple words, Its device, its inscription, we sing.
"Ever upwards!" my classmates, oh lift up your eyes, To the glories that hover above, To the fruits of success and the honors of toil, And the heart-easing guerdons of love. "Ever upwards!" my classmates remember these words, In the hours of trial, despair; Remember the courage and strength they exhort, "Ever upwards!" our motto, our prayer.
Benediction
GRADUATED WITH HONOR.
Agnes Ellen Olive Burns. Amelia Worth Little Gladys Whitson.
A pupil to graduate with honor must maintain for each year a general average of A. In one subject his work may be B provided it is 85 or better.
GRADUATED WITH CREDIT.
Ross Campbell Mollie Isabelle Collins
Joseph Herbert Currier Sarah Elizabeth Ilsley
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
A pupil to be graduated with credit must maintain for each year a gen- eral average of 85 or better. One study only may be below this average and this must be at least grade B.
SPECIAL HONORS.
Florence Barrett-Geography.
Ruth Madeline Carens-Geography.
Rowland Currier-Geography.
Mabeth Downer-Geography, Phonography, Typewriting, Book- keeping.
Doris Foote-French, German.
Ruth Alberta Haigh-French, History, Bookkeeping, Phonog- raphy, Typewriting.
Bartholomew Christopher Kelleher-Phonography, Bookkeeping. Louis Eaton Kendrick-History.
Mary Alice Lyons-Geography, Chemistry.
Ruth Elizabeth Noyes-Geography, Chemistry, Physiology.
Lucy Vinal Redman-Geography, Physiology.
Lillian Wilson Simpson-French, German.
Mildred Stevens-Typewriting. Grace Welch-Geography.
Honors in special studies will be given to pupils whose yearly marks in the particular studies are A's, provided the maximum amount of time allotted these studies in the course pursued by the pupil is taken.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
GRADUATES OF HIGH AND PUTNAM SCHOOLS
FIVE YEARS' COLLEGE COURSE. Ruth Child Pike
Helen Balch Fernald
FOUR YEARS' COLLEGE COURSE.
Susie Elizabeth Bartlet Mollie Isabelle Collins * Herbert Carleton Little John Phillips Marquand Caroline Frances Pettingell Lillian Wilson Simpson John Joseph Sullivan James Edward Welch Gladys Whitson
SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
Ross Campbell Joseph Herbert Currier Earle Weymouth Jordan Arthur Stickney Page
William Earle Coffin George Porter Elliott * Harry Irving Lewis Frank Soule Somerby
NORMAL COURSE.
Edith Marion Adams *Marguerite Jane Burns "Sarah Elizabeth Ilsley Gladys Bragdon Nelson # Lucy Vinal Redman
*Agnes Ellen Olive Burns *Lucinda Norma Chase Mary Alice Lyons Isabelle Nelson Parker Dorothy Ellis Sayward Grace Marion Welch
GENERAL COURSE.
Ruth Madeline Carens Doris Foote Ruth Elizabeth Noyes Martina Eulalia O'Neil Mabel Dean Rogers Etlielyn Morse Weare
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
* Madeline Ardelle Carlisle Mabeth Downer Ruth Alberta Haigh Leo Kane Bartholomew Christopher Kelleher
Louis Eaton Kendrick
John James Pearson
John James McGlew
John Joseph Sullivan
Joseph Richard Woods
** Graduates of the Putnam Free School.
Florence Barrett Rowland Currier "Amelia Worth Little John Stephen O'Connell Harold Jewett Peabody
Agnes Regis O'Brien Mildred Elizabeth Stevens
Mildred Elvira Chase Edward Daniel Doyle Ethel Seymour Hart
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE TRAINING SCHOOL
To E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
The Training School has completed its first year with the two classes of eight pupil teachers as changed from the three classes of former years.
Whether this change was to be an advantage or not had to be tried to be proven, and it has been found by those in charge to be an improve- ment: first, it gives the student more time for the normal work of the school and allows that work to be accomplished in school hours rather than after the session with the children closed as was the previous custom. Second, it gives her five months more actual experience with the children. Third, it places four young ladies in the other schools of the city assisting the teachers. Fourth, it brings the pupil teachers in contact with teachers trained for the work. Fifth, it makes less changes in the school for the children. Sixth, it gives the Superintendent a chance to call upon the school for substitutes without lessening the teaching force of the school. Seventh, it saves hiring substitute teachers, as this work is done by the pupil teachers with no remuneration. The cost of salaries for the pupil teachers last year was $320.
The Training School has always been a school where new methods have been tried to determine their value. This was done before the Ward Sys- tem of reading was adopted and again the Aldine System was used here as a test of its merit before becoming the prescribed system for our schools. It was found so very desirable that it has been adopted for all.
The method of work is so simple and accords so well with the natural inclination of the child's mind that the classes using it advance very fast, and at the same time enjoy the work. As one little fellow remarked to his mother, "I just love that squirrel story."
The Training School has been used the past year to assist children coming to us from other countries too old in years to feel awkward and out of place in the grade schools for which their knowledge would fit them; with the extra work that can be given them by the pupil teachers several such foreigners have been given the special work needed to allow them to take their places in the grades with children of their own age.
The seven members of the class graduated last June have all found de-
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ANNUAL REPORTS
sirable positions, one in our own city, one in Attleboro, one in Amesbury, one in Avon, one in Hatfield, one in Dover and one in North Hampton.
The members of the class entering September, 1910, were chosen from a large number of applicants and are all from families in our city, showing that the school is still popular and its work appreciated by the tax payers who support it.
Respectfully, FRANCES WARD RICHARDS.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
To E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
The course in drawing has been improved as much as possible, the de- sire being to make it as practicable as opportunity will permit. By prac- tical, I mean, the giving of principles to the children which may be applied out side of the school room. Of course the results obtained from one hour a week cannot be expected to compare with those from schools allowed two or three hours for this work, but, under the circumstances, the results have been better than before, as can be verified by inspection of the drawings displayed in the office of the Superintendent.
The pupil teachers of the Training School are educated in this branch by special lessons and find practical work under their principal, in the different grades of the school. Though, at first, it comes hard to some, constant drill and willing practice as well as home lessons enable them to obtain excellent results from the pupils.
I think I can truthfully say that the other schools are keeping up the standard they have set in former years. Many have raised their standards higher, but it would not be just to me to pick out any one school for spe- cial commendation while the teachers are helping me as they are.
The High School drawing classes are larger this year than they have been. They are well behaved and interested in the work. Interest in this branch of study has been deepened by a place of rank having been assigned it upon the report cards. In fact the earnestness of some of the boys and girls of the High School has gone a long way towards encouraging a work whose purpose is not always understood and whose value, though recognized by some of the world's greatest educators as very necessary, is sometimes underrated.
Through drawing we are trying to cultivate accuracy of observation, give skill of hand, increase the value of industrial products, promote ap- preciation of excellence in manufactured articles, help to establish good habits of thought and action, give power to express beauty, encourage originality, develop creative faculty, stimulate the imagination, give knowl- edge of the use of good color combinations, develop judgment, reveal na- tural ability, develop concentration, awaken a love of beauty, help to fur- nish some with a means of livelihood, help others in their chosen vocations,
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ANNUAL REPORTS
promote enjoyment in life, increase an interest in commonplace things and to help the pupils express themselves freely in line and mass, value and tone of color. Drawing from objects is perhaps the most important part of this study. There is no time for much design work, though we touch upon that subject as much as possible. Side by side with the object drawing stands the mechanical course. We wish to make our drawing course a prac- tical educator, not to use it as a pretty pastime.
Thanking the teachers for their willing co-operation with me in this work, I respectfully submit this report.
FLORENCE M. MURPHY,
November 28, 1910.
Supervisor of Drawing.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
DOMESTIC SCIENCE
To E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
The lessons in Domestic Science have been given in the Purchase Street building and in the Ashland Street Ward Room.
The girls in the eighth grade, seventy-four in number, are instructed in cooking and all seem interested in their work. Reports have been given each week showing the result of home practice which have been more sat- isfactory than in preceeding years.
The curriculum for these classes as I have previously stated include the study of fuels and cooking apparatus, food materials, classification, composition and nutritive value, preparation and serving of foods. These lessons are carefully prepared and so arranged that the students may have as thorough and practical a knowledge of plain cooking as it is possible to give in a course of thirty-seven lessons.
There have been one hundred and eighty-six pupils in the sixth and seventh grades receiving instruction in needle work. The time is so short that only the most practical stitches are attempted-basting, overhanding, hemming, overcasting, button holes, patching, dress and stocking darning, with the cutting and making of aprons, pillow cases, bags and underskirts. In October the Board voted to extend the Course in Cooking, giving the girls two years' work instead of one.
Miss Mary Jones was appointed assistant and she is proving most help- ful and efficient. We are waiting very impatiently for a room to be pre- pared for the sewing classes that we may take up the work with the ninth grade girls at once.
The teachers and pupils wish to express their appreciation to the members of the School Board, Public Property Committee, and the Woman's Club for the interest they have taken during the past year in the work, not only in making the kitchen more sanitary and attractive, but material- ly adding to its limited equipment.
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH A. CHASE, Supervisor.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
To E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
With a few minor changes, the musical work in our schools has gone on practically the same as in previous years.
As always, the results vary in different classes of the same grade, some accomplishing much more than others.
The continued use of the Rote Song Book in the second grades, instead of the work originally laid out by the compilers of our Natural System, is proving a success. By its use, the child learns to hear, to see, and to work for himself, and on entering the third grade is much better fitted to take up the regular work.
The interest in the work among pupils of all grades steadily increases. Whereas, in the first few years, it was often difficult to persuade some of them to sing, or even try, now it is only in exceptional cases, most of the pupils looking forward to the work, and willing to do his or her part.
The general taste, too, has improved, and pupils invariably choose the best selections, when given an opportunity.
For lack of financial support on the part of the public, it seems neces- sary this year, to give up our annual High School concert. From a musi- cal standpoint, this is much to be regretted. While we have endeavored to give an entertainment, worthy of generous patronage, our chief aim has been to inspire in the pupils a love for that which is highest and best in music.
While we still work with this end in view, a concert or something to work for, always proves an incentive.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH C. ADAMS, Supervisor of Music.
November 21, 1910.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
EVENING SCHOOL
To E. L. Willard, Superintendent of Schools:
The Evening School for 1909-1910 began on October 18 and con- tinued through the following March. The attendance was large, the highest on any one evening being 153. The total enrolment for the whole term was 233. Many of those attending were of foreign birth and of ma- ture age. Among them were natives of Russia, Austria, Greece, Portu- gal, Italy, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Canada and Ireland.
There were over sixty between twenty and thirty, several between thirty and forty and one more than forty years old. In addition to the common school studies in reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic, instruc- tion was given in history, geography and algebra. At the opening of the school many were unable to speak, write or understand the simplest Eng- lish sentences. Before the term closed great progress had been made in familiarizing them with the speech and customs of their adopted country.
The teachers assisting the principal were Edith M. Merrill, Jennie P. Brown, Cora O. Jaques, C. Louise Woodbury, Gertrude E. Nelson, Flora Pettigrew, Catherine C. Hunt, Alonzo G. Hearne and Adeline R. Hale. These teachers, as well as their pupils, seem thoroughly devoted to their work, and are accomplishing excellent results.
Respectfully yours, .
WM. P. LUNT, Principal.
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ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WOMAN'S CLUB
The course in Domestic Science, in connection with the public schools, is taught in the Purchase Street schoolhouse, with the exception of one class weekly, which is held in the Ward Room on Ashland street.
The room for the cooking classes is situated on the second floor. It is a bright, pleasant room with windows on three sides. The equipment con- sists of a coal and gas range, closets, tables where the girls work, ice-box, sink, cooking utensils, white china dishes for serving food, irons, ironing board, towel racks, cases which contain different grains and foods analyzed. cream of tartar in its natural state, and many other things of interest
The course in cooking has been given to the girls from the eighth grade until this year, when it is continued through the ninth grade. Last year the number of pupils receiving instruction was ninety-seven, this number being divided into four classes, each class receiving instruction weekly during the school year. As a rule the girls thoroughly enjoy the lessons in cooking, as one girl expressed it, "It didn't seem like going to school."
The course taught is very practical. It includes cooking of cereals. vegetables, eggs, fish, meat, bread, cake, cookies, salads, tea, coffee, cocoa, simple frozen dishes, invalid cookery, the chemistry of cookery as far as the children can undertsand it, also the value and combination of foods.
In connection with this course instruction is also given in dish wash- ing, blacking stove, washing and ironing dish towels, care of ice-box, ven- tilation and sanitation as far as possible in an old school house. At the close of the lesson, the food which has been prepared is served to the class. This is a part of the which is lesson
thoroughly enjoyed by the pupils. As the school year advances the pupils report many dishes prepared at home. It is gratifying to know that in many instances the knowledge gained by the pupils in the cooking classes has been a great help in their homes. It seems that the fathers especially appreciate this course of instruction more than the mothers. When I was teaching one father told me he had never had good food in his home until his daughter went to cooking school.
Not long ago, at City Hall, a member of the city government was com- plaining of the uselessness and cost of the cooking school. A day laborer, with his dinner pail in his hand, stood nearby, and, hearing the remarks of the city father, stepped up to him, touched his cap and said, "Excuse
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
me, sir. I never had a good loaf of bread in my house until my daughter went to cooking school."
One mother had decided objections to sending her daughter to cook- ing school. She said her daughter was to be a teacher, and she should pre- fer to have her spend the time given to cooking on her studies. Besides, she herself was a good cook, and she could teach her all that was necessary.
She went to the School Board with her arguments and asked to have her daughter excused. The desire was not granted; the girl was obliged to take the course in cooking. In the latter part of the school year, the mother was taken sick with rheumatic fever. The daughter did all the cooking for a family of five for some weeks, using the knowledge gained at cooking school.
As soon as the mother recovered she went to Miss Chase, the teacher, and told her how opposed she had been to the cooking school before she was sick, and how her ideas had changed completely, and how much she appreciated the instruction given her daughter.
The committee for the cooking school, appointed by the Woman's Club, at the request of the School Board, has visited the classes in cooking and find excellent work being done. The room where the classes are held needed paint, whitewash and screens at the windows and door. Through the kindness of the committee on public property, these needs were at- tended to.
While the teachers were doing splendid work with the equipment they had, there were several things lacking that were really necessary. And some articles needed replacing-for instance, the spoons, which were in use, had been purchased some eleven years ago, and cost fifteen cents a dozen. They were unsightly, and more than that, it seemed as if they might be unwholesome, as the outside plating had worn off.
Among other articles that seemed necessary was an ice-box, some silver plated knives, a dining table, chairs, damask tablecloth, and napkins. With these last articles, the teacher could give a valuable lesson in table setting and serving.
We, as a committee, realized we could not supply all these wants at once. We asked the School Board for $25. The request was kindly granted. In September we bought an ice-box and obtained a very good ar- ticle for $19. We considered the other wants, and decided the need of spoons was the most imperative and were about to take steps to purchase, when we invited the Committee on Schools to co-operate with us, and they offered to look into the matter of buying spoons.
With the remaining six dollars (left from the twenty-five from the School Board) we hope to put a gas plate on each table where the pupils work. This will simplify matters greatly, as there are sometimes twenty pupils gathered around the coal and gas range watching some interesting process. And then the coal range refuses to draw when the wind is north- east.
We hope for a new and thorough equipment for the room for Domestic Science in the new school building. And that the room in the Purchase
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Street schoolhouse will be retained for pupils living in the lower part of the city.
It is gratifying to know that the boys in some of the grammar grades are coming into their own, in that they are to receive instruction in man- ual training. And it seems very probable that the boys will find as much profit and pleasure in manual training as the girls have in domestic sci- ence.
MRS. WILLIAM ILSLEY, MRS. JOSHUA HALE, MRS. SAMUEL P. MILLIKEN, MRS. RUSSELL E. BRIGGS, MISS MARION LEGATE,
Committee
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE RECORDS
TOTAL ENROLLMENT.
Boys
Girls
Total
High School
217
224
441
Currier School
70
81
151
Jackman School
194
186
380
Kelley School
113
126
239
Bromfield Street School
87
78
165
Curtis School
47
81
128
Davenport School
61
83
144
Johnson School
71
59
130
Purchase Street School
15
13
28
Temple Street School
52
52
104
Training School
64
72
136
Moultonville School
21
24
45
Storey Avenue School
16
14
30
Ward Room School
8
14
22
Totals
1036
1107
2143
Number of pupils attending within the school year under 5 years of age.
Boys
Girls
Total
Bromfield Street School
1
1
Davenport School
1
1
2
Johnson School
1
1
2
Totals
2
3
5
Number attending within the school year over 15 years of age.
Boys
Girls
Total
High School
152
156
308
Currier School
7
6
13
Jackman School
4
6
10
Kelley School
8
15
23
Moultonville School
. .
2
2
Storey Avenue School
. .
1
1
Totals
171
186
357
ยท
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ANNUAL REPORTS
Number attending within the school year between 7 and 14 years of age.
Boys
Girls
Total
High School
65
68
133
Currier School
63
75
138
Jackman School
171
150
321
Kelley School
96
104
200
Bromfield Street School
58
55
113
Curtis School
35
63
98
Davenport School
42
66
108
Johnson School
39
34
73
Purchase Street School
8
8
16
Temple Street School
30
33
63
Training School
40
47
87
Moultonville School
17
18
35
Storey Avenue School
12
9
21
Ward Room School
8
14
22
Totals
684
744
1428
Average membership, average attendance and per cent. of attendance during the year.
High School
402.5
382.4
95.1
Currier School
146.9
137.6
93.7
Jackman School
354.6
325.3
91.7
Kelley School
208.3
196.8
94.4
Bromfield Street School
139.8
119.3
85.3
Curtis School
121.3
113.3
92.5
Davenport School
129.3
120.1
92.8
Johnson School
115.5
104.5
90.4
Purchase Street School
26.0
20.0
77.0
Temple Street School
83.2
79.0
94.9
Training School
120.9
111.7
92.3
Moultonville School
41.0
37.1
90.5
Storey Avenue School
26.6
24.5
92.1
Ward Room School
19.5
18.7
95.5
-
Totals
1933.4
1789.8
92.6
Number of pupils completing the grammar school course:
Boys
Girls
Total
Currier School
12
10
22
Jackman School
23
31
54
Kelley School
21
26
47
Moultonville School
2
2
Storey Avenue School
1
2
3
Totals
57
71
128
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ATTENDANCE RECORD BY SCHOOLS
HIGH SCHOOL.
Whole number enrolled during the year
441
Number over 15 years of age
308
Number between 7 and 14 years of age
133
Average membership
402.5
Average attendance
382.4
Per cent. of attendance
95.1
Number of sessions of school
184
Number of cases of tardiness
1825
Number of dismissals
629
Non-resident pupils (not in the Putnam School)
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