USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1911 > Part 10
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EDWARD BASS, OSCAR H. NELSON, CHARLES P. BOYLE, NORMAN RUSSELL,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE SUPERINTEND- ENT OF SCHOOLS OF THE
CITY OF NEWBURYPORT, MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR
1911
NEWBURYPORT: Printed by the News Publishing Company, Inc. 1912
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1911
Hon. Robert E. Burke (Mayor) Chairman 49 High Street
Arthur H. Berry, Vice Chairman 53 Bromfield Street
WARD ONE
Term Expires. Residence.
Horton C. Stevens
1911 27 Bromfield Street
Arthur H. Berry 1912 53 Bromfield Street
WARD TWO
Term Expires. Residence.
Ernest Foss, Esq
1911 53 High Street
Prentiss H. Reed 1912 55 Lime Street
WARD THREE
Term Expires. Residence.
Ralph S. Elliott
1911 6 Dalton Street
Laurence P. Dodge
1912 20 Fruit Street
WARD FOUR
Term Expires. Residence.
Samuel J. Hughes
1911 50 Washington Street
Chas. F. Johnson 1912 45 Washington Street
WARD FIVE
Term Expires. Residence.
John J. O'Brien
1911 1641% Merrimac Street
Arthur H. Wright 1912 220 High Street
WARD SIX
Term Expires. Residence.
Geo. L. Whitmore
1911 5 Chapel Street
Edward HI. Little 1912 6 Toppan's Lanc
SUB-COMMITTEES
High School-Arthur H. Wright (chairman), E. Foss, E. H. Little, P. H. Reed, C. F. Johnson.
Grammar Schools-Samuel J. Hughes (chairman), L. P. Dodge, J. J. O'Brien, E. H. Little, P. H. Reed.
-4
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Training and Primary Schools-Horton C. Stevens (chairman), G. L. Whitmore, J. J. O'Brien, R. S. Elliott, C. F. Johnson.
Textbooks and Supplies-Ernest Foss (chairman), G. L. Whitmore, L. P. Dodge.
Rules and Regulations-Arthur H. Berry (chairman), S. J. Hughes, E. H. Little.
Evening Schools-Prentiss H. Reed (chairman), A. H. Wright, R. S. Elliott.
Prudential Committee-Edward H. Little (chairman), H. C. Stevens, C. F. Johnson.
Salaries-Charles F. Johnson (chairman), A. H. Wright, E. Foss.
Janitors and Buildings-George L. Whitmore (chairman), H. C. Stevens, R. S. Elliott.
Music and Drawing-Ralph S. Elliott (chairman), P. H. Reed, J. J. O'Brien. Cooking and Sewing-Laurence P. Dodge (chairman), G. L. Whitmore, H. C. Stevens.
Manual Training-John J. O'Brien (chairman), E. Foss, S. J. Hughes.
Athletics-Dr. T. R. Healy (chairman), L. P. Dodge, S. J. Hughes, A. H. Wright, George H. Hatch.
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE
The following report of a special committee appointed for the purpose of reading the report of the Superintndent of Schools was unanimously adopted by the board, at the meeting held December 26, 1911.
"The special committee appointed to consider the report of the Superin- tendent recommend that the report as presented by the Superintendent be adopted by the board as the annual report required by law, with the exception that that portion dealing with the subject of Vocational Training be omitted, and without committing the board to the conclusions contained in the report."
A. H. WRIGHT, S. J. HUGHES,
H. C. STEVENS,
Committee.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Gentlemen of the Committee:
It is with pleasure that I submit to you the annual report, the twentieth since your first appointment of a superintendent. I say with pleasure, because I feel that very vital progress has been made in the work of this department during the year now closing.
Considering first our progress from the standpoint of material equipment, the most important feature is the new Albert Currier school.
Those of you who are familiar with the structure whose place this build- ing has taken will understand the "joy of service" which is apparent in the work of teachers and pupils in the new building. The attractive rooms, the clean floors, and the excellent furniture, must have a beneficial effect on the moral and aesthtic life of the pupils whose good fortune it is to use them. This wholesome influence is already evident in the determination of pupils and teachers to keep the building looking in its present condition as long as pos- sible.
The excellent equipment of the manual training school has caused favorable comment from many visitors. Too often, so they tell us, when manual train- ing has been incorporated as a part of the school work, a partial failure has resulted because a poor equipment has been purchased. Not so with us. The benches are just as firm and steady today as when installed. The tools, which by the way were furnished by one of our local dealers, are still intact, not one as yet is missing or broken, and all are of the finest quality.
While on general principles it does not seem wise for the city to become a tenant, it is doubtful if better accommodations could have been found for the work in manual training than the rooms on Prince Place. They are light, warm, centrally located, and furnished with power when needed. No other proposition submitted to the committee was so favorable.
The continued increase in the number of pupils attending the High School compelled the use of the assembly hall as a recitation room and the installation of thirty platform desks. Better facilities have also been provided for the work of the science department in repairs and furnishings for the room over the assembly hall. While this is not a model room for work, the conditions are much better than they formerly were.
The closing of the Storey Avenue building has lessened the cost of main- tenance by that much.
8
ANNUAL REPORTS
The discontinuing of the grammar grades at the Moultonville School has :eft an excellent opportunity for the primary grades in that building.
The installation of the new boiler at the Curtis school renders that one of the best equipped school plants in the city. Very little in the nature of repairs should be needed for some time to come.
For the first time in several years it has not been necessary to use the ward five ward room, nor will it again be necessary, unless exceptional conditions prevail. The room has been cleared of all school material, the seats having been required in the assembly hall at the High school.
With the exception of the High school, the congestion at the Temple street school was the only case where any particular annoyance occurred. Grouped around this school are living more people than in any other portion of the city of equal area. Yet, with the exception of the Moultonville, this is the only district in the city in which the primary grades are served by a two-room building.
More than a hundred pupils are at times accommodated in these two rooms, fifty or more to a teacher. Because of distances it has been very difficult to make the necessary transfers. All other buildings with the single exception of the Purchase street are fairly well adapted to the purposes for which they are used.
A close inspection of the chairs and tables in the several buildings will disclose a condition of wholeness and stability never before existing, thanks to the boys and instructor of the Manual Training School. The boys have taken particular pride in this feature of their work.
Two new adoptions of text books have occurred within the year. In the place of the Milne Progressive, Nichols Graded Lessons in Arithmetic have been selected. Buehlers & Hotchkiss' Language Lessons have been super- seded by Emerson and Bender's English Spoken and Written. Both series bid fair to improve the work in their respective departments.
Somewhat more than a year ago, your superintendent was instructed by a vote of the committee to prepare, after consultation with the teachers, a list of three hundred words per grade, to be used in lieu of a text in spelling. Those instructions have been carried out to this extent: Inasmuch as a child can not begin any work in spelling until about the middle of the first year of school, it was thought unwise by the teachers as well as myself to attempt to teach the full quota for that year, so that the list comprises somewhat more than one hundred and fifty words and is supposed to be taken up about the first of February. For each succeeding grade a list of three hundred words has been selected and each teacher supplied. These lists are arranged in lessons of two words each with a review of ten words for each week. The selections were made in the following manner: Teachers were asked to bring to the grade meeting, beginning with that of grade one, a list of their own selections with- out conference with other teachers, containing words which they thought most essential and be ready to defend their selection. On account of the natural limitations, grade one was the easiest. Probably ninety-five per cent of the list finally selected was chosen by each individual teacher. For this grade words were chosen entirely from the material in the various primers and first readers. In the list for the second grade the difficulties began. All words
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
from the first grade had to be eliminated at the outset. There was a wider variation in the lists submitted by the teachers, and consequently more time necessary in making a selection. As the work progressed the same labors were repeated for all preceding grades. In the upper grades it was extremely difficult to make selections on account of the wide variation in the lists sub- mitted, and for grade eight the figures of grade one were reversed, not more than five per cent of the words finally selected being chosen by all of the teachers. In making our selections we tried to be governed by a single pur- pose,-to select words most useful to the average child of the grade under con- sideration. Whether or not the lists are a success from a pedagogical stand- point, because of the fact that so much attention has been given the subject, the spelling has improved and I believe will continue to improve.
On account of the introduction of cooking in grade nine, it became im- perative that some text book be selected for the work. Williams and Fisher's "Theory and Practice of Cooking," being unanimously recommended by the sub-committee on cooking as well as by the text book committee, was adopted by the board at the October meeting.
The most important change in the curriculum of the schools has been the introduction of manual training in the upper grammar grades. At the begin- ning it was thought wise to put the work into grades six, seven and eight, thus allowing grade nine to complete its work without interruption. Actual instruc- tion began in the rooms on Prince Place which had previously been prepared by the instructor, on February 27, 1911. Since that time sessions have been held on every school day and three hundred and ninety-five different boys have received instruction.
Early in the spring application was made by the authorities of the Immacu- late Conception School that their pupils of the seventh and eighth grades be admitted to the classes. This was granted. At the opening of the school in September in accordance with the vote of the board instruction was discon- tinued in grade six and introduced in grade nine, since which time the follow- ing schedule has been in operation:
MONDAY.
A. M. Kelley, grade 9 . 18 boys
P. M. Albert Currier, grade 9 10 boys
TUESDAY.
A. M. Albert Currier, grade 7, 9 to 10.15 19 boys
Kelley, grade 7, 10.30 to 12 17 boys
P. M. Albert Currier, grade 8 12 boys
Jackman, grade 8 (ungraded) 10 boys
WEDNESDAY
A. M. Jackman, grade 9, division 1 16 boys
P. M. Jackman, grade 9, division 2 17 boys
THURSDAY.
A. M. Jackman, grade 8 24 boys
P. M. Kelley, grade 8 17 boys
10
ANNUAL REPORTS.
FRIDAY.
A. M. Parochial, grade 8 23 boys
P. M. Jackman, grade 7, 2 to 3 o'clock 14 boys
Parochial, grade 7, 2 to 3 o'clock 10 boys Jackman, grade 7, (ungraded) 3 to 4 o'clock 14 boys Parochial, grade 7, 3 to 4 o'clock 10 boys
Boys from grades eight and nine attend the manual training classes at the same time, class for class, as is occupied by the girls at the cooking school. These grades in both manual training and cooking are allowed an entire ses- sion, morning or afternoon, as the case may be, for a lessonfl Grade seven is allowed but one-half of a session in manual training and the same length of time for the girls in sewing. A glance at the schedule will show that a total of two hundred and thirty-one boys are now receiving instruction in the use of tools; one hundred and eighty-eight from the public, and forty-three from the Parochial schools.
Besides the proper use of the bench and its several parts, all these pupils have been carefully and thoroughly instructed in the uses of the simpler tools like the saw, chisel, bit, bit brace, hammer, mallet, and file. Each pupil has been allowed to produce certain type forms, the results of which have disclosed as wide a variation in excellence as would occur in their formal studies. Besides this work on the type forms, much other work, largely overtime work, has been done in the repairs on school furniture, shellacing, varnishing, mending, etc. Doors and windows have been mended. Chairs by the score have been re- seated. All this must have resulted in a saving of no little expense either to the public or some private treasuries.
The great interest which most of the boys take in the manual training work has been taken advantage of by some of the teachers as a means of disci- pline. This interest too has been contagious and has had its effect in the case of some boys, on the work in other studies. Work of this kind should not stop with the elementary schools. There should be similar courses for the High school.
According to the report on "Vocational Training" submitted by the writer to the High School Committee last July, there is a widespread interest in and demand for part time work in connection with the work of the high schools. This demand should receive the consideration of this committee.
ATTENDANCE.
Treating the attendance records in the order called for in the state returns, which have to be sent in in April, we have the following items:
First :- The total enrollment is two thousand one hundred twenty-seven; of this number one thousand forty are boys, and one thousand eighty-seven are girls, a gain over last year of four boys, a loss of twenty girls and a net loss of both boys and girls of sixteen.
Second: Owing to the board this year adhering to the rules there were no pupils in the schools under five years of age as against five the preceding year.
Third: There were three hundred ninety-one in school this year who were over fifteen years of age as against three hundred and fifty-seven last year. In this class last year there were one hundred seventy-one boys and one hundred eighty-six girls against two hundred and one boys and one hundred and ninety
11
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
girls this year, a very substantial gain in both instances. This point alone shows one of two things, either of which is good, namely that our boys and girls are entering our High School at a more mature age, or that they are remaining longer in school than formerly.
Fourth. There is a decrease of fifteen and six-tenths in the average mem- ber ship from the figures reported last year, a decrease in the average attendance of seven and nine-tenths, but an increase of three-tenths of one per cent in the per cent of attendance. Hence while our numbers have dropped slightly, pupils have been somewhat more constant in their attendance.
The last item which I will mention along this line seems to strengthens what has already been said. Sixty-six boys and seventy-six girls, a total of one hundred and forty-two, completed the grammar school course this year as against fifty-seven boys and seventy-one girls, or a total of one hundred and twenty-cight last year. This gain of nine boys and five girls means more than mere numbers.
The recent changes in the course of study have simplified much of the work. This is particularly true of the work in arithmetic and language. In these subjects new text books have recently been adopted. The arithmetic adopted being arranged in separate books for each grade, has made the work more definite and easy for the teachers to follow. Aside from this fact, the work as laid out grade for grade is not carried as far as in the old course of study. This has made it possible for teachers to drill more on the fundamentals from the start. It has also tended to bring all the work within the clear compre- hensions of the average child. More drill on fewer principles will, we are sure, result in a better equipment as pupils advance. In the new language books adopted during the year, the work is very carefully arranged for each grade. Grades three and for are supposed to complete the primary book; five and six the second book, while the third book is to finish with the work of the gram- mar schools.
The revision of the course of study caused the setting back of the Mont- gomer's Beginner's History from grade seven to grade six; the placing of "Our Country's Story" by Eva March Tappan, from grade eight to grade seven and the Montgomery's Leading Facts to be allotted to grades eight and nine.
The schedule for the work in geography remains as in former years. All of the changes have tended toward a more definite assignment of the work in each grade.
Much improvement in the work in writing has been shown since the adoption of the Gilman System. The supervision which the author of this system has been able to exercise over the work here has been much appreci- ated by the teachers.
For the work in the special branches your attention is called to the pages appended to this report.
The Training School continues to prepare efficient teachers whose services are appreciated, not only as teachers within our own city limits, but far and wide over the state. The influence of this school is widening every year and demands for our pupil teachers are more frequent than ever.
12
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Probably seventy-five per cent of the teachers in this city and all the sur- rounding towns are its graduates. Every member of the graduating class of last June was engaged to teach early in the summer. Many of these had a choice of several positions. The salaries which they received ranged from nine dollars a week to five hundred dollars a year. These facts speak for themselves. The school needs no further comment.
I cannot close this report which, I think, has been thoroughly optimistic in its trend, without ealling attention to some things which still seem needful.
First and most pressing is added room at the High School. No argument is necessary on this point. The where and the how are the questions. As a suggestion, I beg to offer this; that the city council be asked to add a two-story wing on each side of the present building, from a point near the side doors and extending toward the sidewalks, one on Green street and the other toward Court street. This would give four rooms in addition to a possible two more in the basement. This might not harm the architectural proportions of the entire plant.
Second; is the need for the equipment for the domestic science and manual training rooms in the new Albert Currier school. The cost of this equipment should be included in the amounts appropriated for the coming year.
It was hoped when the manual training room was equipped on Prince Place, that some of our public spirited men, would see the need of certain machines and donate them to the school. Thus far, none of those most needed, such as a circular saw, lathe, cylinder planer, jointer, grindstone, band saw, and the like, have been received. These, particularly the saws, planer and grindstone, are much needed and would save time, labor and expense for machine work. Can we not buy some of these the coming year?
The congestion at the Temple street school has already been referred to The only thing which can ever properly remedy this is the changing over of the building, from a two room to a four room house. This need will be more impera- tive next September than ever before. because of the re-opening of the Peabody mill with a full quota of operatives. The influence of this is felt even now when only a small force is employed.
The teachers join with me in the request that a new text book in physiology be adopted for use in the grades. I have from time to time made this sugges- tion, but as yet no action has resulted. Hutchinson's is now in use and was adopted by the committee in October, 1879. This is thirty-two years ago.
The following gifts have been received and thanks expressed to the donors: 1 .- Shafting and hangers to the Manual Training School; from Frank E. Davis.
2 .- A portable forge to the Manual Training School; from the B. F. Sturte- vant Company, of Boston.
3 .- Four mechanical drawing tables to the Manual Training School; from the Chase-Shawmut company.
4 .- A sanitary drinking fountain to the Manual Training School; from Mr. Ralph W. Nelson.
5 .- A portrait of Professor Alpheus Crosby; from Mrs. Alpheus Crosby of West Bridgewater, Mass.
13
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
6 .- Turner pictures to the several schools; from the Newburyport Woman's Club.
7 .- A convertible balopticon to the High School; from the Putnam trustees. 8 .- Six steel engravings of Mount Aetna; from Brewster Brothers.
9 .- Twenty-five dollars from Katherine S. Dodge for the use of the Manual Training School.
At the opening of the schools in September, we were warned by state officials of the new laws relating to the employment of minors and of the necessity of a canvass of the factories of the city by some one in the employ of the school department.
Early in October the Truant Officer and the Superintendent began a syste- matic canvass of the larger establishments. The work in the smaller places was finished by Mr. Chase, working alone.
Some idea of the amount of work involved may be given when it is learned that one hundred and sixty-eight regulation labor certificates were verified; sixty-four certificates of illiteracy issued; and five hundred certificates of liter- acy written out and placed in the several offices of our merchants and manufac- turers, a total of seven hundred and thirty-two. All these required recording in this office and letters sent to employers containing a list of those for whom they are held responsible. Thus the work of the office increases and prevents an officer whose professional duties should be in the schools, from attending to that part of his work as he would desire.
I wish particularly to call your attention to that part of the report of the Truant Officer which refers to the installation of telephones in the schools. Much time and profitless labor could be saved and the efficiency of the service be largely increased if this recommendation should be favorably considered.
In spite of the large drafts that have been made on the several appropria- tions in this department, the one under the head of "miscellaneous" is the only one to be overdrawn.
The statement of the expenses of this department published on another page show payments of $1866.96 beyond the appropriation. This overdraft is largely due to the fact that the expenses of furnishing the new Albert Currier school, amounting to $1596.55 was charged to the school board rather than to the con- struction account where it properly belonged. The work benches for the Manual Training school cost $328.97 and these two items more than account for the overdraft.
The total cost of maintaining the schools therefore was, salaries $46,362.26, miscellaneous $4941.44, fuel $2675.33, a total of $53,979.03.
The average membership in the schools was 1917.8, showing an expenditure per pupil of $28.14.
It should be borne in mind that the city had an income on account of the school department last year of $2600.05, so that the net cost of the schools was reduced by that amount.
For a closer study of the expenses of this department the attention of the reader is called to the final pages of this report. Every person and corpora- tion with whom this department has had any business during the year is there recorded with the amount thereof. Itemized bills for each and every transac- tion may be scrutinized in the office of the auditor.
14
ANNUAL REPORTS
I would call the attention of the reader also to the excellent and instruc- tive reports of the various heads of the departments. £ A careful reading of these will give an idea of some of the successes which have been made and wome of the difficulties which have had to be met during the year. Respectfully submitted, EDGAR L. WILLARD, Superintendent of Schools.
December 26th, 1911.
EXERCISES IN DEDICATION OF THE ALBERT CURRIER SCHOOL.
Forester Street, Saturday, October 14, 1911, at 2:30 O'Clock.
Committee of Arrangements-Samuel J. Hughes, chairman, Laurence P. Dodge, John J. O'Brien, Edward H. Little, Prentiss H. Reed, Edgar L. Willard.
PROGRAM.
Overture at 2.15, orchestra.
Remarks, Samuel J. Hughes, chairman of the committee.
Dedication prayer, Rev. Walter Henry Nugent.
Music, orchestra.
Historical sketch, Supt. E. L. Willard.
Address of the day, Joseph G. Edgerly, Supt. of Schools, Fitchburg, Mass. Presentation of keys, Architect Edward I. Wilson. Acceptance of keys, Hon. Robert E. Burke, Mayor.
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