USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1885-1889 > Part 15
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Cash rec'd for books injured or lost .
10 17
$3,760 17
Expended.
Repairs, etc.
$1,926 72
Supplies .
1,480 72
Furniture .
548 52
Sundries .
305 08
Printing .
36 50
$4,297 54
Expenditures exceed . $537 37
Estimated Expenses for Ensuing Year.
Salaries of Teachers
$17,400
" Janitors
1,500
" Committee
500
Salary of Supply Agent
125
Free Text-Books, Stationery, &c.
1,500
Contingent Expenses
2,500
Coal, Wood, &c.
1,500
Total
$25,025
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EXPENDITURES.
As exhibited on the previous page, there is an unex- pended balance to the credit of the School Fund of $372.99, while we have been obliged to exceed the sum appropriated for contingent expenses to the amount of $537.37, - leaving a net deficit of only $164.38. Our funds were depleted at the beginning of the year to the amount of $896.04 for bills incurred the year previous. The establishing of several new schools has made our expenses heavy the past year, a great many extras being required. A little more was needed for books and supplies than we had called for. When we consider that the expenditure for books and supplies has been but about $1 for each scholar the past year, it will be realized that the Free Text-Book Law is a great saving in the cost of educating our children, -much to the dis- comfort of booksellers.
REPAIRS. - GROVE-STREET SCHOOL.
It will be remembered that attention having been pub- licly called to the nuisance created by the water-closets in the basement of this building, it was, by vote of the Town, ordered that they be placed outside the building, and the sum of eight hundred dollars was appropriated for this purpose.
Some parents had taken their children from school, and teachers and pupils were almost in a panic till the change should be made. Consequently, work was begun before the frost was quite out of the ground, rendering digging some- what expensive. The low, boggy nature of the ground, saturated with water, makes drainage difficult. However, your Committee have had the work done, they think, as well as it was possible to do under the circumstances; and believe that, this cause of discomfort and danger to health has been remedied. The sum expended was $741,20, leaving a balance of $58.80. A doorway was also cut through
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the east wall of the cellar for convenience in removing the large accumulation of ashes, and for other purposes, besides minor repairs being made. It would be well if school-build- ing committees of the future would bear in mind the necessity of having a doorway or "bulkhead " communicat- ing with cellars. The building has been thoroughly painted outside with two coats of good oil paint.
Besides these repairs made on the Grove-Street School- house, the High School building had a new furnace added, -making three in all, - dispensing with two stoves, and getting more heat. A room in this building had to be re- plastered, blackboards done over, etc.
A new furnace was put in the Centre School building, replacing one that was too small and out of repair. The latter was put in first-class order, and placed in the cellar of the new school-house at Swain's Pond - which renders that building much more comfortable than it could be made with stoves.
The Upham-Street School-house was also replastered.
A good deal of damage is annually sustained by the mis- chievousness or carelessness of pupils in breaking windows, teachers not always being able to detect the culprit and col- lect damages.
CONVERSE SCHOOL.
This building, situated upon "Washington Heights," has excited some comment, being a departure from the dry-goods-box style of architecture ; but, as a label has been put upon it, any one can with little difficulty read,
"The Fells School-House,"
and learn the purpose for which the building is used, if not its true name, -the Converse School.
It is a substantial and conveniently-arranged building of two rooms, finished in hard woods, with open fire-places in
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
each room ; a nice, high, and dry basement, with cemented floor and a hot-air furnace. If there is any fault to be pointed out that it may be avoided in future structures, it is that the windows are placed too high for the teachers and children to look out occasionally upon the delightful landscape. We think, instead of causing the attention of the pupils to wan- der from their studies, it would rest and refresh both eyes and brains.
Our town is further indebted to Hon. E. S. CONVERSE, who gave the land upon which the school-house is built, for what he has done the past season to improve its sur- roundings.
The school, at the beginning of the summer term, was transferred from the room on Main Street to the new build- ing, and two schools were formed, -one being placed in charge of Miss Gertrude Smith of Kansas, and the other school, comprising the third, fourth, and fifth grades, in the care of Miss Hannah Gibbons, the faithful and efficient teacher of the school from its beginning. There are now about fifty pupils in the two schools.
THE NEW VINTON-STREET SCHOOL-HOUSE
was completed in November, and was immediately occupied, without the formality of a dedication, as the schools that were to occupy it were uncomfortable in their old quarters, and eager to get into the new, and there was no time to prepare a suitable programme.
Monday, Nov. 29, Miss Long's school, from the ante-room of the High School (where it had been temporarily kept), and Mrs. Dermot's and Miss Ransom's, from the old build- ing, were established in the new one.
Whatever adverse criticism may be made on the outside appearance of this structure, certainly no one can fail to be pleased with the interior, - with its ample hall-ways ; its four school-rooms, commodious, well-lighted, warmed and venti-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
lated, with nice clothes-closets, and well-arranged out-build- ings. The building is of brick, the interior finished in the natural woods, - no painting. The floors and stairways are of hard pine, and the doors and finish of white-wood. The heating apparatus is direct and indirect steam radiation, put in by our townsman, Mr. Franklin. So far this method of heating is a success. The cost of the structure, all complete, was $ 13,000.
We think the Building Committee entitled to a vote of thanks for building so good a school-house, and not exceed- ing the sum appropriated for the purpose. They are Messrs. Joel Snow, Royal P. Barry, W. Irving Ellis, Moses S. Page, and John R. Norton.
SWAIN'S POND SCHOOL-HOUSE.
It will be remembered that the inhabitants of this district petitioned the Legislature to be annexed to Malden, - chiefly for the reasons that their children had to go a long distance to attend school, and that the Malden school-house was com- paratively nearer to them.
As our Town was unwilling to lose any of its territory, it was voted at the Town Meeting in March to move the old Vinton-Street school building down there, or build a new one, as in the judgment of the committee appointed for the purpose should be deemed the wisest course to adopt. .
It was found that it would be winter before the old build- ing could be vacated by the schools occupying it, so that nearly a year would elapse before it could be moved. It was also found that the expense of moving a large building so far would be very great, besides causing much damage to shade-trees along the route. Therefore it was decided to erect a new building ; and the sum appropriated, $2,500, was only sufficient for this purpose,-leaving the expense of a well, pump, and grading to be met by our "contingent " fund.
The new school was opened Monday, Oct. 18th, with about fourteen scholars. The number rapidly increased,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
until, at the present time, the names of thirty-three pupils are on the register.
Six different grades are represented, - the highest being the Third Grammar, or Sixth Grade. Thus it will be seen that the duties of the teacher are somewhat arduous, among so many grades ; and we consider ourselves fortunate in our appointment of Miss M. H. Morgan of this town, who had previously served as a substitute in our schools, and who is discharging her duties faithfully and efficiently.
The school-house is well situated, in a central locality, and the pleasant school-room is appreciated by both pupils and teacher. The building was erected by Mr. W. H. Stewart, our townsman. The Building Committee were Messrs. John B. Souther, J. W. Page, Thomas Polson, Jesse A. Dill, and T. W. Ripley.
At a recent meeting of the School Board it was voted to call this the Ripley School, - the chairman dissenting.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The growth of the town and the consequent increase in our number of scholars will render some changes necessary. Within ten years the school has increased from an average of about 75 to 110. Methods of teaching have become more practical, requiring more room and apparatus. For instance, Chemistry and Physics are best taught by laboratory work. Literature demands familiarity with the writings of the au- thors. Supplementary books of reference are required. In order to get the benefits of such methods more rooms are necessary, and, in the sciences, rooms especially constructed for the purpose.
Our school-rooms have served us fairly well in the past, but the school has outgrown them. We had 119 scholars last September. With a corresponding ratio of increase in the future as in the past, we shall have next September 125 or more. With this number we ought to have four teachers, and we take this opportunity to recommend that provision
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
be made for another experienced teacher in September next, even if we have to provide a room for our classes elsewhere. Perhaps one of the grammar schools could be temporarily accommodated in another building to give us an additional room in this. Certainly this school cannot accomplish what it ought without more room and modern appliances.
In consideration of these facts, the Town should keep steadily in view this object,-the erection of a New High School Building, and as a preliminary step we recommend the purchase of a piece of land for the purpose.
LYNDE-STREET SCHOOL.
The old Lynde-Street school-house should, as soon as practicable, be replaced with a modern building, and the location changed to accommodate more pupils in the eastern district.
VACANT SCHOOL-HOUSES.
Our old school-buildings, viz., the one at the Highlands, one on Green Street, and the old Vinton School, are not worth refitting ; therefore we recommend they be sold, and the proceeds be used towards the payment of the next new buildings. The land is increasing in value, and it might be left discretionary with those who may have the charge of selling the school-houses to sell or retain the land as in their judgment they deem best.
SHORT RECESS.
There has been a misapprehension on the part of some parents as to what has been termed no recess. The experi- ment of a five-minute indoor recess has been found to work so satisfactorily that it has been adopted in all the lower grades. The chief reasons for it are that children are liable to take cold playing out for 20 minutes with perhaps insufficient clothing, and that the little ones are jostled and crowded by the larger ones : there are reasons, too, affecting the moral welfare of the pupils.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
At the short recess the windows are opened and the air of the school-room is changed. In the mean time the children are practising calisthenic exercises, and such as choose to pass out and in have the opportunity afforded them.
COMPULSORY VACCINATION.
Our State laws require all children of specified · ages to attend school; and School Committees are not to grant a permit to any child not having been vaccinated. The fol- lowing reply was made to the usual question to an applicant for a school permit : "Has this child been vaccinated ?" " No, because one of my children who was vaccinated had a long fit of sickness, came very near dying, and has not been well since."
Another parent states his case thus : "My child has a bad scrofulous humor, and I dare not have her vaccinated ; our physician does not advise it. Can't you make an excep- tion in her case, and grant her a permit to enter school?"
This is not the place to discuss this vital question ; but we call attention to it that the people may, if they think the law is obnoxious, seek relief through their Legislature.
THE FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
At the beginning of the term, in September, the Primary School - Miss Emma L. Randlette, teacher - was found to be overcrowded, nearly seventy pupils being registered. At the same time the Seventh-Grade Schools, in the High- School building, numbered about sixty scholars each. There- fore the vacant school-room in the Franklin building was opened, and those pupils living at the Highlands who at- tended school "down town" were transferred to the new room in the Franklin, and, with the first class in Miss Mendum's room, formed a new school of the sixth and seventh grades, with Miss Lydia Mendum as teacher. Miss Mitchell was placed in Miss Mendum's old room, with a class
.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
of the fourth and one of the fifth grade. Miss Randlette's first class was moved to the room formerly occupied by Miss Mitchell, and formed a class of the second grade, the re- maining class of Miss Mitchell being the third. This school was placed under the charge of Miss Mary A. Plummer, a resident of the Highlands, whose testimonials as a teacher were of the highest character. This arrangement left Miss Randlette with a school of fifty pupils of the first or lowest grade. By these changes the number in each of the other two schools was reduced to a fair average, and the children at the Highlands are now provided with schools in their own district until they enter the highest grammar grade.
UPHAM-STREET SCHOOL.
In October, Mrs. Hood resigned her position as teacher of this school, on account of ill health. Miss A. B. Chad- bourn, who had recently become a resident of this town, was appointed to take her place. She proves to be an excellent teacher, and we hope this school may long retain her services.
MUSIC.
With regard to the success of the Tonic Sol-fa system of music in our schools, we would state that the results are very satisfactory : more and better singing has been done in our Primary and Intermediate Schools, a greater degree of in- terest has been awakened ; and, through the influence and culture of our accomplished teacher, Prof. Benson, the pupils in all the schools have learned, in some degree, the value of sweet tones, as contrasted with the thought that loud singing was always good singing. Mr. Benson has demonstrated the fact that children can sing correctly as to time and pitch, and yet sing softly and sweetly.
DRAWING.
In October, Mr. Wallace Bryant was appointed Teacher of Drawing in the High School for the remainder of the
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
school year, at a salary of $150. We believe he is giving valuable practical instruction to this school. The following is a brief outline of his work : -
The school is divided into three classes. The course of study is also divided into three branches : -
Ist. Construction. - That is, making working drawings, showing the actual facts and dimensions of solids. The same as the plans of a house or the details of a piece of machinery would be drawn. This work to be mostly mechanical.
2d. Representation. - Showing the object as it appears to your eye. Taking up the principles of perspective and model drawing, and coming under the head of pictorial drawing. This work to be free-hand.
3d. Decoration and Design. - First giving them good ex- amples of antique ornament, and showing them why they are good; then teaching them the foundation principles of good design ; first, UTILITY, or FITNESS TO PURPOSE ; second, MATERIAL of which it is to be composed ; third, BEAUTY.
These subjects are all taken up in the lower class, and carried more and more towards completion in the higher ones.
GRADES.
It would be a great convenience in determining the rank of pupils coming from other places, if there were a uniform system of grading throughout the State ; for then we should know, without examining pupils; to which school they should be assigned.
We have therefore adopted a system in use elsewhere, viz. : Each full year to constitute a grade, and designating such as First, Second, Third, and so on, according to the number of years of schooling, the ninth year constituting the Ninth Grade.
First and Second Grades. - These comprise all the Pri- mary Schools, being those under the charge of Miss Rand-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
lette, at the Franklin ; Miss Donkin, Centre ; Miss Hersey, Grove Street ; Mrs. Dermot and Miss Ransom, Vinton Street ; Miss Nye, Lynde Street ; and Miss Smith, Con- verse. There are also classes of this grade in the Upham Street and Ripley Schools.
Third and Fourth Grades. - These schools, formerly known as Intermediate, have a two-years' course of study. The teachers are: Miss Davis, at the Centre; Miss Guptil, Grove Street ; Miss Long, Vinton Street ; and Miss Sweetser, Lynde Street. Miss Mitchell and Miss Plummer, at the Franklin; Miss Gibbons, at the Converse; Miss Chadbourn, Upham Street ; and Miss Morgan, at the Ripley School, each have a class of one of these grades.
Fifth Grade. - This grade (formerly Fourth-Grammar) comprises the school at the Centre, Miss George, teacher ; Miss Bascom's school at Grove Street, and the first divisions of Miss Gibbons' and Miss Mitchell's schools.
Sixth Grade, or Third-Grammar. - Miss Barrett's, at Grove Street, and Miss Melcher's, at the Centre, and the second class in Miss Mendum's room, are included in this grade. There is also a small class in Miss Morgan's school.
Seventh Grade, or Second-Grammar. - The schools in this grade are under the charge of Miss Bisbee and Miss Swett, at the Emerson Street building. The first class in Miss Mendum's room is also of this grade.
Eighth Grade, or First Grammar. - The prosperous con- dition of this school, reported from year to year, still con- tinues, forty-five graduating from it in June. It opened in September with 102 pupils, and it was found necessary to crowd desks into every available space, with little regard to the comfort or convenience of the pupils. Any further increase of this school can only be provided for by an additional room, and the services of another assistant.
Following is the list of graduates from this school : -
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GRADUATES FROM MELROSE FIRST-GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
July 1, 1886.
GRACE CLARA ALBEE.
HARRY WASHINGTON BARRETT.
MABEL JOSEPHINE BAXTER. CHARLES WALLACE BEAN. GRACE LOWELL BRADBURY. ROBERT MAYNARD BUCKNAM. MAY BURNS.
GRACE BARRELLE CARR.
PAUL FREDERICK COLLINS. HERBERT MUNROE Cox.
WILLIAM MATTHEW DEMPSEY.
WILLIE AUSTIN FERNALD.
MARY WINIFRED GATELEY. ALICE HARRIET GRADY.
EVA MARION GUILD. FRANK TUCKER HARRIS.
NETTIE EVELYN HARRIS.
ANNIE ESTELLE HANSCOM.
MARION ELIZABETH HESSELTINE.
FREDERICK HUMBERT HODGE. EDITH ISABELLE HOLSTON.
MARY KUNHARDT.
MARY MACLACHLAN.
ELLEN MARGARET MAGNER. CHARLES EVANS MARSHALL. MELLISS HORTON MCKAY. JOHN EDWARD MCCOLLOUGH. DAISY EVELYN MCINTYRE.
ANNIE GRIFFITH ORDWAY. LEON HOYT PALMER. COLLETTA ALICE PARKER. OTIS WINGATE PIERCE. JAMES FRANK POPE. ASA CUSHMAN PULSIFER. HATTIE AVIS RICHARDS.
MICHAEL DANIEL RIORDAN.
MAMIE ISABELLE RUSSELL.
FRED AMASA SARGENT. JENNIE GRAY STONE. ANNIE GENEVA THURBER. HERBERT ASHLEY WEEKS. NELLIE GERTRUDE WELTS. HARRY CLINTON WHITE. ABBIE FRANCES WILDER.
HARLEY CORSON WINCHELL.
PROMOTION.
At the January meeting of the Board, it was voted that the minimum for promotion be 70 per cent. in each study, and the general average of all the studies 75 per cent.
HIGH SCHOOL EXHIBITION.
The Graduating Exercises of the High School occurred on the evening of July Ist in the Town Hall, as has been customary for several years : but, whereas heretofore every- body has been admitted freely, this year an exception was made, and tickets were issued. Notwithstanding an effort was made by the Committee to explain their action through the Melrose Journal, it seems that we were severely criti- cised, and much fault was found.
16
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
If the orderly, quiet-loving portion of the audience will call to mind the disturbances made by boys on the stairs, and young people in the gallery and back part of the Hall, -like whistling, loud talking, vociferous encores, and other things equally improper and unbearable, - on previous exhi- bitions, they would think, with the Committee, that such things should be stopped, if possible. After considering the subject very seriously, we decided that the issuing of tickets, and denying admittance to children unaccompanied by adults, would be the best solution of the difficulty.
By placing most of these tickets in the hands of the graduating class for distribution, we felt sure that the par- ents and most interested friends would be accommodated, and hoped that all lovers of education and those interested in our schools would be reached.
This was our aim : that it was somewhat imperfectly done, we acknowledge, but hope that in the future no true friend of our schools will be debarred admission to these most interesting exercises.
The unusual quietness in the Hall rendered the occa- sion highly enjoyable. A class of sixteen bright lads and maidens, after performing, with credit to themselves, the final act of their course, received from the Chairman the visible token of their successful graduation.
A new feature of the occasion was the presence of the " Melrose Orchestra," who enlivened the exercises by play- ing several pleasant and appropriate selections. The singing was under the care of Mr. Benson, the music-teacher, and showed that progress had been made in this delightful art.
At the close of the exercises the audience was favored by some felicitous remarks from Mr. Hagar, the well-known Principal of the State Normal School at Salem.
ORDER OF EXERCISES. HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS. Town Hall, Thursday Evening, July Ist, 1886.
PART. I. OVERTURE, Melrose Orchestra.
CHORUS, " Wandering in the May Time."
SALUTATORY ESSAY, "One Hundred Years Ago"
GENERAL GRANT - AMERICAN HISTORY
Marion K. Norris. Allen R. Gibbons. * George B. Ellis.
MUSIC, Orchestra.
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
AMERICAN FISHING INTERESTS -
CLASS PROPHECY
STUDY OF PLANTS
INOCULATION FOR HYDROPHOBIA
ADVANTAGES OF THE STUDY OF LANGUAGE
George W. Haskell. R. Henry Harris.
Carrie L. Lavender. Gertrude Day. Edward R. Maker. Herbert S. Manley.
CHORUS, with Orchestra, "March of the Men of Harlech."
PART. II.
AWARDING OF THE FRANKLIN FRATERNITY PRIZES.
COMETS CHAUCER
MATHEMATICS IN OUR SCHOOLS-
SOLO, " When all is done "
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
EXTRACT FROM BLAINE, "Home Rule "
FRENCH LITERATURE OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY,
ESSAY AND VALEDICTORY, " Homer's Iliad "
David Ross Lecraw. Grace C. Richards. Arthur L. Jacobs. Edward F. Phillips. Wm. H. Woodman. Edwin H. Crosby. Florence M. Lerned. Carrie D. Vinton.
CHORUS, " Evening Prayer."
AWARDING DIPLOMAS.
MUSIC, Orchestra.
* Excused.
18
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATES.
* GERTRUDE DAY.
* CARRIE L. LAVENDER. FLORENCE M. LERNED.
t MARION K. NORRIS.
* GRACE C. RICHARDS.
+ CARRIE D. VINTON.
* EDWIN H. CROSBY.
* GEORGE B. ELLIS.
* ALLEN R. GIBBONS. R. HENRY HARRIS.
* GEORGE W. HASKELL. ARTHUR L. JACOBS. DAVID ROSS LECRAW.
+ HERBERT S. MANLEY.
* EDWARD R. MAKER.
t Wm. H. WOODMAN.
* English Course. t College Course. Not marked, Classical Course.
FRANKLIN FRATERNITY PRIZES,
Committee on Literature : C. C. BARRY, SIDNEY BUTTRICK.
Committee on Mathematics : JOHN O. NORRIS, LOUIS ROBSON.
Preparatory subjects in Literature : -
I. Class work in Shakespeare, and some questions upon his life and style.
2. Class work in Longfellow, with questions as above.
3. Class work in Goldsmith, with questions as above.
Honorable mention is made of the following scholars for excellence in Mathematics : -
First Class.
EDWARD H. CROSBY, ARTHUR L. JACOBS,
DAVID ROSS LECRAW, WILLIAM H. WOODMAN.
Second Class.
CARRIE MAUD ROBERTS, CALLIE H. HAYWARD,
EDWARD S. BLANCHARD, WM. EDWARD KEATING.
Third Class.
LILLIE S. CROCKER, HATTIE D. FIELD, ANNIE E. WHILDEN,
MARION E. BRADBURY, ALLEN LOUISE BURR,
BLANCHE S. JACOBS, EDWARD F. PHILLIPS, FRITZ H. SMALL.
Fourth Class.
GERTRUDE L. YOUNG, HENRY W. VINTON.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Subjects for Literature : -
Courtship of Miles Standish, with a sketch of the author's life. Goldsmith's Life ; or, Deserted Village.
Julius Cæsar, or a sketch of the author's life.
The following prizes were awarded :-
ENGLISH LITERATURE.
First Prize. - SARAH E. MORSE. Second “ SUSIE A. COGGESHALL.
GEOMETRY.
First Prize. - EDWARD H. CROSBY.
ALGEBRA.
First Prize. - FRITZ H. SMALL. Second “ HARRY P. ALLEN.
REVISED COURSE OF STUDY. ADOPTED NOVEMBER, 1886.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS .- Two Years.
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