USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1893-1895 > Part 10
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MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 209
now using the library, though it is far below the actual num- ber since the registration is still going on.
The number of books distributed at the local delivery station, at the Highlands, since its opening in December, 1892, is 2,095. This warrants the trustees in keeping the station open for a longer time. When the library was closed for repairs, some of the readers who take books only at the Highlands, believed the delivery there was permanently closed. To correct this mistake the local papers have, re- cently, called the attention of the public to the fact that it is open and should be used, if desired, by the people at the Highlands.
The library is to receive, on the settlement of the estate of the late William Bailey, a handsome gift, only the inter- est of which can be used for its needs. This is the second time it has been remembered by citizens of the town with generous bequests, and it hopes, by increased usefulness, to merit this appreciation of its efforts.
The trustees must not hesitate in any times to speak of the need of a library building which shall supply our citizens with the opportunity for instruction and rational entertain- ment which most Massachusetts towns now furnish. The pressing want of last year has been only partially met by the increased room in the reading-room, and by the new ar- rangements in the library. There are many improvements which the trustees would be glad to undertake, but which it seems impossible to begin where we now are. The classifi- cation of the library is one. The question of what to do with the increased number of books will come up again in a short time, and cannot be answered forever by packing more closely and crowding more on the room given to readers. We hope the way to provide for the library, when it shall be
14
210
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
absolutely forced out of its present location, is a care to others as well as to the trustees.
The Horatio Nelson Perkins fund has bought for the library the 14th volume of the " Life of Washington."
The William Emerson Barrett fund has given the library the " Hand-book of Ornament; a grammar of art, industrial and architectural designing."
We kindly thank the donors of various books and periodi- cals, which have been sent to the library and reading-room, and the Melrose Journal and Melrose Reporter for printing whatever notices we have needed free of expense.
For the expenses of the year 1894 the trustees respectfully ask the town for $1,000 and the dog tax.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. CHARLES, Secretary.
ELBRIDGE H. GOSS, CHARLES C. BARRY, CHARLES A. PATCH, RUBY F. FARWELL, GEORGE. E. MUNROE, MARY L. CHARLES, Trustees.
2II
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
STATEMENT OF THE HORATIO NELSON PERKINS FUND. JANUARY I, 1893, TO JANUARY I, 1894. CR.
By balance on hand Jan. I, 1893, $516 00
Interest from Melrose Savings bank, 20 54
$536 54
DR.
To cash paid G. P. Putnam's Sons, books,
$10 00
Balance on hand,
526 54
$536 54
STATEMENT OF THE WILLIAM EMERSON BARRETT FUND.
JANUARY I, 1893, TO JANUARY I, 1894.
CR.
By balance on hand Jan. 1, 1893, $69 38
Interest from Melrose Savings bank, 2 78
$72 16
DR.
To cash paid Hessling & Co., books,
2 70
Balance on hand,
69 46
$72 16
CATALOGUE FUND.
CR.
By balance on hand, Jan. I, 1893, $236 34
Fines collected by librarians in 1893,
99 28
From appropriation,
150 00
Interest from Melrose Savings bank,
13 62
$499 24
DR.
Balance on hand,
$499 24
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. PATCH, Treasurer.
212
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
STATISTICS FOR 1893.
No. of volumes in the library Jan. 1, 1893, " purchased in 1893, 459,
. 9,729
donated
5,
464
66 in the library Jan. 1, 1894,
10,193
No. of persons using the library Jan. I, 1893,
4,536
cards issued in 1893, .
445,
66
cards relinquished in 1893, 15,
430
66 persons using library Jan. 1, 1894,
1,300
volumes replaced in 1893,
I44
66 rebound
532
magazines bound in 1893,
58
Largest number of books issued in one day,
334
Smallest -
66 66
30
Average 16
..
66
on Wednesday,
99
66
66 66 6
Saturday,
265
Whole 66 66
February,
3,033
May,
2,755
66
66
66
66
August,
1,746
66
66
66
November,
3,169
66
66
66
1893,
32,157
No. of persons using reading room in 1892,
13,977
66
1893,
15,641
Largest number of visitors in one month,
1,807
Smallest
60
830
one day, 125
Books brought from library for use in reading
room,
20I
Books taken on teachers' cards,
215
66
66
on Monday, 105
213
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
PERIODICALS IN THE READING ROOM.
American Agriculturist. American Architect and Building News. American Naturalist.
Arena. Art Amateur. Art Magazine, Cassell's. Atlantic Monthly Magazine. Century Monthly Magazine
Chautauquan. Cottage Hearth,
Cosmopolitan Magazine,
Engineering,
Family Magazine,
Forest and Stream.
Forum. Garden and Forest.
Gartenlaube.
Harper's Monthly Magazine.
Bazar.
Weekly. Young People.
Kindergarten Magazine. Littell's Living Age. London Illustrated News. London Punch. Literary World, . . Daniel Jefferson. Magazine of American History. Munsey's Magazine, . A friend. Nation. North American Review. New England Magazine. Outing Monthly Magazine. Overland.
F. P. Shumway, Jr. A friend. W. H. Wiley. . Frank Harrison.
214
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Popular Science Monthly.
Review of Reviews,
Mrs. Ruby F. Farwell.
School Review.
Scientific American.
Scientific American Architect and Builder.
Science.
Scribner's Monthly Magazine.
Shorthand Magazine, . Frank Harrison.
St. Nicholas.
World's Illustrated Columbian Exposition Journal.
PAPERS IN READING ROOM.
Christian Register,
W. F. Conant.
Cincinnati Gazette.
Chicago Inter-Ocean.
Charleston News and Courier.
London Weekly Times.
Louisville Weekly Courier-Journal.
Melrose Journal,
Charles H. Adams.
Melrose Reporter,
Dunton & Potter.
National Tribune, G. A. R.
New York Tribune, Weekly.
Pilot. San Francisco Call.
Springfield Republican, Weekly.
Woman's Journal, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore. Youth's Companion.
215
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
DONATIONS.
Pamphlets.
Number of pamplets in library, Jan. 1, 1893, . 1,410 Annual report of Beverly public library, . I .
" Brockton ¥
.
I
" Cincinnati
Ohio, I
" Cleveland
Ohio, I
I
66
" Concord
" Everett 66
I
" Holbrook
I
" Lancaster
I
" Leicester
I
" Malden 66
I
" Manchester "
I
..
66
" Manchester “
N. H., I
I
" Providence "
R. I., I
I
66
" Somerville “
I
66
" Springfield
I
" Waltham 66
I
66
" Warren 66
I
66
" Woburn
I
66
" Worcester
I
" Peabody Institute,
I
The Tuftonian,
Official Gazette of the U. S. Patent Office, . 52
Mass. Institute of Technology; its foundation and equipment, I
Law of the Roadside,
I
66
" Clinton
.
.
.
I
" Newton 6
66
" Salem
17
Carried forward, 1,504
216
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Brought forward, 1,504
Mexico! Si Senor-F. M. Souther, I
Sketch of the Life of Caleb D. Bradlee, I Sixty-seventh Anniversary of General Conference of
Congregational churches in Maine-C. N. Chapin, I
Littell's Living Age for 1891-92-Miss S. A. Cheever, 52 Popular Science Monthly for 1891-2-Miss Sarah A. Cheever, 12
A Conference on Manual Training, .
I
1,572
Books.
Atlas of Massachusetts,-Commissioners' Office, Boston. Memorial address of James G. Blaine-Hon. W. E. Barrett. Elizur Wright's Appeals for the Middlesex Fells-Miss Ellen Wright.
Complete works of Thomas Dick, 3 vols .- Mr. H. B. Upham. Poor Richard's Sayings, illustrated -- Mr. Osmore Jenkins.
CARRIE M. WORTHEN, Librarian.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1893.
MELROSE : DUNTON & POTTER, PRINTERS, REPORTER OFFICE.
1894.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN O. NORRIS,
MRS. GEORGE H. DEARBORN,
. Term expires 1896. 1896.
MRS. GEORGE F. MACDONALD,
1895.
MR. W. D. STEWART,
66 1895.
*MRS. A. K. MILLER,
1894.
MR. JOHN C. MAKER,
1894.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
On Accounts.
Centre District.
MR. STEWART.
MRS. MILLER.
MR. MAKER.
MRS. DEARBORN.
MR. NORRIS.
MRS. MACDONALD.
On High School. Highlands District.
MR. NORRIS,
MRS. DEARBORN.
MRS. MILLER.
MR. MAKER.
MRS. DEARBORN.
MR. STEWART.
MRS. MACDONALD.
MRS. MACDONALD. MRS. DEARBORN.
Text Books and Course of Study.
MR. NORRIS. MRS. MILLER. MR. STEWART.
Superintendent of Schools. B. F. ROBINSON.
*Resigned Dec., 1893.
MR. MAKER. MR. STEWART. Wyoming District. MR. MAKER.
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1893-94.
Fall Term .- Sixteen weeks; began Sept. 5th, 1893; closed Dec. 22d, 1893.
Winter Term .- Seven weeks; begins Jan. 2d, 1894; closing Feb. 16th, 1894.
Spring Term .- Eight weeks; begins Feb. 26th, 1894; closing April 20th, 1894.
Summer Term .- Nine weeks; begins April 30th, 1894; clos- ing June 29th, 1894.
Fall Term .- Sixteen weeks; begins Sept. 4th, 1894; closing Dec. 21st, 1894.
The school holidays are as follows: every Saturday, New Year's day, Washington's birthday, Fast day, Memorial day, June 17th, Thanksgiving day and Christmas day.
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee of Melrose,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- I hereby submit for your con- sideration my first annual report on the condition of the public schools of Melrose, which is the fourth annual report of the superintendent of schools of this town. By vote of your committee this report is to constitute the report of the school committee, hence some portions of it may seem to be addressed quite directly to the citizens of the town as well as to your board.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
The tabular statement which appears in another part of this report reveals the fact that there is at present an enroll- ment of 1,906 pupils in our schools, with a present attend- ance of 1,818, and a comparison of these figures, with those of other years, will enable one to form a definite idea of how the town is growing.
In 1874 the town report showed a total attendance of 785 scholars. Ten years later there were 987, showing an in- crease of 202, or a little over twenty-five per cent.
Ten years since 1884 has made a remarkable change in the state of affairs, as during that time the increase has been nearly eighty-five per cent., with a total increase since 1874 of over 131 per cent. This increase in the school population is certainly very gratifying, looking at it from one stand-
22I
SCHOOL REPORT.
point, but it means increased responsibility on the part of the school authorities, and an increase in school expenses, that to some may seem disproportionate, but which, when the requirements of the present systems of heating, ventila- tion, etc., are carefully considered, are certainly very reasonable.
The improvement of transportation facilities is bringing this town nearer to Boston every year, and it is only reason- able to expect as rapid a growth during the coming decade as that of the past, and it behooves the school authorities to keep this fact constantly in mind when making provision for the future. Comparing the number attending the High school, we find 86 in attendance in 1874, with an increase to only 99 in 1884, or about fifteen per cent., while the follow- ing ten years shows a gain of nearly one hundred and thirty- seven per cent., and a total gain in the twenty years of more than one hundred and seventy-two per cent., the present number being 234.
TEACHERS.
In the Highlands district the new Warren street school- house has been completed, and one upper room is now occu- pied by the seventh and eight grades, in charge of Miss Mendum, who was formerly principal of the Franklin school; the sixth grade in charge of Miss Mitchell, has been re- moved from the old Green street building to one of the upper rooms, and the first three primary grades, under Miss Plummer, have been transferred from the West school to one of the lower rooms.
There is still one room unoccupied, but the crowded con- dition of both Miss Mendum's and Miss Plummer's rooms, and of Miss Field's room, at the Franklin building, make it apparent that the remaining room, at Warren street, will
222
SCHOOL REPORT.
soon have to be utilized. The question of properly grading and assigning the schools is one that will be more difficult to solve than it would be were all the Highlands schools lo- cated in one eight-room building. The old West school has been abandoned, and as it will probably never be used again for school purposes, it would seem that the amount of money it would bring, if sold, could be better invested in some other location.
The Franklin school is now in charge of Miss Guptill, who teaches the fifth grade, with the other grades in charge of the same teachers as one year ago.
At Upham Hill, a change in the principalship was made because of the transfer of Miss Smith to the D. W. Gooch school, and Miss Inez H. Libbey,of Chelsea, is now in charge of the building, and teaching the sixth and seventh grades, while the other schools have the same teachers, Miss Chad- bourne, Miss Lawrence and Miss Coyle.
The alterations that were in progress at the D. W. Gooch school were completed and two additional schools opened there in May, a first grade in charge of Miss Taylor, and a fifth grade to which Miss Long was assigned ; Miss Call being transferred to the fourth grade. In September a sixth grade was established and Miss Smith was taken from Upham Hill and placed in charge of this school and the building.
Miss White resigned the second grade at the Centre school, and Miss M. I. Coggeshall was elected to that posi- tion at the beginning of the year. The Ripley, Converse, Grove street and Mary A. Livermore schools all have the same corps of teachers as last year; no changes or additions having been made.
After the transfer of the fifth grade from the Lynde street school it was found necessary to open another first grade in
223
SCHOOL REPORT.
that building ; the number of scholars in that grade being too large to be accommodated at the Centre and Grove street buildings, and Miss Rosamond Heath was placed in charge.
The high school has the same number of teachers and the same teachers as one year ago. Owing to ill-health, the principal, Mr. Whitman, was obliged to be out during the spring and fall terms, but having regained his health he returned after the Thanksgiving recess and is now perform- ing his accustomed duties as of old. Mr. O. L. Watkins had charge of the school until the close of the school year in June with apparent good success. Mr. Frederick Reed, a graduate of Harvard, was placed in charge the first of September, and taught until Mr. Whitman's return in November. Mr. Reed was popular with teachers and scholars, and his work was highly satisfactory.
This may be as good a place as any to say that at least one more teacher is very much needed in the high school, as nearly the entire time of principal, as well as all the other teachers, is occupied in teaching, giving very little time to look after the details that have so much to do with the general welfare of the school, and giving the principal no time to exercise a wise and helpful supervision over all departments, the good results of which would; I believe, soon be apparent.
My observations of the past few months have convinced me that, with very few exceptions, our teachers are thorough, painstaking and conscientious in their work, and the little friction in matters of discipline is sufficient evidence of their tact and good judgment.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Within the past five years a large number of rooms have been added to the school house capacity of the town, by additions at the Grove street and D. W. Gooch schools, of
224
SCHOOL REPORT.
four rooms each, the changes at the High school, and the building of three new four-room buildings on Upham Hill, Warren street, and the Mary A. Livermore school on Main street. There are in all of these buildings at the present time but two vacant rooms, one in the Warren street building, and one in the D. W. Gooch building. Most of our schools are large, some of them very much crowded, and it is evident that further accommodations will have to be provided within a year or two, as both of the vacant rooms will probably have to be opened this fall, if not before.
SWAIN'S POND.
There are at the present time twenty-eight scholars at- tending school in Malden from the Swain's pond district, which means an annual outlay of seven hundred dollars ($700) for tuition. This seems like a large sum to pay out for tuition, and it certainly is a question that should be con- sidered carefully, as to whether another school should not be established there.
The present building is not large enough to allow of any partitioning off so as to make it possible to accommodate two schools therein, and to make the necessary alterations or additions means an expenditure of several thousand dollars, and the interest on this amount, with the necessary expense of supporting the school, would amount to con- siderable more than the sum now paid for tuition. The people are generally pretty well satisfied with the present arrangement, as the schools at Maplewood are near at hand, and the pupils get the advantages of graded schools, while with another school established there each teacher would be obliged to teach four grades, and the results would not be quite equal to those obtained in rooms more closely graded. It is a subject for consideration. A state of affairs exists in
SCHOOL REPORT. 225
one building, however, that should receive immediate con- sideration, and that is at the
HIGH SCHOOL.
I notice that in the annual reports of the superintendent of schools for two years past your attention has been specially called to the crowded condition of this school, and the present conditions are worse than ever before owing to the large increase in numbers. If the usual percentage of the present eighth grade classes (ninety-two), enters the high school, with a graduating class that numbers only thirty-nine to leave that school, we can easily see that something will probably have to be done to furnish tem- porary accommodations.
The present high school building is certainly far behind what the times demand for a school of that grade in a town like Melrose; a town already aspiring, and, in fact, expect- ing soon to be made a city.
Even allowing that the seating capacity is sufficient, so that by pressure fifty more scholars could be crowded in, it is an indisputable fact that better hygienic surroundings, better recitation rooms and better laboratory facilities are absolutely necessary. The system of heating and ventila- tion, while effective as far as keeping the pupils warm is concerned, is not such as to give the scholars the amount of fresh air which is necessary for the best work and perfect health.
Rooms are being used for recitation rooms that never were intended for that purpose and are entirely unfit for such use, and the best results can hardly be attained when a class of from twenty to thirty is crowded into a room ten or twelve feet square, or partially crowded in, while a part remain in the hall, getting as near the recitation room door
15
226
SCHOOL REPORT.
as possible, yet this is what has been done in our high school. Regarding laboratory facilities they are altogether inade- quate for present classes, the room now used for labora- tory work being so small that but few scholars can be accommodated at one time, necessitating the division of classes into small sections, and this takes more of the time of the instructor in this department than would be necessary with better accommodations.
The present arrangement, moreover, makes it necessary to use the same room for both a physical and chemical laboratory, the fumes and gases from the chemical experi- ments penetrating the adjacent rooms, making it disagree- able for scholars not engaged in the laboratory work, and the teacher who has charge of this department assures me that these same fumes and gases are seriously affecting, and will speedily ruin, some valuable physical apparatus which it is necessary to keep in the room under existing conditions.
The young men connected with the school are beginning to call for some accommodations in the shape of a room where they can have some advantages in the line of physical culture, if indeed they cannot hope for a fully equipped gymnasium, and this is a feature of the problem that deserves some consideration, as well developed intellects go with healthy and well developed bodies, and both the boys and girls of the school should have a chance to enjoy the advantages of a well equipped gymnasium.
In this connection a further word regarding the work in all the schools in
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
Nearly all of the teachers are having physical exercises in their schools, and many of them have been doing most excellent work, but there is a lack of system which would
227
SCHOOL REPORT.
come and make its good effects felt if the teachers and schools could have the benefit of instruction from a special teacher, even for a short time.
TRUANCY.
During the first few months of the present school year many complaints were received from a few teachers regard- ing truants, and I made a special effort to break up the habit, and by determined and persistent effort on the part of the teachers and officers the nuisance has been almost abated, and I think very few children who are enrolled in the schools are now absent from the schools, except from proper cause. It requires constant watchfulness, however, to keep some of the would-be delinquents in school, and I believe it would be a great benefit to the town if an officer could be appointed, whose first care should be the looking up of truants and absentees, and seeing that they were kept in school regularly.
In making this suggestion I do not wish to cast any re- flection upon the work of present truant officers, for they have responded most willingly to all calls for help in look- ing up truants and putting them back into school.
It is well known, however, that the present police force are kept pretty actively employed in doing their regular police duties, and to ask them to respond to all calls and carefully patrol the town to see that there are no parents who are evading the school laws, would be unreasonable. If a person, with the proper qualifications could be found, his time, when not doing police duty, could be profitably em- ployed in repairs and improvements upon the school build- ings, as there is constantly something requiring the attention of someone, and I have found that looking after this work has encroached upon my time more than I would like to
228
SCHOOL REPORT.
have it, and I believe the services of the superintendent could be more profitably employed in keeping a closer watch of the school-work proper. There has been no trouble caused by the employment of children who are under school age, as those in charge of the rubber shops are very strict in their enforcement of the law, and there are very few minors employed in other branches of business.
EPIDEMICS.
A writer of some considerable prominence on matters pertaining to domestic and school economics, in a recent article says: "It is no longer considered as necessary for a child to have measles and scarlet fever as to cut his teeth. It is no longer considered an essential part of life to have at least twenty or thirty days of illness in the year; but the community is beginning to learn that health and happiness are within the reach of all who know and obey the laws of right living."
I do not subscribe fully to the above, for it is a fact that epidemics come, and scholars from the best homes as well as the poorest, are afflicted alike.
Scarlet fever and measles have prevailed to quite an extent in several schools, and Miss Field's school in the Franklin building was nearly broken up for several weeks, nearly all of her scholars being out at different times, and about two-thirds at one time. In other schools there has been rather more than the usual number of absentees, owing to the prevalence of these diseases, together with mumps and diphtheria, many who were not sick themselves being obliged to stay out from fear of contagion. I trust we have seen the end, as few are out at present.
229
SCHOOL REPORT.
NATURE STUDY AND SCIENCE WORK.
The course of study in the grammar and lower grade schools contemplates the doing of considerable work in the line of nature study and elementary science, and while a few teachers have been doing this work very faithfully a large majority have failed to do proper work; some from a lack of proper material to do it with, others because they did not know how to take hold of the work and carry it along in connection with the other school studies, making it a help to the language work in particular rather than taking so much time from the regular studies, as they are apt to be classed, as to be looked upon as a hindrance to good pro- gress. With the proper desk books and helps the teachers are already beginning to take courage, and I look for excel- lent results in the coming year, as once properly started the interest therein of both teachers and scholars will never allow it to be neglected.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
In 1891 the general court of Massachusetts passed a reso- lution authorizing the appointment of a commission, to consist of three persons, to investigate the existing systems of manual training and industrial education, with special reference to the question whether any existing system of manual training or industrial education, or any modification thereof, can be adopted with advantage in any of the public schools of this commonwealth. This commission as appointed consisted of Mrs. Louisa P. Hopkins, Mr. Edwin P. Seaver and Mr. George E. McNeill, and after spending much time in investigation they have submitted their report, which is a most interesting volume of 320 pages, giving fully the results of their observations in all the principal schools
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