USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1893 > Part 13
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I. SCHOOL PROPERTY.
As the list of property published last year was complete, and as no new building has been erected during 1893, it will not · be necessary to do more than give a brief summary. There are nine distinct schools, located in ten buildings, containing eighty- one rooms with seats for thirty-nine hundred pupils. The approximate valuation of these buildings and their grounds, together with two small pieces of land now unused, and of all furniture, books, apparatus, supplies, etc., is about $321,000. There is an apparent increase of nearly $15,000, owing to the fact that the assessors have raised the valuation of the land at West Quincy and at Wollaston.
To this total may be added $15,000, the cost of the lot for the new High school. Furthermore, it is a great pleasure to record the action of the Council whereby $62,000 have been appropriated for a new building for the High school.
No provision has yet been made to anticipate the future needs of Wollaston Park and Norfolk Downs, although the two schools at Wollaston and Atlantic have reached their limit.
1
296
Land should be purchased before its value increases and before the most desirable lots are sold. There are at this date 118 pupils of the Wollaston school living east of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad, and 58 of the Quincy school on the same side, but south of a line drawn from the railroad bridge at Norfolk Downs station directly east to the salt water.
It is to be regretted that the middle section of the Lincoln school is not so roofed and lighted that a ninth-room can now be finished on the third floor. The two sections of the lowest grade number 123 and fill two rooms. Therefore the seventh and eighth grades have only one room. One or the other of the teachers of these two grades must teach a part of the time in the open corridor. In April forty-three pupils were removed to the John Hancock school to relieve the pressure.
The same trouble regarding the highest grades applies to the John Hancock as well as to the Lincoln, but with this exception. The third floor of the John Hancock needs only the finishing to provide two excellent rooms at a moderate expense.
In the Willard the storeroom for supplies has been removed to one of the coat rooms, and the former room has been seated and is used for a primary class. There are now eighteen rooms on the first two floors, and no further accommodations can be . provided below the third floor. If the extra rooms were finished at the John Hancock a new low grade Primary class could be organized there which would draw from both the Willard and the Lincoln.
II. TEACHERS.
An increased school population demands an increased teaching force. In the following table will be found five additional teachers. The extra man is in charge of the afternoon session of the High School; three of the women are employed in the seventh grades of the John Hancock, Lincoln and Willard; and one is assigned to the new room of the second grade in the Willard.
297
1892 MEN WOMEN
1893.
MEN
WOMEN
High School, Principal
1
0
1
0
Other Teachers
0
4
1
4
Grammar Schools, Principals Other Teachers
7
1
7
1
0
25
0
28
Primary Schools, Teachers
0
42
0
43
-
-
8
72
9
76 .
Assistants
0
14
0
14
-
8
86
9
90
Special Teachers
0
5
0
5
104
III. PUPILS.
1. Whole number of different pupils registered
4,114
2. Average number belonging
3,211
3. Average number attending
3,067
4. Ratio of attendance to membership
95.5
5. Pro rata of tardiness to average membership .
.59
In the table below will be found similar data for each year since the incorporation of Quincy as a city.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1889.
3,287
2,619
2,516
96
.36
1890.
3,432
2,698
2,587
95
.53
1891.
3,649
2,865
2,733
95
.59
1892.
3,724
*3,392
3,228
94.9
.53
1893.
4,114
*3,211
3,067
95.5
.59
3
8
91
9
95
-
*On the last school day of December, 1892, the number of actual mem- bers was 3,234; in December, 1893, the number was 3,330. It is evident that the confusion arising from the organization of the Lincoln and the re-organization of the John Hancock, and from the consequent transfer of pupils from other schools to them, has caused an error in the averages of 1892.
298
TRUANCY.
The need of one energetic truant officer who has some acquaintance with truancy laws, as well as with all the highways and byways of the city, is more imperative than ever before. Not only is the number of truants increasing, but there is too great a difference between the whole number of different pupils registered and the census returns of May. Too much time is spent by teachers in an attempt to do the work of a truant officer without the power that an officer of the law carries with him. The legislature will be asked at its next session to revise the truancy laws so that there can be no doubt as to the offence and the penalty.
IV. CENSUS.
The population of Quincy in 1890 was 16,723. The last estimate by the State Board of Health is 19,642, an estimate generally accepted is 20,000.
The census of May, 1893, is as follows :
Age.
Centre.
Point.
West.
South.
Atlantic. Wollaston. Total.
Five,
69
37
193
158
56
58
571
Six,
69
48
184
171
41
49
562
Seven,
60
32
149
132
39
34
446
Eight,
39
32
137
101
37
46
395
Nine,
55
28
128
115
42
48
416
Ten,
46
30
123
108
32
43
382
Eleven,
53
26
101
81
35
40
336
Twelve,
43
38
124
93
32
27
357
Thirteen, 54
30
107
77
34
42
344
Fourteen, 69
54
137
138
54
59
511
557
358
1,383
1,174
446
446
4,320
299
TOTALS FOR TEN YEARS.
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
South
588
520
727
769
840
Centre
432
409
461
46
480
Point
356
308
376
380
368
West
802
693
939
964
1,008
Wollaston
236
229
242
251
278
Atlantic
320
257
343
328
322
Total
2,734
2,416
3,088
3,153
3,296
1889
1890
1891
1892
1893
South
926
1,024
1,158
1,281
1,174
Centre
481
485
522
522
557
Point
353
325
337
357
358
West
1,108
1,161
1,281
1,407
1,383
Wollaston
313
332
365
416
446
Atlantic
314
338
382
394
402
Total
· 3,495
3,665
4,045
4,377
4,320
A comparison of the totals in this table will cause some surprise. The census this year was taken by D. Vinton Pierce, who has reported the births for the last two years, and who is familiar with all parts of the city. He declares that even after a second search in Wards III and IV, he cannot find more than the number reported. This result may be due : first, to an in- accurate total in 1892; second, to the same trouble in 1893; or third, to a real loss of school population. Mr. Pierce thinks that parents were careless last year in giving their children's ages, as many under five and over fourteen were included in the census of 1892. Mr. Pierce has kept a record of all cases of this nature in each district, and declares that when such deductions as are mentioned above, are made from the census of 1892, the census of this year shows an increase.
300
V. MONEY.
Valuation of Quincy, May, 1893
$16,638,070 00
Total tax levy
$273,947 51
Rate per thousand
$15 80
APPROPRIATIONS.
Spring.
Salaries
$52,525
Fall. $2,250
Total. $ 54,775
Fuel
5,900
5,900
Janitors .
4,434
4,434
Transportation
850
850
Miscellaneous .
3,900
400
4,300
Books and Stationery
3,325
3,325
*Evening Drawing Schools
1,000
1,000
*Evening Common Schools
1,700
1,700
Sewing
500
500
Cooking
100
100
$74,234
$2,650
$76,884
*A transfer of $100 was made from Evening Common to Evening Drawing.
In accordance with section 34, paragraph C, of the City Charter, W. W. Ewell, Commissioner of Public Works, reports the following outlay for repair of school buildings :
High
$19 50
Adams
244 19
Coddington
285 54
John Hancock
163 59
Lincoln
320 81
Quincy ·
98 86
Washington
677 77
Willard
1,531 85
Wollaston
199 95
The unusual amount charged to the Willard school is due to the fact that the higher part of the roof was not slated when the building was erected. During the summer the old covering was removed and the roof was slated.
301
At the Washington school three hard-wood floors were relaid and the building made safe.
Summary of expenditures for 1893.
Expenditures.
Balances.
Salaries
$54,698 64
$76 36
Fuel
5,899 71
29
Janitors
4,434 00
00
Transportation
832 50
17 50
Miscellaneous
4,295 67
4 33
Books and Stationery
3,312 58
12 42
Evening Drawing School
1,089 91
10 09
Evening Common Schools
1,579 45
20 55
Sewing
499 12
88
Cooking
99 95
05
Total,
$76,741 53
$142 47
See appendix for itemized account.
VI. ADDITIONAL STATISTICS.
By the Fifty-sixth Annual Report of the Board of Education, Quincy holds the following rank, among the 351 towns and cities of the State and the 27 of the County.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools. State, 137; County, 16.
Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of children between 5 and 15 years. State, 301; County, 23.
Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years. State, 153; County, 21.
Number of pupils in the twelve grades in December.
Primary, I, 672. II, 400. III, 421. IV, 402.
Grammar, V, 370. VI, 314. VII, 291. VIII, 227.
High, IX, 124. X, 67.
XI, 33. XII, 25.
In December of 1892 there were:
Primary, I, 653. II, 450.
III, 406. IV. 393.
Grammar, V, 361.
VI, 319.
253.
VIII, 214.
High, IX, 86.
X,
48.
VII, XI
30.
XII, 19.
302
A comparison of the number in any grammar grade of last year with that next higher this year will reveal a decided shrinkage and shows that we still have to regret the loss of pupils at the age when they need a strong hand and mind to direct them in the paths they should enter. Their reading age is just beginning, and if they could be controlled for a year or two, and be given the right taste and habit by contact with teach- ers .who realize their responsibilities and their opportunities, we should have better citizens and manlier men. These children will be able to answer easily all the demands and requirements of our Board of Registrars, and yet they will be more likely to be led than to lead, more willing to allow someone else to do their thinking for them than to do it themselves.
VII. SALARIES.
This year begins a new era in the history of salaries. The Board awoke to the fact that for years Quincy had been the source of supply for the schools of all the neighboring cities, to the profit of the said cities, but to the great detriment of Quincy. The Board felt that it had the support of all those citizens who have the welfare of the city at heart and therefore it acted promptly.
By the new scale the average salary now paid to the seventy- one teachers, excluding those of the High School, all principals and the specials, is $470.77.
Six of the seventy-one teachers have served for more than fifteen years. Their services date from '55, '57, '65, '74, '75, and '78. The Board deemed these worthy of a special reward, not only for length of service, but for faithful and successful effort. These now receive $550, as a token of appreciation.
Another change of the year established a new maximum for principals below the High School. The scale as now fixed begins with $1,000 for the first year, and the salary increases by $100 per year, until the maximum of $1,400 is reached.
Last year there were twenty-three resignations ; this, four- teen. Last year thirteen left to receive a larger salary ; this year, seven.
See appendix for list of teachers, years of service, and resignations.
303
VIII. FUEL.
The excessive cold of last spring increased the fuel account about $400. It was the desire of the Board this year to contract for a year's supply of coal in the summer and thus avoid the advanced prices current in the spring. The Council, early in the year, made an unusually generous appro- priation for this purpose. The balance in July was sufficient to purchase for immediate delivery 671 tons at $5.20. If the spring of '94 is not very severe, this amount will nearly suffice until July, '94.
IX. HIGH SCHOOL.
The needs of this school were set forth in the report of '92 in vigorous language. Many of our citizens at last became thoroughly aroused, lent the Board their influence, and the united efforts of both, together with the assistance of able men in the Council and in other departments of the city government, have secured a generous appropriation of $62,000 for a new building. A very desirable piece of land for a site had already been purchased for $15,000. The first sod was turned Monday, November 27. The building is to be finished before September of 1894.
The growth of the school this years has surpassed even the generous prophecy in the last report. When the doors were thrown open for the fall term 245 pupils presented themselves. It was impossible to dispose of the overflow, as last year, in the Adams building. As the new building seemed even at this time as- sured, it was not thought best to incur a great expense by fitting up additional quarters. The entering class was just one-half of the school. It was organized in four divisions, provided with three teachers and given the use of the old building for an after- noon session. The three remaining classes in care of three other teachers held their session from 8 until 12.30 o'clock. When we remember the many disadvantages and also the fact that as yet the course of study has received no enrichment, the large increase is surprising.
304
Of the 213 graduates of the Grammar schools, 123 entered the High. There are 227 in the Grammar classes that graduate next June. If the same proportion enters as did last September, if twenty-five graduate from the High, and if fifty, or even seventy, leave for various reasons, the school next fall will number more than three hundred pupils.
Of the 173 girls now enrolled, 84 were born in Quincy ; but only three of this number have expressed a desire to attend the Woodward Institute.
Last June the class of '94, eighteen in number, received the first diplomas of the new four years' course. As there is now a first class of twenty-five we may consider that the course is well established.
The books offered for the best declamations, essays, and translations were competed for last April, and the exercises brought the school before the public in a very creditable way. The generous donors will offer similar rewards for 1894.
To the surprise and great pleasure of the friends and pupils of the school, George W. Morton, Esq., made a generous addi- tion to the prizes of the contest of 1893.
For programmes of graduating, and prize speaking exercises, for names of recipients of prizes and data for the new contest, see appendix.
X. EVENING DRAWING SCHOOL.
This school is occupying the Hardwick Hall for the last season. A room has been provided for it in the plans of the new High School building where more modern conveniences will be provided.
Last April 8 certificates were presented to the members of the mechanical class and 11 to the freehand for one year's work. Also 4 diplomas to the mechanical and 3 to the freehand for two years' work.
Certificates and diplomas are given for the completion of a definite amount of work to the satisfaction of the Instructor in Drawing.
The average attendance for the year was : Mechanical, 17 ; freehand, 14.5. At different times in the year fourteen of the teachers or assistants of the day schools were enrolled.
353
XI. EVENING COMMON SCHOOLS.
Adams : Largest attendance of men, 88; of women, 20. Smallest attendance of men, 6; of women, 1. Average attendance of men, 39.4; of women, 8.1; Average number of teachers, 4.5.
Willard : Largest attendance of men, 134; of women 6. Smallest attendance of men, 29; of women, 0. Average number of men, 69.2; of women .95. Average number of teachers, 5.9.
The two schools have been open during the months of January, February, March, November and December. The number of sessions for each school is 47.
As many of the men are between twenty and thirty years of age and have a very limited English vocabulary even for conversation, a great deal of patient individual work is necessary on the part of the teachers.
The drafting of a set of regulations for the government of all the Evening Schools has been referred to the proper sub- committee. Another year it is to be hoped that a more regular and constant attendance will be enforced.
One of the Principals reports an increased attendance of graduates of our Grammar Schools and that excellent work has been done by them.
XII. GENERAL MEETINGS.
The general meetings have been continued as in the past. All teachers, assistants and trainers are expected to attend. The subjects discussed are intended to be of such general interest that all may find profit in them. The following eleven meetings have been held :
Jan. 17. Henry T. Bailey, Agent State Board of Education. Psychology of the Quincy Course in Drawing. Jan. 31. W. G. Corthell, Quincy School Board. Reminiscences of European Travel.
Feb. 14. Dr. John A. Gordon, Quincy School Board. Digestion.
06
Feb. 28. Rupert F. Claflin, Cashier Granite National Bank. Banking.
March 14. John T. Prince, Agent State Board of Education. School Habits.
Sept. 5. H. W. Lull, Superintendent of Schools. General Introduction to Work of the Year.
Sept. 19. A. E. Winship, Editor Journal of Education. Teachers' Reading.
Oct. 23. Nov. 7. Sylvester Brown, Principal Martin School, Boston. English Language and its Grammar.
Nov. 14.
Dec. 14. A. W. Edson, Agent State Board of Education. Qualities and Characteristics of a Good Teacher.
XIII. PROMOTION BOOKS.
Every teacher keeps a book in which is recorded twice each term, six times per year, a general estimate of each pupil's scholarship and deportment. In addition the teachers are requested to make a careful statement of the child's mental, moral and physical condition, so that his work may be properly judged.
The estimate in scholarship is not the result of particular written tests or special examinations given by teacher, principal or superintendent, but it is supposed to be a conscien- tious statement based on all the work and all the individual teacher knows of the particular child. Quincy is subject to so many changes in her teaching corps that it has been difficult at times to learn the exact status of a pupil's work. Now, however, the new teacher who enters after the first two months of the year will always find one or more records, and if he begins in May, he will have five records to help him determine the question of promotion in June.
XIV. LETTER WRITING.
During the past year all the pupils in Grades III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII have written at particular times and also in accordance with definite instructions, seven letters on various subjects assigned by the Superintendent. These letters have
307
been inclosed in envelopes and properly addressed to designated persons. Those on Nature Work were addressed to Miss Brassill ; on Temperance, to Mrs. Mary H. Hunt; on Our Dumb Animals, to George T. Angell ; on Geography and History, to A. E. Winship, Editor of the Journal of Education ; on Thanksgiving, to the special sub-committee of the School Board, and on general subjects, to the Superintendent. All these letters have shown the name, age, school and grade of the pupil and have been exchanged, grade for grade. As there are eight schools of full grade below the High, and as seven letters have been written, every grade has seen the work of all the corresponding grades in the city.
The pupils of grades I and II can do little in the fall term, but before the next June they are able to copy or write from memory choice gems of two, four, or six verses in addition to the name, age, school and grade.
It is hoped that such practice as that outlined above, will develop more power, confidence, and skill in nearly the only line in which a large majority will ever attempt original composition. Neatness, care, method, thought, handwriting, spelling, capital- ization, punctuation and composition are constantly demanded, and it is expected that the inspection by all the other schools will be a strong incentive to each school to do its very best work. Illustration is required whenever possible, so that the pupil may realize the fact that drawing is a very practical study and that the sketch is a great help in conveying information.
XV. VISITS.
The sum total of visits during the year is 5,777. It is evident that the Quincy schools still stand well among educators, for this number includes visitors from all parts of the United States and from beyond the Atlantic. Even Dr. Rice, "the expert," who has criticised everywhere unsparingly, has been with us and has given us some little glory.
However, it is a cause of regret that this number of visitors includes a relatively small number of the parents of the pupils. Much of the friction that arises could be prevented if the father or mother would visit the school, see the aims, efforts and
308
methods of the teachers and would then co-operate with them. Misunderstandings are due in a great measure to gossip, to the · vigorous imaginations of the pupils, and to ignorance of the real work of the school.
A visit, now and then, would be an excellent corrective and would increase the child's respect for his school, his teacher and his work, if the parents showed by their presence that they considered them worthy of their attention. It would also be an incentive to the teacher to do better work, if the parents would manifest such an interest.
XVI. THE TRAINING CLASS.
The class now numbers 40, though the total number of different members during the year is much larger. Unfortunate- ly the class is looked upon as a "short cut " to the teacher's position. In a sense it certainly is, but if the trainer, thereby throws away the added knowledge and thought training to be gained in a good Normal School, it is a most unfortunate loss. Doubtless there are many in and near Quincy, who would have found some way of securing a normal education, if this class did not exist, who will regret the loss after a few years. The road through the Quincy schools is shorter, but in the end, other things being equal, the normal graduate will become the better teacher and command a higher salary. The founder of this class agrees with this view. Because of these facts, the parents of the girls in the Quincy High School should send them, if in any way it is possible, to a first-class Normal School.
See Appendix.
XVII. SPECIAL STUDIES.
Drawing, Music, Nature Work and Sewing are now so integral a part of our school curriculum that " special " is almost a mismoner. These courses have been strengthened during the year by the special directors.
In Nature Work the regular teachers are getting a better grasp of the subject and in some cases are calling for extra work. This department is now more closely allied with the drawing to
309
the mutual profit of both kinds of work. It is also correlated with number work, spelling, dictation, language and writing.
As the first year's work in sewing was not finished until last June, there was little variety in it. At present Grades VI, VII and VIII are engaged in the second year's work and Grade V in the first. As the boys of Grades VII and VIII have gained that practical knowledge that was considered desirable, they are now excused. These boys are now occupied in some other way, while the girls are sewing. They should be in the shop, and at the bench learning the use of the common tools. Manual Training should be doing for the boys what sewing is for the girls. The basement of the Coddington School can accommodate all the boys of grades VII and VIII of the eight schools for one half-day lesson per week. Such a plan will necessitate an outlay for only one set of apparatus and for only one instructor.
If Quincy is to hold the position in the educational world that should be hers, she must strengthen herself in at least three places ; in her secondary instruction, in the education of the hand in conjunction with the brain, and in the training of those whom she receives into the lowest Primary grade. The new High School building will be new as regards the building and also in the courses of instruction offered and will provide for the first need; Manual Training will develop the hand; and to the Kindergarten we must look for the training that will take the child at four years of age and give him to the lowest Primary grade at five in a condition to make a rapid stride in his work. A trial Kindergarten established within the triangle formed by the John Hancock, Lincoln and Willard Schools and near Brewer's Corner would be a most acceptable beginning.
Because of the limited appropriation and more limited accommodations of the High School, it was necessary, for the last two years, to teach cooking by the lecture method. The attempt has been as successful as was expected in the circum- stances. Next year, if the same appropriation is made, and if all the money is saved until September, the girls of the first class can be assigned a room in the new building and then class and individual work can be done in the customary way.
See appendix for synopsis of Nature Work and of Sewing.
310
XVIII. EXHIBITS OF WORK.
In June, in Boston, under the direction of the New England Conference of Educational Workers, an exhibition of Nature Work was held. The whole scheme of the six departments of the Quincy work was outlined by samples mounted on large card boards displayed in consecutive order; while on a table whole sets of classwork were neatly bound and displayed by grades and subjects. The exhibit was intentionally reduced in quantity so that examiners could more easily grasp the method and development. The value of the exhibit has been proved by the receipt of numerous letters from teachers asking for information and assistance.
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