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 1894 > Part 16
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During the year the New High School building has been completed and occupied, and preliminaries have been arranged for the location of two much needed Grammar school houses, one in the rapidly growing district of Norfolk Downs, the other in that part of West Quincy known as "The Rail."
Briefly looking toward the work of the next year it is desirable that something be done in the way of manual train- ing, of Kindergarten work as supplementary to our primary system, and of a further advance in work of the grammar grade by which pupils of a certain rank may anticipate studies now taken in the first year at the High School.
In regard to so called departmental work, it has been found that among our teachers some were specially fitted to teach a certain study, while others were best qualified to instruct in other branches, and exchanges have been made by which, for- illustration, one teacher has taken two or more grades in arithmetic, another has taught grammar, a third history, and so on through the list of subjects. This scheme of special teaching has passed the experimental stage and has proved so successful that more will be done in this direction.
In conclusion we ask your careful consideration of the report of the Superintendent.
WENDELL G. CORTHELL,
JOHN A. GORDON, '94
CHARLES H. PORTER,
EMERY L. CRANE, JAMES F. HARLOW, '95
JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN,
WILLIAM D. BURNS, THOMAS GURNEY, '96
GEORGE B. RICE,
School Committee_
Report of the Superin= tendent.
To the School Committee of Quincy :
GENTLEMEN :- The twentieth report written by a Superin- tendent and the forty-fifth of the series of school reports printed by the town or city of Quincy, is now submitted to you. It is a brief, concise and plain statement of the work of a year that has had but little change below the High School, but of one that has been full of persistent, faithful and conscientious efforts by the members of the school department in the many lines of work included in the school curriculum. As it is the belief of the Superintendent that this School Board desires facts rather than theories, his third report will follow closely those of '92 and '93.
SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The total valuation of the eleven buildings and their "grounds, of unused land belonging to this department, and of all other school property is approximately $401,000.
Although a new school building has been erected during the vear, yet the 4,399 children are at present massed in these nine distinct schools whose names should be and are a source of gratifi- cation to Quincy. Of the eleven buildings seven have reached
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their maximum numbers and at least three are over crowded. Next April, when two hundred and more of the little "five-year- olds" apply for admission, chairs and desks will be at a pre- mium. The old High School building cannot, because of its loca- tion, relieve the pressure in the most congested districts.
The board has already voted favorably on the petitions of the citizens of the "Norfolk Downs and Wollaston Park District" and of the "Rail District" for new school accommodations and the Council has appropriated $6,600 for the purchase of land in each of these districts.
As at the present moment more than 200 children are ready to enter each of these new buildings, it is evident that action has been taken none too quickly. Therefore, while such a generous response on the part of the Council, as repre- sentatives of the people, calls for the thanks of all those vitally interested in the education of the youth of Quincy, it must not be forgotten for a moment that it is all for the sons and daugh- ters of these representatives and of this people, and, in fine, that it is home missionary work, not foreign.
It would be pleasing if the Superintendent could assure the taxpayers that these two buildings will satisfy all demands ; but the facts will not agree with such a statement. From the Lincoln School last April the entire sixth grade was sent to the unfinished attic of the John Hancock, so that a new class might be organized in the former school. When the cold of autumn be- came too intense, the class was removed to the Adams and trans- portation was provided.
Next April one grade of the John Hancock will be driven to the attic to make room for the annual growth. It is ob- vious that this attic should be finished at once to provide for the natural increase of the school and also to permit the separation of the seventh and eighth grades. It is as evident that the Lin- coln needs an addition of two rooms to provide for the same separation and to take back the children now transported from the district.
359
TEACHERS.
One new room of 40 pupils has been organized in the Lincoln and the corps of the High has been strengthened by the addition of one new teacher. The cooking lessons in the High were omitted in the spring because of lack of room, and were not begun in the autumn because of the necessity of reorganizing the school. Therefore the teacher in this department is not re- corded below.
At the close of the schools in December.
1893.
1894.
MEN
WOMEN
MEN
WOMEN
High School, Principal
1
0
1
0
Other Teachers
1
4
1
5
Grammar Schools, Principals Other Teachers
0
28
0
28
Primary Schools, Teachers .
0
43
0
44
9
76
9
78
* Assistants,
0
14
0)
15
9
90
9
93
Special Teachers
0
5
0
4
9
95
9
97
*This number fluctuates during the year. From April to July the demand is the greatest. ·
PUPILS.
1. Whole number of different pupils registered
4,399
2. Average number belonging 3,418
3. Average number attending .
3,272
4. Ratio of attendance to membership
95.7
5. Pro rata of tardiness to average membership ·
0.46
·
7
1
7
1
-
.
-
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In the table below are similar data for each year since Quincy became 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
1894.
4,399
3,418
3,272
95.7
.46
*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 this average.
CENSUS.
The population of Quincy in 1890 was
16,723
The last estimate of the State Board of Health is
20,387
An estimate generally accepted is
20,000
The census of May, 1894, as reported by D. Vinton Pierce, is as follows :
Age. · Centre.
Point.
West.
South. Atlantic. Wollaston. Total.
Five,
56
45
245
149
40
60
595
Six,
69
45
174
172
56
58
574
Seven,
61
46
166
133
37
45
488
Eight,
61
29
145
121
39
37
432
Nine,
46
31
128
109
45
44
403
Ten,
51
37
131
110
43
47
419
Eleven.
48
33
104
100
36
42
363
Twelve, 59
32
108
96
46
42
383
Thirteen, 47
31
117
90
40
30
355
Fourteen, 55
44
126
103
51
52
431
553
373
1,444
1,183
433
457
4,443
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TOTALS FOR TEN YEARS.
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
South
520
727
769
840
926
Centre .
409
461
461
480
481
Point
308
376
380
368
353
West
693
939
964
1,008
1,108
Wollaston
229
242
251
278
313
Atlantic
257
343
328
322
314
Total
2,416
3,088
3,153
3,296
3,495
1890
1891
1892
1893
1894
South
1,024
1,158
1,281
1,174
1,183
Centre .
485
522
522
557
553
Point
325
337
357
·
358
373
West
1,161
1,281
1,407
1,383
1,444
Wollaston
332
365
416
446
457
Atlantic
338
382
394
402
433
Total
3,665
4,045
4,377
4,320
4,443
The gain this year is 123.
Between May of 1884 and May of 1885 there was such a loss that it suggests a grave error. Since 1886 the average yearly gain has been 170.
MONEY.
Valuation of Quincy, May, 1894,
Total tax levy, Rate per thousand,
$16,817,455 00 307,827 00 17 60
.
·
362
APPROPRIATIONS.
Salaries
$57,235
Fuel
4,360
Janitors
4,630
* Transportation
1,000
*Miscellaneous
4,300
* Books and Supplies ›
3,500
Evening Drawing School
1,100
Evening Common Schools
1,700
Sewing
550
* Cooking
100
$78,475
*A transfer of $1300 was made from Miscellaneous to Books and Supplies and of $100 from Cooking to Transportation. There has been no relative change in the expense of the Miscellaneous and Books and Supplies departments. The transfer was mide necessary because this year for the first time a careful distinction has been drawn between the various items of the two accounts.
William N. Eaton, Commissioner of Public Works, reports the following outlay for repair of school buildings.
High
$18 30
Adams
92 77
Coddington
184 02
John Hancock
146 14
Lincoln
293 13
Quincy
28 30
Washington
396 80
Willard
379 72
Wollaston
99 86
$1,639 04
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Summary of expenditures for 1894.
EXPENDITURES.
BALANCES.
Salaries
$57,126 22
$108 78
Fuel
.
4,356 76
3 24
Janitors
4,629 92
08
Transportation
1,037 50
62 50
Miscellaneous
2,989 18
10 82
Books and Supplies
4,799 71
29
Evening Drawing School
1,098 25
1 75
Evening Common Schools
1,698 31
1 69
Sewing .
549 75
25
Total,
$78,285 60
$189 40
See appendix for itemized account.
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS.
By the fifty-seventh Annual Report of the Board of Educa- tion, Quincy holds the following rank among the 352 towns and cities of the State and the 27 of the County.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools. State, 161; County, 17.
Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of child- ren between 5 and 15 years. State, 258; County, 22.
Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years. State, 178; County, 21.
Number of pupils in the twelve grades.
Dec.'92.
Dec. '93. 672
Oct. '94.
Grade I.
653
691
Grade II.
450
400
522
Grade III.
406
421
428
Grade IV.
393
402
428
Grade V.
361
370
383
Grade VI.
319
314
358
.
.
364
Grade VII.
253
291
302
Grade VIII.
214
227
251
Grade IX.
86
124
147
Grade X.
48
67
77
Grade XI.
30
33
46
Grade XII.
19
25
26
Oct. '94 was taken because of reduced numbers in Nov. and Dec. due to diphtheria.
The teachers have had their attention called to the sad loss of pupils as the different classes move up a grade, and they have been urged to do all that they can to keep the children in school. The shrinkage begins to be noticeable in grade V. and has continued with an average loss of 47 per grade for the last three years. The average membership of grade V. for three years has been 371. If this number had continued, the grammar schools would have numbered 1,484. Whereas, the average for '92, '93 and '94 is 1,214, a difference of 270. Sup- pose a loss of 70 were due to death, removal from the city, or similar reasons, where are the 200? "At work" is the probable answer. In many cases the aid of the child is needed for the support of the family, but in many others the parent has yielded to the "teasing" of the child. These are children in whom the teacher should awaken ": n inner want for knowledge."
SALARIES.
The financial depression of the past year prevented any general increase in salaries. In fact, many of the teachers who were drawing the maximum salary left, and their places were taken by younger teachers, so that the average salary of the 72 teachers of the grammar and primary grades (not principals) is only $469.09 as compared with $470.77 last year. At least five of those working for $425 (the third year in Quincy) are get- ting excellent results. Five other teachers are receiving only $400.
Seventeen teachers have retired during the year, of these
365
ten were "called" by the inducement of larger salaries. See appendix for further information.
THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL.
"It is done !" Whittier's exclamation in his "Laus Deo" is also expressive of the joy that the friends of the High School felt Tuesday, September 11, when the new building was form- ally and most successfully dedicated. As the daily press has published elaborate descriptions of the building and a full ac- count of the exercises of dedication embellished with numerous "cuts," and as the organ of the school, "The Golden Rod," has devoted a whole number to these matters, this report will deal with the school rather than with the building. In the appendix, however, will be found many details that should be preserved.
In the report of '93 your Superintendent ventured the prophecy that in spite of the attractions of two schools in this city, of that at Braintree, and of many in Boston, the High would open with more than 300 pupils. An enrollment of 306 was reported on the last Friday of September. Though this number may seem large, it is only 8 per cent. of the whole num- ber of pupils in the city on that date. There is still room for growth.
In High Schools twenty-five pupils are considered a fair number for each teacher. Instead of twelve teachers, only seven are struggling with the enlarged curriculum. To meet the evident appreciation of the new opportunities offered, the teaching corps should be increased. One teacher, even if she is very capable, cannot handle 120 in the business course.
The business course offers the first year technical English grammar, rhetoric and composition ; English history ; civil government ; book-keeping and commercial arithmetic. The second year's work is advanced book-keeping with banking, elementary commercial law, typewriting, stenography, and Eng- glish composition.
Another gratifying growth is in the department of science. Never before has it been possible to develop properly this divi-
-
366
sion of the course because of the utter lack of place or of resources. No better laboratory rooms could be desired and the Council has generously appropriated $1000 to begin their proper equipment.
Furthermore, the school will now be able to meet the re- quirements of all the technical schools and colleges-that is, if the teaching corps is sufficiently increased. Quiney can now feel that her school system has at last a head and has reason to be proud of this last example of cephalization.
The work in the High School is departmental ; there is only one session ; the studies are new ; in fine the time has come when the pupil must rely more on himself and do more real studying, It is difficult to impress all this on child or parent and therefore the value of a regular study period at home is not fully recognized. It is of prime importance that a certain time, one, two or three hours, should be set aside between four and nine o'clock p. M. for quiet and persistent study. If any pupil declares that there is no need of such a period, he is wasting his time and should at once elect an additional subject. To make certain that the parents under- stand this matter a circular was sent home last October by every pupil. With the circular was enclosed a card to be returned with the signature of the parent as a means of protecting the teachers in case the pupil fails in his work.
(See appendix.)
It should be unnecessary to say that this study period should never interfere with regular physical exercise.
The new High has aroused such enthusiasm among the graduates of the school that they have organized as "The Association of the Alumni of the Quincy High School." The object is : "To promote the usefulness of the Quincy High School, to furnish opportunity for friendly intercourse among its Alumni, and to create and preserve harmonious relations between the school and the community in which it is placed."
The reunion of December 31 in the new building, it is hoped and expected, will be the first of "a long procession down the centuries." (See appendix.
367
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATION.
There is a happy medium between the formal graduation in which the individual pupils and the teachers labor for many days to prepare a "show" and the opposite extreme, when after eight years of schooling the single sub-committee, superintendent, or principal during the last session informally hands to the class the diplomas. This happy medium was introduced last June in Hancock hall. The 225 graduates assembled for the first and only time on Tuesday afternoon of the twenty-sixth and without any "fuss or feathers" sang their old songs, spoke some of the gems of the year's work, illustrated their daily physical exercises, saluted the flag, received their diplomas, and, by the kindness of certain friends, enjoyed a slight refreshment not mental. As all the exercises were executed by the entire class and not individually (and therefore with but little nervous strain), as there were no elaborate preparations and no reason for more than the every-day dress, the innovation proved a genuine good time and its repetition is warranted in June, 1895. The school board awarded 225 diplomas to the eight schools in the follow- ing order :
Adams, 36
Quincy, 25
Coddington,
26 Washington,
27
John Hancock,
22 Willard, 28
Lincoln,
22
Wollaston, . 39
See appendix for programme.
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOL
This school is now located in a large room on the third floor of the new High School. As this room can be reached directly from the tower, the rest of the building will receive no harm. The incidental account of the school is large this year because of the removal and the need of new fittings, but the rent saved has nearly covered the cost.
Last April 10 certificates were presented to the members of
368
the mechanical class and 8 to those of the freehand for one year's work ; also 5 diplomas to the mechanical class.
The average attendance for the year was : mechanical 18.6 ; frechand, 11.8. The teachers and graduates of the High school have, as last year, improved the opportunities offered.
EVENING COMMON SCHOOLS.
Adams : Largest attendance of men, 76; of women, 25. Smallest attendance of men, 16 ; of women, 0. Average attendance of men, 37.7 ; of women, 9.3. Average num- ber of teachers, 4.5. Number of sessions, 52.
Willard : Largest attendance of men, 86; of women, 13. Smallest attendance of men, 28 ; of women, 0. Average attendance of men, 49; of women, 4.8. Average num- ber of teachers, 5.2. Number of sessions, 55.
The earnest spirit that pervades the two schools and the persistent and pains-taking efforts of the teachers are highly commendable. The "hoodlum" element is only slightly noticeable.
There is a demand on the part of those who have attended these schools for several years, and also by those who have graduated from the Grammar schools, and even by those who have been obliged to leave the High after an attendance for one or more years, for greater opportunities than the Evening Common Schools afford. It is now time to offer such persons at least some of the subjects of the High School, but not until they can show that they are sufficiently advanced to profit by them.
GENERAL MEETINGS.
These meetings have been as interesting and profitable as those of the last two years. The number is not as great as in the past, because of lack of rooms that were properly lighted. The new High will afford both room and light ; but the fixtures for lighting were not in place in time for the fall meetings. The subjects and speakers were ;-
369
Jan. 23. George H. Martin, Supervisor, Boston. "Some Ends of School Work."
March 15. Henry .T. Bailey, Agent State Board of Education.
"Drawing in Connection with Other Subjects."
March 20. Robert C. Metcalf, Supervisor, Boston. "Language and Reading."
April 11. George A. Walton, Agent State Board of Education. "Relations of Teachers and Pupils to the Schools."
May 15. A. E. Winship, Editor Journal of Education. "Psychology for Teachers."
May 24. Frank F. Murdock, Bridgewater Normal School. "Methods in Elementary Geography."
Sept. 4. H. W. Lull, Superintendent of Schools. "The New Year's Work."
Five additional speakers are ready to answer the call of the Superintendent.
THE TRAINING CLASS.
In spite of the manifest purpose of those in control of educational matters throughout the state to demand a Normal School education of every teacher, and also regardless of an equally self-evident fact that the demands on the teacher are increasing rapidly, nearly 60 applied for admission to the Train- ing Class in September and every week there is a new applicant. It should be repeated again and again that a Normal School education is invaluable.
See appendix for members in December.
TRUANCY.
At the present moment, as in the past, there is urgent need of one energetic truant officer who has an intimate acquaintance with the new truancy laws, with all the highways and byways of the city, and with the places of business where children are regularly employed. It is asking too much and it costs too much to make truant officers of the principals. An officer armed with the legal rights of the position-even if the armor is no
370
more than a row of brass buttons-will exert a silent influence on the street that will be most beneficial.
The new law of 1894 is as follows :-
[CHAP. 188.]
AN ACT RELATING TO SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY. Be it enacted, etc., as follows :
SECTION 1. Every person having under his control a child between the ages of eight and fourteen years, and, in cities and towns where industrial training is taught, between the ages of eight and fifteen years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides, for at least thirty weeks if the schools are kept open that length of time, with an allowance of two weeks' time for absences not excused by the superintendent of schools or the school con- mittee; such period of attendance shall begin within the first month of the full term of school, and for each five days of" absence of" any such child thereafter, in excess of the above allowance, before the completion of the required annual atten- dance of thirty weeks, the person haring such child under his control shall, upon the complaint of the school committee or any truant officer, forfeit to the use of the public schools of such city or town a sum not exceeding twenty dollars; but if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such city or town, or if such child has been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already acquired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such atten- dance inexpedient or impracticable, such penalty shall not be incurred.
The important change has been italicized. The child must begin the year in September, not with the tenth week of school (if there are forty in all), and the parent can be fined more. than once.
371
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS.
There has been a commendable attempt on the part of many teachers and pupils during the year to beautify both rooms and yards. This has been brought about by their own efforts and also by the aid of many friends. As the Superin- tendent has assigned to Grades IV, V, VI, VII and VIII, definite authors as a basis of the year's work in "literary gems," these grades have had an additional incentive to secure a like- ness of Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, Lowell, or Bryant for their walls. Contributors have been so numerous that it is difficult to give a complete list, but all deserve the thanks of the citizens.
THE QUINCY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
A pleasant feature of the year, and also a sign of growth, is the voluntary organization of all the teachers in Quincy for mutual pleasure and profit. The work for the winter has been carefully marked out, the parts assigned, and happy results are anticipated. As growth on the part of the teachers will make them more valuable to their schools, the School Board voted the AAssociation the use of the High School building for its meetings.
See appendix for officers, meetings, work, et cetera.
SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS.
The special subjects have shown decided growth during the year. They have had a more practical value and have come nearer the individual child. Even if the teaching force re- mained unchanged from year to year, the need of special direc- tion in these subjects would exist. It is all that live teachers ean do to keep abreast of the times, by reading and visiting, and by attending institutes and summer schools, in the old-time subjects. The special teachers are working out new methods adapted to the new wants of the day, and by constant communi- cation with fellow workers throughout the state, can direct their own work intelligently and can correlate it with the other de-
372
partments. As we lose annually nearly one-fifth of our teachers, it is evident that continued supervision is necessary. Again the special work demands special natural qualifications, and as they are combined in only a few persons, help must be given.
Quincy demands as much as any city in the State and more than the majority of cities and towns. Teachers who have suc- deeded here go away confident of filling the new positions. Their successors are generally deficient in at least one partic- ular and must learn here from principals and special instructors. Possibly the introduction of more extended departmental work will give such relief to the teachers that they may develop along the line of the special subjects, but to-day the need of supervi- sion is imperative.
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