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 1896 > Part 15
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considered. The present location is not sufficiently central to accommodate the proper district. If it were further sonth and west, it would relieve the Adams and the Coddington. This district should enroll within its limits an average of 45 pupils to each of its eight teachers, or 360 instead of 290 pupils, as its proportional share of the total school population. Again, a modern building, like the two new houses, cannot be so placed on the present lot that the rooms may have a southern exposure. Even if the lot were sufficiently wide, the rear of the building would face Washington street. For these reasons a new site, possibly five hundred to one thousands feet south of the present house and in the vicinity of North street, is recommended.
It is possible that in April the south room on the first floor of the old High may be needed for the lower grades of the Adams and of the Coddington. The first and second grades of the two schools now number 275, and the average increase in April is 40. This will cause an average of 52 in each of the six rooms.
It is necessary that some explanation be given regarding the ' unsatisfactory condition of accommodations at Atlantic. The Quincy school building is on the extreme southern bound of the Atlantic district. From the Neponset bridge, Montelair and Squantum the pupils come. If the building were situated just north of the Music hall, then the parents who live in the see- tion bounded by the steam and electric railroads, and Squan- tum street and Billings road would not consider the distance to the new building excessive, and the Quincy school, by the bounds first established by the School Board, would be relieved of twice as many as at present. As there will be in January at least 74 pupils, and in April 20 more, in the first grade, the overflow room in Music hall must be retained, or some other relief provided.
It is necessary that all these conditions and needs be thoroughly understood now, because it is a well known fact that in Quincy two years are always necessary for calling
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attention to such matters, and for securing appropriations, plans, specifications, contract, and the building.
PROGRESS.
During the summer vacation the Connnittee of the Counci on Public Buildings together with His Honor the Mayor, the Commissioner of Public Works, and your Superintendent, made a careful inspection of the five wooden schoolhouses for the purpose of studying the heating, ventilation and out-buildings. Although all are below the standard set by the Board of Dis- trict Police, yet it seemed best to the Committee to concentrate their efforts on the Adams and the Quincy, and they so re- ported. These two buildings are sufficiently modern to war- rant the outlay of several thousand dollars. The Coddington, Washington, and the older half of the Wollaston belong to a past generation. This is especially true of the Washington.
By the enterprise and energy of the Commissioner the de- cision of the Council, though made so late, was carried out be- fore the opening of the autumn term September &. Into the Adams the Fuller and Warren hot air and dry closet systems were introduced. This obliged the tearing down and rebuild- ing of parts of partitions between the nine rooms, the erection of two huge stacks, the removal of the old out-buildings and the construction of dry closets in the basement of the main building.
As the four furnaces in the Quincy were completely burned out, they were removed, and direct steam substituted. No ven- tilation was provided for the eight rooms or the corridors ; but by incasing the iron smoke-stack of the boiler .; with a brick stack, sufficient draft was obtained to permit the use of dry closets in the basement. Therefore closets like those in the High, Adams, Lincoln and the two new buildings were built. Both the Adams and the Quincy now need more light in the basements than the old-fashioned cellar windows can give.
The action of the Council recorded above is most gratify-
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ing, especially if it is an indication of a definite policy for the future.
SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The Board of Assessors for the year 1896 have appraised the school buildings and lands as follows :
High
$75,000 Washington
$ 11,000
Old High .
9,000
Willard* 125,000
Adams 15,000
Wollaston . 36,000
Coddington 20,000
Germantown, land 300
John Hancock 45,000
Quincy Neck, " 300
Lincoln
27,650 Massachusetts Fields land 2,000
Quincy
19,700
Gridley Bryan!, 2.500
Total valuation of lands and buildings,
$388,450
Approximate value of furniture, books, apparatus, etc. 15,000
Grand total $403,450 *This includes the land on which the Hose House stands.
There is an apparent increase of $2,000 due to the addition of this amount to the valuation of land at the "Rail" and at Norfolk Downs.
TEACHERS.
At the close of the schools iu December there were in ser- vice :
1895.
1896.
MEN
WOMEN
MEN
WOMEN
High School, Principal
1
0
1
0
Other Teachers
1
6
2
6
1
1
1
Grammar Schools, Principals Other Teachers
0)
29
0
30
Primary Schools, Teachers
0)
45
0
46
-
9
81
10
83
14
9
81
10
83
* Assistants
14
()
21
9
95
10
104
+Special Teachers
()
1
=
1
-
9
99
10
108
*This number fluctuates during the year. Generally from April to July the demand is the greatest. All the assistants are Quincy girls, and all, save two, are graduates of the High School. The number is unusually large at this time, because the children, who should have been in the Gridley Bryant and Massachusetts Fields Schools since last September. are crowded into other buildings.
Of the 93 regular teachers 71 have been in service the whole year. There have been 22 resignations during 1896. Boston tasted the quality of Quincy teachers at the very begin- ning of the year, and was so much pleased with the sample, that she has devoured whole mouthfuls since; or, to write in less figurative language, seven of our best teachers have been called to Boston. This number includes two experienced and valued principals. This loss is not, however, an "unmixed evil ;" but it is a most excellent incentive to greater exertion and better work here. Quincy, even while she mourns her loss, congratulates Boston, and is sure, Dr. J. M. Rice to the con- trary notwithstanding, that there are some good teachers in the capital city.
PUPILS.
1894.
1895.
1896.
1. Whole number of different pupils. .
4,399
4,527
4,683
2. Average number belong- ing
. 3,418
3,635
3,788
3. Average number attend- ing
. 3,272
3,481
3,680
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4. Ratio of attendance to mem- bership ·
95.7
95.7
95.2
5. Pro rata of tardiness to aver- age membership . 0.46
0.42
0.39
6. Pro rata of dismissal to aver- age membership . .
0.89
CENSUS.
The population of Quincy in 1895 was
20,712
Estimated population for 1896 is 21,617
Number of families 4,373
Average size of families .
4.74
Average size of families in the state
4.57
Number and average size of families by wards :
Ward I,
790
4.51
Ward II,
584
4.69
Ward III,
983
4.78
Ward IV,
990
5.01
Ward V,
568
4.70
Ward VI,
458
4.54
City,
4,373
4.74
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The census of May, 1896, as reported by D. Vinton Pierce, is as follows :
Age.
Centre. Point.
West.
South.
Atlantic. Wollaston. Total.
Five.
47
42
157
140
41
40
467
Six.
63
43
171
150
60
63
550
Seven.
51
422
219
142
50
47
551
Eight.
65
44
174
148
60
65
556
Nine.
58
45
140
129
39
48
459
Ten,
59
33
134
118
37
50
431
Eleven.
46
31
123
100
43
50
393
Twelve.
43
38
132
94
38
56
401
Thirteen, 58
37
105
110
38
47
395
Fourteen. 65
45
146
118
63
62
499
555
400
1,501
1.249
469
528
4,702
TOTALS FOR TEN YEARS.
1887
1888
1889
1890
1891
South
769
840
926
1.024
1,158
Point
380
368
353
325
337
West
964
1,008
1,108
1,161
1,281
Wollaston
251
278
313
332
365
Atlantic.
328
322
314
338
382
Total
3,153
3,296
3,495
3,665
4,045
1,892
1893
1894
1895
1896
South
1,281
1,174
1,183
1.214
1,249
Centre .
522
557
553
541
555
Point
357
358
373
389
400
West
1.407
1.383
1,444
1,477
1,501
Wollaston
416
446
457
501
528
Atlantic
394
402
433
449
469
Total
4,377
4,320
4,443
4,571
4,702
The gain this year is 131.
-
-
-
Centre .
461
480
481
485
522
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MONEY.
Valuation of Quincy, May, 1896,
Total tax levy, Rate per thousand,
$17,580,515 00 317,612 96 17 40
APPROPRIATIONS.
Salaries
$62,235 00
Fuel*
5,500 00
Janitors
5,100 00
Transportationt
1,000 00
Books, Supplies, Sundries
8,200 00
Evening Schools#
2,800 00
$84,835 00
*A transfer of $200 was made to Salaries.
¡A transfer of $58 was made to Janitors.
¿A transfer of $50 was made to Books, Supplies and Sundries and of $550 to Salaries.
It is worthy of record that no additional appropriations were asked of the Council although the Board based its budget on the expectation that the new schools would be ready in September. At that time special ap- propriations were to be requested of the Council and the number of as- sistants reduced.
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES.
Expenditures
Balances
Salaries
$62,909 96
$75 04
Fuel
5,297 06
2 94
Janitors .
5,158 00
00 00
Transportation
937 00
5 00
Books, Supplies, Sundries
8,247 92
2 08
Evening Schools
2,196 45
3 55
Total
$84,746 39 $88 61
See appendix for itemized accounts.
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Charles F. Knowlton, Commissioner of Public Works, re- ports the following outlay for repair of school buildings :
$154 41
High
72 40
Coddington
69 76
John Hancock
201 63
Lincoln,
252 12
Washington
158 95
Willard,
885 10
Wollaston
484 72
Total
$2,691 83
These repairs and the appropriations for the same are not within the jurisdiction of the Board. The Superintendent re- ports to the Commissioner from day to day whatever needs his immediate attention and in June submits a written statement prepared by the Principals.
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS.
By the fifty-ninth annual report of the Board of Educa- tion, Quincy holds the following rank among the 353 towns and cities of the State and the 27 of the County.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools : State, 187; County, 17.
Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of chil- dren between 5 and 15 years : State, 283; County, 22.
Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years : State, 177; County, 20.
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Adams
412 74
Quincy .
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Table to show number of pupils in each grade and the loss from grade to grade :
Dec. '92 653
Dec. 93
Oct. '94. 1
Dec. 295 Dec. '96.
Grade I.
672
691
663
764
Grade II.
450
400
522
479
530
Grade III.
406
421
428
496
472
Grade IV.
393
402
428
399
478
Grade V.
361
370
383
141
409
Grade VI.
319
314
358
344
411
Grade VII.
253
291
302
302
329
Grade VIII.
214
227
251
260
245
Grade IX.
86
124
147
157
189
Grade X.
48
67
77
6×
88
Grade XI.
30
33
46
50
36
Grade XII.
19
25
26
32
35
+Oct. '94 was taken because of reduced numbers in Nov. and Dec. due to diphtheria.
Grade IV. of '92 met with the following losses before it reached grade VIII. of '96-23, 12, 56 and 57, or a total loss of 148, about 38 per cent.
Grade V. of '92 had these losses :- 47, 12, 42. and then 189 entered the High in '96.
Grade VI. of '92 has this record :- 28, 40, 94, and 69.
Grade VII. of '92 :- 26, 80, 79, and 32.
Grade VIII. of '92 :- 90, 47, 27, and 15.
Grade IX. of '92 :- 19, 21, 4, and graduated 31.
The loss of 148 by grade IV. of '92 is particularly unfor- tunate, because the pupils are generally only fourteen years old.
The whole number of pupils enrolled in September was 4,033, of these 373 were members of the High school. As there are twelve grades, and four of these are in the High, in the "ideally perfect system where every pupil enters the lowest and graduates from the highest grade", the highest enrollment in the High would be four-twelfths of the total, or 1,341. If the Quincy High is tested by this standard it will be evident that the High has an enrollment of nearly 28 per cent.
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As for years it has been universally reported that 92 per cent. of the pupils in Massachusetts never go beyond the ele- mentary schools, the attention of the public should be called to the fact that in Quincy the percentage in the High school, in- stead of being 8 per cent., is 28.
Furthermore, Quincy deserves greater credit, for she has nearly 200 pupils in other secondary schools. If this number were added to the total of the city, and also to the total of the High, the percentage seeking a higher education would be over 40.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Your Superintendent began his work in Quincy in Septem- ber, 1890, as principal of the High school, For this reason the school has been dear to him, and it has received more of his attention than its proportionate share of his time. He feels now that its rapid growth in numbers, in facilities, in the interest of the public, and in general excellence, warrants him in asking the Head-master to speak for his school, his pupils, his fellow teachers, and himself. You are, therefore, requested to consider the following report :-
To HI. W. Lull, Superintendent : -
DEAR SIR :- In accordance with your request, I beg leave to submit the following report of the High school.
The admission of two pupils to Harvard University, and of two others to Radcliffe College, marks an important point in the evolution of the new High school. The successful passing of examinations admittedly the most difficult of those required by any American University demonstrates satisfactorily the fact that the Quincy High school furnishes excellent preparation for any higher institution in the United States.
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The following statistics about the Class of 1896 may be of interest :-
Gra luates in the Classical and General Courses,
31
At Harvard University,
2
At Boston Normal School,
At Bridgewater Normal School,
1
At Normal Art School, .
1
At Denver Normal School,
1
In Quincy Training Class,
16
Engaged in business,
3
Taking the Business Course,
1
Otherwise engaged, 1
Those pupils who received certificates in the Business de- partment are, so far as is known, usefully employed. It is the unanimous testimony of students who have completed the Busi- ness Course that the commercial education received at the High school has been of great practical value to them. It would be well, however, for pupils who can afford the time, to take a year or two in addition to the two years of the Business Course, in order to gain a more liberal education.
Some well known schools have a business course extending over four years, and including not only the purely technical commercial studies, but a generous amount of modern lan- guages, English literature, and elementary science. It must not be supposed for a moment, that the present two years' business course is in any sense an equivalent for the more liberal four years' course. Pupils who go into the close competition of our day without even an elementary knowledge of ancient or inod- ern foreign languages, literature, science, and other important subjects, are making a serious mistake. Students whose time is limited ought to feel the absolute necessity of wide and constant reading supplementary to their more technical work.
The constantly increasing numbers at the High school sug- gest a problem to be solved at no distant day. Unless the school be divided, an addition to the building must be built soon. If it shall be deemed best to divide the school, the question will
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arise at once: What shall be the basis of division ? Probably the best solution of the problem will be found in a division of the institution into a Classical and General High School, and an English and Manual Training High school.
Although the number of teachers has been increased to ten representing Harvard, Dartmouth, Boston University, Bridge- water Normal. Framingham Normal, and other institutions, it is still altogether too small. For the first time in its history the school has two Sub-Masters. It is highly desirable to have both men and women in the corps of teachers. In connection with this subject the Head Master wishes to thank his able assistants for their conscientious, loyal, enthusiastic, and highly successful efforts. It is the opinion of the Head Master that the introduc- tion of the custom of granting teachers a *sabbatical year for rest, recreation, and further study and research, would be fol- lowed by the happiest results. To visit Athens, Rome, Paris, Berlin and London, must be to the réceptive and impression- able mind, an education in itself. The world must be forever more beautiful to one who has seen the Venus of Milo at the Louvre. Whatever moral, intellectual, and physical gains the true teacher secures by a sabbatical year, are also the gains of his pupils who consciously or unconsciously share them.
Among the important improvements of the last year should be mentioned the introduction of the study of German, and the advanced courses in other subjects preparatory to college. At some suitable time Mental and Moral Science, Political Econ- omy, Elocution, and gymnastics, ought to be added to the course . of study. Although Military drill has been a cause of friction in many cities, under suitable control it is undoubtedly of great benefit physically, mentally, and morally, to young men.
The most urgent need of the school is a library which is absolutely indispensable. Every study in the course would be
*NOTE .- By the usual terms of the "Sabbatical year" plan. teach- ers, in case they find themselves able to make use of the privilege, are granted one year's leave of absence for each seven years' period of service. A substitute is employed, whose salary is deducted from that of the regular teacher.
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made more valuable by means of a working library. The work of decorating the walls of the school will, it is hoped, be con- tinued. It is well to arrange the works of art in some system- atic way. One meritorious plan provides for the grouping of photographs and casts in collections illustrative of the art of different nations. An Egyptian room, a Greek room, a Roman room, for example, might be easily arranged with excellent artistic results, and remarkably effective availability for the purposes of teaching.
The continued prosperity of the school paper, The Golden- rod, and of the Debating Society, afford causes for hearty con- gratulations. Although these elements of school life make necessary a large expenditure of energy and time, it has been found that those pupils who avail themselves of the opportuni- ties afforded for writing and speaking receive most valuable training. The prize contests in English composition, transla- tion from Greek, Latin, and French, and in Declamation have been continued with marked success. To avoid the possibility of wearying indulgent audiences, it has been deemed best to re- duce the number of speakers to twelve. It is hardly fair to ask the teachers to train pupils for the Prize Contests in declama- tion, for the teachers' regular duties make serious demands upon their best energies. A teacher of elocution ought to be ap- pointed to perform the exacting duty of training the contestants.
In accordance with the new method of celebrating gradua- tion Colonel Henry A. Thomas, the acting Governor's Secretary, gave an able address to the graduates on "Success in Life and Good Citizenship." By the adoption of the modern commence- ment most of the graduating class are freed from an additional strain at a time of year when their strength is needed for a proper completion of their regular school work. If, however, by the omission of such parts as the prophecy, the history, the poem, and the statistics, it appears that those associations so important to the well being of a school are to any great degree impaired, it might be well to provide for a class day exercise entirely distinct from the ceremony of graduation.
The hearty co-operation of the parents with the teachers is
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essential to the highest success of the pupils. Regular and prompt attendance, good conduct and scholarship, ought to be made by both parents and teachers the conditions of enjoying the inestimable privileges of education. Excuses should not be given for insufficient reasons. Every notice of a failure to reach the standard, whether in conduct, scholarship, or attend- ance, should be carefully read by the parents, signed, returned, and thoughtfully considered. Regular study hours at home every day are among the indispensable conditions of success at the High school. Frequent interviews of the parents with the Head Master and the other teachers will often result in great good to the pupils. It cannot be stated too often that solid and lasting acquirements are to be made only by pro- longed, systematic, and well-directed industry. The solemn responsibilities of parents as well as those of teachers cannot be shifted. It is only when these responsibilities are deeply felt, that the value of parental influence reaches its maximum. The average child needs the sympathy, the interest, and the wise control of the parents, about almost countless details of the daily school life. When both parents and teachers unite in working together steadily for the child's welfare, there sets in a tide of influence that few pupils can resist.
Faithfully yours,
FREDERIC ALLISON TUPPER, Head Master.
EVENING COMMON SCHOOLS.
These schools are not so satisfactory as they should be to warrant the expenditure of so much money. This is not in- tended as a reflection on the teaching corps, since they do as well as can be expected under the conditions. Other towns and cities are having the same experience as Quincy. Irregu- larity of attendance is the great evil that nullifies the work of the teacher and prevents the pupil from advancing as he should. The average pupil does not attend because of "any thirst for knowledge."
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To be able to become a naturalized citizen, to avoid con- flict with the labor laws, to secure light, warmth, and shelter, to kill time, and often for no reason at all, two hundred will register ; but the average attendance will be not more than 40 per cent. Worse still, the number included in this per cent. will change from night to night. A dance, variety entertain- ment, political rally, or even a neighborhood party will be a suf- ficient excuse for absence. There is no feeling of responsibility and no tangible, personal loss for non-attendance.
It is therefore recommended that in the future no member of the season 1896-97 shall be admitted in October, 1897, who failed to attend forty of the fifty lessons, unless he makes a de- posit of one dollar. This dollar shall be returned at the end of the season 1897-98 provided he shall have attended forty of the fifty lessons. Removal from the city or proved illness shall be accepted as a satisfactory excuse from these conditions. Second : A member of this season who did attend forty nights, or a new member, shall be registered without such a deposit ; but after two unexcused absences, he must deposit one dollar under the same conditions as above. As the school is in ses- sion only three nights per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) three nights are left for social matters, et cetera.
Other places have been driven to such a plan as is outlined here and report excellent results. Some, by the way, require a deposit from every one without regard to previous good at- tendance, but the plan seems less just than that proposed. The Evening Schools will still be free, as the State intended, for those who really wish to learn will find a way to be present 80 per cent. of the time, and will receive back their dollar at the end of the season.
In previous reports the statistics have been based on the closing term of one season and the opening of the following. This year the statistics relate to one school year from October, 1895, to March, 1896 and they are as follows :
Adams : Average attendance of men, 44.8 ; of women, 5 : aver- age number of teachers per night, 5.2. Number of ses- sions, 50.
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Willard : Average attendance of men, 43.6; of women, 9.2. Average number of teachers, 5.3. Number of sessions, 50.
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOL.
During the summer vacation all the furniture and ap- paratus of this school were removed from the third floor of the new High to the lower floor of the old High. As the majority of the members of the evening classes come from wards three and four, the present accommodations are far more central than they have been for the last two years.
The attendance has decreased during these years for a reason other than the distance. The excellent courses offered by the Y. M. C. Association have attracted about half of onr nsual number of pupils, whereas before these courses there was only one opportunity of securing instruction in mechanical and free hand drawing in the whole city.
W. A. England, who since November, 1889, has tanght this school, resigned in October, and Charles C. Bryint, a citizen of Quincy. a former student of the Cowles Art School, and active member of the Boston Art Cinb, is his successor.
The statistics for the school year (October 28, 1895 to Feb. 28, 1896) are as follows :
Average number men attending Mechanical class (48 lessons) 14.3.
Average number men in Free-hand (49 lessons), 4.73; of women 3.08.
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