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 1897 > Part 15
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Charles F. Knowlton, Commissioner of Public Works, re- ports the following outlay for repairs of school buildings.
High
$294 37
Adams
279 84
Coddington .
158 15
Gridley Bryant
79 97
John Hancock
217 29
Lincoln
199 81
Massachusetts Fields
45 39
Quincy
582 42
Washington
37 58
Willard
549 94
Wollaston
145 22
Total 82,587 98 Never before in the knowledge of your Superintendent have the repairs been so judiciously made.
21
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS.
By the sixtieth annual report of the Board of Education, Quincy holds the following rank among the 353 towns and cities of the State and the 27 of the County.
1. Amount of money appropriated for each child betwoen 5 and 15 years : State; 156; County, 21. '
2. Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools : State, 147 : County, 12.
3. Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of. children between 5 and 15 years : State 254 County, 22.
4. Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years : State, 88 ; County, 14.
Table to show number of pupils in each grade and the loss from grade to grade :
'92.
'93.
'94.
'95.
'96.
'97.
Grade I.
653
672
691
663
764
820
Grade
II.
450
400
522
479
530
522
Grade
III. 406
421
428
496
472
545:
Grade IV.
393
40:
428
399
460
Grade
V.
361
370
383
441
409
468
Grade
VI.
319
314
358
344
411
382
Grade
VII. 253
291
302
302
329
383
Grade
VIII. 214
22
251
260
245
270
Grade
I.X.
86
1:24
147
157
189
195
Grade X.
67
77
68
88
111
Grade XI.
30
33
46
50
36
45
Grade XII.
19
25
26
32
35
33
When making comparisons, read diagonally. For ex- ample, grade VII of 1892 went down the scale as follows : 253, 227, 147, 68, 36, 35. We must remember, however, that in the reduction from 68 to 36 is included the class that graduated from the Business Course and that this number accounts for nearly the whole loss in this particular case.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The importance of the High School in the system of educa-
22
tion is such that it demands separate treatment. Therefore, at the request of your Superintendent, the annual report has been submitted by Mr. Tupper. It will be found at the close of this report.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATION.
The excellent manner of graduation introduced in 1894 , was continued last June. William Clinton Bates, Superintend- ent of the Fall River Schools, was the special speaker of the day. His Honor, Mayor Adams, Chairman Porter of the School Board, and your Superintendent also made short addresses to the pupils and parents.
The pupils, after but one united rehearsal, sang five cho- ruses in admirable time and tone and with excellent expression, without copies of words or music. They were indebted to the High School Orchestra for their entrance march. The two hun- dred and forty-four graduates received their diplomas from the chairman of the sub-committees of their respective schools.
See appendix for programme.
*The members of grade VIII in the Quincy and in the Wollaston school were not transferred in January to the Massachusetts Fields school and therefore there was no graduation class in 1897 from this school.
GRADUATES FOR TEN YEARS.
'88 '89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96 '97 Sept.
Adams,
15 20 27 34 40 42 36
27 42 38 32
Coddington,
Gridley Bryant,
0 0 0)
0
0 ()
0
0
24
16 15
John Hancock, Lincoln, Quincy,
0 0
0 0 0 0
20 14 24 18
27 23 27 27
28 27 32 35
28 39
33 15 32 22 42 47 35 34
35
20 19 19 46 38 26
13
13
26 31 29 21
39 20
113 123 146 155 175 213 225 215 256 244 202
17 14 19
Washington, Willard, Wollaston,
14 16 18 19
0 14 22 20 25
25 27
0 9 22 13
0 21 12
25 29 27 25 31 26 26 25 35 32 37
23
The ""Sept." column shows the number of graduates who entered the High school. 1
AVERAGE AGE OF GRADUATION.
1894
1895
1896
1897*
1898+
Adams,
14-10
14-7
14-7
14-4
14-9
Coddington,
14-10
14-7
14-8
14-8
14-7
Gridley Bryant,
14-8
14-6
John Hancock,
14-9
14-0
13-9
15-7
14-8
Lincoln,
15-4
15-2
14-10
14-2
14-3
Mass. Fields,
15-3
Quincy,
14-3
14-7
14-5
14-5
14-4
Washington,
15-0
14-8
14-11
14-6
14-10
Willard,
14-11
15-0
15-0
14-9
14-7
Wollaston,
14-11
15-0
14-4
14-3
14-4
* Average age of the class that entered the High in Sept., 1897, was 14 years, 8 months. As at this time every pupil was two months older than in June, it is evident that some of the oldest pupils, who had been carried along through the lower grades, had left school.
+ If the present eighth grades graduate next June.
LENGTH OF COURSE.
If those pupils now in grade VIII (ALL of whose education has been gained in the Quincy public schools ) graduate next June they will have completed the course in the number of years (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,) shown below. It will be seen that a little less than one-seventh graduated in fewer than eight years, and a little more than one-third in more than eight years.
6
7 8
9
10 10*
11
Totals
Adams,
1
4
8
6)
25
Coddington,
1
12
7
2
22
Gridley Bryant,
11
3
18
John Hancock,
1
13
5
3
22
Lincoln,
1
5
4
10
24
Mass. Fields,
2
1+
1
2
5
Quincy,
1
2
8
6
1
18
Washington,
2
10
9
4
25
Willard,
1
37
2
40.
Wollaston,
1
4
6
-
18
-
3
25
100
53
20
2
203
* Three of these nine years and one term.
+ In seven and one-half years.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
These statistics relate to the school year beginning Oct. 5, 1896, and closing Feb. 10, 1897.
Common Schools : Adams and Willard.
Adams : Whole number males, 72; females, 14. Average at- tendance, 27. Number of sessions, 50. Number of teachers, 2.8.
Willard : Whole number males, 102; females, 29. Average attendance, 47. Number of sessions, 50. Number of teachers, 5.3.
Drawing School (Old High). Oct. 5, 1896,-Feb 6, 1897.
Whole number males, 26 ; females, 5. Average atten- dance, 20. Number of sessions, 95 *. Number of teachers, 1.
*Mechanical, 47; freehand, 48.
Average number in mechanical class, . 10.2
Number of one-year certificates, 5
Number of two-year diplomas 3
Average number in free-hand class 9.8
Number of one-year certificates 4
Number of two-year diplomas 1
Membership Nov. 1, 1897 : mechanical, 26; freehand, 19.
Certificates and diplomas are not granted unless a definite number of sheets has been completed to the satisfaction of the instructor, Mr. Charles C. Bryant.
25
In the Evening Common Schools are three classes of pu- pils. First, illiterates and those foreigners who have received an elementary education in their native land, may prepare for examination of the Board of Registrars. The age of this class varies from eighteen to thirty years. Second, those who left the grammar grades in their fourteenth year, or later, may con- tinue their grammar education. Third, graduates of the gram- mar schools and those who for many reasons have left the high school may review former work.
When the granite industry is flourishing the first class is large, regular in attendance, and the results are very satis- factory. As Qniney is not a "factory" city, the illiterates are a small proportion of the class. The second and third classes are decidedly unsatisfactory ; principally, because they have no definite purpose or ambition. Monday night there is nothing to attract them elsewhere and therefore they go to school ; but Wednesday furnishes some entertainment the attractions of which are too strong for their resolution to be a constant at- tendant. Dismissal is no hardship.
It ought to be recorded that the deportment in all our Evening Schools is remarkable. There is a studions atmos- phere and the close application is noticeable. The teachers, too .. apply themselves conscientiously to the work.
There are in this city many who would gladly profit by an enrichment of these schools. Subjects which offer advanced work, and yet require a review of elementary studies, would be- appreciated, and they would furnish just that incentive to reg- ular attendance that is very much needed. Civil government. English history, literature, a science, a mathematical subject, and the usual business-school work would furnish an ad- vanced grammar course of much value to our young men and women. It is essential that those who aspire to these subjects give evidence of ability and this requirement would react on the present Evening Schools for their good.
The Evening Drawing School is making excellent progress. The general average of the pupils this year seems to be better than in the past.
26
A TEACHERS' INSTITUTE
Under the direction of the State Board of Education will be held in the High School Building, Quincy, on Friday March 19, 1897
Program. 9.00 A. M. Opening Exercises.
Primary Section, 9.10 A. M. Elements of Geography, Supt. George I. Aldrich, Newton. 10.10 A. M. Literature, Dr. Frank M. McMurry, Buffalo, N. Y. 1110 A. M. Nature Study, Mr. Boyden. 1.10 p. M. The Kindergarten Bridge, Miss Lucy Wheelock, Boston. 2.10 p. M. Educational Seat Work, Mr. Edson.
Grammar Section. 9.10 A. M. Nature Study, Arthur C. Boy- den, Bridgewater Normal School. 10.10 A. M. History, Andrew W. Edson, Agent of the Board. 11.10 A. M. Geography, Mr. Aldrich. 1.10 p. M. The Causal Notion in School Instruction, Dr. McMurry. 2.10 P. M. Round Table. Conference Conducted by Mr. Prince, Subject, Literature.
High School Section. 9.10 A. M. Physics, J. C. Packard, High School, Brookline. 10.10 A. M. Latin, J. W. McDonald, Agent of the Board. 11.10 A. M. Round Table Conference, Conducted by J. T. Prince, subject, English. 1.10 p. M. Geometry Mr. MacDonald. 2.10 p. M. History.
3.10 r. M .. How to Secure a High Degree of Self-Activity, Dr. McMurry.
The public are cordially invited to attend the exercises.
John T. Prince, Agent. Frank A. Hill, Secretary.
Not for many years had Quincy been favored with a state institute, and therefore the teachers heartily welcomed the rep- resentatives of the Board of Education and their assistants. A casual glance at the program will convince the reader that an effort had been made by Mr. Prince to make an unusually strong Institute. Nearly every speaker has a reputation beyond the limits of New England. Every teacher whose heart is in
27
his work must have experienced a revival of interest and a de- sire to do better work. The attendance at the institute was al- most perfect. Illness was the only cause of absence. The only weakness of the program was the failure to provide for the in- struction and awakening of by the parents the usual evening lec- ture by a specialist. This duty however, has been undertaken by the Quincy Teachers' Association.
SPECIAL MEETINGS.
January. Col. Francis W. Parker, Cook County Normal School, Chicago.
"The Ideal School." Teachers' Association.
March. Orlendo W. Dimick, Principal Wells School, Boston. "Prison Experiences in the War of the Rebellion," Teachers' Association.
April. Herbert W. Lull, Superintendent. "Old Quincy." Teachers' Association.
April. Henry W. Poor, Boston Normal School.
"Teaching Design." General Meeting. September. Herbert W. Lull, Superintendent. "Work of the New Year." October. Henry T. Bailey, State Board of Education. "Decorative Design." General meeting.
November. Walter Sargent, State Board of Education. "Symbolism in Drawing." General meeting.
OTHER MEANS OF GROWTH.
VOLUNTARY : Each teacher is requested to write on the other side of this sheet whatever he (she) has done during this year, in term time or in vacation, to increase his (her) stock of knowledge or to add to his (her) general efficiency. This statement may include everything that indicates interest,
28
growth and expansion, From this a general summary will be made, but no NAMES will be used.
This paragraph was printed on the annual report slip for 1897. All the teachers courteously responded to the request. The amount of work that has been done during the past year is very gratifying and surprising. It is also a source of honor and a cause of commendation to the teachers. As a general index of a part of the work, the following synopsis, with the number of teachers answering, is printed.
1. Reading : Professional-periodicals, 109; books, 91. Non-Professional-periodicals, 109: books, 107.
2. Private or Class Lessons : Professional, 19 : non-professional .. 43.
3. Lectures : Professional, 104: non-professional, 77.
4. Summer School, 7.
5. Travel for instruction, not merely for pleasure, 26.
6. Attendance at Conventions, 99: * Institute, 99 ; Conferences .. 63.
7. Class Onting, (geography, history, science, etc. ), 19.
*All the teachers in the corps last spring attended. bat many lett Quincy before this December report.
TEACHERS' LIBRARY.
A Teachers' Library is being gradually built up in the office of the Superintendent. The best of the books are herein recorded. They may be taken out at any time provided that the teacher will record his own name, that of the book, and the date of its withdrawal and return. The tim' limit is one month.
The trustees of the Crane Library have been very generous to the teachers in their selection of books relating to teach- ing.
Consult appendix for lists.
29
CRANE LIBRARY AND THE SCHOOLS.
As a public library is an "every-day university," it should be in close touch with the public schools. In May, 1876, Charles Francis Adams addressed the teachers of Quincy on this topic. Among many other things he said : "I think that it may safely be asserted that the one best possible result of a common school education, -- its great end and aim-should be to prepare the children of the community for the far greater work of educating themselves." * ** "The great means of self- education is through books-through much reading of books."
Although the address was reprinted in the School Report of 1889; it is so valuable in suggestion that it might well be printed again. Moreover, it is referred to now ; because all about ns cities and towns are waking up to what was under- taken in Quincy twenty years ago. Wherever this agitation is going on, there this very address is quoted.
Since 1876 the Quincy schools have been in constant touch with the Crane library. Everything, however, in this world has its tides with their ebbs and flows. So it has been with the library. At the present moment special exertion is being made by the teachers and the tide is coming in. Each teacher of grades V, VI, VII and VIII may take out ten books and keep them four weeks. Since Sept. 7 and during the autumn term, 760 books were taken out by the teachers for their classes.
In addition, the teachers have aided their pupils in secur- ing individual cards so that they may learn how to make per- sonal use of the library. During the past year, 1563 pupils have read one Crane Library book ; 826 have read five or more ; and 917 have cards. The work in literature, history and geography can thus be greatly strengthened by an energetic teacher. Better still, the pupil will be educating himself even while in school.
30
CIGARETTES.
The teachers have tried to aid the police authorities in sup -. pressing violations of the law regulating the sale and giving of cigarettes. Many who know that it is illegal to sell to a child that is not sixteen years old, do not know that "giving" is in- cluded in the statute. During the year twelve persons have been arrested under the law, but only four were convicted and ordered to pay fines. It is a sad fact that the children who smoked the cigarettes and who were the witnesses needed to prove the cases, would lie, or to speak more euphimistically, would tell such contradictory stories that dealers escaped who were known to be guilty. Is there any connection between to- bacco and a vivid imagination ! The statute is :-
SECTION 1. No person shall SELL any cigarette, snuff, or tobacco in any of its forms to any person under sixteen years of age.
SECTION 2. No person other than the minor's parent or- guardian shall Give any cigarette, snuff or tobacco in any of its forms to any minor under sixteen years of age.
SECTION 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine not exceeding FIFTY dollars.
Approved March 17, 1886.
ROCK ISLAND FUND.
Annual Town meeting .- By adjournment, Monday, March 28, 1887. John Quincy Adams, Moderatar.
VOTED : That the selectmen be authorized to sell at pub- lic sale and convey by a sufficient deed duly executed and acknowledged by them on behalf of the town the town's land at Rock Island, provided they can obtain for it a price which, in their judgment, seems fair and reasonable ; and the proceeds from sale to be paid to the Town Treasurer, and held by him as a special appropriation for schools, to be spent by the School-
31
Committee from time to time for such purposes, outside of the regular school expenses, as they may think for the good of the school, the expenditure thereof to be accounted for in their annual reports.
By the sale of this land, after all expenses ($22.50) were deducted, $727.50 were paid to the Treasurer. At the present time the fund is in the Quincy Saving Bank and, including the October interest, amounts to $1059.60. By vote of the School Board, Oct. 26, it was deemed best to keep $1000 at interest, and each year to use the income as the vote recorded above directs. At the same time $59.60 were voted the sub-committee of the High School for reference books. With this amount have been purchased a set of Chamber's Cyelopædics, and other necessary reference books.
See appendix for items.
MARCH 4, 1797-1897.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
ROGER WOLCOTT,
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF :
A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The General Court of Massachusetts on the eigth day of February currant adopted in concurrence the fol- lowing preamble and Resolve :
"WHEREAS, On the fourth day of March in the current year, there will be a change in the administration of the United States, one Chief Executive of Seventy Millions of people being succeeded by another, and as that date will be the Centennial of the Inauguration of John Adams of Massachusetts as the second President of the United States, therefore, to the end
32
that the children of the Commonwealth may appreciate the magnitude of the events occurring and commemorated ;
Resolred, That the Governor of the Commonwealth be authorized and requested to issue a proclamation, recommending to the Public School teachers of Massachusetts, by appropriate exercises in their schools commemorative of said events, to endeavor to impress upon their pupils the significance of the inauguration of a President of the United States and the importance of the part sustained by the Commonwealth in American History".
Now therefore, I, Roger Wolcott, Governor of the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts, acting under the authority and in compliance with the request therein conferred and made, do hereby recommend that the events above recited be made the subject of special attention in all the Schools of this Common- wealth on the fourth day of March next.
It is most fitting that American children, should drink deeply at the springs of American history, and that their minds should gain health and vigor from the draught. The corona- tion of no hereditary monarch can equal in impressive signin- cance the induction into highest office of the chosen servant of a mighty nation. The President of the United States enters upon his great duties not through the accident of birth but as the freely chosen representative of the sovereignty of a people which dominates a continent.
One hundred years ago, George Washington, "the knightliest , figure that ever stood in the forefront of a nation's life," retired from this great office, and a citizen of this Commonwealth succeeded him. It was not only as President that the services of John Adams to the young nation were great and lasting. It was he who made the motion in the Continental Congress that Washington be made Commander-in-Chief of the American Army before Boston. He was the chief supporter in Congress of the Declaration of Independence. He was influential in the establishment of an American Navy. In a time of great difficulty and perplexity he was in turn the accredited representative of the United States to the Governments of three of the principal
33
nations of Europe. His was a character of stubborn strength, of fearless courage, of absolute honesty and patriotic. loyalty. He died on the fiftieth anniversary of the date he had done so much to make the most memorable in the history of the United States. Let the children of Massachusetts learn from him what service it is in the power of one man to render to his country.
To her who was through life a worthy helpmate he wrote : "The education of our children is never out of my mind. Train them to virtue. Habituate them to industry, activity and spirit. Make them consider every vice as shameful and unmanly. Fire them with ambition to be useful."
After one hundred and twenty years these words have not lost their meaning.
Given at the Executive Chamber, in Boston, this twenty- fifth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty-first.
ROGER WOLCOTT.
By His Excellency The Governor.
WILLIAM M. OLIN, Secretary. God Save The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It is needless to say that the Quincy schools entered heart- ily into the spirit of this proclamation. In fact, it was vigor- ously impressed on the minds of the children that on this FOURTH OF MARCH, Quincy was the focus of all eyes and of all loyal hearts. His Honor, the Mayor, C. F. Adams, 2d, the great-great-grandson of John Adams, assisted in the school cel- ebrations. This anniversary also recalled the services and vir- tures of John Quincy Adams. It served, too, to arouse greater interest in the old Adams houses and in other historic places and objects. The day tended to fix more firmly in the minds of her citizens Quincy's proud appellation "City of Presidents."
In connection with this topic, it may be well to add that
34
Grade IV every year makes a study of Quincy. The physical, political and commercial geography of this city is taught tc- gether with the chief points of the history. The seal may be found on the boards of this grade and the children are required to explain all its parts.
In order that valuable data about Quincy together with a few other matters that relate to the state maybe accessible, a brief and hastily compiled synopsis of valuable facts has been placed in the appendix. Teachers, pupils and the general pub- lic may find it profitable, as well as pleasant, to consult them. Our home is in the midst of a district of great historical edu- cational and geological interest; so valuable that strangers come from afar to visit it. Surely we ought, at least, to be able to answer intelligently the inquiries of strangers, even if we have no love for that which the visitors seek.
TRAINING CLASS.
"In the opinion of many prominent educators the time has come when school boards should be required to employ no other persons as instructors of their public schools, than grad- nates of normal schools, or those who have had an equivalant preparation for teaching." Report of State Board of Educa- rion, 1895-96.
This state has nine normal schools (not including the Nor- mal Art school) devoted to the preparation of young men and women for the profession of teaching. In addition, Boston has a city normal school. There are, then, in different parts of this Commonwealth, and so located that they are within reasonable distance of all our youth, ten opportunities to secure a profes- sional training at a moderate expense. Furthermore, there is a. fund for the aid of those most deserving financial assistance.
Statistics, carefully gathered by an experienced superin- tendent of schools, have shown that teachers with a normal training have, as a class, been far more successful than those untrained : that is, if we may judge by the positions held and the salaries received. Therefore this city should encourage in
35
everyway possible its high school graduates to secure such a training, not only for the welfare of the graduates, but to the end that Quincy may strengthen its own corps of teachers.
The city gives free preparation for the normal school ; but when this is completed, the training class is too great a temp- tation, and, so, many do not enter the school. The graduates remain at home, give their services for one or two years, may be so fortunate as to secure an assistant's position in the sec- ond or third year, and then (or before) almost demand a reg-
ular teacher's place. Their work has been to a great extent imitation, possibly of a teacher who also had served a similar apprenticeship two or three years before. They have had very little theory; for thirty afternoons during the year with the superintendent cannot amount to very much. Agun, the trainer at the close of a day of work is too much fatigued to pursue a course of pedagogical reading beyond the requirements. of the afternoons mentioned.
The training class, generally speaking, is not sufficiently broadening to produce a strong corps of teachers. ( Each year, however, there are a few cases of exceptional natural ability and aptitude who will make desirable teachers.) Why, then, does it exist ? First, the class is an inheritance and it "dies hard." It illustrates the slowness with which in even these "fast days" we adapt ourselves to new conditions. When Col .. Parker began to attract the attention of other cities and towns by his radical departure in 1875, he found no source of supply of teachers who were in sympathy with his methods, or who knew how to teach by them. Moreover many of the teachers with whom he began his work were quickly called away by larger salaries. There was only one resource ; he must make his own teachers. Therefore the training class was established .. As the years went by, the so-called Quincy system became practically the state system, and whatever was best in it was eagerly seized upon by other educators, joined with their own best thoughts and experiences, and so it spread from ocean to ocean. Today there is no "Quincy system" in the former sense of the term. The schools of this city and of all the other cities
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