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 1898 > Part 16
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542
Six,
55
50
150
171
78
50
554
Seven,
60
75
125
144
64
53
521
Eight,
57
59
104
157
70
41
488
Nine,
52
52
116
114
64
55
453
Ten,
55
61
114
143
56
43
472
Eleven,
48
62
103
109
61
35
418
Twelve,
43
47
99
111
57
44
401
Thirteen,
47
49
82
109
48
37
372
Fourteen,
62
74
129
125
88
46
524
1898,
561
591
1147
1327
662
457
4745
1897,
550
586
1147
1378
603
456
4720
Totals for the Decade.
1889,
3,495
1894,
4,443
1890,
3,665
1895,
4,571
1891,
4,045
1896,
4,702
1892,
4,377
1897,
4,720
1893,
4,320
1898,
4,745
This year the census was taken by the regular truant officer, and for the first time in the history of Quincy, a regular truant officer's report is published. Last February the Board elected Charles H. Johnson to this important position. His services have been of great value to the city, for now the children who are affected by the Ordinance concerning Truants, Number 23, know that they are constantly under the watchful eye of the
18
law. In previous years the numerous truant officers thought that they had performed their duty, when at the request of a principal, they had found and returned to school a particular child for whom they had been sent. See appendix.
Money.
VALUATION :
1889,
$12,319,245
1894,
$16,817,455
1890,
13,677,410
1895,
17,325,855
1891,
14,427,030
1896,
17,580,515
1892,
15,566,920
1897,
18.012,147
1893,
16,638,070
1898,
19,236,832
Total tax levy, 1898, .
$358,514 00
Rate per thousand,
$18 00
APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOLS.
1889,
$55,800 00*
1894,
$78,475 00
1890,
60,645 00₸
1895,
81,422 00
1891,
65,603 88|
1896,
84,835 00
1892,
68,850 00§
1897, 93,500 00
1893,
76,884 00
1898,
95,000 00
*An additional sum of $100.08 was received from the State School Fund. For extraordinary expenses occasioned by the burning of the old Willard, the Coun- cil made an extra appropriation of $5,500.
+From State School Fund $132.98, the last money received by Quincy from the State School Fund (not included above).
||Includes an extra appropriation of $678.88 of April, 1892, to cover a deficit of this amount in 1891. This includes the appropriation for repairs which for the first time in the history of the city were in sole charge of the Commissioner of Public Works (1891).
{This and the appropriations of the following years do not include the appro- priations for repairs, as the Board since 1891 has not included them in the annual budget. In the following averages they have been included in estimating the expense per pupil. In September of this year, the Lincoln school was opened.
Average Cost Per Pupil.
This table is based on the average number belonging as the divisor, and the total expense [minus the cost of the Evening
19
Schools, and plus the cost of repairs by the Commissioner of Public Works ] as the dividend.
1889,
. $53,872*
2,619 =$20.56 1890,
. 57,091;
2,698 = 21.15
1891,
.
65,536₺ : 2,865 = 22.17
1892,
68,090
3,392 *= 20.07
1893,
77,614| : 3,211 = = 24.17
1894,
77,128
3,418 = 22.56
1895,
80,808₸
3,635 = 22.23
1896,
85,241
3,788 = 22.50
1897,
94,571§
4,033 = 23.44
1898,
96,410
4,328 = 22.27
Ten years,
756,361
33,987 = 22.25
*Does not include $5,500 due to Willard fire.
+Does not inelnde $1,500 for rent due to Willard fire.
¿Ineludes bills of 1890 paid in 1891 to the amount of $3,149.
| Fuel account increased by $2,000 in order to buy a year's supply in the summer. Also unusual repairs (slating Willard roof and laying floorings in the Washington).
"First complete year of the new High.
§ First year of Gridley Bryant and Massachusetts Fields.
*This year the Lincoln was opened in September. Its pupils came from several schools, and it is evident that the same pupils innst have been counted twice. The ratio of other years proves that this number should be about 3,000 and the average cost about $22.03.
N. B. All of these average numbers belonging are in reality too low; therefore the cost is too high. See page 16.
Budget of the School Board.
ASKED.
READJUSTED .*
Salaries,
$73,750 00
$73,349 45
Fuel,
6,400 00
5,749 77
Janitors,
6,154 00
6,170 00
Transportation,
1,000 00
878 85
Books, Supplies and Sundries,
8,800 00
7,550 00
Evening Schools,
2,000 00
1,301 93
Total,
$98,104 00
$95,000 00
Appropriation,
$95,000 00
·
.
*By vote of the Board in June and by transfers voted in November.
20
The difference of $3,104 between the budget and the ap- propriation has affected the finances of the Board. To the pub- lic at large it cannot be apparent; because the accounts as published in this report, cover all expenses of the year, and, therefore, the Board has, seemingly, lived within its appropria- tion. It should be known, however, that the Finance Commit- tee of the Board did not "pad " its estimates for the year, as is the case in some places; but asked for the smallest sum possible. The two columns above will show how the Board readjusted its estimates to meet the appropriation and the expenses.
Until the year 1893, the appropriation for fuel was so small that only about two-thirds of the coal could be bought in the summer at the most favorable rates, while the remaining third had to be purchased from January to May at an advance. The waste of money was so apparent that in 1893 the Council made a considerable advance in this particular appropriation which nearly covered the supply for that year and until June of the next. If the appropriation asked for in 1898 had been granted, the entire supply for one school year could have been secured.
Furthermore, during the last few years a small stock of supplies has been accumulated in each school building in order to meet any sudden emergency or an underestimate on the part of the principals. This year the very smallest amounts of everything have been purchased, and so this stock has been re- duced.
Again, but little provision has been made for the future ; that is, the equipment has not been improved or strengthened. Every business man knows that each year he must do something for the improvement of his plant, or in the succeeding year his expense account must be largely increased.
For these several reasons, the exhibit of this Board, al- though it has contracted no debts that must be paid in 1899, and it has lived on its appropriation for 1898, is not so gratifying as it appears to the citizen who does not know the conditions.
21
Summary of Expenditures.
Salaries,
$73,349 45
Fuel,
5,749 77
Janitors,
6,170 00
Transportation,
878 85
Books, Supplies and Sundries,
7,549 94
Evening Schools, .
1,301 93
$94,999 94
Balance,
06
Total,
$95,000 00
Appropriation,
$95,000 00
Repairs.
Charles F. Knowlton, Commissioner of Public Works, re- ports the following outlay for repairs on school buildings :
High,
$79 34
Adams,* .
517 93
Coddington,
184 80
Gridley Bryant,
61 47
John Hancock,
126 47
Lincoln,
86 15
Massachusetts Fields, t
379 26
Quincy,
47 88
Washington,#
269 72
Willard, |
486 23
Wollaston,§
443 55
Old High,
29 73
$2,712 53
*Painted. +Grading. ¿ New furnace. |Furnaces. §Retaining wall and grading.
09
Additional Statistics.
By the sixty-first 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 between 5 and 15 years ; State, 156; County, 23.
2. Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools : State, 158; County, 12.
3. Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of children between 5 and 15 years : State, 246; County, 22.
4. Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years : State, 89; County, 10.
Table to show number of pupils in each grade and the loss from grade to grade.
'92.
'93.
'94.
'95
:96.
797.
'98.
I,
653
672
691
663
764
820
807
II,
450
400
522
479
530
522
582
III,
406
421
428
496
472
545
541
IV,
393
402
428
399
478
460
543
V,
361
370
383
441
409
468
466
VI,
319
314
358
344
411
382
433
VII,
253
291
302
302
329
383
371
VIII,
214
227
251
260
245
270
336
IX,
86
124
147
157
189
195
197
X,
48
67
77
68
88
111
117
XI,
30
33
46
50
36
45
51
XII,
19
25
26
32
35
33
40
When making comparisons read diagonally. For example, grade VI. of '92 :- 319, 291, 251, 157, 88, 45, 40. We must re- member, however, that in the reduction from 85 to 45 is included the class of 37 pupils who graduated from the Business Course.
High School.
Mt. Tupper, Head-master of the High School, has submitted his annual report, and all matters relating to the school are so
23
fully set forth by him that it is not necessary to say more. The report follows that of the Superintendent. In the appendix will also be found the usual references to the school.
Below are a few matters of general interest for future reference.
Growth of the Decade.
Average number belonging :-
1889
97
1892
162*
1895
287
1890
108
1893
193+
1896
317
1891
12(
1894
239±
1897
359
1898
377
*After Sept., '92, an overflow room in the Adams school.
+After Sept., '93, two sessions; morning 8 to 12.30, three higher elasses; after- noon 1 to 4, new elass; two sets of teachers.
#New building in Sept., '94. Woodward Institute opened April 10, '94.
Graduates of the Decade.
1889
21
1892
1895
25+10+
1890
27
1993
18
1896
31++24
1891
24
1894
24
1897
35+33
1898
34++-37
*Change of course to four years. Twenty-two pupils who completed the three-ycar course in June were given diplomas with an urgent request to return in September. Therefore the class of 18 graduates in '93 is a surprising result.
+Second number represents the Business Course which was established in September, '95.
Change of course to four years September, '91.
Cooking introduced September, '92.
First annual prize speaking, essay and translation contest, April, '93. Change of method of graduating exercises June, '95.
German introduced September, '96.
Grammar School Graduation.
Last June the 279 graduates assembled in the High School and there received their diplomas certifying that they had com-
24
pleted eight years of school life. Of this number, 255 had already been given certificates to the High School.
A fac-simile of the certificate :
City of Presidents.
1640
175
1
· QUINCY
MASSACHUSETTS.
Public Schools.
is recommended by the Principal for admission to the
QUINCY HIGH SCHOOL
with ... conditions.
Class of 1898.
Approved by H. W. Lull, Supt. Schools.
School.
Present this card to the Principal of the High School, September 6th, 1898.
Principal.
(See other side for conditions.)
When for the fourth time it became necessary to find some- one to address the pupils, it seemed a very difficult matter to secure " talent " equal to Mr. Henry T. Bailey, Miss Sarah L. Arnold, and Supt. William C. Bates, who had entertained and instructed in previous years. In the Board itself, however, a worthy successor was found. Miss Mabel Ellery Adams, a gradu- ate of the Adams school and the Quincy High, and a teacher in the Horace Mann school of Boston, kindly consented to be the special speaker. At the close of the exercises, the general re- mark on the lips of all was that the address was equal to the best of former years. The thanks of the Board are due Miss Adams.
This year, for the first time, the Massachusetts Fields school took part in these annual exercises.
MANET
25
Graduates for the Decade.
'89 '90
'91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '96
'97 '98
Adams,
20
27
34
40
42
36
27
25
35 32
37
Gridley Bryant,
John Hancock, .
9
22
13
24
16
29
Lincoln,
14
22
20
25
17
14
Massachusetts Fields, -
17
Quincy,
14
24
18
27
28
25
33
32
20
27
Washington,
16
18
19
23
27
27
15
22
19
28
Willard,
31
29
39
27
32
28
47
42 46
39
Wollaston,
13
21
20
27
35
39
35
34 35
31
123 146 155 175 213 225 215 256 244 279
CLASS OF 1898.
Certifi- Diploma.
cate.
High.
Other Schools.
Re- Left. turned.
Adams,
40
40
28
7
5
()
Coddington, .
37
34
26
8
3
0
Gridley Bryant,
17
17
13
2
0
John Hancock,
29
26
17
3
7
2
Lincoln,
14
12
8
0
6
0
Massachusetts Fields,
17
15
11
2
4
0
Quincy,
27
22
17
1
8
1
Washington,
28
26
18
4
6
0
Willard,
39
32
23
3
11
2
Wollaston,
.
31
31
19
9
3
0
Totals,
279
255
180
39
55
5
29
27
25
31
26
26
- 21
17
The present eighth grade numbers 336.
-
-
42 38 40
Coddington, .
26
Average Age at Graduation.
1894. Yrs. Mos.
1895. Yrs. Mos.
1896. Yrs. Mos.
1897. Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Adams,
14 10
14 7
14 7
14
4
14 5
Coddington,
14 10
14
7
14
S
14
8
14 6
Gridley Bryant,
14
8
14
6
John Hancock,
14
9
14
0
13
9
15
7
14
5
Lincoln, .
15 4
15
2
14 10
14
2
14
5
Mass. Fields,
15
Quincy,
14
3
14
7
14 5
14
5
14
4
Washington,
15
0
14
S
14 11
14
C
14
8
Willard, .
14 11
15
0
15
0
14
9
14
4
Wollaston,
14 11
15
0
14
4
14
3
14
4
Of the 279 graduates in 1898, 205 had received ALL of their education in Quincy. Of these, 54 completed the course in eight years, 52 in fewer than eight, 99 in more than eight.
During the eighth year every pupil is expected to write an essay on a subject within his mental grasp. The subject is as- signed early in the year, references and advice given, and then in June, from whatever legitimate notes the principal may per- mit, the essay is written. This composition is supposed to be a fair index of the pupil's knowledge of the English language.
Evening Schools.
The statistics refer to the school year beginning in the autumn of 1897, and closing in the spring of 1898.
Adams :- Began October 18; closed February 7, 1898. Whole number of men, 87; women, 10. Average attendance, 36. Number of sessions, 50. Average number of teach- ers, 3.3.
Willard :- Began October 18; closed January 31, 1898. Whole number of men, 80; women, 10. Average attendance, 24.3. Number of sessions, 41. Number of teachers, 3. Evening Drawing School, ( Old High ) Mechanical :- Began October 19; closed February 22, 1898. Number of ses- sions, 47. Whole number of men, 33; women, 0. Aver- age attendance, 15.1. Number of one-year certificates, 7.
1898.
27
Free-hand :- Began October 18; closed February 23, 1898. Number of sessions, 50. Whole number of men, 25; women, 8. Average attendance, 11.36. Number of one- year certificates, 6. Number of two-year certificates, 2.
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.
This autumn the schools opened October 24, with the follow- ing average attendance for the first week :- Adams, 90; Willard, 56; Drawing, 38.
The Evening common schools are unsatisfactory and will be so until the pupils are made to feel a greater responsibility for regular attendance. A deposit of one dollar, which is returned at the close of the school if forty of the fifty lessons have been attended, is producing excellent results in other places.
Special Meetings.
January,-Superintendent Lull, "General Work of the Term."
January, *- President Eliot of Harvard University, " Enrichment." April,-Superintendent Lull, " General Work of the Term."
April, *- Hon. Josiah Quincy of Boston, " Municipal Government." September,-Superintendent Lull, " The Work of the New Year."
October, *- Prof. Louis C. Elson of Boston, " Seven Centuries of English Song." November,-Supt. A. K. Whitcomb of Lowell, " Defective Children."
*Under the auspices of the Quincy Teachers' Association.
Other Means of Growth.
In December with the annual report circular was sent a second request for information. Every teacher responded, for every teacher is not only loyal to the Quincy schools and to the teaching profession, but everyone is anxious to "make the
28
world his field." The answers are very satisfactory and the reader is requested to turn back to the report of the Board and to re-read the paragraph beginning : " Another ex- periment which your Committee, etc."
The total number of the 116 teachers who answered has been inserted after each question. It should be remembered that five new teachers have entered the corps since September.
ALL QUESTIONS REFER TO 1898.
VOLUNTARY: Each teacher is requested to write on this sheet whatever lie (slie) 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 efficieney. This statement may include everything that indicates interest, growth and expansion. From this a summary will be made, but no NAMES will be used. It is hoped that such a general statement will give the teacher a better professional standing in the community, and therefore, every teacher should gladly respond.
1. READING :- Professional :
(a). The best educational periodieal that you read regularly ? 112
(b). The best book on pedagogy, psychology, or school manage- ment that you have read this year ? 112
Non-professional :
(c). The best magazine that you read regularly ? 95
(d). The best book you have read this year ? 110
2. PRIVATE OR CLASS LESSONS (not in a Summer School) :
Professional : On what subject directly connected with school work ? 40
Non-professional : On what other subject ? 40
3. LECTURES : Did you attend ?
Twentieth Century Club's, 23. Prof. Elson's, 93.
Boston University's, 20. Prof. Houck's, 78.
Prof. Davis's (last spring), 75. Prof. Ward's, 18.
President Eliot's, 94. By others, 84.
Mayor Quincy's,
73.
4. SUMMER SCHOOLS: What summer school did you attend ? 13
5. CLASS OUTINGS :
(a). What in Quincy for geography, science, history or sketching ? 28
(b). What elsewhere for any purpose ? 20
[In (a) and (b) 100 different trips.]
6. TRAVEL: Not merely for visiting or for pleasure; but to strengthen you as a teacher. Where ? 34
7. (a). Are you a member of the Teachers' Association ? 106
(b). What sehool convention have you attended ? 110
(c). Have you attended any of the general or committee meetings of the N. E. Conference of Educational Workers ? 65
8. What schools have you visited during this year ? [ 247 schools have been visited.] 96
29
9. By what other means worth recording have you grown educa- tionally ? 43
10. What has been done by you or by others to make your room at- tractive ? ( Pictures, plants, flags, etc.) 89
11. Has the Teachers' Library in this office been of profit to you ? 88
Four teachers have contributed to educational periodicals, articles relating to school work and government. This practice is highly commendable, for it obliges the writer to arrange in logical sequence his general ideas about his subject and then to be ready to defend them.
In the annual returns were also the following questions : -
What is your fire signal ? ( All have signals).
How many times has the fire drill been practiced ? (By 7 schools 45 times. By the Adams Washington and Wollaston, once each month).
How many pupils are repeating the work of your grade ? 255*
How many have received a double promotion from you sinee January 1, 1898 ? 130
How many library books have you taken out for your class ( V-VIII) ? 1951
How many of your pupils take books directly from the library ( V-VIII ) ? 521
How many pupils have read one public library book this year ( V-XII) ? 1,504
How many have read five or more ( V-XII) ?
941
How many books of value from any source have been read (V-XII) ? 9,271
How many mentally " defective "pupils ? 32
*Due in many cases to illness and to irregular attendance.
tEach teacher is allowed to take ten books at one time. The library is the Thomas Crane Publie Library.
The teachers think that they have this number of " de- fectives." They base their judgment on communications from parents, or on their inability to do anything with the child. A careful diagnosis by an expert might find the trouble to be weak ears or eyes, throat or nasal troubles, or other causes. De- fectives are permitted to remain in the schools provided they do not disturb the other pupils.
In connection with the record of growth should be men- tioned lessons in the Ling system of gymnastics. The teachers of Quincy have never had any instruction or supervision in this system at the expense of the city. When the exercises were
30
first practiced in the autumn of 1891, the teachers hired a hall and a teacher. At least half of the corps have entered the schools since 1891, and they have felt the need of help. Fifty- five were willing to give time and money for this purpose. Mr. Pollard of the Washington school, at a merely nominal charge, gave them ten lessons to the profit of the teachers and the schools.
These lists, with the exception of grade and principals' meet- ings, are, to a limited extent, a review of the year, and indicate the opportunities that the teachers have had to prevent them- selves from being fossilized by the daily routine of their work and also to obtain the freshest knowledge and the greatest in- spiration for renewed efforts. The Twentieth Century Club, Lowell Institute, Boston University, and the New England Con- ference of Educational Workers, are particularly helpful. At cost, the Quincy Teachers' Association is offering to its members and to the public a strong course of lectures on subjects of general interest. The object is not to make money, but to get the best help and entertainment that the market affords. This and all other legitimate movements that tend to bring the teachers and the parents nearer together should be commended. This course includes such well-known names as :- Eliot, Quincy, Elson, Washington, Everett, Hubbard, Clapp, Churchill, Houck.
Many of the teachers have continued their excellent custom of taking their classes to Boston and Cambridge. Probably only a very small per cent. of children or parents ever visit Boston for educational purposes. Therefore, a public benefactor is that teacher who has carefully planned a trip, has determined just what should be seen and how it can most easily be reached, and then out of fulness of knowledge can instruct the class. This, however, is not sufficient. The earnest teacher receives from the class on its return a carefully written account of the valuable knowledge gained. Such a trip is of especial value to the history, science and literature classes. In order that those who are not well acquainted with our neighboring metropolis and the university city near by, several trips are printed here in the hope that others will be encouraged to help their pupils. Incidentally it may be suggested that in these days, when discipline depends
31
so much on the personality of the teacher and his ability to interest the pupils by his own resources, such trips may bring teacher and pupil into closer harmony. The absolute cost to the pupil is also indicated. In some cases " ways and, means " have been provided for pupils who other wise could not have partici- pated.
Trips. CLASS TRIP TO BOSTON.
Reported by Principals Atkins, Nowland and Pollard.
DIRECTIONS.
OBJECTS OF INTEREST.
Station to Summer and High, Home of Daniel Webster.
Devonshire to 24 Milk, .
. Birthplace of Benjamin Franklin. Old South Meeting-house.
. Post Office. View from roof.
U. S. Signal Service. Sub-treasury.
State,
. Boston Massacre. Old State House.
Washington, .
. Adams Square. Monument.
Dock Square .* Faneuil Hall and Market.
Quincy Market.
Corn Court, .
.
Hancock Tavern.t
Commercial, Richmond,
. House of Paul Revere.
. North Square.
. Old North Church.
Hull,
. Copp's Hill Burying Ground. Tombs and willow tree.
. Marshall Inn.
Salem, Hanover, . (opposite Salem). Marshall,
Union (off Hanover), Hanover, Scollay Square. Pemberton Square,
. Old Boston Stone.
. Green Dragon Inn.#
One of the " three hills " (Tri-mount, Tremont). Court House.
North, . . Prince, across Hanover, Salem.
Devonshire,
32
DIRECTIONS.
OBJECTS OF INTEREST.
Ashburton Place, .
. State House.
Beacon, .
. Shaw Memorial.
Tremont,
. King's Chapel.
Tremont, School,
. City Hall.
Coasting in Revolution.§
Tremont,
. Old Granary Burying Ground.|
Across Common,
. Public Garden.
Park Square,
. Monument.
If time permits extend trip to Navy Yard and Bunker Hill. *Why " Dock " Square ?
+Consult " Walks and Rides about Boston."
*Tablet.
§See Rev. E. E. Hale's account. | Hancock.
A CHEAP TRIP TO LEXINGTON. Reported by Principal Pollard.
At Quincy centre, take street car to Neponset (5 cts.) At Neponset take any car to Field's Corner transfer station (5 cts.) and change to Crosstown car. At Dudley Street transfer station change to Cambridge car. At Harvard Square (Cambridge) change to Arlington Heights car, all transfers free. The latter car goes to within three miles and a half of Lexington. Boys can walk the rest of the way and visit many places of historic interest en route. Girls can take steam cars at Arlington Heights for Lexington. Fare, 6 cts .; half-fare, 3 cts. Total ex- pense going, for boys 10 cts., for girls 13 cts. or 16 cts. (By taking 7.55 or 8.10 car from Quincy, convenient connections can be made with train at Arlington Heights for Lexington.) Lexington Green, houses in vicinity, and other places within easy walking distance may be visited. Return home over route described. Total expense 20 cts. to 32 cts. It is advisable for a person taking a class of children to have each child furnished with a copy of the route and changes of cars, and carefully instructed as to the manner of obtaining transfer checks at each change in Boston and Cambridge.
33
Report of Masters' Club.
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