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 1899 > Part 18
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Science: Teaches two and a half days grades IX-XII and two and a half days grades I-VIII.
Cooking: Twenty afternoon lessons to grade XII.
Sewing: Teaches five days per week grade V-VIII.
Music: Teaches three days per week grades I-VIII.
17
In the corps of teachers there are seven who taught while Col. Parker was Superintendent.
Eleven teachers have resigned during the year. See ap- pendix.
Three have been obliged to ask for indefinite leave of ab- sence due to illness.
Four have attended a normal school, but did not graduate.
Thirty-eight have graduated from a normal school.
Six have attended a college, but did not graduate.
Ten have graduated from a college.
Fifty-two are graduates of the Quincy High.
Seventy-six have their homes in Quincy.
Average salary of all teachers in the first eight grades (not including principals ), $490.92.
Average salary of all teachers in grades IX, X, XI, XII (not including principals), $732.73.
Minimum and maximum salary of principals below High, $1,000-$1,400 ; in High, $1,800-$2,200.
It is a pleasure to record the fact that the Adams and the John Hancock schools have a master's assistant for a half of each day. This assistance makes the principals far more valu- able to their schools.
The experiment of placing the Massachusetts Fields and the Wollaston schools under one principalship has been a suc- cess. The new Cranch hill building will naturally belong to the John Hancock district, and therefore, if the John Hancock prin- cipal is put in charge, he will need next September a full-time master's assistant,
18 ¡Population and Census.
" The school is the point of contact between each generation and its successor. It is the only point at which one generation meets its successor systematically and with a definite purpose in view."
Population in 1895,
20,712
Estimated in December by the
1898,
24,578
State Board of Health
1899,
25,653
Probable population,
25,000
Reported by Charles H. Johnson, Truant Officer, Septem- ber, 1899.
Age.
Ward I.
II.
III.
IV
V.
VI. Total
Five,
71
78
160
197
65
54
625
Six,
65
64
115
145
90
37
516
Seven,
58
47
145
120
83
43
496
Eight,
59
73
123
152
73
47
527
Nine,
63
47
77
124
70
44
425
Ten,
70
55
75
109
70
50
429
Eleven,
46
51
96
114
65
40
412
Twelve,
37
48
74
111
60
33
363
Thirteen,
59
50
88
107
63
50
417
Fourteen,
63
87
208
266
104
61
789
1899,
591
600
1161
1445
743
459
4999
1898,
561
591
1147
1327
662
457
4745
1897,
550
586
1147
1378
603
456
4720
1875,
1,727
1890,
3,365
1895,
4,571
1880,
1,311
1891,
4,045
1896,
4,702
1885,
2,416
1892,
4,377
1897,
4,720
1888,
1,877
1893,
4,320
1898,
4,745
1889,
3,495
1894,
4,443
1899,
4,999
19
This year, in accordance with the new State law, the truant officer took the census in September instead of in May. As there is a difference of four months between these dates, a part of the increase is due to this longer period.
Pupils.
" He who helps a child, helps humanity with a distinctness, with an immediateness which no other help given to human creatures at any other stage of their human life can possibly give again."
This year all statistics relating to attendance refer to the complete school year beginning September, 1898, and ending in June, 1899. Ever since the city was chartered the school re- ports have observed the civil year; but the State Board of Edu- cation, in order that the whole State may agree in its educational data, has decided that the year shall begin in September. This change will affect comparisons with previous years. The June totals will not be as large as the December.
Whole number of different pupils : Boys, Girls, 2,453 )
2,571 l
5,024
Average number belonging,
4,405
Average daily attendance,
4,138
Per cent. of daily attendance, .
93.9
Per cent. of tardinesses,
0.32
Per cent. of dismissals,
0.81
Cases of truancy (different pupils), 65
The opportunity of earning money on the golf field has been too strong a temptation for some of the boys. Further- more, the fact that the boys enjoy a " day off " in the local court and the consequent "hero worship" that follows on their return to their companions, make the position of the truant officer, to say the least "not a happy one." Only one truant has been sent to Walpole during the year. The discipline of a truant school is
20
the only possibility of salvation for some boys; for they are orphans, although their parents may be alive.
We are justly proud of the high level to which we as a , people have climbed ; but we are constantly reminded by indi- viduals that not all have climbed. It would surprise the inex- perienced to know how many parents and how many employers of labor hold compulsory school laws in contempt. One reason is, because both parties deny the right of the state to compel ; and a second is, because they escape punishment. The advent of state inspectors, though unannounced at this office, is well known; for there is an immediate demand for certificates by those who have been at work for months. There is, too, a con- stant request for certificates for those not yet fourteen years of age. Present needs, sometimes real and pressing, often selfish, decide the fate of the child. His whole future is as nothing compared with a few dollars now. Then there are a few cases of widows with large families of young children for whom the state should make special provision. The reason for evading the law is often not the money the child can earn but the fact that the child by caring for younger children makes it possible for the mother to go out to her work and thus support the family. Such cases are very pathetic, but the state makes no exception ; a child must go to school. The state enacted the following June 2, 1898, (See Public Statutes, Chapter 496, Sec- tion 31.)
SEC. 31. Any person having under his control a child between SEVEN and FOURTEEN years of age who fails for FIVE day sessions or TEN half-day sessions WITHIN ANY PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than TWENTY dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while school is in session any child absent unlawfully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than FIFTY dollars.
=
21
Money.
"Every child in Massachusetts receives on an average seven years of schooling, while every child in the United States to-day receives only four years and three-tenths; the ratio is 70 to 43. The average daily wealth-producing man, woman and child in Massachusetts is 73 cents, while in the United States it is only 40 cents. The value of the labor is directly in proportion to the amount of schooling."
-
Valuation, 1899,
$19,684,319.00
Gain over, 1898, .
$447,487.00
Total tax levy, 1899,
$377,938.92
Rate per thousand, .
$19.20
Budget of the School Board.
Salaries,
Asked. $75,200
Adjusted .* Readjusted .;
Fuel,
6,500
$75,200 5,200
5,028.32
Janitors,
6,200
6,200
6,234.00
Transportation,
1,000
925
879.30
Books, Supplies, Sundries,
8,500
8,200
7,519.93
Evening Schools,
1,500
1,275
1,289.84
Total,
$98,900
$97,000
$97,000.00
Appropriation,
$97,000
$97,000.00
$76,048.61
* By vote of the Board in May to meet the cut down by the Council of $1,900.
t By vote in November and December to pay the teachers their Decem- ber salaries. If this transfer had not been made, cach teacher would have lost one-tenth of the salary for this month,
22
Summary of Expenditures :
Salaries,
$76,048.61
Fuel,
5,028.32
Janitors, 6,234.00
Transportation, 879.30
Books, Supplies, Sundries, 7,519.93
Evening Schools,
1,289.84
Total, $97,000
Appropriation,
$97,000
It is a very unpleasant duty to announce a deficit. This is the first experience of your present Superintendent during his eight years of service in Quincy. The last statement of this nature was made in the report of 1892 for the year 1891.
In April, 1899, 237, and in September 323, new pupils five years old entered school. One half of total this of 560 is offset by those who graduate or leave school for other reasons. The increase, then, is nearly 280. ( The difference be- tween the total number of pupils at the end of September, 1898 and September, 1899, was 279). This increase is more notice- able in the John Hancock. There the first six rooms in succes- sion have numbered during the last term, 62, 63, 64, 72, 64, 64. Six assistants were demanded to meet these conditions.
At the High School a similar condition was expected, but in the forlorn hope that somehow the inevitable might be avoided, nothing was done to provide for an overflow until school began in September. The overflow was just one large class, the second-year business. Even then all the rooms, in- cluding alcove and principal's office, were crowded.
To meet this emergency, two new teachers were engaged, stores were hired and furnished, and a janitor secured. Within two weeks the business class was installed in new quarters only a few feet from the school building. These four causes of extra expense, however, were not all. The new pupils were provided with new books and new supplies ; for the stock on hand was not sufficient to meet the new demands.
Meantime, because of a demand for a radical increase in the rent of the overflow at Atlantic, a new room was obtained. This necessitated moving and refitting.
23
On the last Tuesday of September, the Board notified the Council that it would be unable to live within the appropriations and asked that $1,500 of the $1,900 which was taken from the budget should be appropriated. As the Council refused with- out permitting the Board to present its reasons for the deficit, the following statement is made.
The deficit is due to extra teaching force, to increased demand for books and supplies, to new rents, to extra janitor- ship, to new furnishings and fittings, and also to the necessity of doing work left undone last year because of the cut of $3,104. All of these needs were anticipated in the budget, but were not granted by the Council.
The coal on hand cost $2,600 last summer; but because of the great advance in price, it is now worth $3,000.
Repairs.
John T. Cavanagh, Commissioner of Public Works, reports the following outlay for repairs on school buildings :
High,
$117 61
Adams,
123 66
Coddington,
130 75
Gridley Bryant,
81 92
John Hancock,
233 36
Lincoln,
223 60
Massachusetts Fields,
302 30
Quincy,
88 25
Washington,
84 86
Willard,
235 31
Wollaston,
151 01
$1,772 63
No building has been painted this year and no blackboards repaired.
Average Cost Per Pupil.
The dividend includes every cent the Board has spent from January 1 to December 31 and the deficit, excepting $1,289.84, the cost of the Evening Schools.
.
1
24
The divisor may be (1) the whole number of different pupils, 5,024; or (2) the average number belonging, 4,405; or (3) the average daily attendance, 4,138. All three of these divisors refer to the school year, September, '98, to June '99. (See page 19).
Cost : -
1, $18.37 ; 0 2, $22.07 ; 3, $23.51.
The books, supplies, and sundries account has been expended as follows: - Three rents, care of School Board rooms, truant officer, census, annual reports, repairs, new furnishings, labor, lighting, expressing, office expenses, water, $1,936.05. Books, stationery, apparatus, printing, diplomas and graduations, supplies for sewing, cooking, drawing and science, $5,583.88.
Unfortunately the different cities of Massachusetts do not agree on the basis of these statistics, and therefore it is necessary to know the local conditions. In some places all the fuel is purchased by another department and charged to it. In others the ratio of the total appropriation of the School Board to the total tax, to the valuation, or to the population is seemingly low, because of the large attendance in parochial schools. Compari- sons are worthless unless the conditions are known.
Additional Statistics.
By the sixty-second annual report of the Board of Educa- tion, Quincy holds the following rank among 353 towns and cites of the State and 28 of the County :
1. Amount of money appropriated for each child between 5 and 15 years : State, 135; County, 20.
2. Percentage of valuation appropriated to public schools : State, 131; County, 12.
3. Ratio of average attendance to the whole number of children between 5 and 15 years: State, 204; County, 21.
4. Comparative amount of money appropriated for each child included in the average number belonging: State, 86; County, 13.
25
Loss of Pupils from Grade to Grade.
Grade.
'92
'93
'94
'95
'96
'97
'98
'99
I,
653
672
691
663
764
820
807
826
II,
450
400
522
479
530
522
582
709
III,
406
421
428
496
472
545
541
593
IV,
393
402
428
399
478
460
543
527
V,
361
370
383
441
409
468
466
544
VI,
319
314
358
344
411
382
433
449
VII,
253
291
302
302
329
383
371
435
VIII,
214
227
251
260
245
270
336
333
IX,
86
124
127
157
189
195
197
236
X,
48
67
77
68
88
111
117
122
XI
30
33
46
50
36
45
51
62
XII,
19
25
26
32
35
33
40
48
When making comparisons, read diagonally. For example, read grade V of '92 as ; 361, 314, 302, 260, 189, 111, 51, 48. Remember that in the reduction from 111 to 51 is included the business class of 33 pupils who graduated in June 1897. A part of the apparent loss between VIII and IX is due to the pupils who have entered other secondary schools. This year the num- ber is 59.
High School
"No other institution could have diffused so widely the light of modern science, could have scattered so widely the fruit of modern discoveries, could have supplied so widely that general intelligence which is the basis of modern intellectual life, could have created so wide and intelligent a de- mand for the products of modern literary effort, or developed an appetite so universal for the modern periodical."
In September, 1892, Mr. Frederic Allison Tupper came to Quincy to become principal of the High school. It is not nec-
26
essary to say at this late date that his scholarship, his culture, and his ability to deal with young men and women at a very critical age, made his principalship of the school a success, for the remarkable growth and development of the school speak louder than words. Therefore our cordial congratulations at his de- served election to the Brighton High school were tinged with regrets at our loss and with anxiety regarding a worthy successor.
The conditions were made more embarassing by the probability of the additional loss of the submaster, Mr. Henry W. Porter. The probability became a reality in June when Mr. Porter was called to the Abington High school. His resigna- tion marked the close of three years of unusually efficient service.
After careful search, personal visitation, and due delibera- tion, Mr. Charles F. Harper of New Britain, Connecticut, was unanimously selected and elected. His untiring zeal, his quick grasp of the conditions, his executive ability, and his cordial relations with teachers and pupils have shown the wisdom of the selection.
For submaster, Mr. Walter Severance of the High school in Portland, Maine, was secured. His work proves the selection well made.
To Principal Harper's report following this, the attention of the Board is called.
Grammar School Graduation.
Last June in the High School hall 324 graduates received diplomas certifying that they had passed through the first eight grades of our schools with more or less success. This diploma does not adınit to the High School. It merely indicates that the pupil has passed through the course. During the year parents have been notified more than once that their children cannot be promoted and therefore it is no surprise to them. These are chil-
27
dren who have dragged along from year to year without ambition, who are fifteen, sixteen and even seventeen years of age, whose home surroundings are not helpful, and whose teachers have tried in vain to inspire to greater exertion. There, are too, very faithful, conscientious and well-behaved children who were " born short " and who are, therefore, allowed to go on from grade to grade, absorbing here and there a little, but they cannot do the work of a High school and they should seek some em- ployment. The diploma soothes the feelings of these children and of their parents, and so much friction is avoided.
In June, 202 full grade . and 112 conditioned certificates of admission to the High were given and of these 207 entered the High School in September.
The speaker for the graduation was Col. Edward Anderson, who ably maintained the high standard set in previous years by Mr. Henry T. Bailey, Miss Sarah L. Arnold, Superintendent W. C. Bates, and Miss Mabel E. Adams.
Class of June.
Diplomas.
Full Certificates.
Conditioned.
High.
Adams Academy.
Woodward Institute.
Thayer Academy.
Other Schools.
Left School.
Returned.
Adams,
49
35
14
33
3
5
0
3
5
0
Coddington,
38
16
22
26
1
3
1
2
5
0
Griddley Bryant,
31
17
14
21
2
1
0
0
7
0
John Hancock,
33
21
12
22
2
0 0 0) 9 0
Quincy,
33
19
14
23
1
1
1
0
7
0
Washington,
23
8
12
13
2
1
0
1
5
1
Willard,
54
47
7
31
10
3
0
0
9 1
Wollaston,
25
18
6
15
4
2
2
1 1 0
Grand total,
324 202 114 207
27 18 4 10 56
2
7
7
10
Massachusetts Fields,
22
14
6
13
2
1
0
3
3 0
Lincoln,
16
0 1 0
0 50
.
28
Grammar Graduates.
'89. '90. '91. '92. '93. '94. '95. '96. '97. '98. '99.
Adams, .
20
27
34
40
42 36
27
Coddington,
29 27
25
31 26
26
25
35
21 16
17 14 17 27
16 22 33
Quincy,
14
24
18
27 23
28 27
25 27
- 33 15 47
- 32 22
19
28 23
Willard,
31
29
39
27
32
28
42
46
39 54
Wollaston,
13
21
20
27
35
39
35
34
35
31 25
Totals,
123 146 155 175 213 225 215 256 244 279 324
Evening Schools.
The statistics refer to the school year beginning in the autumn of 1898 and closing in the spring of 1899.
Adams : - Began October 24; closed February 10. Whole number of men, 93; women, 15, Average attendance, 37. Number of sessions, 42. Average number of teachers, 2.9.
Willard : - Began October 24; closed February 10. Whole number of men, 98; women, 19. Average attendance, 38.6. Number of sessions, 28 .* Average number of teachers, 3.3.
Evening Drawing School, (Old High) Mechanical : - Began October 25, closed February 25. Whole number of men, 25; women, 1. Average attendance, 10.7. Number of sessions, 49. Number of first-year certificates, 2. Number of second-year diplomas, 2.
Freehand : - Began October 24; closed February 24. Whole number of men, 17; women, 6. Average attendance, 10.7. Number of sessions, 46. Number of first-year certificates, 2. Number of second-year diplomas, 1.
*The great storm of November destroyed the electric light service so that no sessions could be held until December 5.
-
-
17 31
John Hancock,
Lincoln,
-
-
14
9 22 22
13
20
24 25
29 33
Mass. Fields,
-
-
- 20
Washington,
16
18
19
-
40
49
42 38 32 37 38
Gridley Bryant,
29
The schools are now in session under the same conditions as last year with one exception ; viz., the pupils now lose membership unless they attend 75 per cent. of the sessions.
As the schools in many cases seem to be an asylum from storm or cold, or a last resort when there is no other attraction, some regulation of this nature is imperative.
Special Meetings.
"Education is the continued enrichment of the individual."
The following meetings have been held either by the the Teachers' Association or by the Superintendent. The cen- tral object has been the growth of the teacher to the end that better work may result.
January. Superintendent H. W. Lull, "General Work of the Term." *Booker T. Washington of Alabama, " The Black Belt."
February. *William Everett, LL. D., of Quincy, " The Poetry of Walter Scott." Superintendent B. B. Russell of Brockton, " Law and Habit." Superintendent W. H. Small of Chelsea, " The Historical Instinct."
March.
Walter Sargent of the State Board, " Picture Study."
April.
*Elbert Hubbard of New York, " Rembrandt." Superintendent H. W. Lull, " General Work of the Term."
May.
*Henry Clapp of Boston, " Heroines in Shakespeare."
*Professor J. W. Churchill of Andover, " Readings."
September. Superintendent H. W. Lull,
" The Work of the New Year."
!
30
October. Wendell G. Corthell of Wollaston, " Personal Experiences in Rome." Superintendent H. W. Lull, " The Teacher."
November. Principal W. A. Baldwin of Hyannis, " Purpose in Education," *William Everett, LL. D., " The Poetry of Thomas Moore."
December. Superintendent A. L. Safford of Beverly, "Faith." Colonel Edward Anderson of Quincy, " The Teacher."
*Quincy Teachers' Association.
Note : Mr. Washington did not set a price for his lecture, but accepted a contribution from the audience of $55.59 for his Tuskegee Normal school in Alabama.
Although no compilation of the many ways in which teachers have developed and strengthened themselves for better work is published this year, nevertheless they have been busy in many different lines directly and indirectly connected with their profession. In some cases teachers have incurred considerable expense-a use of their scanty salary that they can ill afford.
Quincy Grammar Masters' Club.
Officers for 1899 :
Charles E. Finch, Jr., President. Chester H. Wilbar, Vice President. Austin W. Greene, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Club holds monthly meetings during the school year at which a member presents a paper on a given subject, and this is followed by a general discussion.
The following subjects have been considered : -
1. Nature study in Grades VII and VIII. Speaker, Austin W. Greene.
31
2. Reading in Grade VIII. First meeting. Speaker, Mary E. Dearborn. Second meeting, question box.
3. What a principal can do for his teachers. Speaker, Albert Candlin.
4. Arithmetic. Speaker, James M. Nowland.
5. Mathematical Geography, a round table talk conducted by Mr. Edward Southworth, Master of Mather School, Boston.
6. Spelling. Speaker, Charles Sampson.
The club closed the year's work with the annual banquet at which Mr. Arthur C. Boyden of Bridgewater gave an interesting address on the " Modern Trend of Educational Thought," and Superintendent H. W. Lull spoke on the " Evolution of Woman."
Training Class.
In accordance with a vote of the Board in June, 1898, and after a notice of one year, no training class was organized in September, 1899. Naturally this change has met with some ad- verse criticism. The class has been a part of our school system for more than a score of years, and it will be difficult for many who have not realized the radical changes going on all about us, and who have personal reasons for preferring this short cut to the teacher's desk, to approve of the new departure. However, this action of the Board will make it possible to bring into the schools a corps of teachers much better fitted and with a broader conception of the work.
If Quincy would hold her own, she must take another step ; viz., demand a normal training and also a half-year of indepen- dent experience elsewhere before election in this city. As an ex- ception to the first requirement, a successful experience of three years, or a college diploma, might be considered equivalent to a normal education.
Quincy Home Science Association.
During the summer of 1899 this Association conducted summer kindergartens in the Adams, John Hancock, and Gridley
32
Bryant schools. In 1897, one school, in 1898, two schools, and in 1899, there were three schools supported. Other parts of the city have seen the results, have helped to pay for them, and they are hoping that their districts may soon have a share of the benefits. The Association, if it had the money, would be pleased to establish in the centre of the city a summer manual training room for boys of grammar school age. Such a room could ac- commodate twelve classes of twenty-five boys per week. These classes should be restricted to those boys who have no home work and no vacation outside the city.
Wollaston School.
Because of an overheated furnace the floor timbers of this school caught fire during the noon inte rmission, March 17. Several teachers happened to be in the building at the time, and by their energetic and sensible effort the fire was extinguished with but little aid from the Fire Department. As a recognition of this effort by the teachers, this Board directed the secretary to extend its thanks to the teachers of the Wollaston school.
Medical Inspection.
Does anyone doubt that the health of the children of the public schools would be improved if a competent physician regularly visited the schools ? Conscientious teachers would gladly anticipate disease and encourage cleanliness; but they dislike to make a mistake and to irritate parents by sending children home. If, however, they were acting under the orders of an authorized inspector, they could do much to prevent nine children from suffering because of the tenth. Whatever extra cost Quincy paid the physician would probably be offset by a decrease in illness, because of separation and disinfection, or by anticipation of the common diseases of childhood.
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