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 1903 > Part 19
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1. Two buildings in one yard
EN-
MATE- RIAL.
HEAT-
VENTI-
408
REPAIRS
Charles F. Knowlton, commissioner of public works, reports the following outlay for repairs on school buildings :
Adams
$398 97
Coddington
294 79
Cranch
38 09
Gridley Bryant
373 15
High
152 64
John Hancock
285 52
Lincoln .
87 15
Massachusetts Fields
118 46
Quincy
709 52
Washington
6 11
Willard .
486 13
Wollaston
211 20
Old High School
10 90
$3,172 63
THE SCHOOL CENSUS
Reported by Charles H. Johnson, enumerator, Septem- ber, 1903.
WARDS
AGE.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI
TOTAL.
Five
70
71
176
185
80
83
665
Six
75
84
183
175
66
81
664
Seven
77
70
163
149
93
85
637
Eight
76
80
124
154
65
80
579
Nine
64
85
131
124
59
65
528
Ten
62
83
124
138
80
67
554
Eleven
70
56
116
144
70
63
519
Twelve
81
86
132
130
69
70
568
Thirteen
94
73
83
124
65
64
503
Fourteen
107
105
138
163
73
81
667
Total
776
793
1,370 1,486
720
739
5,884
Net gain over census of 1902, 263.
409
NUMBER OF PUPILS BY GRADES IN SEPTEMBER
SCHOOL.
I
II
III
IV
Adams,
1 50
12
12
46
47 25
50
44
34-434
Coddington,
₹ 43
Cranch,
47
39
40
31
41
33
27
38-296
Gridley Bryant,
47
46
44
43
40
41
36
31-328
John Hancock,
5 45
44
44
42
44
37
35
45-372
Lincoln,
§ 41
65
46
47
33
41
52
44-454
Massachusetts Fields,
2 43
Quincy,
28
24
23
Washington,
84
59
48
54
51
48
40
42
39
48
44
43
46
60-892
Willard,
50
48
41
15
44 21
38
39
Wollaston,
66
42
44
49
46
44
45
39-375
IX.
X.
XI.
XII.
GRADS.
High,
267
148
100
78
8
-601
Total,
5,522
ATTENDANCE
Whole number of different pupils :
Boys, 2,858 Girls, 2,818 §
5,676
Average number belonging
. 5,112
Average daily attendance .
. 4,705
Per cent of daily attendance
92.0
Tardinesses pro rata average daily attendance
.82
Dismissals pro rata average daily attendance
. .83
Cases of truancy,-different pupils .
118
( 38
54
47
43
50
43
43
38-399
5 58
50
45
56
57
60
48
38-422
39
54
39
47
V 47 12
50
VI VII VIII TOT'L 48 36-463
5 50
41
45
50 10
5 53
48
44
₹36
2 40
45
37-486
22
20
410
The following reports furnish interesting data :
1899.
1901.
1902.
1903.
Valuation,
$12,319,245 $21,335,800 $22,182,342 $23,089,715
Population,
14,600t
24,500₸
26,500+ 28,500₸
Census,
3,495
5,281
5,621
5,884
Whole number of dif-
ferent pupils, . 3,287
5,210
5,500
5,676
Average number be- longing, .
2,619
4,848
4,948
5,112
Av. daily attendance, 2,516
4,670
4,584
4,705
Per cent. of 66
96.
96.3
92.4
92.
Per cent. of tardiness,
.36
.57
.66
.82
Teachers,
60*
130*
130*
133*
+Estimated.
*Does not include Special Teachers.
STATISTICS
The dividend includes every cent the Board has spent from January 1 to December 31, excepting $1,530.22, the cost of maintaining the evening schools.
The divisor is (1) the whole number of different pupils, 5,676; or (2) the average number belonging, 5,112; or (3) the average daily attendance, 4,705. All three of these divisors refer to the school year, September, 1902, to June, 1903.
Cost :- 1. $19.32+ 2. $21.45+ £ 3. $23.30 ++
411
TEACHERS
In service at the close of schools in December.
Grade I.
Grade II.
Grade III.
Grade IV.
Grade V.
Grade VI.
G rade VII.
Grade VIII.
Principal.
Head Master.
Master.
Teachers
Men.
Women.
Total.
High School,
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
1
15
5
+12
17
Adams,
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I0
11
Coddington,
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
11
11
Cranch,
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
*
*
8
8
Gridley Bryant,
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
7
8
John Hancock,
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
10
11
Lincoln,
2
1
1
2
1
1
1
-
*
9
9
Massachusetts Fields,
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
*
*
9
9
Quincy,
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
9
10
Washington,
2
1
1
1
1
1
·1
1
1
8
9
Willard,
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
20
21
Wollaston,
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
8
9
Special Teachers,
1
$3
4
Assistants.
9
9
TOTAL,
20
15
13
15
13
12
12
8
8 1 1
15
13
133
146
*In three cases two schools are in charge of one principal. The Adams and Cranch, the John Hancock and Lincoln, the Massachusetts Fields and Wollaston.
tThis number includes Miss Kennedy who outlines the work in science for the ele- mentary schools.
*This number includes the teacher of cooking although but twenty lessons are given during the year.
Seventeen teachers have resigned during the year.
Two have been absent on leave.
Seven have attended a normal school but did not graduate. Fifty-two have graduated from a normal school.
Nine have attended college but did not graduate.
Twelve have graduated from college.
Average salary of all teachers in the first eight grades (not including principals,) $481.41.
Average salary of all teachers in grades IX, X, XI, XII, (not including Head Master,) $767.57.
Minimum and maximum salary of principals: Grammar, $1,000-$1,400; High, $1,800-$2,200.
-
412
EVENING SCHOOLS
The following report of the evening schools covers the period from October, 1902, to January 1, 1904, or two terms of these schools, one from October 20, 1902, to January 30,1903, and the other from October 19, to December 8, 1903. Hereafter the period covered by the reports will coincide with the fiscal year.
Two common schools and one Evening Drawing school were maintained.
The teachers of the Adams school were James M. Nowland, principal, the first term, and Winthrop N. Crocker, the second, Thomas B. Pollard, Minnie E. Donovan, Ida J. Cameron, Jose- phine L. Kelley and Jennie F. Griffin.
The whole number enrolled was 220-men, 184; women, 36. The average attendance was 94.26; and the average number of teachers was 5. The school had 62 sessions.
The Willard school was in charge of Austin W. Greene, principal, and Charles Sampson, Charles H. Taylor, Frances C. Sullivan, Catherine McGovern, Ellen G. Haley, Annie E. Burns, assistants.
The whole number enrolled was 302-men, 285; women, 17. The average attendance was 101.2, and the average number of teachers was 6.2. The school had 62 sessions.
Miss Flora M. Shackley was in charge of the Evening Draw- ing school. The school was in session six evenings a week, three evenings being given to mechanical drawing and three to free- hand.
The total enrolment in the mechanical class was 61-men, 60; women, 1. The average attendance was 28.7. The number of sessions was 47. The total enrolment in the freehand class was 23-men, 21; women, 2. The average attendance was 11.36. The number of sessions was 49.
The attendance at the evening schools is usually very good up to Christmas, but falls off rapidly and is quite irregular after the holidays ; therefore, it seems advisable to open them earlier in the fall, to have four sessions a week instead of three and to close them the last of December. In this way the same number of sessions would be provided, the work would be concentrated, the interest maintained and the expense somewhat reduced.
The number of sessions of the Evening Drawing school
413
should be reduced from six to four a week in order to divide the expense more equitably among the schools.
Most cities and towns require a small deposit, fifty cents or a dollar, from each person attending their evening schools. The deposit is made at the time of registration and is returned at the close of the season to all who have complied with the conditions prescribed by the School Board, which usually are that each pupil shall attend at least fifty per cent. of the sessions, unless excused for satisfactory reasons, that all school property lent the member shall be returned in good condition, and that his conduct has not been such as to render his presence injurious to the school.
Under the present arrangement a large number enter the evening schools apparently without any serious intention of doing any work. Some come two or three times through curiosity, or as it would seem, for the purpose of disturbing the school. Where a deposit is required these classes are largely eliminated. They do not enter and it is best for all concerned that they should not. The deposit is simply a guarantee of good faith.
QUINCY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION Officers for 1903 - 1904
President,-Charles Sampson, Quincy School
Vice President,-Iola L. Pearl, High School
Sec. and Treas.,-Austin W. Greene, Gridley Bryant School
Executive Committee
Charles Sampson, chairman, ex officio
Iola L. Pearl, High School
Sarah A. Packard, Adams School
Mary E. Costello, Coddington School
Annie S. Keenan, Cranch School
Austin W. Greene, Gridley Bryant School Annie R. Black, John Hancock School Kathryn G. Meaney, Lincoln School Olive V. Bicknell, Massachusetts Fields School Ida F. Humphrey, Washington School Madge D. Ballou, Willard School Ida J. Cameron, Wollaston School Charlotte J. Burgess, Woodward Institute John O. Hall, Jr., Adams Academy
414
General Meetings
Fall social, November, 1903 Spring social and business meeting, May, 1904
Entertainment Course
December 16, 1903. Mr. George Riddle, reader. Merchant of Venice, and Miscellaneous.
January 13, 1904. Mr. Peter MacQueen, lecture. Russia Illustrated.
February 3, 1904. Schubert Quartette, with Mrs. Frost, reader.
March 2, 1904. Mrs. Lyman, lecture. The Music of the Iroquois.
April 13, 1904. Walter Loud Concert Company.
NAMES FOR THE PUBLIC PLAY GROUNDS
During the spring term of 1902, the Board of Park Com - missioners of the City of Quincy invited the pupils of the public schools to suggest appropriate names for the various play grounds in the city. A large number of lists were sent to the Com- missioners, who, after careful consideration, decided that the following named pupils suggested the most appropriate names, and last May awarded to each of these competitors a copy of Wilson's " Where American Independence Began " as a prize : Enoch Fuller of the Gridley Bryant school ; Mary Doyle, Thomas Doran and Katherine McDonald of the John Hancock school ; Charles M. French and Margaret Carey of the Washington school; May Williams, Blodwin Walters and Etta McDonald of the Willard school.
Respectfully submitted,
December 31, 1903.
FRANK E. PARLIN.
Quincy High School
Mr. Frank E. Parlin, Superintendent of Schools ;
It gives me pleasure to submit, in accordance with custom, the following report of the Quincy High School for the year end- ing December 31, 1903.
The year has been marked by an earnest effort on the part of the pupils and of the teachers to maintain a high grade of scholarship under difficult conditions. The loss of seven teachers and the use of many substitutes during the fall term of 1902, seriously weakened the discipline and reduced the daily attendance during the earlier part of the year. Since that time, however, the spirit of good deportment and of hard work has pervaded the school, producing commendable results.
An interesting as well as pleasing indication of the desire for more education inspired by the school is seen in the increased number of those who enter for a business certificate and remain to graduate, of those who return for graduate work, and of those who enter college. During the past five years, two hundred and forty-eight diplomas and one hundred and eighty-seven certificates have been awarded as follows :
1898-99, 41 diplomas and 42 certificates. 1899-00, 46
66 41 66 1900-01, 49 66 66 42
1901-02, 52
66 33 66 1902-03, 60 66 66 29 66
Besides a large number who are taking work in the various schools for domestic science, physical culture and elocution, there are forty-three graduates of this school attending higher institutions of learning. They are distributed as follows: Bos- ton College, one; Boston University, nine; Brown, two; Mount Holyoke, one; Radcliffe, four; Harvard, five; Wellesley, two ;
416
Dartmouth, one; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, four ; Simmons, eight; and Bridgewater Normal School, six.
The quality of the work at the High School has always com- pared favorably with that done in other cities. The preparation for college, for business and for other pursuits has met with ap- proval; but the overcrowded buildings and the lack of recitation rooms are working irreparable injury to the pupils. A school of six hundred pupils ought to have, at the least, seventeen recita- tion rooms, one large study hall or several large classrooms, and a drawing room. In the old and new buildings together, there are but eleven recitation rooms, two laboratories, one study hall and one drawing room-seven rooms less than are required. It will be noted that a gymnasium, assembly hall, library and rooms for manual training and domestic science are not included ; and yet, all of these are considered necessary in giving a well rounded secondary education. To meet this lack of recitation rooms, as has been stated in previous reports, corridors, entries and other makeshifts have been pressed into service. These are un- hygienic, because they are unventilated, poorly heated, and improperly lighted. One of the chief purposes of the recitation is to develop in the pupil the power to think. If the conditions of the recitation oblige him to waste attention in trying to over- come physical discomfort, then undivided interest, close applica- tion and clear thought are impossible, the quality of his work is impaired and the quantity reduced. The school continues to increase rapidly in numbers. The average rate of growth, dur- ing the past five years, has been thirty-seven. At present, the total enrolment is sixty-three and the average daily attendance fifty-three larger than last year. All of these facts, as well as those previously stated, prove that the need for adequate accom- modations should receive immediate consideration and that ad- ditional room should be provided before the opening of another school year.
The science department has been developed and broadened during the past four years. Seven courses, each extending over forty weeks, are now offered. They are known as science I, II-A, II-B, III-A, III-B, IV-A and IV-B. The Roman numeral indicates the year when the course is first open to the pupils.
Science I may be taken by any pupils of the school. During
417
the fall and winter, the subjects are physiology and hygiene. The pupils are taught the functions of the organs of the body, the laws of health, the application of these laws to daily life, and first aid in common accidents and emergencies. In the spring the functions of flowering plants are studied, together with their adaptation to surroundings, and their uses to man. The structure and modifications are examined and the stages in de- velopment shown by drawings.
· Science II-A, biology, follows in the second year and takes up the anatomy, physiology and hygiene of both animals and plants. The general purpose of the course is : first, to arouse interest in the work by studying and comparing the more simple and less conspicuous forms ; second, to study certain divisions for finer relations and for changes in development, working from simple to complex forms; and third, to study animals and plants in their relations to man. Although no regular textbook is used, reference books are consulted frequently throughout the course. The following outline shows in part the specimens studied :
1 .- ANIMAL FORMS :
1. Protozoa : amœba and vorticella.
2. Mesozoa : volvox.
3. Metazoa :
a. Porifera : sponge.
b. Hydrozoa: hydroid.
c. Actinozoa : coral and sea-anemone.
d. Echinodermata : starfish, seaurchin, and sand- dollar.
e. Vermes: earthworm.
f. Mollusca : oyster, clam, scallop, snail and squid.
g. Crustacea : lobster, crab and barnacle.
h. Myriapoda : centiped.
i. Arachnozoa: scorpion and spider.
j. Insecta: locust, cricket, dragon-fly, cicada, beetle, house-fly, butterfly, moth, bee and ant.
k. Vertebrata: fish, snake, frog, turtle, and common birds of Quincy.
418
II .- PLANT FORMS, Flowerless :
a. Bacteria.
b. Blue green algae.
c. Algae: green, red, brown.
d. Fungi : yeast, moulds, toadstools, and pore fungus. e. Lichens.
f. Mosses.
g. Ferns.
Science II-A is an elementary course in physics offered to all pupils except members of the entering class. The subject readily divides into three parts : first, mass-physics, treating of matter and energy, from which the pupils learn the properties of matter, the laws of motion and the effect of gravitation upon falling bodies ; second, molecular-physics or heat; and third, aether-physics, under which are included light, electricity and magnetism. Individual experiments are performed, simple problems solved, mechanical applications of the laws made and natural phenomena explained.
Science III-A follows in the third year and is open to pupils who have shown special aptitude for science II-A or who are preparing for higher institutions. It is an advanced course in physics, consisting largely of experimental and mathematical work. The experiments require careful manipulation of sensi- tive apparatus, and close observation for long periods of time ; while a thorough knowledge of the physical laws, together with the ability to think clearly are demanded by the mathematical problems.
Science III-B, chemistry, is offered in the third year. It deals with the atom, instead of the mass, and requires some knowledge of the physical laws. A careful study is made of the common inorganic elements, both metallic and non-metallic, and of their compounds. A few of the more prominent organic com- pounds are included in the work. The fundamental laws of chemical action, electrolytic dissociation and mass-action are ex- plained and simple examples in stoichiometry solved. The laboratory work is mainly qualitative and deals with the prepar- ation and testing of the properties of the elements and their compounds.
419
Science IV-B follows in the fourth year and is open to pupils who have showed the ability to undertake advanced work in chemistry. The analytical reactions of the salts are tested, the metalic elements are divided into groups, and a system of sep- arating the metals into groups worked out. The pupil is also taught how to determine the metallic and non-metallic parts in unknown salts and to find the composition of various alloys.
Science IV-A, physiography, is open to members of the senior class. In this course, the structure, physical features and climate of the various parts of the earth are studied and the action of the forces which change the surface and make it suitable for the home of man, are discussed. The properties which dis- tinguish rocks and minerals and make them useful and valuable are learned by a study of specimens. Field lessons are conducted to examine structures in natural positions, to study the work of destruction due to atmospheric and other forces, and to note the deposition of various materials by the agency of water. A brief study of historical geology is made.
Science I, II-B, and IV-A are conducted under great dis- advantages. The work ought to be done in a laboratory equipped with special desks for the pupils, with apparatus for growing and watching the growth of animal and plant forms, and with cabinets for specimens and instruments. At present, it is nec- essary to use a recitation room fitted with ordinary desks and with no place for the storage of specimens and instruments. In the near future, a well-equipped biological laboratory ought to be provided for the school.
A school garden, where practical application of the study of plants could be made, would improve the work in science I and II-B. Only a small piece of land and very simple tools would be required to teach the principles underlying the growth of plants, and the elements needed in the soil and air. Such a garden would awaken a greater appreciation of the value of plants to man from an economic as well as from an aesthetic point of view.
The purchase of two or three additional compound micro- scopes, of a stereopticon and of a three or four-inch telescope would prove helpful and valuable in broadening further the work of the whole science department.
.
420
Many pupils who attend school eat little or no breakfast. The reasons they give for not eating are : first, the early hour of opening ; second, the distance to school; third, failure to wake in time ; fourth, lack of appetite ; and fifth, habit. Some bring a lunch to be eaten during the recess ; others go to neighboring stores to buy cake, pastry and candy ; while a few wait until they return home in the afternoon before eating. The physical con- dition of such pupils does not fit them for prolonged mental effort. Much of the poor school work is due directly to improperly or poorly nourished bodies. In many cities, some competent person, under the direction of the school authorities, serves a lunch at the intermission. A small price amounting to a few cents to cover the cost, is charged each pupil. On different days are served such dishes as creamed fish or chicken, eggs, soups, sand- wiches, crackers, light puddings, fruits, cocoa and milk. Such lunches are easily assimilated and do not require much blood for the processes of digestion. This does not prevent pupils bringing lunches from home nor does it compel them to purchase at school. It simply provides an opportunity, for those who wish, to buy a lunch at a very reasonable price. If it seems wise to take action in this matter, the counter and corridor in the basement can be used for this purpose.
During the past few years, about half of each entering class has taken Latin, while the remainder has omitted language study other than English. For this reason, it seemed best to offer a second foreign language, French, as an elective. The large num- ber who chose the subject in September, has proved the wisdom of the action; for, in addition to the usual number who took Latin, about thirty per cent elected French, making nearly eighty per cent of the freshman class studying both English and a foreign language.
For several years the school has received the benefit of the Rock Island Fund, the money having been expended for ref- erence books. It would be of great help to the pupils, if some room in the building could be set aside where these books could be collected together for reference work. Under the present system, they are scattered throughout the rooms of the building under the care of the teachers of the various departments and they are available only to the pupils of those departments.
421
If a reading room or library were provided, the pupils could use it during study periods for reference work and supplementary reading and learn how to consult books. It would be wise in the addition to the building, to provide a reading room.
The school has received several valuable gifts during the year. The Class of 1903 followed the example of its pre- decessor and showed its appreciation of the educational advan- tages it had enjoyed by the generous gift of two beautiful pictures, handsomely framed. They were The Emperor Augustus of Rome and The Theseum at Athens. The Golden Rod Managers of the Graduate Class of 1902 also generously presented the school with two framed pictures, The Colosseum at Rome and The Acropolis at Athens. An illustrated History and Origin of the Stars and Stripes in an ornamented frame was received from the ladies' of Paul Revere Relief Corps No. 103. The school is also indebted to Mr. F. A. Skinner for a large photograph of the Football Team of 1902 and to Mr. H. O. von Schuckmann for a facsimile of the Declaration of Independence.
The members of the class of 1903 are distributed as follows :
Graduate work in High school
9
College
·
7
Other schools
8
Boston Normal Art
1
At work in Quincy
11
At work in Boston
14
At home .
.
10
Total .
60
In closing, I wish to thank the members of the Committee, the Superintendent and my assistants for their continued support and hearty cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. HARPER,
Head Master.
Report of Truant Officer
To Frank E. Parlin, Superintendent :
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as truant officer. It may appear to some citizens that, at the present time when so much money is appropriated for educating the children, and the opportunities to obtain an education are so great, there must be very little work for a truant officer. A glance at the following table will show seven-hundred fifty-eight cases of non-attendance investigated, one hundred thirty-six of which proved to be truants - an increase over last year. Quite a number of the parents of these children, I found to be anything but friendly to the schools; and as I note the attitude of these parents, and glance at the home life, I wonder oftentimes, that there are not more children classed as truants and non-attendants .. I can say from experience that the only moral teaching many children receive comes from the school life. Altogether too many children are turned loose upon the streets. A vigorous enforcement of the law is the only means to cure this condition of affairs, and this should be directed more toward the parent than the child. A large number of young fellows leave school at fourteen years of age, and instead of applying themselves to earning a livelihood become loafers. This class is on the in- crease in our city, and the law applying to them should be enforced.
My work brings me in close touch with the worthy poor of our city, and, through the response of generous citizens and means from other sources, I have been able to assist a large number of families.
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