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 1905 > Part 17
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Order of words. Translation : Schiller's Der Neffe als Onkel.
Benedix' Eigensinn. Gerstacker's Germelshausen. Lyrics and Folksongs. Sight reading from easy texts.
III. Prose Composition.
Exercises in idiomatic German, including letter writing, short dialogues and descriptive themes.
Conversation. Translation : Lessings' Minna von Barnhelm. Schiller's Jungfrau von Orleans.
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS
Commercial Arithmetic I. Subjects : Common and decimal fractions, common measures, interest, percentage, dis- count, insurance, taxes, duties, exchange, partership. After a review of fundamental processes pupils are drilled in business methods.
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Bookkeeping I. The principles of double and single entry bookkeeping are presented in a clear and practical man- ner. Neatness and accuracy are insisted upon.
Bookkeeping II. The work of the previous year is continued, giving, as far as possible in a school, business practice.
Stenography I. The principles of stenography are learned, and practice in reading and writing shorthand is begun.
Stenography II. Regular and systematic practice in reading and writing shorthand is continued in order to secure accuracy and speed.
Typewriting I. After the use of the typewriter has been learned, practice is given in writing from shorthand notes and from dictation.
Typewriting II. The practice of the preceding year is con- tinued and pupils are taught to use at least one standard duplicator.
DEPARTMENT OF ART
The study of art must necessarily be considered as a whole rather than the work of different classes; therefore, the course of drawing is arranged to meet the needs of the individual student and is varied to suit any requirements.
Pupils are not only fitted for continuing their studies in advanced schools but also to appreciate the best in art.
The general plan is as follows :
Free-hand drawing of objects in pencil, and pen and ink, and principles of perspective.
Study of form, light and shade. Study of design, applied decoration. Study of color in water colors and in oil. Modeling and casting. Mechanical drawing.
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSEHOLD SCIENCE AND ARTS
The first year includes :
I. A simple outline of the location and surroundings of a home and the proper conditions existing in that home Special attention is given to the dining room and kitchen, together with the care and use of their fur- nishings and utensils.
II. Study of air, fire, water and some of the most important elements in relation to life, heat, cooking.
III. Study of food, its functions; growth, waste and repair of the human body.
IV. Food principles : water, carbohydrates, protein, fats and oils, mineral matter. Under these subjects foods are prepared and cooked by the pupils. The composi- tion, food value, growth, market value and best method of serving are discussed.
V. Visits to the markets to see the cutting up of beef, lamb and veal, that the pupils may be able to buy economic- ally and understandingly the different cuts of meat.
The second year course will be a continuation and enlarge- ment of the first year course with lessons on invalid cooking and serving.
The third year work will include the selecting of an imag- inary site and the building and furnishing of a home in detail, the care of the home and all its furnishings, also a short course on sanitation and laundry work. The pupils will make out inex- pensive menus, cooking and serving the same. Simply dietaries will also be worked out for families of four and six.
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founder's Day
Saturday evening, March 11, 1905.
Music by the School.
Under the direction of Mr. John D. Buckingham.
a. Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name Kate Llewellyn Solo by Miss Celina Beliveau
b. The Gallant Troubadour Michael Watson
c. Good Night Beloved F. N. Lohr
The Romancers.
A romantic play in three acts by Edmond Rostand, author of Cyrano de Bergerac. The scene takes place in the adjoining gardens of Bergamin and Pasquin.
Characters
Percinet, a Lover, J. G. Elcock, '05 Straforel, a Bravo, H. King, '05 Bergamin, Father of Percinet, M. L. Lyons, '05 Pasquin, Father of Sylvettee, M. A. Rogers, '05 S. Baker, '05 E. F. Hayden, '05
Blaise, a Gardener,
Notary,
Sylvette, Daughter of Pasquin, in love with Percinet,
Bravos
Musicians
Negroes
Wedding Guests
Grace F. Spear, '06 C. B. Totman, '06 L. I. Smith, '06 C. Walker, '06 G. R. Pinel, '07 L. L. Hennigar, '05 M. A. Rhodes, '07 M. E. Read, '07 M. K. Shirley, '05 J. E. Larson, '06 Ethel G. Hersey, '06 Miriam N. Marsh, '06 Helen M. Lincoln, '07 Esther U. Sidelinger, '07 Edna M. Hammack, '08 Abby K. Wilde, '08
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Graduation Exercises
Wednesday evening, June 21, 1905.
Program
1. Music by the School.
Under the direction of Mr. John D. Buckingham
a. Sunset Hugo Jungst
b. Evening Rest C. Hering
c. Daybreak W. T. Deane
2. Address.
Subject: Some Things Expected of the Educated Girl
William Edwards Huntington, LL.D.
3 Conferring Diplomas.
Rev. Ellery C. Butler
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CLASS OF 1905
Jessie Orr Shirley Lucy Leah Hennigar
Lulu Gertrude Barry Margaret Cotter Carey Helen Louise Curtin Abigail Madeline Duane Grace Josephine Elcock
Jessie Delight Gardner Mary Evelyn Gavin Emma Frances Hayden Margaret Hill Louis A. Williams Hinkley Martha Ellsworth Jenkins:
Mary Esther Keenan Ella Veronica Keefe Margaret Lillian Lyons
Genevieve Margaret Magee
Loretta Elizabeth McDonnell
Mabel Elsie Miner Muriel Angell Rogers Margaret Knox Shirley Helen Marilla Sprague Helen Marion Tirrell Katherine Marie Whelan!
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CLASS ODE
Written by Margaret Lyons
Farewell the shore where we've lingered long, Adieu to the friends we have made, Stay us not on our course, we are strong And of peril and toil unafraid.
Though the waves of Temptation may rise And threaten to scatter our fleet, We will ever turn forward our eyes And trust in the harbor to meet.
After crossing the fathomless ocean To our goal on the opposite shore, We'll remember with fervid devotion The days when we toiled at the oar.
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Calendar For 1906
Winter term: Tuesday, Jan. 2,-Friday, April 6. Founder's Day: Monday, March 12.
Spring term : Monday, April 16,-Friday, June 22. Graduation : Wednesday, June 20.
Entrance examination : Friday, June 22 and Monday, Sep - tember 10, at nine o'clock A. M.
Fall term: Monday, September 10,-Wednesday, December 19. New Year : Wednesday, January 2, 1907.
Holidays: February 22, April 19, May 30, June 17, and the remainder of the week from Wednesday noon next pre- ceding Thanksgiving.
ANNUAL REPORT
-
-OF THE
School Department
- -OF THE- -
City of Quincy
Massachusetts
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1905
16
1625
MANET
QUINCY
1888
QUINCY ADVERTISER JOB PRINT 1906
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1905
At Large.
MR. JAMES H. CHURCHILL Term expires Dec. 31, 1905 Billings street, Atlantic.
DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL Dec. 31, 1906 1244 Hancock street, Quincy.
DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING .
Dec. 31, 1907 1136 Hancock street, Quincy.
By Wards.
Ward 1. HON. CHARLES H. PORTER, Term expires Dec. 31, 1906 1 Adams street, Quincy.
Ward 2. MR. FREDERICK H. SMITH. " Dec. 31, 1907 701 Washington street, Quincy Point
Ward 3. MR. JOHN L. MILLER, Term expires Dec. 31, 1907 211 Franklin street, South Quincy.
Ward 4. MR. JAMES F. BURKE, Term expires Dec. 31, 1905 11 Cross street, West Quincy.
Ward 5. DR. WELLINGTON RECORD, Term expires Dec. 31, 1906 357 Newport avenue, Wollaston.
Ward 6. DR. FREDERICK J. PEIRCE, Term expires Dec. 31, 1905 386 Hancock street, Atlantic.
Chairman of the School Board.
DR. HENRY C. HALLOWELL.
Secretary of the Board and Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. FRANK EDSON PARLIN. Office. 8 Washington street, Quincy. Residence, 19 Winthrop avenue, Wollaston.
Office open : Every week day, except Saturday, from 8 to 12 A. M., 2 to 5 p. M. Saturday, 8 to 12 A M.
Regular hours of Superintendent :- Monday 7.30 to 8.30 P. M. Tuesday, 4 to 5 P. M. Thursday, 4 to 5 P. M. Friday, 8 to 9 A. M.
The regular meetings of the School Board are held at eight o'clock P. M., the last Tuesday in each month.
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Standing Sub-Committees for 1905
FOR THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS
HIGH
ADAMS
CODDINGTON
CRANCHI .
GRIDLEY BRYANT
JOHN HANCOCK
LINCOLN . MASSACHUSETTS FIELDS
QUINCY
WASHINGTON
WILLARD
WOLLASTON
Messrs. Porter, Hallowell, Record Messrs. Miller, Hunting, Burke Messrs. Hallowell, Miller, Smith . Messrs. Miller, Hunting, Burke Messrs. Porter, Burke, Smith Messrs. Hunting, Miller, Porter Messrs. Hunting, Porter, Miller Messrs. Pierce, Churchill, Record Messrs. Churchill, Pierce, Record Messrs. Smith, Record, Hallowell Messrs. Burke, Hallowell, Porter Messrs. Record, Pierce, Churchill Books, Supplies and Sundries.
Messrs. Hunting, Smith, Miller.
Textbooks.
Messrs. Record, Churchill, Pierce. Transportation. Messrs. Burke, Smith, Pierce. Evening Schools. Messrs. Churchill, Burke, Hunting. Special Subjects. Messrs. Smith, Pierce, Churchill. Rules and Regulations. Messrs. Porter, Churchill, Burke. Teachers. The Chairman, Messrs. Record, Hunting.
Finance and Salaries. The Chairman, Messrs. Porter, Smith.
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TReport of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Quincy :
The School Committee presents herewith its annual re- port, and is pleased to be able to note material progress toward the proper housing of the pupils. At the present time, it looks as though the efforts of your Committee to re- lieve the deplorable conditions existing at the High School will bear fruit, for the High School enlargement has passed beyond the preliminary stages. Plans have been approved by the School Committee and money has been appropriated by the City Council for the enlargement in accordance with these plans. It is earnestly hoped that the work may be com- menced and the building completed before the opening of the fall term of next year. The plans approved by your Committee call for a building which will accommodate one thousand pupils and will possess the requisites of a modern High School for a city of the size of Quincy.
The completion of the addition and the remodelling of the present building will, we believe, give to the city a High School which will meet all demands in this direction for a number of years to come.
One source of worry to the School Committee has thus been eliminated, but there still confronts it, the needed ac- commodations for the primary and grammar grades in some parts of the city, notably in the Quincy, Coddington and Lin- coln districts, to which the attention of the Council has al- ready been called.
Believing as we do. that the pubic schools are the bul- wark of the nation, we feel justified in insisting that suitable
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buildings be provided and that the excessive crowding of young children in poorly ventilated and badly lighted rooms, now necessarily existing, cease at the earliest possible mo- ment. Therefore, the request of the Committee for proper buildings in the above mentioned districts is not unreason- able and should not be ignored.
Superior educational results can be obtained only under favorable conditions, both physical and mental. The proper housing of the pupils would go a long way toward satisfying the physical conditions. The mental conditions may be and are largely influenced by the physical conditions which sur- round the young pupil. In this connection, attention is called to the fact, which has been presented in former re- ports of the School Committee, that our corps of teachers is weakened every year by the loss of experienced teachers who are attracted by the larger salaries paid in other cities.
It is manifest to the School Committee that a change of teachers during a school year must affect unfavorably the progress of the pupils directly concerned in such change. And when it happens, as in the past year, that a large num- ber of experienced teachers are withdrawn from the teaching corps, the effect upon. the pupils must cf necessity be bad and must place the pupils directly affected at a disadvantage in comparison with other pupils in our own city and at a still greater disadvantage when compared with the pupils in cities paying higher salaries.
We desi. e to call attention to a few facts in connection with the question of teachers' salaries.
It has been found by investigation that the average maximum salary of grade teachers in all cities of this state having less than 10,000 pupils is ninety-five dollars a year more than the maximum salary of the same class of teachers in Quincy.
The maximum salary of grade teachers in Quincy serv- ing in that capacity for less than fifteen years is five hundred dollars, and it has been found that this is fifty-one dollars and fifty-six cents less than the average income of the twenty-nine million "persons engaged in gainful occupa- tions" in the United States.
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The maximum salary of master's assistants is fifty-one dollars less in Quincy than the average maximum salary for the same positions in other cities in the state.
The maximum salary of male grammar school principals is two hundred and sixty-one dollars less than the average.
In the High School the maximum salary of female teachers is one hundred and twenty-five dollars less, and that of the male teachers is four hundred and eighty-four dollars less than the average maximum salaries. The salary of the High School principal is one hundred dollars less than the average.
The salary of supervisor of music in Quincy is two hun- dred and twenty-five dollars, and that of the supervisor of drawing three hundred and thirty-seven dollars below the average. The salary of the sewing teacher in Quincy is seventeen dollars above the average. The salary of the clerk of the School Department is one hundred dollars and that of the truant officer is five hundred and forty-nine dollars less than the average.
Most of the cities in the state have increased teachers' salaries during the last few years, the average increase in high schools within ten years being eighteen per cent. and in the elementary schools thirteen and one-half per cent. During the past ten years no material change in teachers' salaries has been made in Quincy, and practically no change has been made in the salaries of the grade teachers for twenty-five years.
During recent years, the living expenses have materially advanced, so that the net earnings of teachers in Quincy are considerably less than they were twenty-five years ago.
From the above figures, it can be readily seen why so many of our teachers resign during each year and especially those of the graded schools.
A more liberal policy in the appropriation for school purposes would enable the School Committee to better cope with the serious problem of maintaining the schools, espe- cially the graded schools, at the proper and desired standard of excellence.
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The evening schools, which were not opened last year because of insufficient funds, were reopened this fall with satisfactory results, a special appropriation for that purpose having been made by the Council.
In order to avoid in the future the conditions existing at some of the schools, where the original lot of land avail- able as a playground has been reduced without the sanction of the School Committee, provision should be made whereby any lot of land purchased by the city for school purposes could not be sold. reduced, enlarged, or otherwise changed without the approval of the School Committee being first obtained. The charter gives the management and control of the schools solely to the School Committee, but is silent as to the authority of the School Committee over the land on which the school houses stand.
The School Committee considers a school yard a very desirable adjunct to the school building and of vital import- ance to the school children, and it contends that its au- thority over the land purchased for school purposes should be equal to its control over the buildings as long as the land is used or, in the judgment of the Committee, is required for school purposes. This authority should be given to the School Committee and the charter should be amended ac- cordingly.
In conclusion the School Committee urges that the mat- ters herein referred to are of vital importance and should receive your most earnest consideration.
The above report was presented by a special committee consisting of Mr. Churchill, Mr. Burke and Dr. Peirce and adopted as the annual report of the School Committee Tues- day, December 26, 1905.
FRANK E. PARLIN, Secretary.
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Report of the Superintendent
To the School Committee of' Quincy :
Herewith I submit my sixth annual report which is the thirty-first in the series of annual reports by the superin- tendent of public schools and the fifty-sixth of the printed re- ports of the School Board of Quincy.
Salaries of Teachers
Recently Dr. William T. Harris, United States Commis- sioner of Education, in an article upon The Future of Teach- ers' Salaries showed that the average earnings of the twenty- nine million wage-earners in the United States in the year 1900 was $551.56, and that only twenty per cent. of the pub- lic school teachers in all cities of the United States of eight thousand population or over received less than $500 per an- num. In this city the average salary of grade teachers last year was $462.58, or $88.98, which is nearly twenty per cent. less than the average for the wage-earners; here, also over forty per cent. of the teachers received less than $500. When a good teacher is paid less than a good typewriter, sales- woman, clerk or operative in a mill it is not only unfortu- nate for the teachers but it is even more unfortunate for the schools.
For years Quincy has annually lost from fifteen to twenty per cent. of her teachers, largely on account of the small salaries she pays. The teachers called to other cities are always among the best trained and most efficient of our corps and it is seldom possible to replace them with others equally well trained and efficient. The inevitable tendency is towards a general decrease in efficiency. Considering the salaries paid, our corps is an exceptionally strong one, but
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it cannot long continue at its present standard unless salaries are increased to keep pace with the increase in living ex- penses. The maximum salary for grade teachers is $500, the sum of $550 being paid only after fifteen years' service and then by special vote of the Committee. No teacher can live, dress and provide herself with the means of professional improvement as she should on such a salary, to say nothing about laying up something for an emergency or later years.
She might do this in some places but not here because living expenses in Quincy are comparatively high.
During the last ten years there has been, especially in the eastern part of this state, a general and substantial in- crease in teachers' salaries, averaging for the state over twelve per cent. for male and over fifteen per cent. for female teachers. Within a year the citizens of one town, financially no more able than this city, voted in open town meeting that no teacher in that town should be paid less than five hundred dollars per annum. But in Quincy grade teachers are not paid as well as are the female clerks in other departments of the city. Considering the qualifications required, the severe tax upon their ener- gies and the vital importance of their work, teachers cer- tainly deserve as great consideration and as liberal compen- sation as any class of public servants. When the remunera- tion is barely enough to pay living expenses there ceases to be any inducement for persons of ability to fit themselves properly for teaching or for them to enter the profession. The result is that there is a great scarcity of good teachers, especially for the elementary schools, and superintendents find it increasingly difficult each year to find satisfactory candidates to fill the vacancies in their corps.
But the grade teachers are not our only underpaid teachers. The pay of high school assistants and, in fact, of nearly the entire list is low. The average salary both of male and of female teachers is not only below the averages of the state but below those of Norfolk County, and when compared with the averages of the cities of the common- wealth, Quincy is twenty-two per cent. less for male and thirteen per cent. less for female teachers. Even after throw-
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ing the six largest cities out of the calculation the averages remain twenty per cent. and twelve per cent. less. The people of this city will not and ought not to be satisfied with inferior schools, but to expect better than average schools on from twelve to twenty per cent. less than average salaries is unreasonable. It may be unpopular to advocate an in- crease in teachers' salaries but simple justice demands it and the best interests of the schools demand it.
Habitual School Offenders
What to do with the habitual school offenders is an- other question worthy of your early and most thoughtful consideration. During the last year they have been un- usually troublesome. We have had scattered through the schools about twenty boys who have been actively and per- sistently offensive not only in school but outside, several of them having been called into court to answer to charges of various misdemeanors. Evenings they roam about the city in small bands their course often being traced by a series of offences against property or the public peace. They seem to regard a court record as a mark of honor, something to be proud of. On returning to school after being placed on pro- bation they boast of their experience and play a heroic part among the other boys. They have been habitually indolent, insolent and disobedient, generally profane and indecent, and have been directly or indirectly responsible for most of the breaches of good order in the schools. They have been a constant source of anxiety to their teacher, having required an unreasonable amount of her time and energy, have greatly hindered the progress of their classes and have exerted a de- moralizing influence over other pupils. Often their lan- guage and conduct in the schoolroom, upon the playground or on the way to and from school, have been vicious and lawless. These are not merely thoughtless or mischievous boys but boys morally obtuse, of depraved tastes and crim- inal tendencies. Such. boys should be eliminated from the regular classes for their own good as well as for the good of
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the other children, and the regular teacher should be re- lieved of their presence so she may give her thought and strength to the usual work of the school. Most of these boys are morally abnormal and as such need special instruc- tion and training; all of them are either without any effec- tive parental control or are subject to a demoralizing home influence. If they are to become useful and law-abiding citizens, the work of reformation must be done in the days of their youth. Our obligation does not cease until we have done all we can to teach them self-control and obedience to law, to make them industrious, intelligent and respectable men. To tolerate lawlessness, defiance and moral depravity in school boys is not only to wrong the boys themselves but to injure the community and to threaten the state. When a boy through neglect or evil tendencies chooses a wrong course, adopts a hostile attitude towards good order. his own welfare and the rights of others, defies all authority and con- trol, the time has come for positive and decisive action on the part of some one. Force must back up moral suasion until reason can get a hearing.
There should be a room centrally located. in charge of an exceptionally strong and wise teacher, to which boys of this class should be sent after it has been demonstrated that they are not amenable to the rules of a well ordered school or that their influence upon the other pupils is pernicious. This proposition is not made in a spirit hostile to these un- fortunate boys but rather with the desire and the hope of rescuing them from their own bad habits and evil tendencies. They first need to learn to obey and to respect duly consti- tuted authority, then to apply themselves regularly and faithfully to their duties. They require a male teacher and a government which is kindly but at the same time firm and able to exact full and prompt obedience. They need to re- ceive individual instruction and to be held individually re- sponsible for the work assigned. Manual training should be for them a regular exercise. The natural ability or special talent of each boy should be carefully studied and called into legitimate action with the hope that, under the influence of a
ยท
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new and absorbing interest, he may forget the old ways and may enter the path of an honorable ambition. When, in any case, the work of reformation has gone far enough to war- rant it, the boy should be returned to the appropriate class in his own district.
In this way we can remove from the schools an intoler- able nuisance, greatly improve the conditions for effective work and do much for the unruly element requiring special treatment. The rights of all will thus be secured-the right of the normal child to attend school without being exposed to contaminating influences, the right of the teacher to give her time and strength to the instruction of all her pupils in- stead of to the control of a few, and the right of the vicious boy to be tamed and taught according to his special needs.
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