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 1910 > Part 19
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I wish to thank you personally, and with you the mem- bers of the School Committee, for friendly counsel and for unfailing support; I wish, also, to express a very genuine ap- preciation of the splendid loyalty and the faithful service of the teaching corps, and to acknowledge an indebtedness to the many parents and pupils who have contributed so gener- ously to the making of a successful school.
Very respectfully submitted.
JAMES D. HOWLETT, Head Master.
Quincy. December 31, 1910.
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Physical Director
The physical side of our system of education has passed through another successful year and one marked by gradual extension and development. The report of the Director which accompanies this discussion will give more complete details. The corrective exercises in the last five grades of the elementary schools have been thoroughly developed and in the main, the principles are well grasped by the teachers. As these exercises persist steadily through the course, the ef- fect in carriage and poise will become visible, and the general health effect, though difficult to measure, will be tremendous. The development has now reached a stage where we may ex- tend the system down through the three primary grades with a corresponding and even greater benefit therefrom. Our system of plays and games for recess work has con- tinued as during the past year with success the more marked since we have increased the element of interest and taken away those features that had not proved their worth. The boys of the upper grades have learned and are now playing the game of association football, and we hope to introduce gradually a supervised direction of some track and field sports. The grammar school base ball league, which played a series of fifty-eight games during the months of May and June on the fields of Merrymount Park, was a pronounced and encouraging success, not alone from the standpoint of clean athletics, but because of the feeling of school soli- darity that was built up and encouraged, and the sentiment of pride, loyalty and social unity. The series of games was an unusually good example of clean sport; wrangling and disputes were very rare and the boys learned to be good and patient losers as well as graceful winners.
The athletic field was at all times absolutely free from any evidence of rowdyism, and the lessons of restraint and good conduct that the pupils learned on the ball field had a value that it is difficult to estimate. No doubt our inter- school athletics can be continued and extended in future vears so as to get all the value that this side of education may give.
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Now the logical outcome of this child activity in plays and games is that which at present lies outside the province of the school department but which it is within the power of the city to provide. That is, the time has come for the city to make adequate provision for the supervision and educa- tion of its children during the long summer vacation months on its public playgrounds. The playground movement rests upon the recognition of the fact that child training and edu- cation, as has been before said, is a continuous and never ending process; that it continues every day in the year and every waking hour of the day; and that the public school is powerless unless it is supplemented by other constructive agencies or if other agencies be present that neutralize its re- sults. The development of the public playground system is a definite recognition of the folly of allowing children to run wild or go untrained during their idle hours, and is an at- tempt to provide for them conditions and places where they may play in safety. Of course for the child who has work for these vacation periods, or whose parents keep a close su- pervision over his time there is no necessity for this line of public activity, but the vast majority of children fall outside these two classes, and for them a proper place to play and safe conditions and supervision under which to play are im- peratively demanded. The city already has a good number of playgrounds, and could without undue expense secure its proper quota. The next step is to see that the grounds we now possess are utilized to their full productive capacity.
Under the present law, the playground activities of the city may be carried on by any one of three agencies as the city decides through its City Council :- by the School Com- mittee, by the Park Commission, or by an independent body created for the purpose. As a matter of fact, it makes no particular difference by which of these bodies the power is exercised so long as it is really exercised with intelligence and thoughtful care. The main point is to secure sensible supervision, and by supervision is meant a direction by per- sons interested in boys and girls and skilled in directing play activities. Up to the present time the only adequate
33
playground work has been done at private expense. The in- terests of a safe boyhood and girlhood demand that our playgrounds now be suitably equipped and so administered during the summer that these long weeks of what is now idleness or worse for many children may be converted into a time of actual constructive education, different it is true in kind, but in many instances exceeding in value that given the child in the school room. Some prompt action by the city in this direction is urgently needed. The report of Dr. J. Gardiner Smith, the Director of Physical Training follows :
Mr. Albert L. Barbour, Superintendent of Schools :
During the first half of the past year, there was made out and used such a course of provisional corrective gym- nastics as would acquaint the teachers and pupils with the fundamentals of the work. They took great interest in the exercises and the general improvement in the capacity for assuming and maintaining a correct standing position, and for doing the exercises in good form was quite marked by the end of the spring term.
At the beginning of the fall term, a high standard of graded gymnastics was adapted for use in the grade schools, and we are at the present time, struggling to become acquaint- ed with the new material. Within a few weeks the work in the first three grades will be started, and though it will neces- sarily be very simple, it will be very valuable in preparing the pupils for the standard of work that should come in the upper grades.
Last spring an athletic league was organized for the purpose of teaching loyalty to the school, capacity for team work and self-control to the boys, as well as for its physical and mental effects. A schedule of base ball games was made out and carried through to a successful termination. Games were scheduled for four afternoons a week during the months of April and May, and fifty-eight games in all were played. All the games were played at Merrymount park and the inter- est taken in these games can be best appreciated when it is known that every school played through the schedule, even
34
when all hope of winning was lost. Some of these boys walked two miles to play, with the same distance to return after the game.
The general interest aroused in the grade schools mani- fested itself in an attendance of from four to five hundred school children and teachers each afternoon, the final game bringing out an attendance of about twelve hundred. The en- tire expense of these games for balls, bats, gloves, masks, trophy and umpires was approximately a hundred sixty dollars, which was raised by the masters, and furnished for the most part by the children themselves.
The moral effect of the games upon the boys was very marked, as well as the improved relationship between master and pupil brought about by a common loyalty. The success of the games was due in a large part to the attendance, en- couragement and general good influence of the masters.
It had been the intention of the department to introduce association foot ball into the grade schools during the fall term. There was some difficulty in making provision for the games, but finally through the encouragement and assistance of the Fore River and McGregor clubs, and especially through the efforts and almost daily help of Mr. Angus M. Cameron, formerly manager of the MeGregors, the department took up the instruction of the seventh and eighth grade boys in this game, with the idea of giving every boy in these two grades an opportunity to learn the game. In this we were quite suc- cessful though we had started too late to follow up the pre- liminary practice with a schedule of games.
The Fore River club unanimously voted to deed a silver cup valued at one hundred dollars as a trophy for the en- couragement of association foot ball in the schools, and the MeGregors voted to give silver and bronze medals to all the individuals of the first and second teams. The pupils of the grade schools supplied their own foot balls at a considerable expense. It is not the object of the department to center all the athletic interest of a school in a single team, but just to arouse interest, and then furnish opportunity for general participation in athletic games and sports.
35
The matter of the medical examination of the grade school children as a means of co-operating with the parents for the elimination of such defects as may be found, as well as furnishing a guide in the corrective treatment of the individu- al child is now before the city government and is one of vital importance. In case provision is made for this work early enough an examination can be made and parents notified the coming spring. It would also be of great value if a nurse were engaged to assist in the work by visiting the homes.
As to the High School, there is every reason for feeling encouragement. Among the boys the general improve- ment in discipline has made itself felt in the gymnasium, resulting in a quicker response and more cheerful obedience. The time limit of seven minutes for changing clothes has been strictly adhered to and as each attendance in class im- presses the fact upon the boy of being marked for attendance, for promptness in getting dressed and on the floor and for proper clothing, etc., improvement takes place along these lines.
I have added to the High School schedule sufficient time at the close of the school session to give special attention to those boys who prefer to do the work at that time rather than during their appointed period and hope that the time thus given will not only result in better work, but also in remov- ing the necessity for its existence.
Miss Kirmayer, since September, has taken charge of the physical work done by the girls, and aside from her duties during the regular session, she has taken charge of athletics for the girls and is devoting some afternoon time to that work.
With the assistance of Miss Kirmayer, we expect at the beginning of the fall term of 1911 to make such physical and anthropometrical tests of all candidates for gymnastic and athletic work as will enable us to meet the individual needs of these pupils. It would be very desirable that more of the time and energies of Miss Kirmayer, who is especially fitted and thoroughly equipped for this work, be used in this depart- ment.
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In addition to a large afternoon time schedule at the High School, for broadening the field of athletics and general gymnastics among the girls, an assistant could be used to great advantage in athletic organization, folk dances and other work among the girls of the grade schools.
One of the needs of the High School gymnasium is gym- nastic apparatus. Pupils at this age are becoming sufficient- ly strong and their muscles and ligaments are sufficiently tough to require something more effective in moulding the form than the antagonistic muscles. I mention apparatus here especially for use in the corrective work and would recommend as a minimum a set of six or eight stall bars, a double boom and one or two Swedish boxes. One more thing, that perhaps should be mentioned, is the need of placing the regulation of the ventilation and the temperature of the gymnasium within the direct control of the gymnastic direc- tor. It is probable that no windows in the gymnasium have been opened since the building was constructed, as they are provided with no means of control whatever. A gymnasium above all places should be a model of hygienic environment with the air pure for breathing purposes, and temperature sufficiently cool to stimulate activity.
We have every reason to be well pleased with the growth of the activities in this department during the past year, and especially for a greater development of the work already undertaken.
Respectfully submitted,
J. GARDINER SMITH, M. D.
37
Evening Schools
The plan of evening school work was changed in several essential respects the past year with the hope of adapting it more completely to the needs of those who desire evening in- struction. Two evening schools of an elementary grade were opened as in years past, at the Adams and the Willard buildings, but attendance at these schools was restricted to those desiring to learn to read and write the English language, and at the express request of the pupils English was the only subject taught. No provision was made at these schools for the instruction of English speaking people because this work has thus far proved disappointing and unsuccessful carried on in connection with the school for foreigners and the at- tendance has been scanty and irregular. To take the place of these classes however, several classes of an advanced nature were opened at the High School building in the various lines suggested in the last report and all proved successful, main- taining a satisfactory attendance and accomplishing a great deal of work.
The class in cooking was carried on with an attendance about the same as that of the previous year. The class in drawing, this year under the direction of Mr. Arthur Ray, was even more successful than in 1909 when its attendance recorded the highest point in its history. Pupils in this de- partment worked along the several distinct lines of free-hand drawing, mechanical drawing, machine drawing and monu- ment design with undiminished zeal and interest throughout the term. The work in monument design was new to the de- partment this year and was in almost every respect an un- tried field, but it should develop into one of the strongest and most popular sides of the evening drawing work. The response to the announcement of an evening course in sew- ing, dresscutting and dressmaking was so great that it was necessary to engage two teachers to attend to the number who registered, and the regularity of attendance was excellent proof of the sustained interest in the instruction given. The enrolment in the commercial course was also double what had
38
been anticipated and the pupils were divided between an ele- mentary and an advanced class. the latter having work of a strictly commercial nature, while the work of the former was on a par with the last years of the grammar school. The average attendance in each class was entirely satisfactory and the amount of work done was surprisingly large.
Another class of an experimental nature. that in civil service preparation, also had an unexpectedly large enrol- ment and maintained good attendance and work. This class was open only to those who had some definite examination in mind, which was specified in each instance at the opening of the course. so that work could be conducted with a concrete end in view. These classes at the High School were main- tained as separate units with no definite organization as a single school, and were in the main a test of the recommenda- tions made in the last report with reference to evening in- struction. As every experiment made proved satisfactory, it opens the way to a broader extension in succeeding years.
There should be in the future an organized evening high school under a competent principal with the same courses and departments as those opened this year and probably in addition a class that would give instruction in some of the higher English branches, such as for instance, grammar, com- position, literature. history and civil government. A few persons expressed a desire this year to do such work and very likely if such a course had been planned and offered, it would have appealed to a fairly large number of young people. Occasional requests are made for evening classes in stenog- raphy, but so little can be done in this study in our present short term that it hardly seems advisable at the present time to attempt the work.
The great growth each year of the evening courses in drawing has been most striking. It is probable that the needs of the community would be better met if this department were organized and developed next year as an independent industrial evening school under the direction of and practi- cally supported by the state. Present lines of work would be continued and new lines would be added of an industrial na-
39
ture, fitted to appeal to the young people now engaged in the industries and needing better equipment in their particular lines.
The great difficulty and drawback to the success of all our evening courses is irregularity of attendance. In this respect, conditions might possibly be improved by attempting but three sessions a week in the advanced classes. It is a difficult and a trying matter for young people who have worked hard all day to do intensive mental labor in an evening school for four evenings in the week. It is a question whether it should be expected at all of persons below the age of maturity. The only thing that our school department can do is to study the problem carefully and from all sides, and to make such ad- vances from year to year as we can in extending help to those in the community who feel the need for evening instruction and a vital interest in it. This problem of school extension work is one peculiar to the community, and it can only be solved by repeated trial and experiment.
This school report is intended to be a record of the year's progress in the educational forces of the community, and a statement of directions in which those forces should extend themselves in order to satisfy best the needs of the con- munity. As the city's population increases and the demands of education change, new problems involving our schools are constantly coming to the front, both financial and professional. The success of our school system will be directly dependent upon the success with which these problems are solved. The generally progressive attitude of the city toward its educa- tional needs is most encouraging to those who are endeavor- ing to place our young people in possession of the best possi- ble equipment for their life work and will go far toward mak- ing the system an efficient one.
The spirit of loyalty and solidarity in the teaching corps, united with the spirit of co-operation in the community, makes the conditions most promising for educational growth.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT L. BARBOUR,
Superintendent.
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Report of the Truant Officer
Mr. Albert L. Barbour, Superintendent of Schools :-
I herewith submit my thirteenth annual report as truant officer. The work of this office increases each year, due in part to our changing population and new child labor laws en- acted by the legislature. In many cases it is a continuous battle to keep the children in school until the age limit of fourteen years, so eager are the parents to put their children to work.
The issuing of the labor certificates from this office has been a great help in finding the violators of the school at- tendance law.
It would be of great advantage if the large army of young fellows between sixteen and eighteen years of age, who are un- employed, could be interested to apply themselves as appren- tices in one of our three great industries.
The street corner, billiard room and cheap variety shows are at present too largely frequented by the youth of our city. We have had three practical results of the splendid work done at the County Training School at Walpole, Mass., in the fine appearance of the boys dismissed from there this year.
The future of the boys of our city depends very largely upon the rigid enforcement of the School and Labor laws.
The table annexed will give in detail my work for the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. JOHNSON,
Truant Officer.
41
TRUANT STATISTICS
1910
Number of absences reported.
Number of parents or guardians noti-
Truancies determined by investiga-
Truants returned to school on day of
Children returned to school from
Tardiness investigated.
Number of manufactories or stores
Number of children found employed
contrary to law.
Number placed on probation.
January
125
121
00
0
0
3
4
1
1
February
123
119
1
1
1
1
-1
0
€
March
89
83
10
0
1
5
2
2
April
131
129
8
2
0
10
3
1
May
122
119
9
1
1
1
8
0
June
C8
C3
6
0
0
4
1
1
September
79
72
15
1
11
·)
0
October
103
98
17
1
November
105
97
15
1
·)
.1
13
1
1
December
133
120
15
3
4
5
10
3
3
Totals
1078
1021
107
11
15
25
84
17
11
fied.
tion.
truancy.
street.
visited.
1
42
The Schoolmasters' Club of Quincy
Officers :
President,-Melvin T. Holbrook.
Vice-President,-Albert L. Barbour. Secretary-Treasurer,-II. Forrest Wilson.
Meetings
January 26-"Individualism," Mr. Alexander T. Fryer of Quincy.
February 16,-"Industrial Education," Mr. Walter B. Rus- sell, Boston.
March 18,-At Quincy House, Boston, Dr. David Snedden. May 21,-Outing at Lee's Inn, Squantum.
October 8,-Outing at Germantown.
STATISTICS
45
Financial Statement
For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1910.
Appropriated by the City Council $153,474.00
Received from tuition, books and supplies 209.13
Total
$153,683.13
Expended
Salaries $116,817.61
Janitors
10,100.00
Books, supplies and sundries 14,271.52
Fuel
8,000.00
Transportation
1,984.00
Rent
360.00
Evening schools
2,000.00
$153,533.13
Unexpended balance
$150.00
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Salaries
HIGH SCHOOL
James D. Howlett
$1,890.00
Leslie L. Cleveland 240.00
Melvin T. Holbrook
1,500.00
Isaac Goddard 1,340.00
Arthur Ray 560.00
Robert S. Schoonmaker 540.00
P. Henry Landers 750.00
Ivan G. Smith 440.00 .
Max Weiss 570.00
John F. Roache 800.00
Warren E. Robinson 280.00
Ralph P. Currier
480.00
Harold L. Fenner
280.00
Ilarold B. Blazo 390.00
Clara E. Thompson 800.00
H. Anna Kennedy
800.00
Norma C. Lowe
800.00
Grace A. Howe
800.00
Ethelwyn A. Rea
774.00
Annie M. Cheever 796.00
Alice A. Todd 792.00
. Marie C. Bass 800.00
.
Lilla R. Birge 850.00
Harriet B. Whittaker 300.00
Flora M. Shackley 180.00
Louisa R. Holt 770.00
Myrtie E. Nute 300.00
S. Marion Chadbourne 480.00
Sarah C. Ames 800.00
Evalin A. Salsman 800.00
Mary G. Brown 736.50
Katherine F. Garrity 800.00
Marjorie Fay 691.50
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Bertha M. Kirmayer
$240.00
Frances M. Whitcomb
160.00
Winifred V. Cobb
45.00
Minnie Packard
15.20
Edward H. Leonard
6.00
Margaret A. Lennon
396.00
Total
$24.292.20
ADAMS SCHOOL
Arthur S. Townsend
$280.00
Harry Brooks
420.00
Mary L. Egan
650.00
Eliza C. Sheahan
600.00
Lucy B. Page
600.00
Katherine M. Coughlin
470.00
Jennie F. Griffin
600.00
Elizabeth W. Ross
570.00
Eliza F. Dolan
600.00
Annie W. Miller
532.50
Beatrice H. Rothwell
600.00
Charlotte F. Donovan
600.00
Euphrasia Hernan
600.00
Annie L. Blacklock
300.00
Minnie Packard
69.60
Helen F. Burke
65.20
Gertrude M. Burke
76.40
Total
$7,633.70
CODDINGTON SCHOOL
Walter H. Bentley $1,500.00
Jennie N. Whitcher 645.13
Mary D. Bragdon
200.00
Alice E. Webb
330.00
Mercedes E. O'Brien
470.00
Gladys L. Flieger
520.00
Elizabeth A. Garrity
617.00
Bella H. Murray
520.00
Gertrude F. Burke
200.00
Bertha F. Estes
563.13
Mary L. Hunt
600.00
Mary E. Costello
600.00
48
Julia E. Underwood
$480.00
Elizabeth H. Litchfield
180.00
Katherine T. Larkin
570.00
Christina McPherson
600.00
Mary A. Geary
600.00
Grace Elcock
457.13
Margaret C. Carey
395.20
Total
$10,047.59
CRANCH SCHOOL
Arthur S. Townsend
$280.00
Harry Brooks
420.00
Carrie A. Crane
650.00
Nellie E. March
598.50
Elsie E. Turner
594.00
Alice M. Igo
495.00
Annie C. Healy
598.50
Helen F. Burke
200.00
Isabel W. Joy
300.00
Marie Fegan
598.00
Mary L. Rodgers
600.00
Elsie B. Martin
587.00
Lela I. Smith
40.00
Total
$5.961.00
GRIDLEY BRYANT SCHOOL
Austin W. Greene
$1,500.00
Lucy L. Hennigar
230.00
Kathryn Carter
96.50
Emma G. Carleton
600.00
Annie E. Burns
600.00
Mary A. Coyle
520.00
M. Frances Talbot
600.00
Augusta E. Dell
600.00
Catherine C. McGovern
594.75
Mabel E. Lovejoy
190.00
Jennie O. Mosher
131.80
Grace D. Fisher
96.00
Victoria Frethy
8.00
Total $5,767.05
49
JOHN HANCOCK SCHOOL
H. Forrest Wilson
$695.00
Daisy F. Burnell
650.00
Alice D. King
200.00
May A. Blake
298.75
Mary C. Parker
600.00
Helen M. West
597.75
May Kapples
570.00
Isabelle Moir
600.00
Grace M. Lamb
520.00
Ellen McNealy
600.00
Mary P. Underwood
600.00
Mary E. Burns
596.25
Total
$6,527.75
5.
LINCOLN SCHOOL
H. Forrest Wilson
$695.00
Alice T. Clark
650.00
Mabel S. Wilson
570.00
Esther J. Viden
470.00
Frances J. Elcock
600.00
Louie C. Monk
495.00
Minnie E. Donovan
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