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 1917 > Part 16
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It is further decreed "that the income from the bequest of $10,000 by the late Charles Francis Adams may be expended by the Supervisors for the support of the High School of the City of Quincy in any manner which in their estimation may best contribute to advance the objects stated by John Adams in his deeds of gift."
It is also decreea "that the income from the Robert Charles Billings fund may be expended in accordance with
15
the wishes of the donor for the benefit of such pupils of the High School of the C} rf Quincy as may be selected by the head master thereof v e consent of the School Commit- ning unexpended may be used by ›rious graduates of the school in
tee. Any such income the master to assist ?/ college."
The School Committee has accepted the administration of these trusts in the spirit and according to the tenor of the decree. It is plainly stat 1 that the income must not be used to reduce the burden of
ation for school purposes. On the contrary it behooves the hy in order to be sure that it does not do so, to take care that in every possible department it makes provision for its p , 'Is as adequately and generously in the state. In other words, we ordinary expenditures for High at we may conscientiously and of the Adams fund.
as any other city of its si are compelled to increase . School purposes in order t scrupulously take advantag
The first move that t · School Committee has made ·w funds has been in the equip- rary and the engagement of a ) toward which I have looked nich lack of funds had never ame reason few high schools toward making use of these ping of an adequate school j trained librarian. This is a st forward for a long time but before made possible. For the have been able to take this s p though the better class of academies and fitting schools have already done so. The school library should bridge o · the transition from school who desires to do so will may continue his educa- lucation are contained. steady increase in High breathing time while it the city is under of for the future. Within to after life so that the persc palize with clearness how easily tion mud wherein the materials o; The Temporary halting in School andance only gives : explains all the necessity making valy and adeguale prove Urree voire n h added prcommodat os should be ready for use unless grave discomfort is to be e rienced
The report of M and deserves careful thought.
16
Mr. Albert L. Barbour, Superintendent of Schools:
I have the honor to hand you her th my annual report of the progress of the Quincy Hi tool. As in previous years it is necessary unfortunatel. to the crowded conditions in th facilities for conducting the school ave to call attention ol and the lack of iny degree of comfort for pupils or teachers. The statistics . „owing will show that the numbers for the present year are very nearly the same as for last year and this condition exis ; at a time when most other High Schools are noting a, irked decrease in their membership. With no greater nurwers than at present and by using the utmost limit of facilities offered by the present building, the work of the school cf uybe carried on with more or less efficiency but it is easy to : , that a return to normal economic conditions will bring for the deluge.
4517 1916
1915
Whole number enrolled
1116
1055
Whole number at date 018
1038
997
The usual number of vaca ticies in the teaching force occurred at the close of the st school year and it was possible to provide efficient su cessors for the teachers who had resigned. Since the opening of school in September, how- ever, the school has suffered « riously from changes due to the fact that several of the m; le teachers were entering the service of their country. It- as been difficult to find suc- cessors for the men who have esigned and some classes have had several different teachs in a short period of time. We can only console ourselvy ?with the thought that other educational institutions . suffering the same handicap some hope of realization that i remain permanent to the end and we are anticipating ,v. the present teaching forç of the school year.
It has been the inte ation of those in authority to keep certain phases of the w : as far from the school as possible. This does not mean, ne ertheless, that the boys and girls have not been doing their bi where they could. Several of the boys enlisted for farm work under the state and received honorable
17
discharge for work well done. The boys of the school, under direction of male teachers, completed a census of gardens in the city for the Committee on Food Conservation. A large amount of land was successfully cultivated by the boys them- selves. Recently a considerable amount of money was con- tributed by the pupils for the purpose of establishing a Chap- ter of the Junior Red Cross in the school and hereafter the pupils will devote spare time afternoons to the preparation of surgical dressings and other Red Cross work. We feel that such activities as these are properly the duty of boys and girls in our schools.
No changes have been made in the program of studies of the school during the year. Our energies have rather been devoted to holding fast what we have; a difficult task in these troublous times when war is uppermost in the minds of all, including the boys and girls. We have, however, introduced a department into the school which has placed the school in the forefront among the very progressive schools of the country. At the opening of the present school year, we instituted an up-to-date library directed by a school librarian who is devoting her entire time morning and afternoon to this work. The movement toward school libraries, while comparatively new, is gaining great momen- tum and is being welcomed all over the country by teachers, pupils and everyone interested in bringingliterature and young people together under the most favorable circumstances.
Great praise is due public libraries for their unselfish interest in the boys and girls and their successful attempts to co-operate with the schools. Much good has come through the public libraries and the school libraries should maintain close relations with them, but greater good can come when these facilities can be in the school building available to any number of pupils at any time during the day. Our equipment consists of valuable reference books, approved fiction, standard and modern, selected periodicals, daily newspapers, and one of the strongest things that may be said in favor of the school library is that the pupils may browse about this collection of books and periodicals to their
18
hearts' content, finding great pleasure and profit therein. Of course, the success of this movement is dependent upon intelligent direction for the boys and girls and we are fortu- nately able to offer this in the person of our librarian who is not only trained for her present work, but who has had several years of very successful experience in teaching the subject of English.
Some of the good results of the library have already been apparent. Pupils have been led to take a broader interest in the subjects which they are studying and this is not confined to such subjects as English and History, but has extended to every subject and every activity of the school. Boys, and girls too, have been encouraged to ride their hob- bies whether it be wireless telegraphy, aeroplanes, nature work or a myriad of other things. The influence of the library has even gone beyond the school into the home and many times the librarian has been called upon to give suggestions for use in the home. In fact, there seems to be no limit to the points of contact which the school library can establish with the life of the boys and girls and it promises to become one of the most interesting and valuable of all the activities of the school.
In connection with the library, the school acknowledges with pleasure the receipt from Mr. A. L. Bassett of a copy of the life of William W. Corcoran and also the life of John Howard Payne. The school is also indebted to Mrs. Alice M. Arnold for the gift of busts of Napoleon and the Apollo Belvidere.
Again the teachers and myself have an opportunity to express our sincere appreciation of the help and support we have had from the School Committee and yourself. We should acknowledge, too, the hearty co-operation that has come from the parents of the boys and girls whom we have been trying to help and from other citizens of the city. The school is fortunate indeed in having a host of friends and supporters.
Respectfully submitted, ERNEST L. COLLINS, Head Master.
19
CONCLUSION
In concluding this report, it should be said that it never was so difficult to look ahead as it is today. Whether in the business, manufacturing, educational or any other field, we are all trying to forge ahead feeling our way, getting the the maximum results with the minimum waste or expendi- ture. The trust imposed in us is the most precious in the gift of this city. On the way that this trust and like trusts are administered by ourselves and others in like positions depends the future of this nation.
May I simply say that in Quincy, School Committee, Superintendent and Teachers are working in harmonious co-operation for the educational interests of the young people of the city.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT L. BARBOUR, Superintendent.
20
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT ON THE STATE-AIDED INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS
The Industrial Schools have had a most interesting year.
The Day School for boys, whose work is reported on by the Principal, Mr. Spofford, on another page, has main- tained its numbers practically to capacity not withstanding the disturbed industrial conditions and has turned out a very large amount of constructive work. Much of the repair work of the School Committee is now being attended to by this school and the new schools which have been opened this past year have been provided with teachers' desks and tables manufactured by this school.
In July when it became apparent that the most pressing need of the United States Government was to be ships and shipbuilders, a co-operative arrangement was made with the Fore River Company whereby the school began the in- struction of workmen at the Fore River in certain branches of shipbuilding work. From July 1 to December 31, classes were carried on in the yard of the Fore River Company for in- struction of shipwrights, shipfitters and machinists. Four instructors worked during the day and two during the night. All the training was done on machines and material furnished by the Fore River Company and the aim was to give as much intensive training to as many men as possible in order that the supply of available shipworkers might be increased as rapidly as possible. The plan of co-operation divided the expense of instructors equally between the city and the company and as the state refunds one-half of the city's expense, the net cost to the city was only one-fourth the total expense. It is interesting to record that these classes were the first of their kind to be established in this country for the pur- pose of speeding up war production. They were visited and studied by representatives of the United States Shipping Board and the Government has now established a special
21
school at Newport News to train teachers to conduct similar classes in all the shipyards of the country. It is a source of satisfaction at times to feel that a pioneer piece of work has gained national recognition so rapidly.
The evening trade classes which have been so largely attended in previous years have had an even greater enroll- ment this year. Two terms of ten weeks each were offered. The second term beginning in October was maintained in conjunction with the Fore River Company.
The Company paid the instructors while the city fur- nished the rooms, light and general supervision. The term completed just before Christmas was the most largely at- tended in the city's history.
The Home-Making School began its second year in September in the same quarters as last year. It had at first appeared practicable to move the building and enlarge it, but the estimated cost of doing so was such as to render the project inadvisable. For the present the numbers are such that by making use of the facilities of the Coddington School, we are not too greatly handicapped. If the school is to have any growth or development in the future, other provisions will have to be made for the accommodation of the pupils.
This school, though small in numbers, has made a dis- tinct place for itself and does a splendid piece of work. Home projects and class room instruction are closely allied and thorough training is given for that most essential of all vocations, the making of a home. The afternoon and evening classes in dressmaking and millinery have been held through- out the late fall and winter months. Groups are now working either at the Willard or the Home-Making School on every afternoon and evening of the week and there seems to be no diminution in the demand for this type of instruction.
ALBERT L. BARBOUR.
22
REPORT OF QUINCY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
Mr. Albert L. Barbour,
Superintendent of Schools:
I have the pleasure of submitting herewith my sixth annual report of the Quincy Industrial School.
This school began the year with eighty-nine pupils enrolled, but on account of the unusual industrial and economic condi- tions, this number was reduced to eighty by the last of June.
On July 1st a temporary emergency department was added to the school, namely, the Fore River Co-operative Department, the purpose of which was to render assistance in the training of partially trained mechanics, apprentices, helpers and unskilled men so that they might in the shortest possible time become more efficient producers in the ship- building program. All the instruction was given in the plant of the Fore River and embraced day instruction in the ship- fitting and shipwrighting trades and day and night instruction in the machine trade. Four instructors from this school and two instructors from vocational schools of neighboring cities were engaged in this work.
Since July 1st to date there have been nearly two hundred men under instruction in this department, their ages ranging from sixteen to fifty-six.
The Full-Time School opened in September with an enrollment of ninety-six pupils, a large proportion of whom were new this year. Many of our boys who have had a year or more at the school secured positions for the summer at high wages and did not wish to make the necessary sacrifice to complete their school training.
The work done by our boys has been of very high grade and of considerable quantity, they having completed the work on two hundred and eight orders for the schools of the city, thirty-two quartered oak teachers' desks, thirty-two quartered oak library tables and five dozen ash cans for the Public Works Department as new equipment for the two
23
new schools, also several pieces of specially designed furniture on outside orders and a large number of ash cans and ash sifters for local hardware stores. The actual cash receipts for products were $1736.98.
Distribution of pupils to date:
Woodworking department
28
Machine department 24
Electrical department
18
Sheet metal and Plumbing departments
26
-
Total 96
Tuition pupils :
Braintree
4
Bridgewater
4
Middleboro
1
Weymouth
2
-
Total
11
Distribution of enrollment to date at Fore River Co-operative:
Shipfitting
24
Shipwrighting
8
Machine shop
28
-
Total 60
In order that we might know what our pupils do after leaving this school, I made inquiry of every boy who had been in attendance for a period of six months or over since the school started in 1912 and from the answers received have found that 54.4% are engaged in the trade trained for in the school, also that several of the boys who were in the school for a period of two to three years are now receiving from $1700 to $2250 per year.
In closing I wish to thank you for your helpful advice and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
J. GOULD SPOFFORD, Principal.
24
REPORT OF QUINCY HOME-MAKING SCHOOL
Mr. Albert L. Barbour,
Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit the second report of the Home-Mak- ing School.
The last half of the first year went on much as the first. The cooking classes were given special lessons in canning, as we felt that they would be called upon to put this knowledge into practice during the summer. Other classes were formed of older women and lessons given on the canning of vegetables.
The school closed its first year with twenty-three pupils. Many of these were planning to take only one year to fill in the time between grammar school and the time when they should be old enough to work. Ten of these girls returned for the second year. The incoming class had a membership of twenty-two.
As both the kitchen and class room were too small to accommodate so large a class, the hall at the Coddington School was used as a class room and two smaller classes were formed for cooking. The need for a large kitchen is the great- est need of the school, as the work could be much more extensive with more space.
This year we have not only served the lunches to the teachers and pupils but also have done a great amount of or- der cooking. This had developed to quite a business until the sugar situation became so serious. This soon adjusted itself when we began making and selling the war breads, cakes and cookies. The profits of the food sales for two weeks were used for the Junior Red Cross. An extra price of two cents was charged and a printed recipe given with each order. The girls found that they could get more orders than they could fill.
The dressmaking department has become more popular as the girls have reached their second year. Some order work has been done but most of the work done by the class has been done for themselves. The sewing classes have had
25
their share in the Red Cross work as they have completed one afghan and are now working on children's clothes for the refugees.
The use of old materials has been our keynote not only in the sewing but the millinery, and several of the girls have shown considerable skill in making the old clothing look like new.
Much interest has been shown in the course in nursing for the second term as we teach the care of children not with a doll but a real baby.
The day's program has been changed and lengthened into a seven-hour day. This extends the school day from 8. 15 to 3.45. This time, however, includes the home work. One day a week each class remains at home for the purpose of cooking and house cleaning and two days a week each class leaves the school at 2.45 for practice in household sewing. While this seems like a longer day than the High School day, it must be kept in mind that there is no outside studying to be done.
Respectfully submitted, ELIZABETH M. DOUGLAS, Principal.
26
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
For the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1917 Balance from 1916.
$961.42
Appropriated by City Council.
266,900.37
Miscellaneous Receipts .
1,709.55
Total
$269,571.34
Expended .
263,751.69
Balance to 1918 .
$5,819.65
Expenditures Itemized
Administration .
$10,606.85
Instruction .
184,498.78
Textbooks.
6,296.14
Stationery
10,283.92
Operation .
35,688.09
Maintenance
9,553.63
Miscellaneous.
4,026.75
Evening Schools
2,797.53
$263,751.69
27
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE DAY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
Appropriated by the City Council $18,805.00 Receipts from sale of goods, Fore River Corpora- tion, etc . 3,767.45
Total. $22,572.45
Expended
23,285.50
Overdraft .
713.05
Transferred from Evening School
Account . 1,111.08
Balance
$398.03
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE EVENING INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
Appropriated by the City Council
$2,900.00
Expended .
1,788.92
Balance transferred to Day Industrial School
$1,111.08
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE HOME-MAKING SCHOOL'
Balance from 1916
$76.54
Appropriated by the City Council
5,400.00
Receipts
1,047.96
Total .
$6,524.50
Expended
5,635.13
Balance $ 889.37
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TABLE GIVING A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SCHOOL PROPERTY, ALSO THE VALUE OF SCHOOLHOUSES AND LOTS, ETC., JANUARY 1, 1918
BUILDINGS
Wood or Brick
No. of Stories
No. of School Rooms
No. of Desks and Seats
Con- dition
Date of Occu- pation
Heating Appara- tus
Value of Land
Value of Buildings
Value of Furniture
TOTAL
Acre Lots Square Feet
High . . .
B
3
36
920
New
1907 Steam
$25,500.00
$150,000
$20,000
$195,500.00
85,348
New Adams. .
B
2
12
500
New
1913 Steam
6,875.00
85,000
6,450
. 98,325.00
137,300
Adams (Industrial) . .
W
3
10
100
Fair
1855
Hot Air
5,000.00
20,000
2,000
27,000.00
20,290
Atherton Hough
B
2
8
340
New
1911 Hot Air
6,000.00
40,000
2,000
48,000.00
50,000
Coddington . .
B
3
12
600
New
1909 Steam
6,000.00
70,000
5,500
81,500.00
45,720
Cranch .
B
2
9
426
New
1900 | Steam
6,500.00
45,000
2,000
53,500.00
62,628
Daniel Webster .
B
2
16
676
New
1917 Steam
9,700.00
131,000
6,900
137,900.00
67,122
Francis W. Parker
B
2
16
676
New
1917 Steam
5,585.64
131,000
6,900
137,900.00
78,497
Gridley Bryant .
B
2
9
426
Good 1896
Steam
4,500.00
45,000
1,500
51,000.00
52,272
John Hancock .
B
3
10
508
Good 1886 Steam
7,500.00
40,000
2,000
49,500.00
110,915
Lincoln . .
B
2
12
520
Good 1892
Steam
4,000.00
45,000
1,800
50,800.00
39,349
Massachusetts Fields .
B
2
9
426
Good 1896 Steam
2,975.00
50,000
1,800
54,775.00
29,760
Montclair
B
2
8
352
New
1912 Steam
2,200.00
45,000
3,400
50,600.00
21,880
Quincy .
B
3
12
600
New
1907 Steam
10,000.00
75,000
3,000
88,000.00
58,286
Washington
B
2
10
525
New
1903 Steam
2,000.00
55,000
2,500
59,500.00
24,170
Willard .
B
2
20
958
Good
1891 Steam
12,700.00
100,000
3,500
116,200.00
63,255
Wollaston
B
2
12
484
New
1912 Steam
7,600.00
85,000
6,450
99,050.00
94,671
Land, Quincy Neck . .
500.00
500.00
9,200
Land, East Squantum St., Old School- house Lot .
6,775.00
6,775.00
67,759
Squantum School Lot
6,000.00
6,000.00
77,632
Totals .
.
221
9,037
$137,910.64
$1,212,000
$77,700 $1,412,325.00
.
:
.
RATES OF SCHOOL APPROPRIATION TO TAX LEVY
Year
Valuation
Taxes Levied
School Appropriation
Percentage of Taxes Appropriated for School Maintenance
1903
$23.089,715
$399,423
$111,000
27.8
1904
23.748.078
432,672
111.000
25.7
1905
25,115,611
462,387
115,000
24.9
1906
26,229,930
498,598
122,296
24.5
1907
27,187,755
535,051
131.065
24.5
190S
28,648,890
585.429
135,840
23.2
1909
31.538,390
606,822
143,960
23.7
1910
32,491,505
674,833
153,474
22.7
1911
34,300,615
689,905
160,190
23.4
1912
35,219,786
804,937
172,225
21.4
1913
36,610,560
867,684
182,625
21.4
1914
40,668,240
935,584
190,885
20.4
1915
43.411,115
990,335
204,451
20.6
1916
62,789,130
1,102,235
221,055
20.1
1917
49,775,025
1,274,240
266,900
20.9
30
SCHOOL CENSUS
Number of children in Quincy from five to sixteen
years of age, April 1, 1917 - Boys . 5,725
Girls . 5,335
Total . 11,060
Number of children in Quincy from five to sixteen years of age, September 1, 1916 10,821
Increase . 239
Number of children in Quincy from seven to fourteen years of age, April 1, 1917 - Boys 4,765
Girls . 4,485
Total. 9,250
Number of children in Quincy from seven to fourteen years of age, September 1, 1916. 8,364
Increase.
886
The children registered in the school census are distri- buted as follows:
5 years
6
years
7 years
8
9
10 years
11 years
12 years
13 years
14 years
15 years
Totals
Ward 1
163
178
201
192
209
195
145
176
154
134
149
1,896
Ward 2
74
152
169
190
182
182
159
134
138
139
134
1,653
Ward 3
211
224
238
252
246
223
218
194
236
251
246
2,539
Ward 4
113
189
186
176
179
151
183
160
138
147
156
1,778
Ward 5
84
189
174
205
164
158
174
124
124
122
132
1,650
Ward 6
98
135
145
153
151
163
135
128
109
121
206
1,544
Totals
743
1067
1113
1168
1131 1072 1014
916
899
914
1023
11,060
years
years
31
REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES ISSUED FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1917
Literate Certificates-Boys 1497
Girls . 521
Total.
2018
Employment Certificates-Boys 584
Girls
177
Total
761
Illiterates
115
Home Permits . 18
Re-issues for the year 1325
Total number issued 1917.
4237
Total number issued 1916 .
3178
Increase over 1916 in total number issued .
1059
Total number new certificates issued 1917
2912
Total number new certificates issued 1916 . 2286
Increase over 1916 in total number new certifi- cates issued . 626
32
SUMMARIZED REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSES JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1917
New cases examined for various causes 4,818
Old cases examined for various causes 4,818
Home calls made . 1,663
Cases referred to school physician . 406
Cases taken to Mass. Eye & Ear Infirmary 173
Cases of corrected vision . 102
Cases referred to various other clinics 108
Operations for tonsils and adenoids 81
Cases of contagion found in schools 32
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Number of cases investigated as per blanks 1,778
Number of cases found to be truants . 293
Number of cases committed for truancy 10
Number of parents prosecuted 10
Number of convictions 20
Number on probation . 16
Number of truants committed to County Training School, Walpole, Mass. 3
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