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 1930 > Part 27
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328
Hours open each week for lending
72
Hours open each week for reading
76
Total number of staff
20
Total valuation of library property
$318,000
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes at beginning of year
54,654
26,779
81,433
Number of volumes added by purchase ....
4,630
4,453
9,083
Number of volumes added by gift
290
45
335
Number of volumes added by binding and number of volumes reaccessioned
129
27
156
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn
3,405
2,307
5,712
Total number at end of year
56,298
28,997
85,295
Volumes of fiction lent for home use
303,132
193,465
496,597
Number of volumes lent for home use
368,806
299,381
668,187
Number of registered borrowers
22,096
Number of publications issued
5
Number of publications received: 140 titles, 241 copies.
Library Expenditures
Books
City App. $15,492 35
Endow- ment Funds $88 40
Periodicals
933 41
Binding
2,240 38
Library service
28,877 72
Janitor service
4,825 00
553 00
Rent
3,845 00
Light
1,119 84
Printing
275 25
Heat
1,645 72
Librarian's petty cash
362 03
Library supplies
1,172 48
Main building, repairs, etc.
979 77
535 50
Other maintenance
1,604 74
232 75
Insurance
112 50
Branch equipment and repairs
1,546 35
$65,032 54
$1,409 65
411
ANNUAL REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Books in Library January 1, 1931
Adult
Juvenile
Total
General
789
257
1,046
Periodicals
3,486
8
3,493
Philosophy
982
13
995
Religion
1,220
241
1,461
Sociology
4,283
2,244
6,527
Language
381
4
385
Science
1,338
1,018
2,356
Useful arts
2,845
1,078
3,923
Fine arts
2,733
948
3,681
Literature
5,695
2,824
8,519
History
6,051
4,174
10,225
Biography
4,049
1,400
5,449
Fiction
22,446
14,788
37,234
Total
56,298
28,997
85,295
Circulation by Classes, 1930
BRANCHES
JUVENILE DEPARTMENT
CENTRAL
Wollaston
Temple
Norfolk
Downs
Parkway
Atlantic
Montclair
Manet
Lakin Sq.
Baxter
Gen. Palmer
Merrymount
Squantum
Hospital
Children's
Room
Schools
Total
General.
4,758
2,007
892
1,007
1,052
527
1,334
568
549
525
408
671
296
329
610
15,528
Philosophy
1,960
324
47
87
49
89
10
28
46
5
5
39
19
1
4
3
2,716
Religion ..
1,022
280
142
92
60
67
36
39
43
50
14
37
10
15
103
617
2,627
Sociology.
3,396
2,145
1,311
1,163
1,141
1,034
727
685
643
552
389
597
176
81
2,421
7,991
24,452
Language.
367
84
29
31
50
9
5
2
12
6
5
1
4
605
Science.
1,882
713
387
288
493
346
230
145
226
141
65
189
95
1
656
2,437
8,294
Useful arts
4,586
1,107
624
473
659
548
286
257
258
167
113
251
96
42
1,244
734
11,445
Fine arts
3,870
1,046
511
453
631
406
305
285
351
237
130
173
94
795
629
9,916
Literature
6,326
3,173
2,507
2,476
2,581
2,255
1,897
1,682
1,784
1,641
1,052
1,841
630
201
4,043
6,309
40,398
History.
3,377
1,462
543
557
797
509
328
427
272
317
145
289
88
16
2,133
4,668
15,928
Travel.
3,770
2,543
1,379
1,333
1,508
1,251
671
449
696
607
278
864
258
26
1,449
6,520
23,602
Biography
4,618
1,859
889
900
1,153
1,008
464
270
334
587
209
341
164
23
1,002
2,258
16,079
Fiction.
78,306
60,817
37,067 36,501 34,030
34,706
25,559
24,006
17,696
17,356
19,351
15,640
10,684
7,752 31,422
45,704 296,597
Total
118,238 77,560
46,328
45,361
44,204
42,755
31,852
28,838
22,898
22,197
22,165
20,937 12,610
8,488 45,886
77,870
668,187
Circulation per capita
9.28
Circulated per registered borrower 30.2
Maintenance expenditure per volume circulated $.099
Maintenance expenditure per capita $.923
....
...
....
413
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF QUINCY, MASS.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1930
Chairman HON. THOMAS J. MCGRATH, Mayor Vice-Chairman DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING
HON. THOMAS J. MCGRATH Term expires Dec. 31, 1930 11 Thayer Street, Quincy
MRS. BEATRICE W. NICHOLS .Term expires Dec. 31, 1930 45 Elm Street, Quincy
DR. DANIEL B. REARDON. Term expires Dec. 31, 1930 74 Greenleaf Street, Quincy
DR. NATHANIEL S. HUNTING .Term expires Dec. 31, 1931 1136 Hancock Street, Quincy
MR. ROBERT E. FOY. Term expires Dec. 31, 1931 13 Eliot Street, Quincy
COL. WARREN E. SWEETSER Term expires Dec. 31, 1932 56 Elm Avenue, Wollaston
MRS. ESTHER V. PURCELL. Term expires Dec. 31, 1932 33 Dorchester Street, Squantum
Secretary of Board and Superintendent of Schools JAMES N. MUIR, B.S. 132 Winthrop Avenue, Wollaston
The regular meetings of the School Committee are held at 7.30 o'clock P. M. on the last Tuesday in each month.
ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION
For Men CHARLES L. GILLIATT, HARRY E. D. GOULD, EDWARD D. MARNOCK, HARRY H. KERR, WILLIAM A. BRADFORD
For Women MRS. ROBERT S. PINKHAM, MRS. FRANK C. RYDER MRS. ROBERT E. FOY*
*Deceased.
414
CITY OF QUINCY
OFFICE STAFF
Secretary MARION NILSEN 33 Nilsen Avenue, Quincy
Bookkeeper HELEN M. CANTY 5 Pierce Street, North Quincy
Clerks ANNIE M. OHMAN 71 Bennington Street, Quincy THERESA V. KROESSER 18 Thornton Street, Wollaston
Office: School Committee Rooms, Senior High School Building, Coddington Street.
Office Hours: 8 A. M. to 5 P. M .; Saturday, 8 A. M. to 12 M.
Supervisor of Attendance CHARLES H. JOHNSON 24 Upland Road, Quincy Office: School Committee Rooms
Office Hours: 8 to 9.30 A. M., 1.30 to 2 P. M., and 4 to 5 P. M. Saturday, 8 to 9.30 A. M. and 11.30 A. M. to 12 M.
415
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Quincy :
This has been a year of great progress in the public schools. A building program planned by the School Committee some three and one-half years ago has been steadily going forward.
During the year 1930, a splendid four-room addition was added to the Gridley Bryant School, the hallways renovated, and a double room in the old building was converted into an assembly room. The assembly room is sufficiently large to afford an opportunity for educational and social meetings.
The east wing of the North Junior High School is practically completed. The equipment is being installed. It is anticipated that not 'less than 1,400 children will be enrolled in this school in Sep- tember. The first unit of this building was dedicated February 8, 1927.
A new four-room addition is under construction at the Adams School and, when completed, will relieve that district of the over- crowded condition.
The School Committee is ever mindful of the older buildings in the city. Many improvements have been made during the year. The major repairs that have been made to the school buildings include the following: Several floors have been relaid and re- paired; new water service inside and out at the Central Junior High School; several buildings have been painted inside and out; all the flag poles were repainted; new radiation was installed in the Adams and Home Making Schools; radiator traps replaced at the Massachusetts Fields School; all toilets at the Coddington and Washington Schools were completely renovated and new, modern toilets were installed, and minor repairs to many others in the city. The Washington, Webster and Francis W. Parker School yards were resurfaced, which means better playgrounds for the children. The names of the buildings have been inscribed on the Thomas B. Pollard, John Hancock and Lincoln Schools and the contract has been let to inscribe the name on the Central Junior High School; American Chain Link fences were erected at the Coddington and Wollaston Schools. These are some of the major repairs for the year.
The Rules of the School Committee were codified, brought up to date and printed. This was another step in the line of progress because all the rules and regulations governing the schools are now printed in one little pamphlet.
The Schedule of Salaries for teachers of the public schools was also revised and made effective at the beginning of the present school year in September. It was essential in revising this sched- ule to recognize the standard of scholarship set up by the state authorities. The state increased the minimum number of years to three and made Bridgewater, Fitchburg and Salem Normal Schools four year schools.
During the year, the Committee has cooperated to an unusual extent with various civic organizations and churches of the city by permitting them the use of school halls and gymnasiums. We believe that while the schools are primarily built for the children that they belong to the taxpayers, and with proper care and super- vision should be used by the people of the city.
416
CITY OF QUINCY
For the first time in the history of the school system of the city of Quincy, the School Committee voted a year's leave of absence on full pay for one of its teachers who had served forty years as a teacher, Miss Annie Cahill.
During the year we lost by death Mr. James Barr, custodian of the Squantum School, who served eleven years as custodian. Also Mr. Charles A. Boland, custodian of the Merrymount School, who served three years as custodian. Miss Elizabeth Keefe, teacher in the Massachusetts Fields School, died after a service of one year. They were faithful servants of the city schools.
The schools sustained a great loss in the sudden and untimely death of Mrs. Robert E. Foy, who for several years served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Industrial Education for Women. She served cheerfully and well and was ever ready to give the best of herself for the betterment of the school children.
The foregoing report was prepared by a special committee of Mrs. Beatrice W. Nichols and Dr. Daniel B. Reardon, and was adopted as the annual report of the Committee for the year 1930.
417
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
IN MEMORIAM
JAMES BARR Died April 6, 1930 Custodian 1919-1930
CHARLES A. BOLAND Died September 2, 1930
Assistant Janitor 1927-1929 Custodian 1929-1930
ELIZABETH A. KEEFE Died November 21, 1930 Teacher 1929-1930
418
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Quincy:
In accordance with the established custom, I submit herewith the annual report of the Quincy Public Schools for the year 1930.
The work of the different departments is given in full as sub- mitted by the department heads with emphasis placed on the fea- tures of their work, which to them seem most important. The As- sistant Superintendent has reported for the State-aided, Academic Evening, Academic Summer Schools and special classes. Because of the importance attached to these reports, they are given in full. The principals and teachers have worked earnestly and intelligently to discharge their important duties.
I want to emphasize at the begininng of this report a paragraph taken from the conclusion of my last year's report. I might say that it sums up very briefly and in simple words what has grown to be a philosophy of education with me:
"WHAT I SHOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE MORE THAN ANY OTHER THING DURING THE YEAR 1930 IS MORE ATTEN- TION TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WHAT IS REQUIRED IS A SYS- TEM OF EDUCATION WHICH SHALL ENCOURAGE BOYS AND GIRLS TO TEACH THEMSELVES; A SYSTEM CALCU- LATED TO FOSTER THE CHILD'S CURIOSITY; TO MAKE THE DESIRE FOR KNOWLEDGE AN HABITUAL DESIRE; AND ABOVE ALL, TO FAMILIARIZE EACH CHILD WITH THE BEST METHODS OF ACQUIRING IT BY HIS OWN EFFORTS."
If we wish to maintain a high standard of scholarship in our school system, we must maintain a standard of excellence in our teaching force. This cannot be done by the common cry of "home teachers," regardless of their qualifications. If it is a fine thing to consider home teachers, it is a much finer thing to consider the great multitude of fine home children who are committed to the care of these home teachers. No teacher, during the past four years, whose residence is in Quincy, who is a graduate of a school meeting the requirements set up by the School Committee, has been deprived of an opportunity to teach in Quincy. In fact, the School Committee has given every preference to Quincy teachers who are qualified to teach. It is the primary aim of the Committee to secure high-grade teachers and many home teachers are high grade. Some home teachers have not given the same considera- tion to the school system that has been accorded to the teacher by the School Committee. The school system is not a training or re- cruiting station. Several home girls have come into the schools knowing they were to leave it in a short time; others, to get a little experience to fit them for another position-then leave.
Secondary education in Quincy is coming into its own. The in- fluence of the Junior High School is being felt. The plan of organi- zation established three and one-half years ago is showing splendid results. The Senior High School has reached a new high mark in attendance. More than 2,200 pupils are now registered. The High School was originally built to accommodate approximately 1,500
419
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
pupils. This means that the principal and teachers have been forced to meet situations and conditions which have made it very hard for them to do reputable high school work. Despite this fact, we feel that the standard of scholarship has not only been main- tained but several of the departments are being conducted with greater efficiency.
The Junior High School has fully justified its establishment in that it has strengthened the entire course of study through the three crucial years of the child's life and given an impetus to better Senior High School work. The principal of the Senior High School has repeatedly given me assurance that the children are being better prepared to do Senior High School work.
Reorganization is essential to meet the ever-changing conditions of daily life. Buildings have been erected in which thousands of young, enthusiastic children pour in and out every day in which they are receiving a new type of instruction. Thousands of other communities are planning to do likewise, and where new buildings are not possible, as much of the Junior High School program is being used as is possible under existing conditions.
The Junior High School is not fully justifying its existence in Quincy if it fails to strengthen the entire course of study, or fails to make a real extension of the secondary program. It is our en- deavor in the Junior High School to approach each subject through the medium of the child's own interests. We recognize the very great value of the administrative and social features of the Junior High School, but we further recognize a greater requirement which is the reorganization of the content and method of courses of study in meeting educational objectives.
The City of Quincy never did a finer thing for her future citizens than is being done now by the Junior High Schools in its attempt to provide a square deal for all the pupils of the Junior High School age.
Of the 14,000 pupils, which is the average number belonging, 6,000 of them are in the Junior and Senior High Schools. This means 43 per cent of all the children in the Quincy School System are in secondary schools and doing some type of secondary educa- tion.
Tercentenary
One of the outstanding features of the year was the School De- partment's contribution to the celebration of the Tercentenary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Approximately 5,000 school chil- dren presented a great school pageant at the Pfaffmann's Oval, June 4, on "The Progress of Public School Education in Quincy." This spectacle was preceded by a parade. It was one of the most impressive ever given in Quincy. The children :narched from School and Elm streets along Hancock street to the Park.
The period covered by the pageant ranged from 1630 to 1930. The parade seemed to focus attention on the Progress of Educa- tion from its original "ciphering and arithmetic school" to the present comprehensive curriculum. It also demonstrated why so large a portion of public funds is devoted to the maintenance of the now cosmopolitan school system. It was estimated that 15,000 people witnessed the parade and pageant. The school sessions were suspended at eleven o'clock, that children and parents might enjoy the day. It was a veritable parents' day.
The pageant and parade was planned for the purpose of depicting the outstanding events in the progress of public school education in the City of Quincy. We believe the purpose was accomplished.
420
CITY OF QUINCY
It was a big undertaking well carried out. It was a credit to the School System, and to all who gave of their time and talent to make it possible.
The Day Trade School
The outstanding fact for the school year was the change in the average membership-a drop from 192.6 in 1929 to 182.0 in 1930. The total enrollment remained about the same. Where the changes came with a comparison of enrollments and membership over a period of five years is shown in the following table:
1925-26
1926-27
1927-28
1928-29
1929-30
Enrol.
Av. Mem.
Enrol.
Av. Mem.
Enrol.
Av. Mem.
Enrol.
Av. Mem.
Enrol
Av. Mem.
Auto Mechanic.
30
42
41
43
48
29.3
Electrical
36
36
38
35
38
32.5
Machine
37
34
40
40
31
25.7
Machine (Co-
operative)
4
2.0
Plumbing
37
38
36
36
39
29.1
Sheet Metal.
18
19
21
20
18
16.3
Woodworking
70
65
80
76
68
47.1
Special
1
....
....
Total Enrollm't 228
234
257
250
246
Total Average Membership
182.4
190.6
192.6
182.0
The woodworking department is rarely filled to capacity, the machine shop shows a decided drop with the other departments operating at capacity and often with a waiting list.
For the last few years we have been urging the addition of new departments in the Trade School. The need is great. At present the city, state and nation are in a period of depression with a great amount of unemployment. A study of the unemployment situation in many different places has shown that about one-third of the unemployed are unskilled laborers. One way to prevent this situation in the future is to provide greater opportunities for training skilled workers. The Trade Schools of Weymouth and Quincy serve all the territory south of Boston except in the vi- cinities of Fall River and New Bedford. I feel sure that addi- tional departments in the Quincy Trade School would be patron- ized not only by Quincy boys but by boys from many of the sur- rounding towns. At the present time 35 out-of-town boys are at- tending the Quincy Trade School for which the City receives tuition.
Well trained painters and paper hangers are surely needed, yet Fall River is the only place in Massachusetts offering such full time day training for boys. Auto body repair work has become increasingly important, offering a good field for well trained workers. At present a boy can learn this type of work only in the productive workshop by the pick-up method. There are many other trades besides the two mentioned which might well be taught in Quincy if the Trade School had the room and the proper facilities.
At the request of the management of the Boston Gear Works the Trade School is again experimenting with Co-operative Part- time education for machinists. The widespread depression has hindered the full development of the plan and the school now has
...
421
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
but one boy who spends alternate weeks in the school and the fac- tory, receiving pay from the factory for both weeks. He learns the practical aspects of the machinist's trade on productive work at the factory. At the school he studies related drawing, related mathematics, related science, English, civics and industrial hygiene. In the future the Gear Works hopes to have most of its appren- tices trained at the Trade School on the co-operative plan.
Due to automatic salary increases the total costs for the school year ending August, 1930, increased by $1,019.24 to $53,154.56. As shown in the table below this total cost was greatly reduced, but, owing to the decrease in average membership, the net per capita cost to the City of Quincy advanced from $111.58 to $123.22.
Tuition for pupils living outside of Quincy $5,240.00
Cash from products made in the school 1,805.88
Aid from the State of Massachusetts. 20,633.78
Aid from the Federal Government. 2,857.88
Miscellaneous receipts 189.63
Total receipts $30,727.17
Net cost to City of Quincy $22,427.39
The market value of products made in the school or repair work done by the boys amounted to $23,966.01.
The Home Making School
For the second year the Home Making School started the fall term with all the pupils the building will comfortably hold. The enrollment dropped at mid-year as several girls were obliged to leave school because of economic conditions at home. The average membership for 1929-1930 was 50.20, slightly less than the 51.06 of the previous year.
The total cost of maintaining the school was $15,068.15, an in- crease of $997.20, but the city treasurer received the following:
Tuition for non-residents. $418.50
Cash for work done.
1,330.38
Aid from the State of Massachusetts.
6,002.42
Aid from the Federal Government. 1,192.84
Miscellaneous receipts
6.34
Total receipts $8,950.48
Net cost to City of Quincy
$6,117.67
Net cost per pupil to City of Quincy. $121.87
The school now has four tuition pupils-one from Braintree, one from Holbrook and two from Abington. The Director tells me there are more non-resident girls seeking admission.
The building was completely redecorated during the summer, making it more attractive and an incentive to the girls to do their best. The girls further improved the interior by making new kitchen and bathroom curtains and painting some of the kitchen equipment.
Two new teachers came to the school in September. Mrs. Bethel Ross, a former teacher in the Vocational Department of the Fra- mingham Normal School, took the place of Miss Boughtwood, who resigned to accept a position in the Boston School Department as head of the Foods Department. Miss Muriel Henry, a recent grad- uate of Framingham Normal School, is teaching Design and Science in place of Miss Eastman, who resigned in order to marry.
422
CITY OF QUINCY
The school is approaching trade standards in catering, dress- making and millinery. The success of this work encourages us to believe that the school may gradually become a girls' trade school in fact without losing any of its home making characteristics.
An important part of the school work is carried on through the Home Project, which has been given more careful attention during the past year. The Director of the school, Miss Cowles, says: "Trade experience is given the girl either in the home or the com- mercial establishment by means of the required Home Project Work. Four hours of work is required per week either in the trade for which the girl is training or in her own home. This project must involve processes learned at school and must bring about some constructive thinking on the part of the girl. The school will send out waitresses for parties and dinners or dressmakers for home sewing at a charge of thirty cents an hour and carfare. Part time house work and restaurant work is also procured for the girls, all of which may count for Home Project credit."
The school has practically outgrown its present quarters. Par- ents are beginning to understand the worth of the practical train- ing the school gives the girls, not only as future home makers but as wage earners in the field of dressmaking, millinery and catering. If we had enlarged facilities in the departments already existing with the addition of new ones, such as hair dressing, retail selling, etc., I believe many more girls would avail themselves of such an opportunity. Very careful consideration should be given to the needs of this school.
The Continuation School
During a period of business depression one would expect a de- crease in Continuation School attendance because of the difficulties of finding work for minors between the ages of 14 and 16. The following table gives the facts:
Enrollment
1925-26
1926-27
1927-28
1928-29
1929-30
Boys Girls
67
84
95
82
72
26
56
62
65
54
Total
93
140
157
147
126
Hrs. of Service
...
8,988
11,860
7,996
7,148
Through the cooperation of employers of this city we have been able to keep nearly all the continuation group employed, thereby cutting down the so-called twenty hour group (those unemployed who are required to attend school every school day until re-em- ployed), thus reducing the hours of service.
When the Continuation School was first started, many girls between the ages of 14 and 16 were employed in stores and offices, but this practice has practically disappeared in Quincy. At the present time only twenty-six girls between 14 and 16 years are employed in Quincy, distributed as follows:
Home Permits 16
Domestic Service 4
Other Service 4
Temporarily unemployed 2
423
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Because of this change in employment, commercial training for girls was eliminated two years ago. During the past year the course in Millinery was discontinued and in its place a course in Home Nursing and Child Care introduced. Besides the Home Nurs . ing the girls receive training in Sewing and Cooking with related work in Arithmetic and English, and informal work in Civics and Hygiene. The Continuation School work is thus closely related to the form of employment in which the girls find themselves.
It is impossible to so closely relate the work of the boys as they are engaged in almost as many different forms of employment as there are boys. Their shop work, therefore, still consists of Home Mechanics, covering many things that any person would find help- ful in doing odd jobs about the house.
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