USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1883 > Part 8
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We would advise that in cold or stormy weather, pupils be re- tained at their homes until they will be sure of gaining admission to their school-rooms.
Great caution should be exercised to avoid injury to the eyes of pupils. The morning hour should be used for exercises which severely tax the sight. Such exercises should not be protracted, especially when the light is faint. Never allow the sun to shine upon pupils' books or desks. A few plants well cared for, are usually interesting to children, and add to the attractiveness of a school-room ; but when they are so situated as to prevent the free opening and closing of the blinds, and are the means of causing the sun's rays to fall upon the books and desks of the pupils, they should be removed.
156
ANNUAL REPORTS.
We invite special attention to the following excellent rules for the care of the eyes, prepared by Dr. D. F. Lincoln, of Boston :
When writing, reading, drawing, sewing, etc., always take care that
(a) The room is comfortably cool and the feet warm;
(b) There is nothing tight about the neck;
(c) There is plenty of light, without dazzling the eyes;
(d) The sun does not shine directly on the object you are at work upon, or upon objects in front of you; .
(e) The light does not come from in front; it is best when it comes over the left shoulder;
(f) The head is not very much bent over the work;
( g) The page is nearly perpendicular to the line of sight; that is, that the eye is nearly opposite the middle of the page, for an object held slanting is not seen so clearly ;
(h) That the page or other object is not less than fifteen inches from the eye.
In any case, when the eyes have any defect, avoid fine needlework, draw- ing of fine maps, and all such work, except for very short tasks, not exceed- ing half an hour each, and in the morning.
Never study or write before breakfast by candle-light.
Do not lie down when reading.
Avoid reading or sewing by twilight, or when debilitated by recent illness, especially fever.
UNDUE ANXIETY .- In the management of the schools, we should endeavor to guard against all disturbing influences and whatever tends to undue excitement or nervous irritability and depression ; for these are not only detrimental to health, but positive hinder- ances to intellectual advancement. Method and simplicity of ar- rangement conduce to quiet and to effective work. The more complicated the machinery the greater the liability to derange- ment and friction. In the assignment of lessons, we should aim 'to keep within the limit of our pupils' capabilities. We should give them the stimulus and pleasure of success, and save them, when possible, from the discouragement of failure. In all test exercises, we should avoid the parade of percentages, and the comparison of results, as incitements to effort. The pleasure of acquiring is the true incentive to acquisition. No home study should be required of pupils under twelve years of age.
PHYSICAL EXERCISES .- We would earnestly recommend the reg- ular and systematic practice of physical exercises in all the schools. The many advantages which accrue, more than compensate any apparent loss of time required. By our Regulations fifty minutes
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
a week are assigned for these exercises in the primary schools, and thirty minutes in the grammar schools. The specific re- quirement of the primary schools, is from three to five minutes twice cach session. The exercises should be short, brisk, and fre- quent, never sufficiently prolonged to induce weariness.
The following are some of the beneficial results of calisthenic exercises : " The weariness of long-continued sitting is dispelled ; the nervous restlessness, which so often disturbs the order of the school, is allayed ; headaclies and other forms of nervous ail- ments, are diminished ; the tendency to distortion, incident to sitting in one position, is overcome ; a greater amount of intel- lectual work is secured, and grace of attitude and gesture is developed."
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. - The liability to the propagation of contagious diseases, occasioned by the massing in the schools of large numbers of persons from all localities, requires the adoption and enforcement of stringent precautionary regulations. Public safety demands of all persons having in charge the interests of the schools, extreme vigilance in regard to health, and constant fidelity in the observance of such precautionary regulations.
The following provisions of Chap. 26, of the General Statutes, are enforced in our city : -
" SECT. 47. When a householder knows that a person within his family is taken sick of any disease dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health in the town in which he dwells. If he refuses or neglects to give such notice, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars."
"SECT. 48. When a physician knows that any person whom he is called to visit is infected with any disease dangerous to the public health, he shall immediately give notice thereof to the Board of Health of the town ; and if he refuses or neglects to give such notice, he shall forfeit for each offence a sum not less than fifty nor more than one hundred dollars."
The diseases specified by our Board of Health as dangerous to public health, and of which they require a report, are small-pox, scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever.
158
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The following is the order of the Board of Health which applies to the schools : -
It is hereby ordered :-
"That no child from any family in which a case of scarlet fever has oc- curred, or shall hereafter occur, shall, without a written permit from this Board, attend any school in this city until the expiration of four weeks from the commencement of the last case in such family. Such length of time shall be certified in writing by a physician or some responsible member of the family ; the certificate to be presented to the teacher of the school be- fore the child is admitted."
By the Rules of the School Board, no child can be admitted to our public schools without satisfactory evidence that he has been secured against small-pox ; and no pupil affected with any contagious or infectious disease or directly exposed to the same, shall be allowed to attend the public schools.
CONCLUSION.
Ever since the great educational awakening inaugurated and fostered by the indomitable energy and unquenchable enthusi- asm of Horace Mann, the public schools of our Commonwealth have been gradually and constantly improving. From their va- rious complications their improvement has been, of necessity, slow, but permanent and substantial. The celebrated Dr. Arnold said : "I came to Rugby full of plans for school reform ; but I soon found that the reform of a public school was a much more difficult thing than I had imagined."
Spasmodic reforms in every department, are like meteors that rush across the sky and dazzle by their brilliancy for a brief period only, and suddenly disappear. But the advance of all great movements, by which the moral and intellectual uplifting of the race is effected, like the incoming tide of the ocean or the sun in his course, is apparently slow, but steady, constant, and sure. In matters of minor moment, causes and their effects frequently follow each other in quick succession ; but in great and far- reaching reforms, they are often separated by long intervals of time.
The progress of the schools, and the rapid increase of facilities for their improvement, furnish an interesting chapter in the history of the last fifty years. Previous to the organization of the State
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Board of Education, in 1837, there was only one institution in the State designed especially for the preparation of teachers for their work, and only one publication, of any note, for the dissemina- tion of information relating to educational subjects. There were no systematic courses of study, no conventions or associations for the interchange of opinions or comparison of practice, and com- paratively few books from which teachers could gain information of practical value. In most towns, and in many cities, school architecture was of a rude type, and great apathy pervaded com- munities in regard to the interests of education.
Horace Mann, the first Secretary of the Board of Education, made the following statement concerning the condition of the pub- lic schools at the time he entered upon the duties of his office :- "In this Commonwealth there are about three thousand public schools, in all of which the rudiments of knowledge are taught. These schools, at the present time, are so many distinct, indepen- dent communities ; each being governed by its own habits, tra- ditions and local customs. There is no common, superintending power over them: there is no bond of brotherhood or family between them. They are strangers and aliens to each other. The teachers are imbedded, as it were, each in his own district, and are to be excavated, brought together, and established as pol- ished pillars of a holy temple. As the system is now administered, if any improvement in principles or modes of teaching, is dis- covered by talent, or accident, in one school, instead of being published to the world, it dies with the discoverer. No means exists for multiplying new truths, or even for preserving old ones."
Great changes have been effected, in these respects, during the last forty years. At the present time, there are six State Normal Schools, and various other institutions of learning with courses of study having special reference to the preparation of teachers. From these preparatory schools, hundreds of persons are annually graduated with qualifications of high order. ] By means of teachers' institutes and conventions, numerous educational pub- lications, lectures, essays, discussions, and works upon the science of education and the art of teaching, teachers become familiar with the theory and practice of the most eminent and successful educators in all leading nations. Many men of the highest order of ability in our own country, and in other lands, are devoted to the consideration of the great problems of education, and are
160
ANNUAL REPORTS.
laboring earnestly for the improvement of methods of instruction, and for the general diffusion of knowledge.
Our own schools have kept pace with the onward march of improvement. They have always maintained an honorable posi- tion in the front ranks of the best schools in the Commonwealth. It is our pleasure to report that, with scarcely an exception, the schools of the present year have sustained the reputation of those of former years, and have made important advances. Probably at no previous period have all the conditions of successful school work been more fully realized than during the present year. No prevailing diseases have seriously affected the attendance of pupils or materially interfered with regular school duties. With the exceptions already specified, the school buildings and their various appurtenances are in good condition. Pupils have been well accommodated, kindly cared for, and skilfully instructed. They have reciprocated by regular and punctual attendance, commenda- ble application, cheerful submission to authority, and respectful and courteous demeanor. The order of the schools has been un- exceptionable and secured mainly by mild measures. The in- struction imparted has been thorough, and in accordance with the most highly approved methods. With rare exceptions, cordiality, mutual forbearance and cooperation have marked the relations of parents and teachers.
Our best schools closely approximate the following : -
The buildings have a healthy and quiet situation and pleasant surroundings. The school-rooms are spacious, light, and attrac- tive, and are furnished with every appliance needful for health, convenience, and successful school work. Pupils are punctual, regular in attendance, studious in their habits, orderly in conduct, and courteous in demeanor. Teachers possess all the endowments and attainments, all the qualities of mind and heart, which are essential to eminent success in their important and noble avoca- tion. Programmes of exercises are arranged with a view to the strictest economy of time and the relative importance of each particular branch of instruction. The work of the entire term, and of each individual day, is anticipated and provided for. No loss of time is incurred through negligence or delay. All lessons are carefully considered before they are assigned ; all difficult and important principles are elucidated ; and correct habits of study are inculcated. School records and all work to be copied, exhibit
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
the care which an accomplished accountant bestows upon his ledger. In discipline, firmness and decision are accompanied by justice and kindness. Mutual confidence and respect mark the relations of teachers and pupils. With constant fidelity, all known and available means are employed to promote physical health, intellectual invigoration, and moral culture.
Such schools are blessings to communities in which they exist, beyond comparison, and the value of their influence exceeds com- putation ; but the labor, of which they are the outcome, none can fully estimate except those by whom it was performed. Carlyle says : "The built house seems all so fit, we forget the rude, disorderly quarry it was shaped from. The very perfection of the house, as if Nature herself had made it, hides the builder's merit."
The deliberations of the School Board have exhibited deep interest in the welfare of the schools, and have been characterized, at all times, by the courtesy and harmony which have ever been eminently exemplified by successive committees during our entire history. We have been stimulated in our work by the cooperation and encouragement of an intelligent and appreciative community, whose interest and solicitude for the promotion of general intelli- gence and the prosperity of the schools, are deep and abiding.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. DAVIS, Superintendent of Public Schools.
SOMERVILLE, Dec. 21, 1883.
11
REPORT
OF THE
SOMERVILLE MYSTIC WATER BOARD.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, Feb. 13, 1884.
Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed with the Annual Reports for 1SS3. Sent down for concurrence.
CHARLES E. GILMAN, Clerk.
Concurred in. IN COMMON COUNCIL, Feb. 14, 1S84.
DOUGLAS FRAZAR, Clerk.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE. ยท
OFFICE OF WATER BOARD, Dec. 31, 1883. To His Honor the Mayor and the City Council :-
GENTLEMEN :- The Somerville Mystic Water Board present their report for the year ending December 31, 1883. A de- tailed and comprehensive statement of what the department has done during the year, and of the present condition of its prop- erty, will be found in the report of the Superintendent, herewith transmitted.
A large amount of pipe has been laid during the year, a great portion of it in Somerville avenue, where an eight-inch main was laid to take the place of the old six-inch main, which had become worn out, and the cause of great expense for repairs. The new line was laid about ten feet from, and parallel with, the old one, and upon a carefully prepared foundation. Under the Fitchburg Railroad crossing two hundred and sixty-four feet of extra heavy cast-iron pipe was used, as better adapted than the cement-lined pipe to withstand the jar of passing trains. The change of grade of Austin and Jaques streets rendered the lowering of the mains necessary, and new pipe was substituted where the old was found unserviceable.
Petitions are now before us for laying about twenty-five hun- dred feet of main pipe in different sections of the city.
The large number of services laid affords gratifying evidence of the city's rapid growth, as most of them were for the accommoda- tion of new buildings.
Water is now supplied as follows :-
Dwelling-houses
3,836
Families in same
5,266
Model houses
143
Tenants in same
493
Stores and shops .
110
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Saloons
6.
Offices
4
Manufactories.
6
Churches
12
For hand hose
593
Miscellaneous
54
The large number of breaks that have occurred during the year show conclusively the absolute necessity of substituting as soon as possible new pipe for the old in the street mains. This pipe, laid from fifteen to twenty years ago, was warranted for only five years, and its weakness, as shown by the frequent breaks, is increasing in an alarming ratio. Two breaks in a day have been nothing unusual during the year, and on one day five were reported, and received the attention of the department. It is easy to see that as the weakness of this old pipe is constantly increasing, so large a number of breaks may, and, judging from the past, proba- bly will, occur at one time as to be beyond the control of the department, and subject the city to great inconvenience and damage. What would happen if a fire should break out in a closely built section of the city, while the water had been shut off by reason of one of these frequent breaks, is a question which none of our citizens would like to see answered by actual trial.
This old pipe must all be taken up very soon, and replacing it piecemeal is the most costly system the city can pursue. The repairs on the old pipe in Somerville avenue, while the new pipe was being laid parallel to it, cost the city more than three hundred dollars, an expense that would have been saved if the new pipe had been laid a year earlier.
We recommend an increase in the appropriations, that the Board may be able to begin a systematic relaying of pipe on a larger scale in those sections where the old pipe remains, begin- ning with the lower portions of the city, where the pressure is greatest, and the danger of breakage most imminent. The appro- priation should be large enough so that this work may be done without crippling the department in its ordinary and necessary course of business. This work will have to be done, and economy demands that it be done as soon as possible.
An examination of the present condition of the works, and the record of what has been accomplished during the year, will bear
167
REPORT OF THE WATER BOARD).
testimony to the ability and faithfulness of the Superintendent, Mr. Dennett ; and we believe it will also show that a vigilant and judicious economy has been exercised in all expenditures.
To the Somerville police, through whose watchfulness thirty- nine leaks were discovered and reported, and other information given, thereby, doubtless, saving the city damages, the thanks of the Board are tendered.
Respectfully submitted,
J. O. HAYDEN. JOHN F. NICKERSON. A. R. COOLIDGE. WALTER S. BARNES. JAMES E. WHITAKER.
-
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Somerville Mystic Water Board :-
GENTLEMEN :- In compliance with a rule of the Board, I pre- sent a report of the work done under my direction during the year ending Dec. 31, 1883 :
DISTRIBUTION MAINS.
The distribution mains were extended 6,411 feet (including 26 feet of hydrant pipe), which amount, added to that already laid, gives a total in the entire city of 248,640 feet or 47 miles, 480 feet.
On Somerville Avenue, 2,079 feet of eight-inch pipe were relaid in continuity (in place of the old six-inch main) ; and on Austin and Jaques Streets, 533 feet 6 inches of pipe were lowered, 380 feet of which were relaid to replace that found unserviceable. There were 64 bursts on mains, for repairing which 386 feet 6 inches of pipe were required : thus making the total of relaid pipe 2,845 feet 6 inches.
There were 28 leaks on mains from the following-named causes : rust holes, 10 ; pick holes, 9; joint leaks, 9. Total number of leaks and bursts, 92; an increase of 43 over those of 1882.
It will be noticed that the number of bursts and leaks is largely in excess of those of any previous year, a fact which is attribu- table chiefly to the bad condition of the mains in the lower part of Somerville Avenue (now relaid), and the streets of the immediate vicinity, 21 having occurred in that neighborhood alone.
SERVICE PIPES.
The whole number of services laid was 233, an increase of 72 over those of the previous year, giving an increase of 8,140 feet 4 inches. There are now in the city 3,838 services, aggregat- ing 125,206 feet, or 23 miles 3,766 feet.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Twenty-six services were extended, and 17 were lowered on ac- count of frost, and of changes in street grades. Two hundred and twenty-five feet of service pipe were used on old services.
Services were cleared, as follows :-
Pumped, 42
Thawed,
18
Tapped at corporation, 24
--
Of eels, 8
-
Total,
92
Twenty-four services were repaired on account of leaks caused by broken leads, clamps, etc .; eighty-three iron service boxes were substituted for old wooden ones ; and nineteen service gates were set on old services.
Water was shut off from 111 dwellings, stables, etc., for repairs, and by order of the Water Registrar for non-payment of rates.
STAND PIPES.
Nineteen stand-pipes were repaired by having new gates, boxes, pipe, valves, nipples, etc., and many were furnished with new hose.
DRINKING FOUNTAINS.
These had the usual attention, and very slight repairs were found necessary. The watering trough on Broadway, opposite the Park, and that on Medford street, corner of School street, are sources of great annoyance, as the waste pipes are frequently filled with stones, by boys, thereby causing overflows. I shall endeavor to devise some means for remedying the difficulty.
STOP-GATES.
Stop-gates were located on old mains as follows : -
Four-inch gate on Benedict Street.
Six-inch gate on Tufts Street, corner of Cross Street. Eight-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, near Linwood Street.
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
Eight-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, between above-named gate and Poplar Street.
Eight-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, below Medford Street, line of pipe.
Eight-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, above Medford Street, line of pipe.
The four eight-inch gates on Somerville Avenue were all set upon the relaid line of eight-inch pipe, and of these the two latter were in place of a six-inch gate and four-inch blow-off, removed from near the corner of Medford Street.
The gate on Benedict Street was set in consequence of a change of street grade ; but it has not yet been connected with the main on Austin Street, as some change is to be made in line of street.
The gates set on extension were located as follows :-
Six-inch gate on High Street, corner Prospect-hill Street.
Four-inch gate on Melvin Street, corner Bonair Street.
Six-inch gate on Madison Street, corner School Street. Two-inch gate on Joy Street Place, corner Joy Street.
Six-inch gate on New Church Street, corner Somerville Avenue.
Six-inch gate on Boston Street, corner Prospect-hill Street.
Four-inch gate on Dover Street and Davis Square.
Four-inch gate on Leon Street.
Six-inch gate on Chauncey Avenue, corner Jaques Street. One-inch gate on Olive Square.
Four-inch gate on Oxford Street, corner Central Street.
Four-inch gate on Hudson Street, corner Cedar Street.
Four-inch gate on Tennyson Street, corner Medford Street.
Six-inch gate on Lowell Street, corner Medford Street.
Three gates were reset, viz. : -
Six-inch gate (blow-off) on Somerville Avenue, opposite Squire's factory.
Six-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, near barrel factory.
Six-inch gate on Linwood Street, near F. R.R. Crossing.
Two gates were removed, the setting of others having rendered them unnecessary, viz. : -
Four-inch gate (blow-off) Somerville Avenue, near corner Med- ford Street.
Six-inch gate on Somerville Avenue, corner Medford Street.
On Fountain Avenue a three-inch gate (blow-off) was replaced by one of four inches.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Fifteen new gate boxes were set, and the customary repairs made on, and attention given to, all gates and gate boxes.
The whole number of gates in the city is 422, of which 24 are for blow-offs.
HYDRANTS.
Four new hydrants were set, two on the extension and two on old main, viz. : -
Boston machine hydrant, on Chauncey Avenue, corner of Jaques street.
Holyoke hydrant, on Lowell Street, opposite Vernon Street.
Bigelow hydrant, at end of Fremont Street.
Boston machine, Somerville Avenue, below railroad crossing.
Eight hydrants needing repairs were removed and a like number substituted, as follows : -
Adams Street, Boston machine in place of Bigelow.
Union Square, Holyoke in place of Holyoke.
Medford Street, near North's, Holyoke in place of Holyoke.
Somerville Avenue, below railroad crossing, two Boston ma- chines (new), in place of two old Boston machines.
Mystic Avenue and Union Street, Holyoke in place of Boston machine.
Mystic Avenue and Union Street, Holyoke in place of Holyoke.
Tenney Court, Boston machine in place of Boston machine.
Sixteen hydrants were repaired, and one, found frozen, was thawed.
The whole number of hydrants now in the city is 297. All the hydrants received great care, and no complaint of their working reached me from any source.
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