USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1890 > Part 9
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The recollection of his genial nature, his generous consideration for the opinions of others, and all those qualities which go to make up the Christian gentleman will be long cherished by us all, and his example will be an incentive to faithful service.
In his death our city has lost an honored citizen, our schools a faithful servant, and we an honorable associate, a wise counsellor, and a true friend.
To his bereaved family we extend our heartfelt sympathy in this hour of their great sorrow, yet realizing that only a consciousness of Divine sympathy can help them to bear this burden.
At a joint meeting of the City Council and the School Board, April 23, Dr. Sanford Hanscom was unanimously elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. Hemenway.
The following important subjects have been considered and acted upon by the School Board, further treatment of which may be found in the body of the report or reports of committees, viz .: Addi- tional School Accommodations ; Heating, Repairs, and Ventilation ; Training of Teachers; Course of Study ; Physical Culture ; Military Drill; Text-books; Industrial Education ; Resignations and Ap- pointments.
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
January 11. The Board instructed the committee on this subject to consider the needs of the whole city and report a plan for reliev-
178
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ing the crowded condition of the schools. At a subsequent meeting the committee on additional school accommodations presented a. report which set forth the increasing demands for additional room for the High School, the Highland School, the growth of population in the East Somerville District in the neighborhood of the Edgerly School, the unsatisfactory condition of the Prospect Hill District, the rapid growth of Ward Three, and the improved conditions in the Spring Hill District. The following recommendation was adopted :-
That the School Board request the City Government to provide this year as follows : -
1st. An addition of four rooms to the Highland building, if practi- cable ; if not, a four-room building on the city's lot on Elm street.
2d. That the lot at the head of Columbus avenue, known as the Clark lot, be purchased, and a twelve-room building be erected thereon as soon as possible.
3d. That a site be selected for an English High School and plans be procured this year, that its construction may be commenced early in 1891, with a view to its completion during that year.
At the same meeting a proposition to add four rooms to the Bingham School and purchase a site for a new school on Winter Hill was referred to this committee. At the next meeting the Board voted to request the City Government to procure additional school accom- modations for the Winter Hill District.
At the April meeting, the Board voted to request the City Gov- ernment to procure two extra rooms for the Prospect Hill District.
At the June meeting, the committee on High School was in- structed to find suitable rooms for the increase of students, as indi- cated by the numbers graduating from the grammar schools, and in September the committee voted to request the City Council to fit up, the basement for class work.
HEATING, REPAIRS, AND VENTILATION.
February 24. It was voted to send a communication to the City Council requesting the committee on public property to investigate the heating apparatus of the Lincoln School. It was also voted that
179
RERORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
if the Highland School be altered, it be provided at the same time with the best modern system of heating and ventilating, and that the contractors be bound to have these additions and alterations com- pleted and the building ready for use at the beginning of the next school year.
June 30. The committee reported upon the necessary repairs for all the schools, and the City Council was requested to investigate the heating and ventilating of the L. V. Bell School, and fit up the janitor's apartment in the Edgerly building for school purposes.
TRAINING OF TEACHERS.
January 11. The superintendent reported a plan for training young teachers now employed as substitutes, which was referred to the committee on High School with power.
June 30. Voted to grant the use of the High School building to the secretary of the State Board of Education for the purpose of holding a Teachers' Institute, October 8.
COURSE OF STUDY.
April 28. A committee consisting of one member from each ward was appointed to report such changes as need to be made in the course of study, and to consider the petition of the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union.
August 25. The following report of the special committee was adopted : First, that a new time schedule, as appended, be adopted ; second, that physiology and hygiene be taught according to a system herewith submitted ; third, that language and grammar be taught from outlines to be furnished by the superintendent, based upon the text-books authorized by the Board ; fourth, that the superintendent prepare outlines for the study of elementary science for all grades.
I desire to have these courses of study and outlines printed in the appendix of this year's report, or in a separate pamphlet.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
February 24. The special committee on this subject reported that it would cost at least $500 per annum for a director who should
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ANNUAL REPORTS.
train the teachers and supervise the work in the schools five half days each week. The committee was empowered to recommend a teacher for this department.
March 31. The Board authorized the superintendent to engage Miss C. I. Livingstone as director, at a salary of $500, as specified.
The Board was invited to attend the sessions of the Association for the Advancement of Physical Education in Huntington Hall, and the exhibition of physical exercises to be held in the Mechanics' Building.
MILITARY DRILL.
June 30. The committee on High School reported in favor of introducing military drill as a part of the course of instruction in the High School, and was authorized to look up all the facts in the matter and report plans.
August 25. The Board voted to adopt military drill, and em- powered the committee on High School to make all the necessary arrangements.
September 29. Captain S. Thomas Kirk, of the Somerville Light Infantry, was elected instructor of the military department.
TEXT-BOOKS.
April 28. King's Picturesque Geographical Reader was adopted for supplementary reading.
June 30. Southworth and Goddard's Elements of Composition and Grammar was adopted for use in the eighth and ninth grades.
August 25. The following list of readers was adopted as stand- ard reading books for the several grades. It was specified that the books now in use should be used until worn out, and that the new series be purchased only when no other books are available, and at the exchange rates. The supplementary readers were all retained :-
READERS AUTHORIZED FOR THE SCHOOLS OF SOMERVILLE.
MONROE'S.
FRANKLIN.
SWINTON.
NORMAL.
HOLMES.
DAVIS.
INTERSTATE.
First grade .
New First.
1
Second.
First. Second.
1
-
-
Fourth grade .
Third.
-
Third.
1
I
-
-
Fifth grade
New Third.
-
Third.
-
-
Sixth grade
New Fourth.
Fourth.
-
-
-
Seventh grade
New Fourth.
-
Fourth.
-
I
1
Eighth grade
New Fifth.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Ninth grade
1
-
Fifth.
-
-
-
-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The above is a complete list of the regular readers authorized for the several grades by the School Committee. Books now in use, but not on the list, will not be replaced immediately, but are to be used till worn out. No more new copies of readers not on the list will be ordered, but in cases where a class needs a few books to complete a set we will supply them from the depository, if possible, or from some other school. In addition to these books, there will be the list of supplementary reading on Geography, Science, etc., which remains unchanged,
181
-
First.
Second grade
First. New First. New Second.
New Second.
I
1
Second.
Second.
Third grade
-
182
ANNUAL REPORTS
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
The committee on this subject have presented a report covering the various proceedings of the Board.
RESIGNATIONS OF TEACHERS DURING 1890.
Forster School, Lizzie G. Perry, Jan. 11. Annie L. Bennett, Sept. 29. Marietta S. Murch, Oct. 27. Edgerly School, Mary B. Currier, Sept. 29. L. V. Bell School, Joanna A. Barry, Aug. 25. Herbert L. Morse, Oct. 27. Abby A. Hayward, Nov. 24. Prospect Hill School, Clara M. Smith, June 30. Sarah A. Tuttle, Dec. 29.
Bow-street, Mrs. J. S. Soper, Dec. 29. Morse School, Horatio D. Newton, Feb. 24. Charlotte I. Houghton, May 26.
GRANTED LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1890-91.
Forster School, Alice A. Batchelor, Aug. 25. Bingham School, Mary A. Osborne, Aug. 25. Morse School, Anna E. Sawyer, June 30. Lincoln School, Annie C. Thayer, June 30.
TEACHERS APPOINTED DURING YEAR 1890.
High School, Mabell S. Clarke, June 30.
East Somerville District.
Prescott School, Emma F. Porter, June 23. Edgerly School, Mrs. Addie L. Smith, Sept. 29. Alice M. Dearing, Oct. 27. Anne A. Lathrop, Aug. 25.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Winter Hill District.
Forster School, Harriet A. Brown, Jan. 27. Lizzie A. Page, June 23. Clara B. Cutler, Sept. 29. Helen P. Bennett, Sept. 29. Emma Burckes, Sept. 29. Blanche E. Heard, Dec. 29. Bingham School, Mrs. Cora H. Dimpsey, Sept. 29.
Prospect Hill District.
L. V. Bell School, Fred W. Shattuck, Principal, Dec. 29. Anna L. Dickerman, Dec. 29. O. S. Knapp School, Harry N. Andrews, Principal, April 28. Prospect Hill School, Emily G. Arnold, Aug. 25. Mary C. Jones, Dec. 29.
Spring Hill District.
Morse School, Mina J. Wendell, Principal, June 23. Ella G. Worden, June 23. Lizzie E. Hill, June 23. Hallie M. Hood, Sept.
West Somerville District.
Lincoln School, Harry F. Hathaway, Principal, June 23.
SPECIAL TEACHERS.
Physical Training, C. Isabelle Livingstone, March 31. Military Drill, Capt. S. T. Kirk, Sept. 29.
SALARIES.
The salaries of all principals of small schools now receiving $650 were raised to $675. This included the principals of the Davis, Ben-
184
ANNUAL REPORTS.
nett, Jackson, Webster, Cummings, Franklin, Burns, and Bingham Schools.
SECTION II.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
In accordance with the general scheme laid out in the last annual report, a comprehensive plan was voted and sent to the City Govern- ment, setting forth the importance of establishing a new grammar school in Ward Two, the advisability of enlarging the Highland School building or erecting a new one to relieve the crowded schools of West Somerville, and the necessity for a new building in Ward Three. Plans were soon adopted for a new twelve-room building on the corner of Washington and Boston streets in Ward Two, a new eight- room building on Jaques street in Ward Three, and for the enlarge- ment of the Highland building to twelve rooms.
To enable the contractor to complete the Highland building by September 1, the school was closed on June 13, but by unaccountable delays the return of the school to the building did not take place till December 15.
The foundations of the other buildings have already been laid, and the School Board is to be congratulated upon the good beginning thus made.
CHARLES G. POPE SCHOOL.
A sketch of the exterior, also a floor plan, of the new schoolhouse to be erected in Ward Two, at the corner of Washington and Boston streets, is here described. The design for this schoolhouse was pre- pared by Messrs. Loring & Phipps, architects, 10 Tremont street, Boston. The new schoolhouse will be without question the best arranged and finest school building in this city. The exterior pre- sents a very substantial as well as pleasing appearance, the design being unlike any of the other school buildings in the city. It is an adaptation of the Romanesque style of architecture. The building will be constructed of water-struck brick, laid in red mortar, with Nova Scotia freestone trimmings. The underpinning will be of Somerville ledge stone, laid up with white leaded joints. The basement will contain large play-rooms, which are very light and pleasant, with the windows facing the south, with entrances also from the Washington-
e
CHAS & POPE
SCHOOL
411
F
-
LORING AND PHIRUS - ARCHITECTS.
IV) TREMONT ST . BOSTON .
CHARLES G. POPE SCHOOL, WARD TWO, CORNER WASHINGTON AND BOSTON STREETS,
185
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
186
Boy's Enfrance.
Girls'Entrance
DRIVEWAY
Coal. (
Porch
Porch
Vestibule .
Coal
Class Room. 28 × 56°
Girls Wardrobe Boys Wardrobe
Recitation Room 16 x 21
Boys Wardrabs
Girls Wardrobe
Class Room 28 × 36°
11 4 Wide.
11-4 Wicle
Waler
Books Books Fort
Air
Air Teachers
Boys' Wardrobe
Boys' Wardrobe
Girls' Wardrobe
Girls' Wardrobe
Books
FOUL
Aır
Corridor
Boys Wardrobe
Girls Wardrobe
Class
Roon2 28 × 32
Class Room 28×35
Class Room 28 × 35
Foul
Flue
leache
leather
Infrance
FIRST FLOOR PLAN FOR SCHOOLHOUSE.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Fout
Foul Teac Air
Watel
Corridor 12ft
Foul
Teachri-
Books Books
Teachers
Teachers
0
Girls Wardrobe
Boys Wardrobe
Corridor
Class Room 28×32
Entrarde
Coal
Vestibule
187
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
street side. The balance of the basement will be devoted to sanitary arrangements, and for heating apparatus and fuel.
The first floor has two main entrances from Washington street, one for boys, the other for girls, also two corresponding entrances on the opposite side, thus giving four means of exit. There are six school-rooms on the first floor, which are somewhat larger than the average school-rooms, and will seat fifty-four pupils. There is also on the first floor a room which can be used for the kindergarten, or for an overflow from other rooms. The corridor extends across the building shaped like the letter I. It contains the wardrobes for each room, which, instead of being like the clothes closets in most of the schoolhouses, are simply a partition of sheathing five feet high, with an opening at the bottom to admit a current of fresh air. The arrangement of rooms so that each will receive an abundant supply of sunlight is excellent, and none will be without it. Leading from the first floor to the second will be a double set of staircases, very wide, on either side next to the entrance. The well hole, which is. usually left open, will be taken up by the two ventilating stacks.
On the second floor the arrangement of the rooms is the same as on the first floor, except the room corresponding to the kinder- garten, which will be the principal's office. Each school-room will contain book closets and a teacher's closet.
The interior finish throughout the building will be of ash, with cypress doors. The floors will be of maple or birch, and the stairs. of hard pine. The plastering will be done with a skim coat of Francestown soapstone finish in French gray, which will give a soft, pleasant finish, and be agreeable to the eye. All the corridors will be wainscotted. The building will be supplied with electric bells and speaking-tubes. The heating and ventilating is by the Smead system.
JACOB T. GLINES SCHOOL.
The new schoolhouse in Ward Three is to stand on the southerly side of Jaques street, near the junction of Temple street, and was planned to fit the lot, being long and narrow, and so as to be equi-distant from surrounding property. Brick, with stone trimmings, is to be used, the front to have two entrances, one for each sex, with a bow front midway. The accompanying cuts give a fair idea of the perspective as well as the floor plan. In the main part of the building, extending its entire length, is a hall ten and a half feet wide, and back of this hall are four school-rooms, arranged
JACOB T. GLINES SCHOOL, JAQUES STREET.
-
w.ŚW
.
ANNUAL REPORTS.
188
189
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
V
E
54 ^
c)
FA
FAS
Class Room 2.8.32
Class Room 28, 356
Class Room 28.356
Class Room 28 - 32
FA
2
Rops and Girly Wardrobe
Boy And Girly W
Boys and Girls
Boy And Girly w
Tencho.
Teacher
11
FouJAIT
Clos
Clos
Retainer Krall
Boy Entrance
Recitation Room
16 . 20
25%
Girly
+
190
ANNUAL REPORTS.
continuously. The side ones are each twenty-eight by thirty-two feet, and windows on two sides furnish the light. The two middle rooms are twenty-eight by thirty-five and a-half feet, large bay win- dows having a south view supplying light. Each room has two doors opening into the hall. There are no internal dark corridors, the light and air being ample and generous. The wardrobes are specially designed for this building, entirely different from any now in use. The stairs are arranged so as to give two landings. The second floor is like the first, so that further description is unnecessary. There are two play-rooms in the basement. There is to be a ward room in one end of the basement, disconnected from the school proper. The inside finish is to be ash. As to the manner of heating and ventilating the building, the committee on public prop- erty has spent a vast amount of time examining into the relative merits of the many good systems which may now be had, and have decided to use the Smith system, O. S. Kendall & Co., of Worces- ter, contractors.
HEATING AND VENTILATING.
It is also a cause for gratification that heed has been taken to the need of improved systems of heating and ventilation in old as well as new buildings. The committee on public property should be highly commended by all our citizens, and especially those having children in the schools, for the study and attention they have given to this subject, and the untiring energy and determination they have maintained to provide the very best and most perfect school accommo- dations. Much is also due to the interest and cooperation of the state inspector of buildings, who has spent much time in ascertaining the actual condition of our buildings, and testing the various systems under consideration.
Since the last report, the new O. S. Knapp School has been established in a building heated and ventilated by the Fuller & Warren system, and the Morse School has returned to its new and enlarged building, where the same system has been incorporated.
The Forster building, which was condemned by the state in- spector for its total lack of ventilation, has, during the summer, been improved by the introduction of a system designed by A. A. Sanborn.
The Highland School, which has been enlarged by the addition of four rooms, has been rearranged for the Smead system, and of the
191
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
new buildings already contracted for, one is to have the Smead and the other the Smith system, O. S. Kendall & Co., contractors.
Frequent tests have been made by the inspectors in the presence of the committee on public property, with gratifying results, and when another report is due very careful data may be furnished, show- ing results in the several buildings.
The High, the L. V. Bell, and the Edgerly buildings are in equal need of renovation, and will undoubtedly receive attention as early as possible. While the condition of other buildings should also be improved, we are aware that everything is being done that can be done, and we believe the City Government is alive to these necessities.
A NEW HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING.
The general plan by which it was proposed in the last report to provide for the growing needs of our city included better accommoda- tions for the High School.
For many years this question has occupied the serious consider- ation of the committee. Several plans have been proposed. Three years ago it was thought best to add a wing to the north side, but, instead, the hall was divided into class-rooms, following the fate of the halls in the large grammar school buildings. But the growth of the school has already overflowed the building, and the committee has petitioned the City Government to fit up the room in the basement.
In the mean time, the High School committee has had several meetings, and has held conferences with the Memorial Hall com- mittee. At a meeting in October, 1889, the High School committee reported in favor of establishing an English High School, and was instructed to report the details of a course and plans. Accordingly, a sub-committee was appointed, and their ideas have been incorpor- ated in plans drawn by one of our city architects, who has spent months on the subject without any compensation save the thanks and appreciation of the committee.
These plans show how a memorial and high school building may be erected as one structure in such proportions and style as shall satisfy the needs and ambition of our people, and furnish the desired accommodations for an English High School, where courses may be pursued to equip young people for the activities of life.
The committee on annual report for 1888 presented the needs
192
ANNUAL REPORTS.
of an English High School in a very clear, concise, and comprehen- sive statement. That report was reinforced last year, and needs no repetition at this time.
In considering the proposed plans, one might ask, "How is such a building to be filled?" It should not be filled at once, else it were still too small. It is expected that the school will grow, and by the time the building is ready a good working school can be established, leaving a classical school of sufficient proportions to fill comfortably the present building, which was designed for between two hundred and three hundred pupils only.
The need of immediate action seems apparent. It is for the Board to decide whether any such plan shall be adopted, and when the city should be asked to execute it.
TEACHERS.
The resignations and appointments of teachers have been re- ported in the first section, under the Review of the Proceedings.
The present year has witnessed more changes in teachers than any previous year, and the vacancies caused by resignations have been very hard to fill. During the four months just passed the time lost in looking up candidates has greatly interfered with my sys- tematic work in the schools. In fact, it has been impossible to do any practical, professional supervision.
In February Mr. Horatio D. Newton resigned the principalship of the Morse School, and after serving as acting principal during the remainder of the school year, Miss Mina J. Wendell was promoted from the assistant's position to the head of the school. This appoint- ment was earnestly advocated by the citizens, and was cordially recommended by the local committee in recognition of valuable ser- vices and successful experience. Mr. Newton has taken a position in one of the Boston schools. During his service here he demon- strated his fine abilities as a teacher and manager of a school, and won the confidence and esteem of all interested in the school. By his retirement the city lost a valuable citizen, and the schools an earnest worker.
In October Mr. Herbert L. Morse resigned the principalship of the L. V. Bell School, to accept a position in Boston. By this vacancy we also sustain a great loss, both to the schools and to the
-
193
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
community. Mr. Morse has shown himself a student of education, a progressive, successful organizer and instructor. He administered' the affairs of the school well, had excellent control, gained the love and respect of the pupils and teachers, and comprehended the best methods. The committee have selected as his successor Mr. Fred W. Shattuck, principal of the Winchester Grammar School, a graduate: of Dartmouth College, and a teacher who comes heartily endorsed by those who know him.
Boston has also called from the Bell School Miss Abby A. Hay- ward, and from the Forster School Miss Marietta S. Murch and Miss Annie L. Bennett. These teachers have rendered good service to the city, and we gave them up with much regret. To fill their places, we drew from Waltham, Newton, and Quincy Misses Anna L. Dickerman, Blanche E. Heard, and Helen P. Bennett.
The Edgerly and Prospect Hill Schools have suffered by the resignations of Miss Mary B. Currier and Sarah A. Tuttle, who were counted among our best teachers. Malden and Medford supplied the deficiency in the persons of Miss Alice M. Dearing and Miss Mary C. Jones.
It became necessary this year to raise the Edgerly School to the rank of a full grammar school, which required the appointment of a vice-principal and the fitting up of two class-rooms in the basement for the first grade. After very careful investigation and inquiry, the committee chose Mrs. Addie L. Smith, who was holding a similar position in the Centre Grammar School, Malden, as principal's assistant
In April the O. S. Knapp School was organized with seven grades in eight class-rooms. Mr. Harry N. Andrews, principal of the Grammar School in Hingham, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School, was elected to take charge of the school, and the wisdom of the appointment has been demonstrated by the success of the school under his management.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
The special instruction and drill in physical culture and extra meetings on drawing have occupied all the time that it seemed proper to require of the teachers for after-school meetings.
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