Report of the city of Somerville 1894, Part 11

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 684


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1894 > Part 11


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31.00


Daniel Hoar, care of horse


15.00


Horatio Wellington & Co., fuel


272.14


B. F. Wild & Co., fuel


496.65


Smith & Wiley, fuel


375.00


S. M. Fuller, fuel


15.00


J. A. Porter & Co., fuel


6.25


A. A. Elston, fuel


2.00


Somerville Electric Light Co., lighting . .


69.00


Cambridge Gas Light Co., gas ·


33.47


New England Telephone & Tele- graph Co., rentals and tolls


318.55


H. S. Garcelon, use of telephone


5.65


City of Boston, water .


18.20


Fresh Pond Ice Co., ice


20.77


Charles R. Simpson, veterinary services .


14.50


R. M. Johnson, removing soil


4.00


Amounts carried forward .


$32,154.09


$32,844.58


APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT. 194q


Amounts brought forward . $32,154.09 $32,844.58


Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co., premium of insurance 100.00


William J. Willard, compensation for damages 129.90


Nancy Richardson, compensation for damages . L. Willard, compensation for


25.00


damages 7.50


J. J. Underhill, fuel


1.00


Osgood & Hart, castings


116.08


$32,533.57


Balance to credit in account 1895


311.01


$32,844.58


WATER SERVICES.


CREDIT.


Cash, received of Thomas Cooney, pipe and fittings, etc. $ 9.40


F. E. Whitcomb, pipe and fittings, etc. 10.96


Howe & Flint, pipe and fittings, etc. 1.23


John B. Safford, pipe and fittings, etc. 20.32 · A. L. Proctor, pipe and fittings, etc. 10.00 · Nevermisit Tennis Club, pipe and fittings, etc. 4.20


A. L. Hollander, pipe and fittings, etc. 24.10


W. K. Lewis & Son, pipe and fit- tings, etc. 47.80


L. B. Pillsbury, pipe and fittings, etc.


23.46


Amount carried forward $151.47


194r


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amount brought forward $151.47


Thomas Cotter, pipe and fittings, etc. 12.90


Grace S. Rice, pipe and fittings, etc. 19.75


Wm. Franklin Hall, pipe and fit- tings, etc. 7.78


J. O. Hayden, pipe and fittings, etc. 21.48


Albert Follett, pipe and fittings, etc. 15.75


10.00 J. F. Sanborn, pipe and fittings, etc. Boston & Maine Railroad, pipe and fittings, etc. 20.45 . Highways account, pipe and fit- tings, etc. 34.95


Public Grounds account, pipe and fittings, etc. 71.30


Fire Department, Hook and Lad-


der Station, pipe, fittings, etc. . 26.90 Fire Department, Chemical En- gine and Equipment, pipe, fit- tings, etc. 17.85


Schoolhouse Incidentals account, pipe, fittings, etc. 75.70 .


Schoolhouse, English High, pipe, fittings, etc. 152.70


Fire Department, Central Fire Station, pipe, fittings, etc. 91.00 ·


Thomas R. Roulstone, pipe, fit- tings, etc. · · 5.00


Sundry persons, money not called for .


2.50


$737.48


Water Service Assessments, cost of services laid


5,541.75


Amount carried forward $6,279.23


APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT. 194s


Amount brought forward $6,279.23


DEBIT.


Cash, paid laborers .


$2,688.89


Summer & Goodwin, fittings


1,209.17


Perrin, Seamans & Co., fittings . 354.43


Braman, Dow & Co., pipe and fit-


tings


27.45


A. J. Morse & Son, fittings .


4.00


A. A. Sanborn, fittings


1.42


Smith & Anthony Co., fittings


332.80


Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings


240.83


Osgood & Hart, fittings


122.36


Somerville Iron Foundry, fittings


345.28


Boston Lead Mfg. Co., pipe


225.67


Smith & Winchester Co., pipe


24.86


Waldo Bros., cement .


60.00


Chapman Valve Manufacturing Co., valves


37.66


Peet Valve Company, valves


2.80


G. WV. Barnes, tools


5.25


D'Este & Seeley Co., screws


40.88


Boston Bolt Co., bolts


10.31


A. J. Wilkinson & Co., blower


5.00


Boston Belting Co., washers


3.82


Globe Gas Light Co., globes


1.05


Standard Brass Co., unions


130.75


Miller & Shaw, machine work


70.49


C. G. H. Bennink, castings


10.29


I. B. Walker, repairs of wagon


2.50


Nathan Tufts & Sons, grain


86.49


J. A. Durell, plumbing


3.73


H. W. Covell, plumbing


3.15


Somerville Journal Co., printing and stationery


20.00


Citizen Publishing Co., printing .


21.00


Amounts carried forward .


$6,092.33


$6,279.23


194t


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Amounts brought forward . $6,092.33 $6,279.23


J. O. Hayden, rebate on bill 9.25


Nathan Simonds, rebate on ser- vice assessments 30.00 .


$6,131.58


Water Maintenance, balance trans- ferred


147.65


$6,279.23


WATER SERVICE ASSESSMENTS.


CREDIT.


Cash, received of sundry persons, water services $6,978.25


Balance to debit in account 1895


84.40


$7,062.65


DEBIT.


Balance from 1893 .


$1,520.90


Water Services, pipes laid in 1895 5,541.75


$7,062.65


WATERING STREETS.


CREDIT.


Appropriations, amount assessed


$7,000.00


Cash, received of abutters .


$7,951.02


Edward L. Grant, second-hand carts


75.00


8,026.02


$15,026.02


DEBIT.


Cash, paid N. C. Barker, overseeing


$498.00


Charles Booth, watering


469.77


Christopher Burke, watering


388.17


Richard T. Blackwell, watering


372.43


Amounts carried forward .


$1,728.37


$15,026.02


APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT. 194u


Amounts brought forward . $1,728.37 $15,026.02


Frank Buttimer, watering


388.17


G. W. Cummings, watering


469.77


Owen Cunningham, watering 385.02


John F. Elkins, watering


425.57


Richard Falvey, watering


381.87


Martin Gill, watering .


408.57


Henry Gray, watering


408.57


Henry McAvoy, watering


473.17


Philip McGovern, watering


394.97


George F. McKenna, watering


502.59


A. M. Prescott, watering


502.59


George W. Prichard, watering


502.59


Henry J. Turner, watering .


502.59


Benjamin Thomas, watering


369.28


John Walsh, watering .


315.76


Seward Dodge, repairing carts 112.83


I. B. Walker, repairing carts


22.65


L. A. Wright, repairing carts 27.60


Charles W. Ingalls, repairing carts


4.70


J. Miller, repairing carts


1.75


Birch Brothers, repairing carts


1.00


F. Dooris, repairing carts .


.50


Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Co., hose 7.50


F. C. Ayer, lumber


1.90


W. E. Plummer & Co., lock


.99


Citizen Publishing Co., advertising


11.75


Somerville Journal Co., advertising


7.50


Thomas Groom & Co., book


.50


City of Boston, water .


3,521.20


J. L. & H. K. Potter, watering carts


3,093.75


$14,975.57


Excess and Deficiency, balance to credit of account 50.45


$15,026.02


194v


ANNUAL REPORTS.


WATER WORKS EXTENSION.


CREDIT.


Balance from 1893 .


14.94


City of Boston, Water Rates, amount appropriated .


30,000.00


Cash, received of City of Medford, pipe $ 50.65


Town of Winchester, pipe


47.12


Town of Lexington, pipe


2.76


North Packing & Provision Co., pipe, fittings, and labor . ·


1,382.93


New England Dressed Meat & Wool Co., bend 16.29


Philadelphia, Reading & New


England Railroad, iron pipe lost in transportation 348.24


Sewers Construction account, iron pipe


9.40


1,857.39


$31,872.33


DEBIT.


Cash, paid laborers


$ 5,387.90


Davis & Farnum Manufacturing Co., castings .


904.10


Osgood & Hart, castings


1,160.36


Somerville Iron Foundry, castings


985.95


City of Boston, castings


18.25


R. D. Wood & Co., iron pipe


10,976.08


Warren Foundry & Machine Company, iron pipe


3,012.19


Boston Lead Manufacturing Co., lead


2,142.18


Holyoke Hydrant & Iron works, hydrants ·


1,671.85


Pratt & Cady Company, hydrants


1,182.00


Peet Valve Company, gates


1,432.00


Amounts carried forward .


$28,872.86


$31,872.33


APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT. 194w


Amounts brought forward . $28,872.86 $31,872.33


Chapman Valve Manufacturing Co., gates 160.10


Fairbanks Co., valves .


19.20


Walworth Manufacturing Co.,


boxes


32.85


James Russell Boiler Works, labor on boiler 39.43


Leach & Grant, bricks


23.81


Perrin, Seamans & Co., packing .


15.34


Frank E. Fitts Manufacturing Co., jute 12.25


Thomas Walsh, teaming


24.00


George F. McKenna, teaming


20.00


Boston & Maine Railroad, freight


866.37


Fulton O'Brion, grain


31.88


G. F. & S. E. Sturtevant, grain


40.62


George H. Sampson, powder


11.95


Highways Account, paving blocks


62.40


$30,233.06


Balance to credit in account 1895


1,639.27


$31,872.33


194x


ANNUAL REPORTS.


TABLE D.


BALANCES DECEMBER 31, 1894.


Cash


. $ 37,713.22


Overlay and Abatement


4,073.85


Public Property


. 2,195,271.64


Real Estate Liens


964.70


Sewer Assessments


10,353.10


Sidewalk Assessments


4,989.79


State of Massachusetts, Burial of


Indigent Soldiers and Sailors .


157.50


State of Massachusetts, Indigent Soldiers and Sailors


282.00


State of Massachusetts, State Aid


7,312.00


Taxes


226,708.28


Water Service Assessments .


84.40 $ 2,096.56


Fire Department, Central Fire Station


3,713.57


Fire Department, Central Fire Station,


3,143.68


Electrical Apparatus and Furniture Fire Department, Chemical Engine and Equipment .


501.47


Fire Department, Hook and Ladder Station .


767.52


Fire Department, Hook and Ladder Station, Equipment and Furniture .


31.00


Funded Debt


1,344,500.00


Highways, City Stable


4,148.12


Overplus on Tax Sales


102.13


Property and Debt Balance


850,771.64


Public Library .


9.55


Public Library Improvement


3,000.00


Reduction of Funded Debt


9,256. 7


Schoolhouse, Edgerly Addition


. 013.4S


Schoolhouse, English High


37,296.67


Amounts carried forward .


$2,487,910.48


$2,259,958.26


Excess and Deficiency


.


APPENDIX TO TREASURER AND COLLECTOR'S REPORT.


194y


Amounts brought forward . $2,487,910.48 $2,259,958.26


Schoolhouse, High and English High,


7,202.72


Heating, Ventilating and Plumbing Schoolhouse, O. S. Knapp Addition


2,876.54


Schoolhouse, Ward Four, South Side F. R. R.


54.51


Sewers, Construction .


7,978.07


Sundry Persons .


1,890.10


Temporary Loans


206,000.00


Water Maintenance


311.01


Water Works Extension


1,639.27


$2,487,910.48


$2,487,910.48


1


REPORT


OF THE


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


(13)


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, January 30, 1895.


Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports. Sent down for concurrence.


GEORGE I. VINCENT, Clerk.


IN COMMON COUNCIL, January 30, 1895.


Referred to the Committee on Printing, to be printed in the annual reports, in concurrence.


CHARLES S. ROBERTSON, Clerk.


CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOMS, SOMERVILLE, December 31, 1894.


To the City Council of Somerville : -


In accordance with the provisions of the Public Statutes, the School Committee respectfully submit the following report prepared by the Superintendent of Schools, which, in their opinion, embodies a correct statement of the condition and needs of the schools of the city.


Respectfully submitted,


GORDON A. SOUTHWORTH, Secretary.


CHARLES S. LINCOLN


CHARLES FORSTER


CLARK BENNETT.


JOSHUA


M. DAVIS


ENOCH R MORSE


LUTHER V BELL


JOHN SEDGERLY.


CITIZENS FOR WHOM SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS ARE NAMED.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1894.


HON. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. FRANK W. KAAN, President of the Common Council, ex officio.


MEMBERS.


WARD ONE.


Term expires


28 Flint street . January, 1895


46 Mt. Vernon street


66


1896


SANFORD HANSCOM,


1 Webster street


66


.


1897


WARD TWO.


ALVAH B. DEARBORN,


34 Bow street


January, 1895


HERBERT A. CHAPIN,


41 Walnut street 1896


THOMAS M. DURELL,


23 Bow street .


66 1897


WARD THREE.


NORMAN W. BINGHAM,


QUINCY E. DICKERMAN,


THOMAS S. WENTWORTH,


235 School street . January, 1895


85 Central street . 66 1896


350 Broadway 66 1897


WARD FOUR.


BENJAMIN G. BROWN,


GILES W. BRYANT,


296 Elm street .


66 1896


MARTIN W. CARR,


38 Professors' row. January, 1895


74 Craigie street .


1897


S. NEWTON CUTLER, GEORGE S. POOLE,


SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1895.


HON. WILLIAM H. HODGKINS, Mayor, Chairman, ex officio. L. HERBERT HUNTLEY, President of the Common Council, ex officio.


MEMBERS.


WARD ONE.


GEORGE S. POOLE,


SANFORD HANSCOM,


1 Webster street


1897


S. NEWTON CUTLER,


28 Flint street 66 1898


WARD TWO.


HERBERT A. CHAPIN,


41 Walnut street January, 1896


THOMAS M. DURELL,


23 Bow street 66 1897


ALVAH B. DEARBORN,


34 Bow street


66 1898


WARD THREE.


QUINCY E. DICKERMAN,


85 Central street . January, 1896


THOMAS S. WENTWORTH, 350 Broadway


66 1897


FRANK H. HARDISON, 192 Central street . 66 1898


WARD FOUR.


GILES W. BRYANT,


296 Elm street


January, 1896


MARTIN W. CARR,


74 Craigie street


.


66 1897


GEORGE A. MILES, 417 Highland avenue 66. 1898


The Board holds its regular meetings on the last Monday evening of each month, at 8 o'clock.


GORDON A. SOUTHWORTH, Secretary and Superintendent of Schools. 40 Greenville street. Office, English High School building.


Term expires 46 Mt. Vernon street, January, 1896


STANDING COMMITTEES, 1895.


ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL .- Messrs. Carr, Hanscom, Chapin, Dickerman, Poole.


LATIN HIGH SCHOOL .- Messrs. Dearborn, Cutler, Bryant, Hardison, Durell.


EAST SOMERVILLE DISTRICT .- Messrs. Hanscom, Cutler, Poole, Huntley. PROSPECT HILL DISTRICT .- Messrs. Durell, Dearborn, Chapin.


WINTER HILL DISTRICT .- Messrs. Wentworth, Hardison, Hodgkins, Dickerman.


SPRING HILL DISTRICT .- Messrs. Carr, Bryant, Miles.


WEST SOMERVILLE DISTRICT .- Messrs. Bryant, Miles, Carr.


RULES AND REGULATIONS .- Messrs. Chapin, Dickerman, Cutler.


FINANCE .- Messrs. Poole, Carr, Huntley.


ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS .- Messrs. Hodgkins, Hanscom, Durell, Wentworth, Bryant.


REPAIRS .- Messrs. Wentworth, Chapin, Poole, Carr, Dearborn.


SUPPLIES .- Messrs. Bryant, Hardison, Durell, Poole.


TEXT-BOOKS. - Messrs. Durell, Dickerman, Hanscom, Bryant, Went- worth, Chapin, Cutler.


INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION .- Messrs. Dickerman, Cutler, Chapin, Dearborn, Carr.


MUSIC .- Messrs. Hanscom, Dearborn, Wentworth, Miles.


EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS .- Messrs. Dickerman, Miles, Hardison. SALARIES .- Messrs. Cutler, Durell, Bryant, Wentworth.


EVENING SCHOOLS .- Messrs. Bryant, Dearborn, Hanscom, Dickerman.


PRIVATE SCHOOLS .- Messrs. Dearborn, Poole, Miles, Wentworth.


EXAMINATION COMMITTEES.


NINTH CLASS .- Messrs. Poole, Miles. EIGHTH CLASS .- Messrs. Chapin, Dickerman. SEVENTH CLASS. - Messrs. Dearborn, Bryant. SIXTH CLASS .- Messrs. Hardison, Miles. FIFTH CLASS .- Messrs. Carr, Hanscom. FOURTH CLASS .- Messrs. Cutler, Wentworth.


CONTENTS OF REPORT.


PAGE.


I. Summary of Statistics and Increase in School Accommodations in 1894 10- 12


2. Additional school accommodations needed 13-16


3. Attendance 16, 17


4. Transfers of pupils 17, 18


5. Admission of children in April 18, 19


6. Teachers 19, 20


7. Substitutes


20, 21


8. The High School 21, 22


9. English High School


22 - 25


IO. Manual training


25 - 27


II. Hygienic conditions 27 - 30


12. Evening schools 30- 32


13. Course of study


32- 34


14. School supplies


34, 35


15. Work of special teachers 35, 36


16 Grading 36 - 40


17. In conclusion


40, 41


18. Appendix 43- IOI


19. Biographical sketches of Citizens of Somerville, after whom schools have been named . 102 - IIO


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


FOR


1894.


TO THE BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE :


The twenty-third annual report of the Superintendent of Schools for the year ending Dec. 31, 1894, is respectfully submitted, being the second of the present incumbent of the office and the fifty-second of the school department of the municipality.


It is an easy matter to sit down at the close of the year and esti- mate the profits of a manufactory with a seven hundred thousand dollar plant, in which, aided by the best modern appliances, two hundred skilled workmen have been diligently engaged during the twelve months in changing the crude material into the delicate fabric. The value of the output as well as the cost of production is known, and a balance may be easily struck. It is quite another task, however, to calculate the gain or loss when, instead of silk and cotton and steel, mind and heart and life are wrought upon ; when, instead of muscle and steam and wheel and lever, the power exerted is that of intellect and character alone, and when instead of a perishable product there is one endless in its duration and limitless in its possibilities.


It is the province of a school report to deal mainly with one side of the educational account, presenting the character and cost of the work, showing the way in which the generous appropriations of the city have been spent, exhibiting the material facts that may be measured and seen, but leaving the question of the actual outcome and profit of it all to be answered by the future.


Attention is called at the outset to the Tables in the Appendix. They have been compiled and arranged with care and contain much valuable information concerning the schools. They cover a series of years, and are of historical value.


204


ANNUAL REPORTS.


I. SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR 1894.


1. Estimated population of Somerville 51,510


2. School population, May 1 8,040


3. Children attending school in December · 8,978


4. Attending private schools “ 66


.


1,329


5. Attending public schools " 66


.


7,649


6. Attending High School 66 662


7. Attending grammar and primary schools in December 6,987


8. Entire enrollment for year


9,387


9. Average number belonging


7,212


10. Average number attending


6,840


11. Per cent of daily attendance


94.84


12. Number of school buildings


23


13. Valuation of school property ·


$673,200.00


14. Number of schoolrooms, without High School


155


15. Number of teachers in December


186


16. Salaries of teachers for 1894


$128,769.39


17. Salaries of officers


$4,150.00


18. Cost of books and supplies


$10,918.81 $957.67


20. Cost of janitors' services


$10,686.13 $9,672.73


22. Total cost of day and evening schools


$165,154.73


23. Cost for each pupil in average membership


$22.90


24. Cost for each High School pupil


$31.34


25. Cost for each grammar and primary pupil


$22.12


26. Amount paid for new school buildings .


$82,205.76


27. Cost of repairs for year (including heating apparatus of High School) . ·


$44,763.69


28. Entire sum expended for all school purposes in 1894


$292,124.18


29. Expended by School Board $144,795.87


30. Expended by City Government $147,328.31


31. Valuation of city


$44,192,900.00


32. Per cent of valuation spent to maintain schools 0.374


33. Per cent of valuation spent for all school pur- poses 0.661


19. Cost of water and light


21. Cost of fuel


St


Adrian


Porch


Ashes


Veste


Boiler Room


Ward Room


Coal


Boiler


Toilet


ComMic


Enfrance


Entrance


E


=


Basement. OREN S. KNAPP SCHOOL.


Class Room 28 × 32


Class Room 28 × 32


Wardrobe


Wardrobe


Wardrobe


Wardrobe


Foot Warmer


Cl.


Water


Teachers Room


Down


DOMY


L


Loring & Phipps,


Architects.


-First Floor_ OREN S. KNAPP SCHOOL.


205


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


INCREASE OF 1894.


Notwithstanding a year of widespread business depression, the city has maintained the average rate of growth of the last five years. As shown alike by the school census and the school registration, the gain has been about 450 children of school age, enough to fill ten new schoolrooms. We may expect this rate of increase to continue for several years. Will it not be wise to recognize and provide for it?


During the 23 years since its incorporation the population of the city has trebled. This rapid growth has compelled large expenditures for public improvements, chief among which is that for schools. With the completion of the English High Schoolhouse the city will have expended since 1872 for new school buildings alone, the sum of $660,000, an average annual outlay of over $28,000. But our educational interests are vital. The demands of the schools are imperative, and who shall say that the prosperity of the city is not directly traceable to its generosity in this direction ?


To have anticipated this growth and provided school accommoda- tions accordingly would have been impossible. Within five years five of our school buildings - the Morse, Highland, Edgerly, Bingham, and Knapp -have been enlarged. To have built them of their present size at the outset would have seemed the height of presump- tion, and yet the sequel shows that this would have been wise economy, for the architectural difficulties of unanticipated enlarge- ments have entailed an increased expenditure that would more than have paid the interest on the investment required for the larger buildings. Does not this experience teach us that it will conserve the financial as well as the educational interests of the city if our new schoolhouses are made large enough not only for present wants, but also for the inevitable needs of the immediate future ? At least, should they not be planned so that additions can be made without either wasteful expense or architectural disfigurement ?


Twelve new schoolrooms have been provided during the year, but as four of these were rendered imperative by the destruction of the Webster Schoolhouse, we can claim a net gain of but eight.


The capacity of the Bingham Schoolhouse has been doubled by the addition of four rooms in exact duplication of the original build- ing. The enlargement was begun in October, 1893, and completed in March, 1894, at a cost of $14,916.87. The cost of the original build- ing in 1887, exclusive of the land, was $13,224.36.


206


ANNUAL REPORTS.


The new rooms were at once filled, greatly to the relief of the Forster School. Already it is apparent that the perfectly feasible addition of six rooms would have been much wiser. The building will be overcrowded in April, with no means of relief at hand.


A new building at the corner of Beacon and Kent streets was begun in March of the current year and completed in season for the opening of the schools in September. It is a plain but substantial brick structure, thoroughly built, heated by steam, perfectly ventilated, and containing four well-lighted classrooms with adjustable furniture and all needed appliances.


The entire cost to the city has been :


For 13,883 sq. ft. of land $ 3,193.09


For the building, furniture, etc.


16,190.10


Total


$19,383.19


An elevation and plan of the building are herewith presented.


At the request of the School Board, the City Council named the new school the George W. Durell School, in honor of an esteemed citizen for eleven years a member of the committee, and long identified with the ethical and educational interests of our city, one whose life and character furnish an inspiration and an example for the youth who shall in coming years share the advantages of the school bearing his name.


The enlargement of the Knapp School was begun in June and completed in December, at a cost of about $15,000. It consists of a building corresponding in its architecture to the original structure, containing four schoolrooms, a ward-room, principal's office, and teachers' room, and connected with the main building by ample corri- dors. It is heated by steam, ventilated by modern methods, and supplied with adjustable furniture, slate blackboards, and separate entrances. A second floor plan of the whole building is herewith presented.


GEORGE W. DURELL SCHOOL.


IBasement


VESTIBULE


CORRIDOR.


VESTIBULE


TEACHERS ROOM


WARDROBE


WARDROBE


TEACHERS ROOM


- --


SCHOOL ROOM. -30ft. x 28 ft


SCHOOL ROOM -30 ft x 28 ft.


HOT


AIR


Ho AIR


FIRST TISOR RAN THE GEORGE W. DURELL SCHOOL Samuel Dudley Kelley Architect. 209 Washington It Boston


207


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


II. ADDITIONAL SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.


In the school report of last year certain governing principles were presented which should be borne in mind in planning and providing additional school accommodations. They will be recalled if they are only mentioned at this time.


The first has already been considered. We should plan not simply to see how present exigencies may be tided over in the easiest way, but with a view to providing most wisely for the next five years and their inevitable increase of two thousand children.


We should strive, secondly, to secure the gradual reduction of pupils in a room to a teachable limit of forty or forty-five, not merely in what are evidently congested localities, but throughout the city. This will obviate the deplorable necessity of employing two persons to instruct a single class.


Thirdly, it should be our aim steadily to lessen the number of primary pupils in the twelve-room buildings, and to make them dis- tinctively grammar schools. This means the construction of more four-room buildings for primary purposes, where they can be easily reached by little children.


In the fourth place, we should avoid erecting any more eight-room buildings, because they are ill adapted to our wants and system of grading.


Fifthly, we should recognize the fact that the Kindergarten is now an integral part of every complete school system, and we should pro- vide for the early establishment of at least eight in various parts of the city.


And, lastly, we should plan to abandon as soon as possible those relics of an earlier age, the Harvard, Cedar-street, and Beech-street Schoolhouses. If circumstances had forced their use by residents of the hilltops, they would have been indignantly vacated years ago. But do not children of the poor, whose school life is necessarily short,


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ANNUAL REPORTS.


have an equal if not a stronger claim on us for the best our schools afford ? Let tardy justice, then, be done them by the speedy replace- ment of these ancient landmarks by better buildings.


What additional school accommodations are needed at the present time?


1. The most pressing need is at West Somerville. The increase of school population has been twice as great during the year in this section as in any other. The three schools west of Cedar street are so crowded as to impair their efficiency. Seven new rooms could be occupied in April if they were ready. To relieve the situation, last year the enlargement of the Burns Schoolhouse was recommended. This may ultimately need to be done, but at the present time the de- mand is for room farther to the west. Another grammar school centre is needed at West Somerville, and should be established as soon as pos- sible in a twelve-room building, located, perhaps, on Holland street, opposite Jay street. A building of this size will anticipate the needs of the next two years, and in the location suggested will well accom- modate all children living north of the railroad, and on Elm street and west thereof. The remainder of the district as far east as Cedar street would be tributary to the Highland School.




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