USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1904 > Part 15
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ably removed by legislative enactment. The conditions are propitious for such a change in our city. In the organization everything is harmonious, the treasury is full, we fly the cham- pionship banners, the management is efficient, the coaching de- partment is strong, and both the association and the students are ready to welcome the addition to the governing body of repre- sentatives from the school board. Certainly matters so closely connected with school interests should come to some extent under the direction of the committee. It would be unwise to wait until troubles arise to compel its intervention.
While wisely-regulated field athletics furnish excellent physical training, this training is limited to the 100 students, more or less, who engage in them. The great body of students are left without physical training of any sort. Something should be done to meet their needs. Some competent physical training director should be employed to arrange and supervise some regular system of training for all high school pupils, indeed for all pupils in the public schools. If fitted for the work, he might be given the management of the athletic teams of both grammar and high schools at the proper season. He should be selected by the school authorities, be paid in whole or in part by them, and be under their direction and control. The person with all the qualifications demanded may be difficult to find, but when found, his services would certainly be of great value. The whole subject is commended to the consideration of the board.
To recapitulate the recommendations made in this report :-
1. Immediate provision of additional high school accom- modations.
2. An addition of two rooms to the Hanscom school, or. as an alternative, a new primary building in ward four.
3. An addition of four rooms to the Brown school.
4. The enlargement of the Hodgkins school by the addi- tion of six rooms, and the extension of the schoolhouse lot.
5. The discontinuance of kindergartens whenever they force first-grade children to lose half their school year.
6. Frequent medical inspection of the schools.
7. The continuance of efforts on the part of the board to secure the equipment of manual training rooms.
190
ANNUAL REPORTS.
8. The employment of additional help in the department of school supervision.
9. The establishment of a new grammar school centre, with a master at its head, in the Burns schoolhouse.
10. A connection between the school board and the gov- erning body of the High School Athletic Association.
11. The employment of a director of physical training and athletics.
In closing this report, I wish gratefully to acknowledge the confidence and support of your honorable body, the hearty assist- ance of supervisors and principals, and the invaluable co-opera- tion of parents and citizens in the work of the schools. Above all, we should recognize our indebtedness to the teachers of the city for the zeal, fidelity, and intelligence with which the arduous labors of the year have been discharged. To them rather than to school officials is to be credited whatever of excellence our schools have reached, and only by their efforts can our high standards be maintained.
G. A. SOUTHWORTH, Superintendent.
Somerville, December 23, 1904.
.
191
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
AMENDMENTS TO RULES.
Since the last edition of the rules was published, the follow- ing amendments have been made :-
SECT. 3. The standing committees of the board shall be as follows :-
(1-7.) On schools in the several districts (or wards), to con- sist of the two members elected from each district or ward, to- gether with one member elected in a contiguous ward, who shall be selected by the nominating committee referred to in Section 2 and approved by the board.
(8) On additional school accommodations, (9) high schools, and (10) text-books and courses of study, each to consist of one member from each ward.
(11) On evening schools, (12) finance, (13) industrial edu- cation, (14) music, (15) private schools, (16) repairs of school buildings, (17) rules and regulations, (18) salaries, (19) supplies, and (20) vacation schools, each to consist of three members from different wards.
The member first named on any standing or special commit- tee shall be chairman thereof.
The mayor and the president of the board of aldermen shall be added as ex-officiis members to the committees on finance and additional school accommodations.
The chairman of each district committee for any year shall be the member residing in the district whose term expires at the end of that year. If the term of any member shall expire during the year, the board shall determine the chairmanship of the dis- trict committee.
Wherever the word "board" occurs in the rules and regu- lations, it is understood to refer to the school committee.
SECT. 6. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may vote to call the roll, record the names of absentees, and adjourn to a fixed date. Nine votes shall be necessary for the election of any offi- cer or employee of the board.
SECT. 21. The committee on evening schools shall have the general supervision of the evening schools as provided in the general regulations, and shall nominate teachers for them as they are needed.
SECT. 31 (a). The committee on vacation schools shall have in charge the organization and conduct of vacation schools, and the general supervision of the same.
SECT. 41. He shall, at his discretion, in very stormy or ex- cessively hot or cold weather, strike the signal on the fire alarm bells for the omission of the next session of the schools.
192
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SECT. 50. All teachers, supervisors, and other employees of the board shall be nominated by the standing committee having charge of the several districts or departments.
Whenever, in the opinion of said standing committee, it is thought best not to nominate any such person for re-election, such person shall be notified by the committee in writing of their decision at least one month before the April meeting of the board. Any appeal by the aggrieved party from this decision to the full board must be claimed in writing within two weeks after receiving the aforesaid notice. Pending such appeal, no new nomination shall be made by the committee.
SECT. 51. The superintendent, teachers, supervisors, and truant officers shall be elected annually by ballot, or otherwise, as the statutes may direct, at the regular meeting in April, nine votes being necessary to a choice.
Evening school teachers shall be elected in September, and vacation school teachers in June.
Any vacancy occurring during the year may be filled at any meeting of the board. The secretary shall forthwith give writ- ten notice to each person elected, who shall be requested to notify the secretary of his acceptance within ten days from the date of the notice. Such election and acceptance shall be sub- ject to the provision of the public statutes that the board may dismiss from employment any teacher whenever it may think proper.
The following has been substituted for the last sentence in the first paragraph of Section 52 :-
The salaries of teachers shall be payable in ten equal install- ments.
SECT. 55 (a). Salaries of evening school teachers shall be fixed in accordance with the following schedule :-
HIGH SCHOOL.
Master
$6.00 for each evening
Sub-master
4.00 6
66
First assistant
3.00
66
66
66
Second assistant
2.00
66
60
66
Third assistant
1.50
66
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Masters of schools with an average at- tendance of 150 or more,
$4.00 for each evening
Masters of schools with an average at- tendance of less than 150,
$3.00 for each evening
First assistant.
2.00
66
66
Second assistant
1.50
66
66
6%
Third assistant
1.00
66
66
66
193
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
SECT. 55 (b). Vacation school teachers shall be paid ac- cording to the following schedule :-
Principal
$15.00
for each week
First assistant
10.00
66
66
Second assistant
7.50
Third assistant
5.00
66
SECT. 56 (second paragraph). The supervisor of penman- ship shall receive a minimum salary of $1,000, to be increased $100 annually until a maximum of $1,500 is reached.
(Eleventh paragraph.) The superintendent's clerk shall be paid $650, to be increased $50 annually until a maximum of $750 is reached.
SECT. 58. The committee on evening schools is empowered to nominate teachers for these schools, to be elected by the board at salaries fixed under the rules.
SECT. 99 (last sentence). Teachers regularly employed in the day schools shall not be eligible for employment in evening schools, except by the vote of the standing committee having their day school or department in charge.
SECT. 101. The school year shall begin and end on such dates as shall be determined annually by the school board at its regular February meeting.
SECT. 102. Vacations .- From noon of December 24th to the day after that celebrated as New Year's day; the two weeks that separate the last twenty-four weeks of the school year into three terms of eight weeks each; from the close of the school year to the time fixed for its beginning.
SECT. 136. No school shall be open until fifty persons have pledged themselves to attend regularly: When the average number attending any school for four consecutive sessions is less than twenty-five, the school shall be closed.
SECT. 138. Teachers in the evening schools shall be desig- nated as masters, sub-masters, and first, second, and third assist- ants. Each elementary school having an average attendance for four consecutive evenings of twenty-five pupils may have a mas- ter and one first assistant; an additional first assistant may be allowed for every twenty-five pupils in excess of that number.
SECT. 140. The term of the evening schools shall begin on the first Monday of October, and continue until Christmas. The term of any school may be prolonged by the unanimous action of the evening school committee. The sessions of the evening drawing school shall be held on Tuesday and Thursday even- ings; of the other schools, on each week-day evening, except Wednesday and Saturday.
SECT. 145. Vacation school teachers shall be nominated by the committee on vacation schools, and shall be designated as principal, and first, second, and third assistants.
194
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ORGANIZATION OF SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS.
Information concerning our schools is frequently sought by citizens or by school men in other localities. Following are the principal facts concerning them. Additional knowledge may be gained from the Rules and Regulations :-
Kindergartens. The city supports four kindergartens, in the Hanscom, Bennett, Baxter, and Glines schools. Vaccinated children between four and five years of age are admitted to the kindergarten nearest their residence during the months of Sep- tember and April, and may remain until the July following their fifth birthday. Sessions from 9 to 12.
Head kindergartners receive $600. One trained assistant is allowed when the number exceeds thirty, at a salary of $275, $350, or $425, according to experience. Kindergarten teachers give five hours daily to their work, the afternoon being employed in visitation, preparation, mothers' meetings, and the like.
Primary Schools. Our elementary school course covers nine years, the first three of which are spent in primary schools. We have no exclusively primary school buildings, the ninety-one pri- mary classes being distributed among twenty-two schoolhouses.
Vaccinated children five years of age, or who will reach that age on or before the first day of October, are admitted during the month of September only, provided they have never attended school before. Children able to enter existing classes will be ad- mitted at any time. Applications for admission should be made to the principal of the school.
Only trained or experienced teachers are employed, the sala- ries being $300, $400, $500, $600, or $650, according to length of service. Normal training is equivalent to a year's experience, and experience in other places is counted in determining salary.
First-grade teachers, with classes numbering fifty, are al- lowed an assistant, who is paid $200, $275, $350, or $425, accord- ing to years of service.
Grammar Schools. The grammar classes are found chiefly in twelve large buildings, of twelve rooms each. The course covers six years, and includes only those studies which the statute requires, with the addition of music, sewing, and elementary science.
The salaries of grammar school teachers are the same as those of primary teachers. Masters are paid $1,900, and their assistants $725. Other ninth-grade teachers are paid $700.
195
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Promotions. Promotions in all grades, from the first to the thirteenth, are made in June by the regular teacher and the prin- cipal, with the approval of the superintendent and district com- mittee. They are based on the estimate of the pupil's daily work made by the teacher and recorded bi-monthly. An occasional brief, unannounced, written test is a factor in this estimate.
Where there is reasonable doubt of a student's fitness, he may be promoted on a trial of three months. In such cases the parent is notified and kept informed of his child's progress. At the end of this probationary period he may be returned to his for- mer grade, provided it seems for his interests. In 1904 less than nine per cent. of those promoted on trial fell back.
Children capable of more rapid advancement may be pro- moted one or more grades at any time. One hundred twenty-six were thus promoted in 1904.
Fitness for graduation or for admission to the high schools is determined in precisely the same way. Diplomas are given in grammar and high schools to those who have satisfactorily com- pleted full courses.
Latin High School. In September, 1895, in the forty-third year of its existence, the Somerville High school was divided, the classical, or college preparatory, departments remaining in the old building, erected in 1872, and the English departments occu- pying a new building, erected in 1894-'95.
Some facts concerning the Latin school are presented in the following table :-
School Year.
Average Number Belonging.
Number Entering.
Gradu- ates.
Cost of Instruction.
Per Capita Cost.
Teachers.
Pupils to a Teacher.
1895-6
257
69
50
$11,702
$45.57
9
28.6
1896-7
262
81
51
11,840
45.19
9
29.1
1897-8
273
86
55
11,921
43.67
9
30.3
1898-9
264
78
51
11,935
45.21
9
29.3
1899-0
245
65
48
12,491
50.98
9
27.2
1900-1
271
104
56
12,676
46.74
9
30.0
1901-2
314
114
56
12,583
40.13
10
31.4
1902-3
358
125
46
14,170
39.58
11
32.5
1903-4
398
122
73
16,104
40.46
13
30.6
The object of the school is, primarily, to furnish a suitable preparation for those pupils who desire to pursue either a regular or a special course of study at higher institutions of learning, but the school is open to all pupils who wish to take the courses of study offered.
The regular time for completing the course is four years. Pupils, at the request of their parents, can make the work of each
196
ANNUAL REPORTS.
year easier by taking five years for the course. Those who are capable, and have good reason for shortening the time of prepa- ration, are allowed to complete the course in as short a time as their ability will permit :.
Graduates of grammar schools are admitted to either High school on presenting a certificate of qualification signed by a master. All other pupils are admitted by an examination in grammar school studies, given usually on the Saturday preceding the opening of the schools in September.
The tuition for non-residents is the per capita cost for the year, payable in advance. The sessions of the school are from 8.30 to 1.30. The salaries paid High school teachers are given on later pages of this report.
English High School. This school was organized in Septem- ber, 1895. Information concerning it is found in the following table :---
School Year.
Average Number Belonging.
Number Entering.
Gradu- ates.
Cost of Instruction.
Per Capita Cost.
Teachers.
Pupils to a Teacher.
1895-6
456
213
67
$20,102
$44.13
21
21.7
1896-7
531
235
70
23,010
43.33
21
25.3
1897-8
535
224
75
24,843
46.44
22
24.3
1898-9
575
231
86
26,159
45.49
23
25.0
1899-0
669
316
83
31,322
46.82
27
24.8
1900-1
691
249
97
32,739
47.35
30
23.0
1901-2
738
294
108
35,989
48.74
34
21.7
1902-3
747
264
135
36,843
49.32
33
22.6
1903-4
728
264
106
36,426
50.04
33
22.1
The course of study covers four years. Graduates are ad- mitted to special courses when the conditions are favorable. Candidates for technical and normal schools take specific pre- paratory work.
The wide range of elective studies is a distinctive feature of the school. The choice of the first year may be one of the fol- lowing: Latin, French, German, biology (botany and zoology), manual training, and mechanical drawing. To these physics is added for the second year, and chemistry, geology, and astronomy for the third and fourth. After the second year two or more electives may be taken. Penmanship and commercial arithmetic may be taken the second year.
During the third and fourth years the student may elect in a business course bookkeeping, commercial arithmetic, commer- cial law, penmanship, stenography, typewriting ; in mathematics, advanced algebra, solid geometry, analytical geometry, and trigonometry; in advanced science, work in botany, zoology, physics, chemistry, and drawing.
E
197
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Of the fifteen periods of prepared work, the course pre- scribes ten periods the first year, eleven periods the second year, seven periods the third year, and seven periods the fourth year. The pupil has the privilege of selecting from the list of elective studies subjects whose recitation periods each week, or their equivalents, when added to the required prepared work, shall equal the necessary fifteen periods.
Concerning admission, sessions, etc., see Latin school.
A simple, healthful, inexpensive lunch is served at the recess midway of each session to pupils desiring it.
Manual Training. Three rooms are fitted and equipped in the basement of the English High school for its manual training department. The course includes carpentry, wood-turning, and carving, clay modeling, pattern making, moulding, and casting. A fourth room is devoted to mechanical drawing, with a full course. Manual training has not been extended to include grammar schools.
The sub-master in charge of the manual training department is paid $1,700, and his assistants $1,700, $1,200, and $800.
Sewing. Sewing is taught to the girls in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grammar grades in weekly lessons of one hour each.
Three special teachers are employed at salaries of $650.
Music. Weekly instruction in music is given exclusively in the High schools, and in part in the three upper grammar grades by a specialist, who is paid $1,700. The books used are "The Euterpean," "The Cecilian Series of Music and Song," Nos. 2, 3, and 4, and "The Laurel Song Book."
In the six lower grades musical instruction is given by the regular grade teacher, under the supervision of a specialist, who visits each class once every thirteen days. She is paid $900. The Normal system of music, with its books and charts, is used.
Gymnastics. In elementary grades the Ling system of Swedish gymnastics is practiced daily. No special teacher is em- ployed.
Recesses. The Latin school has two brief recesses, breaking the daily session into thirds. The English school has a single recess at the end of the third period.
The four lower elementary grades have a five-minute recess midway of each session. The five upper grammar grades have no recess, though no unreasonable physical restraint is placed upon any pupil.
No detention of pupils is allowed at noon, and but a half- hour's detention at the close of the afternoon session, "for wilful neglect of duty only."
Corporal Punishment. Corporal punishment, "which in- cludes any infliction of physical pain or application of physical force," is not prohibited. It must, however, not be administered
198
ANNUAL REPORTS.
until twenty-four hours after the offense, the approval of the principal being first obtained. Each case must be reported in detail to the Superintendent. There were 270 cases in 1900, 284 in 1901, 328 in 1902, 299 in 1903, and 293 in 1904.
Drawing. Two teachers of drawing are employed in the English High school at salaries of $1,000 and $600. In that' school freehand drawing is compulsory for first-year pupils, and elective for all others. . Drawing is not taught in the Latin school. A few Latin school pupils are taught drawing in the English school.
In the primary grades daily lessons, and in the grammar grades semi-weekly lessons, are given by the regular teacher, under the direction of a supervisor, who visits each class once a month, and is paid $1,000.
The course includes pictorial drawing from nature, models, and objects; structural drawing from type solids; decorative drawing, designing, and color work, historic ornament and picture-study. No drawing books are used. Colored pencils are provided in primary grades, and water-colors and brush in grammar grades.
Penmanship. Intermedial slant writing is in use in the ele- mentary schools, the Whitehouse system being used. The supervisor visits each class once in four weeks, and receives $1,500.
Student Teachers. At the present time one student teacher is employed in the Latin school, and two in the English. Each serves without pay, under the direction of the head master.
The Public Library. The English school has a working li- brary of 1,200 volumes, but it draws constantly on the public library, located in an adjoining building.
For four years there has been a constant use of the library by school children. Circulating libraries of fresh books are in use in the smaller buildings. Books are delivered and collected each week at the large grammar schools. As far as they can, the teachers aid in the selection of books by the children, and the librarian and his assistants cheerfully render all the help in their power.
Evening Schools. An evening high school is maintained in the English High school building on four evenings a week, from 7.30 to 9.30. The principal is paid $7, and his assistants $4, $3, $2, and $1.50. Any high school study may be pursued. An evening drawing school for freehand and mechanical work is open in the English schoolhouse from October to April, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, from 7.30 to 9.30. The prin- cipal is paid $6, and assistants $3 and $4 an evening.
Elementary evening schools are open in the Prescott, Bell, Forster, and Highland buildings from October 1 on four even- ings a week, from 7.30 to 9.30. The length of the term is de-
199
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
pendent on the interest and attendance. The course of study followed is that prescribed by the statute. Principals receive $4 or $5, and assistants $2.50, $2, $1.50, or $1 each evening.
Truants. The city employs one active truant officer, who is paid $1,100 and the board of his horse. Truants are sent to the county truant school at North Chelmsford. There are now five truants from Somerville in the school.
Janitors. These important officers are appointed by the commissioner of public buildings, and are under his direction and that of the school principal. Their salaries will be found on the last page of this report.
Supervision. The superintendent of schools is the execu- tive officer of the board, and upon him devolves the general management of the schools under its direction. He serves as the secretary of the board and as supply agent. His salary is $3,000, and he is allowed a clerk, who receives $750. His office is in the City Hall Annex, and his hours are from 4 to 5 each school day, and from 8 to 9 on Saturday. His office is open from 8 to 12 and from 1.30 to 5 on school days, and from 8 to 10 on Saturday.
The meetings of the school board are held on the last Mon- day evening of each month, except July, August, and December, at 8.15 o'clock.
200
ANNUAL REPORTS.
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX.
Concerning Finance.
No. of Table.
1. Schedule of school property.
2. Cost of maintaining schools, 1904.
3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, 1904.
4. Cost of maintaining schools for a series of years.
5. Cost per capita for maintaining schools for a series of years.
6. Amount spent annually for new school buildings and for re- pairs for a series of years.
Concerning Pupils.
7. Population and school census.
8. Attendance, etc., of the schools for 1904.
9. Statistics of the high schools, for school year 1903-1904.
10. Pupils by grades, December, 1904.
11. Separate statistics for grammar and primary schools, 1904.
12. Admissions to first grade in September.
13. Number of grammar school graduates, 1904.
14. Truant. statistics.
15. Evening school statistics, 1903-1904.
16. Grammar school graduates for a series of years.
17. Attendance statistics of all schools for a series of years.
18. Statistics of the high school for a series of years.
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