USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1910 > Part 12
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The season was brought to a close with an athletic meet held on Broadway Athletic Field. Competitive games, races, and athletic events were held, in which representatives of the various playgrounds participated.
Attendance upon the playgrounds is dependent upon the interest which the conduct of that playground rouses in the children of the neighborhood. This interest in turn is depend- ent upon the ability and energy of the supervisor in charge of the playground. As the supervisors employed this year were in the main competent, the playgrounds attracted a good attend- ance and maintained considerable interest throughout the sea- son. It was the aim of the administration on all of these grounds to make the activities of the playgrounds orderly and of value to the children, and good conduct was required of all those who made use of the grounds under the control of the supervisors. Smoking was strictly forbidden. As a result of the hand work, the girls had considerable practice in sewing, and acquired some skill in the various forms of work taught. In these playgrounds the children were provided with centres of interest, were kept off the street, were given wholesome oc- cupation and directed exercise, all of which contributed to their welfare and to their happiness throughout the summer.
The money spent under the control of the School Board was applied mainly to the purchase of permanent equipment,
155
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
but a small proportion of it was used for material needed for the hand work of the children. Four of the men supervisors were paid out of this fund. It is estimated that the total at- tendance upon the playgrounds for the whole session is equiva- lent to 55,000 half-days.
RECAPITULATION.
This has been a year of activity in the management of school affairs. Serious problems have been considered with great care, and changes of great importance have been made. By bringing these events together in tabular form, their scope and significance can be better appreciated. In order of time they are as follows :-
January 31-School Board increased the membership of the Committee on Industrial Education from three to five members.
By order of the Board, the Superintendent of Schools was requested to attend the convention of the department of superintendence of the National Education Association at Indianapolis, Ind.
February 21-The School Board increased the duties of the Committee on Medical Inspection by adding thereto the subject of school hygiene.
The offer of the dentists of Somerville to give their services in the treatment of poor children was accepted, and a dental dispensary authorized to be located in the Proctor School.
Authority was given to the Somerville Playgrounds Association to invite the co-operation of the pupils and teachers of the public schools in the maintenance of play- grounds during the summer vacation.
March 28-The Text-Book Committee recommended that the curriculum for the elementary schools be changed from nine to eight years in duration; that the age of admission to the first grade be six years, and to the kindergarten five years; and the School Board adopted the report by unani- mous vote.
Two hundred forty-three of the grade teachers asked that their salaries be increased $50 annually until a maximum consistent with the high standards of our schools be reached.
April 14-The Finance Committee of the Board of Aldermen gave a hearing to the Committee on Additional School Ac- commodations, at which the need of the schools was set forth by the committee and by the Superintendent of Schools.
April 25-The School Board adopted the rule to put into effect the change. in the length of the school curriculum.
156
ANNUAL REPORTS.
April 26-A chorus of 600 boys and girls from the Latin and English Schools rendered the oratorio of "Elijah," under the direction of S. Henry Hadley, before a large audi- ence at Symphony Hall. This presentation gave great · pleasure and satisfaction to all the friends of the schools, and won strong praise from musicians of highest standing. May 19-A joint meeting of the School Committee and the Board of Aldermen, held for the purpose of electing a member of the School Committee from Ward Six, succes- sor to Dr. Pote, resigned, resulted in the election of Mrs. Mary R. Brewer.
May 23-The School Committee passed a resolution favoring the appropriation by Congress of the sum of $75,000 to provide additional field force for the United States Bureau of Education.
The Board adopted an order to provide for the classi- fication and assignment of first-grade pupils under the new rule, and to make such re-assignment of first-grade teach- ers as would be necessary to provide places for first-grade teachers who would be affected by the lessening of the number of first-grade classes.
The School Board authorized the Superintendent to attend as its delegate the Playground Congress to be held in Rochester June 4 to 10.
June 1-4, inclusive, an exhibition of drawing and manual train- ing, including sewing, was held in the Latin High School hall. In the variety of the work exhibited, in its excel- lence, and in the effectiveness of the plan of display, this exhibition won the praise of all who saw it.
June 27-On account of the crowded conditions in the high schools, the Board adopted a plan, to go into effect at the beginning of the next school year, providing for two ses- sions daily for the English High School and a lengthened session for the Latin School.
The Board authorized the establishment of an indus- trial school for boys in the Davis School building; the es- tablishment of an industrial school for girls; and the in- troduction of cooking as part of the school curriculum for girls.
A Committee on Playgrounds was authorized.
The establishment of an atypical class for sub-normal children was authorized. -
September 13-A trip of inspection of school premises was made by the School Committee, in company with the Board of Aldermen.
September 20-An informal meeting of the School Committee and the Board of Aldermen was held in the aldermanic chamber, at which it was voted to take additional land ad-
159
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
jacent to the Carr School, in the rear of the Hodgkins School building, and a tract of land for a large grammar school building on Clarendon Hill.
September 26-Voted to discontinue the evening school at the Prescott building.
Voted to establish a Committee on Vocational Guid- ance, to consist of a member of the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, a member of each high school, one from the elementary schools, one from the evening high school, and one from the evening elementary schools.
October 31-The Committee voted to continue the dental dis- pensary during the present school year.
Committee passed a resolution asking for increase in the window surface in certain school buildings, and sent the request to the Board of Aldermen.
Committee voted to send the Superintendent of Schools and a member of the Committee on Industrial Education as delegates to the fourth annual convention of the National Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education, to be held in Boston November 17-18.
November 28-The Board adopted the recommendation of the Committee on Text-Books providing for semi-annual pro- motions in all the schools, and for admission to the kinder- garten and first grade in February.
The Board petitioned the Massachusetts State Board of Education to establish in the city of Somerville an inde- pendent day school for the industrial training of boys over fourteen years of age, to be located in the Davis School- house.
The Board appointed an advisory committee of five for the industrial school for boys.
December 8-The Board of Aldermen of Somerville passed a resolution authorizing the School Committee to establish an industrial school for boys and an industrial school for girls.
December 15-Also an order appropriating money for addi- tional window surface in all buildings wherein there is de- ficient light.
December 9-The Massachusetts State Board of Education approved the industrial school for boys in the Davis School building.
Conclusion. The year has been one of harmonious co- operation of all branches of the school service. Teachers and principals have been faithful and loyal in their work, and I com- mend them heartily. The members of the School Committee have given freely of their time to advance the interests of the schools. From these sources has come a year of 'successful
158
ANNUAL REPORTS.
work. In expressing this deserved tribute to the School Com- mittee for the time and labor which they have given to the schools during the year, I want to add, also, acknowledgment of my indebtedness to them, individually and collectively, for unfailing help and encouragement.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES S. CLARK, Superintendent of Schools.
December 30, 1910.
159
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
At the meeting of the School Board held June 27, 1910, the following resolutions were adopted :-
Resolved: That, in the untimely death of Miss Grace F. Mulcahy, the schools have lost the services of a devoted and able teacher, and that this Board conveys hereby to the friends of the departed teacher its sincere sympathy.
160
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ORGANIZATION OF SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS.
Information concerning our schools is frequently sought by citizens or by educators in other localities. Following are the principal facts concerning them :-
Kindergartens. The city supports four kindergartens, in the Hanscom, Bennett, Baxter, and Glines Schools. Vac- cinated children between five and six years of age are ad- mitted to the kindergarten nearest their residence during the months of September and February, and may remain until the July following their sixth birthday. Sessions from 9 to 11.45.
Head kindergartners receive $600. One trained assistant is allowed when the number exceeds thirty, at a salary of $275, $350, or $125, according to experience. Kindergarten teachers give five hours daily to their work, the afternoon being em- ployed 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 one exclusively primary school building, the eighty- three primary classes being distributed among twenty-three schoolhouses.
Vaccinated children six years of age, or who will reach that age on or before the first day of October, are admitted during the month of September, and any children six years of age or who will attain that age before March first are admitted during the month of February, provided they have never attended school before. Children able to enter existing classes will be admitted at. any time. Applications for admission should be made to the principal of the school.
Only trained or experienced teachers are employed, the salaries being $300, $375, $450, $525, $600, $650, or $700, ac- cording to length of service. Normal training is equivalent to a year's experience, and experience in other places may be counted in determining salary.
Teachers of any grade, with classes numbering fifty, are allowed an assistant at the option of District Committees, who is paid $200, $275, $350, or $425, according to years of service.
Grammar Schools. The grammar grades are found chiefly in twelve large buildings, of twelve or more rooms each. The course covers six years, and includes only those studies which the statute requires, with the addition of music, sewing, elemen- tary science, and sloyd manual training in the four upper grades.
.
161
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The salaries of grammar school teachers are the same as those of primary teachers. Masters are paid $1,900, and their assistants $775. Other ninth-grade teachers are paid $725. Principals of smaller schools receive $775, $825, $900, $950, or $1,000.
Promotions. Promotions in all grades, from the first to the thirteenth, are made in February and June by the regular teacher and the principal, with the approval of the Superin- tendent and District Committee. . They are based on the esti- mate of the pupil's daily work made by the teacher and re- corded 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 former grade, provided it seems for his interests. In 1910 3.7 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. Seventy-two were thus promoted in 1910.
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 completed 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 occupying 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 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
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
1904-5
411
138
76
16,566
40.31
13
31.6
1905-6
431
135
81
16,991
39.42
14
30.8
1906-7
425
122
75
19,243
45.20
15
28.5
1907-8
471
160
94
19,663
41.79
15
31.4
1908-9
494
158
91
20,403
41.27
15
33.0
1909-10
558
209
94
20,453
36.69
16
34.9
162
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The object of the school is, primarily, to furnish a suitable preparation for those pupils who desire to pursue either a regu- lar or a special course of study at higher institutions of learn- ing, 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 year easier by taking five years for the course. Those who are capable, and have good reason for shortening the time of preparation, 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 day 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 to 2. The salaries paid high school teachers range from $900 to $1,200 for women and from $1,000 to $3,000 for men.
English High School. This school was organized in Sep- tember, 1895. Information concerning it is found in the fol- lowing 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
1904-5
784
339
135
39,634
50.56
33
23.8
1905-6
893
378
127
39,823
44.60
35
25.5
1906-7
994
402
148
42,862
43.12
39
25.5
1907-8
1,060
457
141
47,228
44.55
42
25.2
1908-9
1,122
476
174
48,682
43.38
43
26.0
1909-10
1,160
454
173
48,802
42.06
43
27.0
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 sessions are from 8 to 11.55, and from 12.30 to 4.15. Concerning admission, etc., see Latin School.
A simple, healthful, inexpensive lunch is served at the re- cess midway of the session to pupils desiring it.
163
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Manual Training. Three rooms are fitted and equipped in the basement of the English High School for its manual train- ing 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 been extended to in- clude the eighth and ninth grades in the grammar schools, two centres having been established with twenty-five sloyd benches each.
The men in charge of the manual training department are paid $1,900, $1,400, and $1,300.
Sewing. Sewing is taught to the girls in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grammar grades in weekly lessons of about one hour each.
Four special teachers are employed, three at salaries of $700, and one at $600.
Music. 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. 1, 2, 3, and 4, "The Laurel Song Book," and the "Laurel Music Reader."
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 fifteen days. She is paid $1,000. 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 employed.
Recesses. The Latin School has two brief recesses, break- ing the daily sessions into thirds. The English School has a twelve-minute recess at 10.16 for the morning session, and a twelve-minute recess at 2 for the afternoon session.
The elementary schools have a recess of ten minutes mid- way of the morning session. The first three grades of the ele- mentary schools have a recess of seven minutes midway of the afternoon session, which may also be given in the higher grades at the discretion of the principal.
No detention of pupils is allowed at noon or at recess, 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 adminis-
164
ANNUAL REPORTS.
tered until twenty-four hours after the offence, the approval of the principal being first obtained. Each case must be reported in detail to the Superintendent. There were 326 cases in 1906, 314 in 1907, 318 in 1908, and 292 in 1909.
Drawing. Two teachers of drawing are employed in the English High School at salaries of $1,000 and $900. 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 take drawing in the Eng- lish 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.
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 crayons are provided in primary grades, and water-colors and brush in grammar grades.
Penmanship. Intermedial slant writing is taught in the elementary schools, the Whitehouse system being used. The supervisor visits each class once in four weeks, and receives $1,500.
Cadet Teachers. Provision has been made for the employ- ment in the elementary schools of not exceeding twelve "Cadet teachers," at a salary of $200 each. One such teacher is at work at the present time.
The Public Library. The English School has a working library of 1,700 volumes, but it draws constantly on the public . library, located in an adjoining building.
For many years there has been a constant use of the li- brary by school children. One hundred and sixty-five circulat- ing libraries of fresh books are in use in the smaller buildings. As far as they can, the teachers guide 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 three evenings a week, from 7.30 to 9.30. The principal is paid $6, and his assistants $4, $3, $2, and $1.50. Any high school study, and freehand and mechanical drawing, may be pursued.
Elementary evening schools are open in the Bell and High- land buildings from October 1 on four evenings a week, from 7.30 to 9.30. The length of the term is dependent on the in-
165
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
terest and attendance. The course of study followed is that prescribed by the Statutes. Principals receive $3 or $4, and assistants $2, $1.50, or $1 each evening.
Truants. The city employs one active truant officer, who is paid $1,250. Truants are sent to the county truant school at North Chelmsford. There are now fourteen truants from Som- erville 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.
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 three clerks, who receive $1,300, $750, and $600. 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 5 on school days, and from 8 to 10 on Saturdays.
The meetings of the School Board are held on the last Monday evening of each month, except July, August, and De- cember, at 8.15 o'clock.
.
166
ANNUAL REPORTS.
SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
OFFICERS, 1910-1911.
President, Charles T. Murray. Vice-President, Ernest R. Hager. Secretary-Treasurer, Lena F. Shaw. Executive Committee :---
Superintendent Charles S. Clark, ex-officio.
George M. Hosmer, Latin High. William W. Obear, English High.
Elizabeth S. Clement, Forster.
Harry F. Hathaway, Bingham. Pearl F. Dame, Carr.
Clara Taylor, Prescott.
Frances E. Robinson, Hanscom.
Blanche E. Thompson, Morse.
Bertha M. Martindale, Bennett.
Eleanor A. Connor, Baxter.
Clara B. Parkhurst, Knapp.
Catherine E. Sweeney, Perry. Edith A. Maxwell, Pope.
Mary F. Osborne, Bell.
Fannie L. Gwynne, Cummings.
Lillian Nealley, Edgerly.
Mary E. Northup, Glines.
The meetings held under the auspices of this association in the year 1910 were as follows :-
January 27-Professor P. P. Claxton, of the University of Tennessee. Subject: "The Place and Function of the High School."
March 10-Hon. Elmer A. Stevens, treasurer of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Subject: "Massachusetts Penal and Charitable Institutions."
April 14-Charles F. F. Campbell, of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Subject: "What Massachusetts Is Doing for Her Blind Along Professional, Educational, and Industrial Lines."
October 26-Charles J. Glidden. Subject: "The World and Its People as Seen from a Motor Car" and "The A B C of Ballooning." December 15-Kiyo S. Inui. Subject: "The East versus the West."
Ella P. McLeod, Proctor. Bessie I. Sutton, Durell. Alice E. Morang, Burns. George I. Bowden, Brown. Grace M. Clark, Highland. Katherine M. Fox, Hodgkins.
Almena J. Mansir, Lincoln.
Clara G. Hegan, Lowe. 1
167
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB,
OFFICERS, 1910=1911.
President, Miss Grace E. W. Sprague.
Vice-Presidents, Miss Bertha P. Marvel.
Miss Elizabeth J. O'Neil.
Recording Secretary, Miss Marion Crawford.
Corresponding Secretary, Miss Mary S. Richardson.
Treasurer, Miss M. Katherine Davis.
OBJECT.
The object shall be to secure a close union among the women teachers in Somerville; to promote the spirit of mutual helpfulness : to advance professional interests; to create a deeper sense of the dignity of the profession ; to unite the inter- ests of home and school.
PROGRAMME.
January 11-Reading, "Caponsacchi's Story from 'The Ring and the Book,' " Mrs. Marion Craig Wentworth. Violinist, Rupen
Eksergian.
January 26-Guest night. Organ recital, Henry T. Wade. Readings by Charles Follen Adams, Miss Florence Converse, Nixon Waterman, Miss Helen Leah Reed, Sam Walter Foss. Recep- tion, banquet, dancing.
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