USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1912 > Part 12
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While the services of the dispensary are given only to pupils who cannot pay the charges of dentists in their private practice, and are intended to help those who cannot help them- selves, the influence of this work will be felt far beyond the pupils treated, and better care of the teeth, both by pupils and by parents, will result therefrom. If the dispensary did little else than to arouse parents who can afford to pay to have their children's teeth properly cared for, but who are neglecting to do so, and to convince them of the great menace to the health and happiness of their children which this neglect creates it would render a service fully justifying existence.
Co-operation from Outside of the Schools. The school is no longer an institution whose business is solely to teach pupils in the various branches of learning. Today society demands of the schools the exercise of functions much broader than that. The duty of making good citizens of the children who pass through the schools can be met only by means of varied activities. The school must reach out into the community in the discharge of its duties and it needs to have the aid of the community in return. Today co-operation between the home and the schools is very much in evidence. By means of it the schools are benefited and improved. Evidences of such a spirit in our city are many. But it is desirable that the spirit should extend and that aid should come to the schools from a wider circle of interested agencies. Among those who have helped the schools during the past year the following deserve special mention : The dentists of Somerville, for their un- selfish work in the conduct of the Dental Dispensary; the local papers for their cordial attitude in publishing information concerning the schools; the City Departments, for their will-
164
ANNUAL REPORTS.
ingness to assist in the work of the schools in whatever way they could; the Playgrounds Association, for its great work in helping to maintain summer playgrounds; the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, for its courtesy to the teachers of the schools ; the Parents' Associations of the various schools, for their interest in the welfare of the children in those schools; the Washington Street Day Nursery Association, for its sup- port of a school visitor in connection with one of the schools of the city; the W. C. Kinsley Post, No. 139, G. A. R., in furnishing speakers for Decoration Day celebrations; the Woman's Relief Corps, for its gift of silk flags to the S. Newton Cutler School; and friends who have furnished pianos for two of the schools.
Doubtless this list is incomplete, but it is given to show that co-operation with organizations outside of the schools for the betterment of the schools actually exists, and that it is appreciated.
Conclusion. This review of the work of the year has given brief mention to important phases of the school work. It has omitted entirely much that could profitably be set forth. The effort has been made, however, to show what the dominant purposes of the year have been and how they are working out. The effort also has been made to define some of the needs of the immediate future. For the sake of greater clearness con- cerning the latter I present, in the form of recommendation, some of these needs. Several I bring over from my last year's Report, although I have not discussed them in detail in this Report. The stating of the needs will help to bring them into consideration and may advance the time when the needs can be met. They are as follows :-
Increasing the efficiency of the high school by,-providing larger opportunity for industrial training for boys, by providing larger opportunity for training girls in do- mestic science.
The provision of centres for teaching cooking to girls in the elementary schools.
Additional window space in several school buildings.
Additional artificial light in several school buildings.
The purchase of parcels of land to increase the play- grounds of several schools.
Further consideration of an increase in pay of elementary teachers.
The employment of a woman to act as home visitor and to assist the truant officer.
Increased co-operation between the homes and the schools.
In closing I extend to the members of the School Board, individually and collectively, my sincere thanks for their un-
165
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
failing support and encouragement during the year now draw- ing to a close. I desire also to express publicly my admiration for the unselfishness which has been displayed by the members of the School Board in giving their time freely, and in large measure, to the interests of the schools. I want also to acknowledge the spirit of cordiality manifested throughout the year by the teachers and principals of the schools. The com- bination of these influences has produced the success which has crowned the work of the year.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES S. CLARK, Superintendent of Schools.
December 30, 1912.
166
ANNUAL REPORTS.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT FOR YEAR 1912.
Mr. Charles S. Clark, Superintendent of Schools, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Sir : A year ago my first report as head master of the Somerville High School was presented to you and in it was outlined the new plan of organization. Since then the school has completed one year and begun a second, and I feel that I am now. able to speak intelligently on the results of our plan.
Spirit of the School. To combine two schools of different character and organization is far from an easy proposition and can well be undertaken by any principal with considerable trepidation and uncertainty of results. I can safely say, now that the first year has passed, that it was one of the pleasantest, if not the pleasantest, in my experience, and I must give the credit unreservedly to the hearty co-operation of the school authorities and the enthusiastic loyalty of teachers and pupils. I bespeak a continuance of the same unanimity of purpose that the school may grow in achievement and efficiency.
Administration. The administration of a large school is a matter of considerable moment, and I feel that the formation of a board of administration, composed of the three masters of the school, was a happy solution of the problem. The men constituting this board have worked faithfully and unselfishly, and deserve much commendation. The serious illness of Mr. Murray was a great loss to the school, but we were fortunate in having his assistance and advice practically all of the year. Much of the excellent spirit and serious purpose of the school must be attributed to the manner in which this board has at- tended to its duties. Discipline cases have been handled in a firm yet sympathetic manner, and greater opportunity has thus been afforded to the head master for the consideration of the broader interests of the school.
Educational Activities. During the past year much time and thought have been given by the board of supervision and the head master to the reconstruction of the curriculum, with a view to enriching and broadening the work of each pupil. Division into courses, rather than a broad elective systen, seemed to be the plan best fitted to the needs of our school, and to this end carefully outlined courses were adopted in prepara- tion for higher institutions, for commercial work, for the study of manual arts, and for acquiring a general education. A pupil upon entering the school has the opportunity of selecting one
167
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
of these courses: Preparatory, Commercial, Manual Arts (in- cluding Domestic Science), and General, and is guaranteed a complete and thorough preparation along his chosen line. An outline of these courses is given elsewhere in this report. Al- though a very short time has passed since these courses were put into effect, they have already demonstrated their value.
The Preparatory Department of the school sent last Sep- tember the usual large number of pupils to higher institu- tions - seventy-seven pupils in all- divided as follows: To Bowdoin College, two; Boston University, three; Boston Col- lege, four; Brown University, one; Dartmouth College, six ; Harvard College, five; Jackson College, two; Mt. Holyoke College, two; Massachusetts Agricultural College, three; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, seven; Norwich Uni- versity, two; Radcliffe College, four; Simmons College, five ; Tufts College, eleven; Wellesley College, two; Wesleyan Uni- versity, one; Wheaton College, three; Normal Schools, four- teen. Many of these pupils were granted an entrance certifi- cate by the school, thus freeing them from the necessity of tak- ing the college examinations. In other cases, where the scholarship records did not justify the granting of certificates, the pupils by taking examinations had little difficulty in satisfy- ing the requirements of the college, a gratifying evidence of the scholastic efficiency of this department of the school.
The Commercial Department graduated many pupils, all of whom secured good positions. In fact, more positions came to our attention than could be filled. This course has been strengthened by the addition of a third year of stenography and two years of business practice. After a long search for a head for this department, the School Committee finally selected Mr. John L. Hayward of the Everett High School, who will commence his duties with the new year. Under his guidance, the department will take under advisement a systematic study of the needs and preparation of the individual pupil, a careful investigation of the requirements for a commercial training from the business man's standpoint, and the establishment of a helpful bureau of employment.
The Manual Arts course (including Domestic Science for girls) has not met with the enthusiastic reception that was expected. This is probably due to the lack of full appreciation by parents of its worth and purpose, and to the fact that its equipment and accommodation are very inadequate. The work of this department in other schools is much more extensive, and the department is given a much more important position than in our school. I sincerely hope that this department in our school may be speedily placed on a footing worthy of its great value.
The General course is less readily defined than the other courses, yet in no sense is it less valuable. A pupil taking this
168
ANNUAL REPORTS.
course should acquire in four years a broad and cultural train- ing that should enable him in equipment and mental attitude to fit readily into many walks of life.
Lectures. Effort has been made during the past year to present speakers who, from their peculiar fitness and experi- ence, might bring valuable suggestions for the consideration and help of pupils. A partial list of the speakers is as fol- lows : Mr. Sprague, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Hatch of the school faculty on "The Respective Merits of a College, Manual Arts, and General Training"; Mr. Walter A. Hawkins, manager of Jordan Marsh Company, on "The Qualities Necessary for Suc- cess in Business"; Miss Helen P. Goodwin, public sten- ographer, on "The Practical Side of Stenography"; Mr. George R. Glendinning, business manager of the "Banker and Tradesman," on "Advertising"; Mr. Charles S. Clark, super- intendent of schools, on "The Teacher"; Mayor Charles A. Burns on "Citizenship"; and others. Stereopticon lectures on History and Science have also been given by teachers of the school.
Music. Music has always been a prominent feature of our school and in this department we hope to make still further progress during the coming year. Several cantatas and ora- torios have been produced with great success in the past under the direction of our enthusiastic and able director of music, Mr. S. Henry Hadley. During the coming spring, it is our purpose to add to our laurels by the performance of Verdi's Requiem, by a chorus of eight hundred selected voices. A very excellent school orchestra was formed last year, which for the first time furnished the orchestral music at the graduation exercises.
It has long been my hope to see music assume a much greater importance in the curriculum of the school, and while it is perhaps unwise to expect that harmony, composition, or the study of any particular instrument may be undertaken by instruction in the school, still it may be entirely within our province to give pupils school credit for outside study in music under competent teachers. Many pupils leave school because of their inability to continue an exhaustive study of music along with the full high school course. These pupils could be re- tained in school if proper recognition could be granted them for their outside work in music.
School Elections. A practical instance of the good work in civics has been furnished by the Senior Class in the election of its class officers. After the presentation of nominees through nomination papers, the class went through all the processes of a regular election, using printed ballots and an election booth of the city. Wardens, clerks, and inspectors chosen from the class carried out the form of a regular city election to the
169
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
slightest detail. The practice value to young people about to cast their first ballot cannot be overestimated.
Two Sessions. For three years it has been necessary to organize the school on a two-session plan in order to accommo- date the large membership in a building of an insufficient size. Many hardships have resulted to school and home,-among them, lack of unified work among teachers and pupils, great in- convenience to teachers, a sacrifice of scholarship standard par- ticularly among first year pupils, unhygienic arrangement of meal hours, instruction under artificial light, and a curtailing of many of the activities of the school which can only be obtained under normal conditions.
Teachers, parents, and pupils are duly thankful that addi- tions to the school now under preparation will remove the necessity for this unsatisfactory arrangement.
Attendance. It would have been a matter of little surprise if this unusual arrangement of hours had seriously interfered with a high percentage of attendance, and it is with consider- able satisfaction that I report an increase rather than a falling off in this respect. The average per cent. of attendance for the past five years is as follows : In 1907-8, 94.9 per cent. ; in 1908-9, 95.3 per cent .; in 1909-10, 94.9 per cent .; in 1910-11, 95.4 per cent. ; in 1911-12, 95.4 per cent.
Loss in Membership. The causes for pupils leaving school are of various kinds, but may be reduced to two major classes,- the unavoidable, including change of residence, ill- ness, etc .; the avoidable, including discouragement, lack of in- terest, etc. The enrollment of the school from September 9 to December 4 was 1,896; the membership December 4 was 1,803 ; the loss being 93. The following table gives the loss by classes with the reasons :-
1913
1914
1915-A
1915-B
1916-A
1916-B
CAUSES.
Girls.'
3 ys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Totals.
Work
3
7
1
3
1
9
28
Other schools .
2
4
12
Ill health
10
Moved
1
1
1
1
2
2. 2
4
7
6
20
Indifference
.
. .
. .
. .
..
1
5
3
5
4
8
2
5
6
6
5
5
19
25
Totals
ยท
.
8
12
7
12
10
44
93
-
5
5
18
Cause unknown
. .
1
.. 2
..
:
1
1 1:18
2
1
3
1
.. 1 H: :
..
1
1
. .
1
1
170
ANNUAL REPORTS.
A special effort has been made this fall to investigate the reasons for pupils leaving school and a committee of teachers has undertaken the task of visiting the homes and conferring with parents and pupils, thus showing by their personal inter- est the desire of the school to work with and to make itself helpful to the home.
Co-operation with Parents. Parents have a two-fold right upon sending their children to the high school, first, to know thoroughly the curriculum of the school and to make from it a wise and judicious selection ; second, to know the school itself and its teachers, and to follow carefully the progress of their children. The school acknowledges this right on the part of parents and is anxious to help whenever possible. To aid par- ents in understanding the work of the school and the opportu- nities which it furnishes, the head master has spoken during the past year to the Parents' Associations of two grammar schools, to parents and graduates of three other grammar schools, and to the parents of the class which will enter the high school in February. In addition, two receptions to parents have been given this year by the teachers at the school building.
1/1
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Special tables showing certain phases of High School conditions :-
Music and Outside Work, November, 1912. SENIOR CLASS.
Boys.
Girls. Total.
1. Doing nothing outside school ..
42
86
128
2. Taking music, but doing no outside work.
16
57
73
3. Taking music, and doing outside work .. 19
8
27
4. Doing outside work, but taking no music. 55
18
A. MUSIC.
1. Studying instrumental music.
10
45
55
(a) Piano (with instruction).
5
38
43
(c) Violin
2
4
6
(d) 'Cello
1
1
2
(e) Guitar
0
1
1
(f) Clarinet
1
0
1
(g) Cornet
1
0
I
(h) Piano and Organ.
1
0
1
2. Studying vocal music (with instruc- tion)
5
9
14
3. Studying vocal music (without in- struction)
1
0
1
(a) In choir
3
0
3
music
0
4
4
5. Earning money by music.
2
3
5
6. Time taken by practising :-
(a) Less than 5 hours per week ...
8
(b) Between 5 and 10 hours per week . .
57
(c) Between 10 and 25 hours per week
27
B. OUTSIDE WORK.
1. Times of work :-
(a) Friday after school and Satur- day
32
7
39
(b) After school on other days. 38
20
58
2. Hours of work per week :-
(a) Less than 10 hours.
16
20
36
(b) Between 10 and 20 hours.
32
4
36
(c) Between 20 and 25 hours.
11
3
14
(d) Between 25 and 37 hours.
10
0
10
(e) 50 hours per week.
1
0
1
3. Kinds of work :-
(a) In market.
12
0
12
(b) Clerk in store
25
8
33
(c) Newspapers
3
1
4
(d) Clerical work.
5
4
9
(e) Driving auto or delivery wagon,
10
0
10
(f) Library work ..
1
10
11
(g) Miscellaneous
15
5
20
(b) Piano (without instruction).
3
12
15
4. Studying vocal
and instrumental
-
172
ANNUAL REPORTS.
JUNIOR CLASS.
Boys.
Girls. Total.
1. Doing nothing outside school.
54
121
175
2. Taking music, but doing no outside work.
13
66
79
3. Intending to study music. ...
3
7
10
4. Taking music, and doing outside work. 12
10
22
5. Doing outside work, but taking no music. 81
19
100
A. MUSIC.
1. Studying instrumental music :-
(a) Piano
17
61
78
(b) Violin
1
6
7
(c) 'Cello
1
2
3
(d) Cornet
1
0
1
(e) Trombone
0
1
1
(f) Traps and drums
1
0
1
(g) Pipe organ ..
1
0
1
(h) Two instruments.
0
3
3
3. Studying vocal and instrumental music
0
1
1
4. Time occupied in practising :-
(a) Less than 5 hours per week ...
1
5
6
(b) Between 5 and 10 hours per week
8
60
68
(c) Between 10 and 25 hours per week
4
23
27
B. OUTSIDE WORK.
1. Times of work :-
(a) At end of school week.
45
9
54
(b) During school week.
48
20
68
1. Evening work ...
13
6
19
2. Hours of work per week :-
(a) 10 hours a week or less.
25
16
41
(b) Between 10 and 25 hours a
45
6
51
(c) Between 25 and 40 hours a
23
6
29
3. Kinds of work :----
(a) In market.
23
0
23
(b) Clerk in store
28
8
36
(c) Newspapers
9
0
9
(d) Clerical work ..
6
2
8
(e) Driving wagon.
7
0
7
(f) Carpenter work. . . .
3
0
3
(g) Drafting
2
0
2
(h) Caring for children
0
7
7
(i) Housework
0
2
2
(j) Music teaching.
0
4
4
(k) Teaching of dancing
1
1
(1) Miscellaneous
17
5
22
2. Studying vocal music.
3
4
7
week
week
.
. .
173
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Number of Pupils in High School Pursuing Various Studies December, 1912.
ARRANGED BY CLASSES.
Senior.
Junior.
Ilb.
Ila.
Ib.
Ia.
Total.
English
323
350
61
430
150
494
1808
History
229
341
38
287
61
341
1297
Mathematics
201
223
25
206
149
450
1254
Chemistry
113
76
189
Physics
69
31
16
116
Biology
17
9
12
38
Physiology
16
200
216
Latin
82
101
20
187
79
162
631
Greek
23
27
9
20
1
80
French
131
195
31
141
35
185
718
German
122
125
5
104
17
373
Spanish
5
17
27
1
30
80
Manual training
1
2
14
34
38
96-
185
Applied arts
6
14
3
10
33
Mechanical drawing
38
34
14
93
38
103
320
Freehand drawing .
24
22
5
26
72
96
245
Bookkeeping
58
53
37
211
64
219
283
Penmanship
49
112
39
180
380
Commercial geography
24
6
30
Commercial law
24
6
30
Stenography
92
127
219
Typewriting
.
104
137
28
187
44
500
With heartiest thanks to you and the School Committee for assistance and interest, and with pleasant anticipations for the coming years under improved conditions and enlarged op- portunities, I am
Very respectfully yours, JOHN A. AVERY.
Somerville, Mass. December 21, 1912.
1
Elocution
156
195
41
323
43
23
67
133
Cooking
111
Commercial arithmetic
16
264
Business practice
715
174
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, 1912-1913.
Mr. Charles S. Clark,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: The second year of the Industrial School for Girls opened in September, 1912, with additional courses in household arts and trade cooking, the need for broader training having developed during the first year. These courses met with instant success from both the extended educational and practical points of view.
The course in household arts is designed for those who wish a practical knowledge of home making, and the training is so planned to meet the needs of each girl individually that should she so desire, she can find employment later in any one of the major subjects. This course covers a period of two years, and includes the study of dressmaking, millinery, and cooking ; the related subjects of textiles, design, and home economics; the vocational subjects of English, business arith- metic, household chemistry, administration, and personal hygiene. Throughout the course the aim is toward develop- ing the girls in judgment and initiative.
While cooking is given to all the girls, the course has been expanded into a trade course for those who wish to accept one of the many opportunities for employment for women along the lines of household science. It includes both plain and fancy cooking, the study of food values, planning menues and estimating cost of same, table and waitress service.
A's a required part of the training the girls act as waitresses at the school luncheon period, and as occasion arises are sent out as accommodators for formal and informal affairs.
Throughout the year many luncheons are given which are planned by the girls, and the materials purchased by them. From the orders received for cakes, preserves, rolls, and salads, it is realized that there is a demand in the community for such skilled service.
The school is prepared to do catering for small luncheons and evening affairs and furnish waitresses for the same, as a means of testing the girls' ability along these lines preparatory to trade work.
Sewing is given in this course, the sewing that will enable girls to become skilled in the accommodating line. They are taught the making of simple cotton dresses, the mending and care of table linens, laundering fine laces and embroideries, mending stockings, and darning woollen and cotton goods.
With the problem always before us of the dull season in millinery, and the substitution of some supplementary training,
175
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
several subjects have been added to that course for the period during the winter affected by the dull season in trade. A three- months' course in salesmanship for this class includes textiles, sales-slip practice, and knowledge of good selling points. Practical work in the shops is required of each girl and a report required of her progress. These girls are also given additional lessons in home economics and mending, with the plain sewing required in the making of a simple cotton dress. The girl studying millinery has thus opportunities of becoming, first, a milliner's helper during the season ; second, selling in the stores during the Christmas season; third, serving as waitress in some one of the women's lunch rooms, and, fourth, becoming an independent accommodator or mothers' helper.
To the trade courses have been added the studies of design and textiles. Design includes the drawing of small conven- tional patterns that can be applied to the work in the respective trades ; the transferring of designs, reconstructing dress and hat designs along the lines of practicability; training in quick sketching of dresses and hats from model and memory; also the study of color and color schemes, reproduction of materials, matching color to fashion sheets, and stenciling.
The study of textiles is connected with schoolroom prob- lems. The most important fibres, such as cotton, flax, silk, and wool, are analyzed. as well as materials used in the construction of wearing apparel.
Visits have been made by the students to millinery open- ings and to the School for the Blind to see how materials are woven.
Opportunities are found for the girls to earn money while still in school, although a certain amount of outside shop work is required of all the girls while still in training.
The advanced class in millinery was placed at part time work during the fall season in several of the Boston shops, and all employers have given gratifying reports of the careful training they have received, and of their interest in their work. Eighty-six dollars was earned by the girls during the three months.
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