USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1914 > Part 4
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3. Taking up the seventh and eighth years as a part of the High school makes it easy to begin departmental teaching in these grades and to adapt the methods of teaching and discipline to the changing demands of the children. It also makes it much easier to begin work in foreign languages, constructive geometry, history, litera- ture, and elementary science where they should begin. We lose much by postponing the study of languages to the later years, when children have grown out of the imitiative period of life, in which they can most easily learn to understand, speak, read, and write a new language.
4. Our high-school work now suffers in comparison with that of the Gymnasium and Realschule of Germany, the lycee of France, and the public school of England, and much of the work of our colleges must therefore be of a very elementary kind. With the rearrangement pro- posed here, boys and girls at the end of the 12 years of elementary and secondard school might have to their credit a much larger amount of effective work in lan-
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guages, mathematics, science, and other subjects than they now have.
IN GENERAL.
Committee meetings have been held the Monday fol- lowing the fifteenth of each month throughout the year, as well as a number of special meetings. A statute makes the Superintendent the executive officer of the School Committee, thus making the function of the School Con- mittee, legislative.
I want to take this opportunity to express my ap- preciation of the kindly and progressive co-operation of the committee. Without this the work of the schools would have suffered.
Respectfully submitted, A. W. SMALL,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit my annual report.
The total membership of the High school for the six months ending June 26, 1914 was 74. The average mem- bership was 70.23. The average attendance was 66.81. The per cent of attendance was 95.13.
Sixteen students were graduated in June, 1914, as follows :
Anna D. Burns
Arthur W. Coombs, Jr.
Samuel C. Condon
Almeda B. Crouse
Gertrude A. Eldridge
Hazen W. Emery Almin E. Finn
Charles H. Jewell
Mary M. Keough
Ernest A. Le Duc
Grace L. Libby
Esther M. McInnis Beulah Pease
W. Russell Sargent
Norman D. Whaland H. Pearle Wood
The total membership for the four months ending January 1, 1915 was 82. The average membership was: 78.38. The average attendance was 75.68. The per cent of attendance was 95.56.
At the beginning of the spring term, Miss Katherine
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G. Little resigned as teacher of English and Science in the High school. Miss Little left to accept a position in the Salem High school, taking with her the most cordial good wishes of both teachers and pupils.
In her place Miss Mae G. Bagley of Lynn is conduct- ing the English courses, and Mr. Henry H. Broadfoot, those in Science.
Frederick H. Sargent of the class of 1915 died December 24, 1914. Mr. Sargent was a young man of fine abilities, a thorough student and one whose quiet dis- position and likeable qualities had made a favorite with us all. I welcome this opportunity to express the sense of our own loss and to join in the general sympathy which has gone out to those upon whom the blow has fallen with its greatest force.
The Merrimac High school is one of the largest in the state in proportion to the number of inhabitants in the town. That fact is entirely to the credit of the town, but it is attended with one serious drawback. Our expendi- tures for High school purposes must be approximately that of other towns whose population and valuation are much greater than ours.
Two conclusions seem to be inevitable. First, that we cannot hope to compete with the large High schools in variety of courses offered, and that to attempt it would prove ruinous to the school. Secondly, that we must stick to the beaten paths. We should make no radical change or adopt any new idea until it has been thoroughly tested by communities whose resources are greater than ours; by communities, also, where the general conditions are the same as ours. The fact that an idea has worked out successfully in a city like. Haverhill or in a state like Pennsylvania is very slight evidence that it will work out well in Merrimac.
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We can, however, with our small classes and our limited variety of subjects, do our work more thoroughly and give our pupils that complete drill which is impos- sible in the High schools of our cities and large towns.
The Commercial Course has become a recognized fea- ture of our High schools. Its origin lay in a popular feeling that the standard course offered the student little that was practical. Whether that feeling was mistaken or not need not be argued here. The course was admittedi grudgingly into our curriculums by the educators of that day, largely with the idea of providing something for those whose mental powers were not suited to the work then in vogue, and so keeping them in school.
The plan has worked out as might have been antici- pated. Very, very many pupils with mental powers ample for any kind of work, have seen and accepted the opportunity of obtaining a diploma without the expense of brain energy which the other courses would require. To offset this, it is, and has been, our aim to make our own Commercial Course a hard one ; speaking practically, to require of those taking it an amount of work of the mechanical or manual sort to offset the small amount of hard study required. The results are already apparent. In the class which graduated last June thirteen out of sixteen pupils were in the Commercial Course. In the class of 1915 the proportion is seven out of thirteen.
It seems self-evident that students are in the High school primarily to train their minds and not their hands. Commercial courses may be obtained easily and inexpen- sively after the High school course is finished. May I not, therefore, ask the parents of our pupils to assist the teachers in taking care that the Commercial Course be not, in the future, selected merely as a path of least re- sistance.
Our Commercial Course has been a success. At least
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seven out of its thirteen graduates of last June were qualified to accept positions as stenographers without further study. The writer is inclined to doubt if that record has ever been equalled in any school, public or private, by any class whose average age was so small.
In our freshman class of this year, we have six pupils who have entered from neighboring places which main- tain a ninth grade. Every one of the six is doing much better work than any but the very brightest of their classmates. The extra year of preparation has given them an advantage to which their abilities do not entitle them, and which will undoubtedly give their High school course a value and a success which their classmates in general cannot hope for.
The changes in the course of study which went into effect last September were made largely in an attempt to meet this lack of preparation in our entering classes. Their success in that direction is only partial, as yet. The writer is more strongly than ever of the opinion that our High school will be satisfactory to nobody, committee, superintendent, parents, teachers, or the public in general, until a preparatory year is added to its course.
In this connection I might add that the students en- tering from our own eighth grade were in better shape, in the matter of preparation, than those coming to us from the eighth grades of neighboring towns.
I believe that no one will contend that pupils enter- ing the High school can know what business or profession they will wish to follow in after life ; or that their parents can predict with any accuracy. I believe that in many cases, the uncertainty is just as great when the pupil graduates at the age of sixteen or seventeen. Is it not a fact, then, that preparation in the High school for any special work in after life will frequently be time wasted ?
The classical courses with its mixture of languages,
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mathematics, and science gives the pupils, on its com- pletion, the privilege of pursuing their studies in any direction that their maturer minds may dictate. It, also, to my mind, gives the best preparation for life to those who either are unable or do not wish to carry their studies farther. I am aware that this view is opposed to modern tendencies in education, and I state it more as an indication of what I would like to have our High school become, rather than of what it will be or can be. In this, as in the other portions of this report, I must be under- stood as speaking for myself alone.
Much permanent improvement has been made in the High school building during the past year. An up-to-date laboratory has been fitted up on the second floor; fire extinguishers have been placed on both floors and in the basement; a furnace has been put in to heat the halls; T-bolts have been placed on the outside doors; and the basement has been plastered and fitted with fire-proof doors at the points where it connects with the rest of the building. In its present state, the building will un- doubtedly prove amply sufficient for the needs of the town for many years to come.
I wish to express my gratitude to the superintendent, committee, teachers, parents, as well as to the public at large for the hearty support and confidence of which I have had so many evidences.
Respectfully, CLIFTON C. PUTNEY,
Principal Merrimac High School.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
To the School Board of the Town of Merrimac :
The following brief report is respectfully submitted.
During the past year the law relative to the inspec- tion of school children, in the grades, has been complied with.
On the whole the children's teeth have been attended to better than heretofore.
Some of the worst cases of diseased tonsils and ade- noids have been operated on, while others, although no- tices have been sent to the parents repeatedly, are still suffering for the need of attention.
While most children have some adenoid growth in the pharynx, notices are sent only in those cases that show either the results of the disease, by having a history of discharging ears or mouth-breathing or diseased ton- sils, associated with the adenoids, with, perhaps, a defect in speech. These cases I think all doctors agree, should receive surgical attention to avoid the dangers of infec- tion, which may disable the child or even be the indirect cause of death, as in cases of endocarditis, a complication following the rheumatism, so often seen in tonsilitis. It is conceded that a large percent of deafness comes from neglected tonsils and adenoids.
We have again been fortunate in not having had any serious infectious disease among the school children, during the past year, while at East Haverhill and West Newbury, a few miles away, the schools have been closed on account of scarlet fever.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. SWEETSIR, M. D., School Physician.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To Superintendent Small and School Board of Merrimac :
Your Supervisor of Music submits the following re- port of that which has been accomplished in this depart- ment during the year just closed :
This has been another very busy and successful sea- son, in fact, the most fruitful it has been my privilege to report. Each year finds the several grades just a little in advance of those of the previous year, working from the same material and doing the same problems of former pupils. This is very gratifying, and may be accounted for in a measure, by the better understanding and pre- sentation of the work by the regular teachers, but not wholly from that cause, I am satisfied. Stricter attention is noticeable on the part of the pupils, so that improved class work is possible. Certainly, your supervisor has yet to see in the Merrimac schools closer attention to studies and more diligence displayed by pupils, from the lower grade children to the seniors in the High school, than is apparent at the present time; and these facts are evident- ly responsible, in no small degree, for the improved con- ditions, as it is impossible in the study of music at least, to get the best results where there is lack of proper attention.
While the work this year has been to cover, in a gen- eral way, all the features of school music study, there has been especial effort in several directions. Much thought has been given to the telling and writing of the Key signatures, both in sharps and flats, in all the grades. The upper grade pupils have made especial study of the F
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(or bass) clef, so that the boys may be more proficient than heretofore in the reading of their parts when they enter the High school.
All of the grade pupils, from the second class up, are required to tell the story of the Keys in a thorough and systematic way, which is a musical education in itself, and no pupil is allowed to shirk this duty.
I will not take the space to call attention, specifically, to the work of each grade, but will refer to those rooms where the greatest interest is manifested. The fifth grade, which is located at the Prospect street school, and the sixth grade, at the Central building, best exemplify the conditions which call for special mention in this re- port. These schools are about equal in merit, and are entitled to much praise for their endeavors. They are not doing the same line of work, but each grade shows its superiority over classes of past years. All of the other grades are, apparently, singing up to the standards of former years.
I am pleased to note improvement in the musical conditions at the High school. Interest in and a desire to learn, songs of the higher class of music is apparent, which is a very welcome sign in these days of so-called popular music. It is the opinion of your supervisor that love for the best in music has suffered in the town of Merrimac, as well as in very many of the towns and cities of the entire country, not only in the upper classes of the schools, but in the hearts of the people, as well, because of the trashy stuff that is being constantly ground out and called music, which is heard at the theatres of the cities, and in moving-picture shows and vaudeville, wherever they are given. There seems to be no remedy in sight as yet, for this most deplorable state of musical af- fairs,-only patience and forbearance must be exercised, in the hope of a speedy reaction and a happy return to
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rationalism in music-to the good old days of pure mel- ody and clean moral lyrics. This frenzy for the inferior music is not noticeable in children below the seventh grade, to any great extent, and the pure, simple melodies of their school songs are greatly enjoyed and appreciated by all. Would we might all return to the love of the clean and wholesome in the realm of music.
My thanks are due to the excellent corps of teachers for co-operation ; to the pupils for a most friendly spirit at all times ; to Supt. Small and School Board for a com- mendable attitude, and for generous supplies; and to all who, in any way, assisted the supervisor in the musical part of the graduation in June, 1914.
Respectfully submitted, WM. E. HARTWELL,
Supervisor of Music.
Haverhill, Jan. 12, 1915.
INDEX
Auditor's report .25
Assessors report 45-46-47
Appropriations 1914 .5-6
Cemetery Trustees report
Church and Lower Corner 56
Locust Grove 54
Perpetual care of lots .57
Respected care of lots 57
Soldiers buried 58
Collector's report 40
Engineers, Fire report 48-49
Interest, Financial statement Jan. 1, 1915 28
Kimball Park Trustees report 53
Light, Municipal Board report
Assets 81
Balance sheet 80
Bonds, notes, interest 80
Construction 76
Cost of construction 80
Distribution tools 78
Expended 80
Fuel 77
General salaries 79
Insurance and incidentals 80
Lamps, etc., 79
Liabilities 81
Light report 74
Maintenance 77
Meters 77
Office expense 79
Oil and waste 78
Repairing steam plant 78
Repairs electric plant 78
Repairing lines 79
Station wages 78
Salaries Municipal Light Board
79
Transformers 77
Notes .7
Police Department report
50-51
Public Library report
59-62
Assessors
10
Auditor
10
Auto signs
21
Bonding Town Officers
23
Board of Health 19
Collector .9
Cemeteries 18
Election officers 11
Fire Engineers 10
22
Forest Warden 21
Fire Department 16
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth
15
Highway and Bridges
23
Insurance
23
Inspector of Animals
11
Light expense
8
Miscellaneous Department
13-14
Memorial Day
21
Mothers' Pension Fund.
12
Notes
.7
Oil lamps
20
Overseers of Poor
11-12
Public Library
17
Police and Night Watch
10
Registrars of Voters 10
Railings 19
Schools 8
Fire alarm boxes
Sealer of Weights and Heasures 20
School Committee 9
Selectmen .9
State Aid 21
Sidewalks and crossings 20
Snow and washouts
18
Soldiers relief
12
Town Officers
9
Town Clerk
9
Treasurer 9
Town Counsel
10
Tree Warden 22
Taxes
22
Water Department 8
School Department
Committee's report
83
Expenses 87
Financial Statement .86
High school principal's report .95-99
School Physician's report 100
Supervisor of Music report 101-103
Superintendent's report . 89-94
Recapitulation table 26-27
Sargent hall 51
Sealer of Weights and Measures' report 52
Special Town meeting appropriations .6
Town officers 2-4
.6
Town Clerk's report 63-64
29-30
Treasurer's report, F. C. Grant.
31
Cemetery trust funds
37
Electric light depreciation fund
38
Funded debt
36
Kimball Park fund 38
Public Library fund 38
Interest 37
Town officers' pay
Treasurer's report, W. H. Scott,
Receipts 31-35
Uncollected taxes 1913-1914 41-42
Water Commissioners
Additions 1914 70
Bonds, notes, interest
71
Balance sheet 72
Construction 66
Cost up to Jan. 1, 1914 69
Estimate ensuing year 65
Expense 65
!
Expended
73
Fuel
68
Income
66
Insurance
72
Maintenance
.67
Oil and waste
68
Office expense
69
Salaries
68
Supplies to station 68
Station wages 68
Repairs .67
Receipts 72
Water analysis table 7
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