USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1911-1915 > Part 43
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April 22. At Plymouth, William A. Freeman of Duxbury, and Elizabeth M. Leonard of Plymouth, by Rev. Charles P. Marshall.
April 23. At Boston, Arthur E. Holmes of Duxbury, and Grace B. Collingill of Plymouth, by Rev. Howard A. Bridgman.
April 28. At Duxbury, Warren R. Holmes and Florence M. Johnstone, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Lewis J. Thomas.
May 5. At Duxbury, Waldo B. Reed of Duxbury, and Sarah E. Porter of Marshfield, by Rev. Lewis J. Thomas.
May 23. At Duxbury, Frank E. Stuart of Cambridge, and Grace S. Cobbett of Duxbury, by Rev. Lewis J. Thomas.
May 31. At Duxbury, Peter Barros and Sarah G. Albert, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Andrew Hahn.
June 6. At Duxbury, George H. F. Phillips and Mildred W. Peterson, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Andrew Hahn.
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June 16. At Kingston, Michael G. Farrell and Bridget C. Gunning, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Andrew F. Haberstroh.
July 31. At Duxbury, Manuel Gomes and Ella Smith, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Charles H. Peck.
August 4. At Kingston, Leonidas J. Berriault of Duxbury, and Marie A. A. Hudon of Pembroke, by 'Rev. Andrew F. Haber- stroh.
September 12. At Kingston, John S. Clark and Nora Hines, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Andrew F. Haberstroh.
September 14. At Duxbury, Percy C. Bent of Cambridge, and Phoebe Hodges of Watertown, by Rev. Walter R. Bartlett.
October 23. At Kingston, Ray M. Parks and Hazel V. Ran- dall, both of Duxbury, by Rev. H. S. Kilborn.
November 17. At Duxbury, Henry H. White and Victoria E. Millett, both of Duxbury, by Rev. Lewis J. Thomas.
November 21. At Kingston, George Bray of Somerville, and Josephine G. Laundrigan of Duxbury, by Rev. John A. McCauley.
December 14. At Walpole, Philip Boucher of Duxbury, and Annie O'Donnell of East Walpole, by Rev. D. H. Riley.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
For the Year Ending Dec. 31,
1915
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Albert M. Goulding, Chairman,
Andrew Hahn,
Joshua B. Weston, Secretary,
term expires 1918 term expires 1917
term expires 1916
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS William E. Chaffin, Egypt.
TEACHERS FOR 1915-1916.
Name, Post Office Address.
Alton H. Hartford, Partridge Academy and Duxbury High School, Duxbury.
Helen L. Clark, High School, Duxbury.
Helen J. Beadell, High School, Duxbury.
Ellen W. Downey, Village Grammar, Kingston.
Eileen Marshall, Tarkiln Grammar, Bryantville, R. F. D.
Elizabeth A. Hastings, Village Primary, Duxbury.
Helene Nelson, Tarkiln Primary, Bryantville, R. F. D.
Mrs. Mary L. Devereux, Point School, Duxbury.
Sarah E. Paulding, Millbrook, Duxbury.
Abbie Baker, Ashdod, West Duxbury. Blanche W. Simmons, South Duxbury, Millbrook.
Clara H. Glover, Island Creek, South Duxbury.
Esther Babcock, North Duxbury, North Duxbury.
Samuel Warner, teacher of drawing, North Pembroke.
Pansy E. Bartlett, teacher of music, Marshfield.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The report of the School Committee of the Town of Duxbury is herewith submitted, also the report of Superintendent of Schools, Principal of Partridge Academy and Duxbury High School, Teachers of Drawing and Music.
Several changes occurred in the teaching force this year. Miss Marion McGregor of the Tarkiln Primary was succeeded by Miss Helene Nelson. Miss Emily Cate of the High School re- signed and her place was taken by Miss Violette Waitte, who was succeeded in December by Miss Helen J. Beadell. Miss Bernice Belknap of North Duxbury resigned in December and the Committee elected Miss Esther Babcock to fill the vacancy.
Drawing in the Duxbury schools has improved rapidly under the able instruction of Mr. Warner.
Miss Bartlett has greatly improved the standard of music.
Bids were asked for the transportation of the Ashdod and High street scholars to the Tarkiln school; also for the Island Creek scholars to the Tarkiln Grammar school. The first was awarded to Charles M. Snow and the latter to Judson Chapman.
The overcrowded condition at the Village Grammar school was relieved by the transporting of the Island Creek scholars to Tarkiln.
The School Committee had the representative of the Weir Stove Company visit the Village Grammar School in regard to running the heater. He showed the Committee and Mr. Winsor how the heater should be run, since then there has been no trou- ble heating the school.
The scholars of Village Grammar school after interviewing their parents, voted 63 to 13 to have the school hours remain as at present.
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At Millbrook new desks have been installed and a new cess- pool built.
At Island Creek the school has been thoroughly painted in- side and a new platform built.
At Tarkiln new desks have been supplied at the Primary school and inside painting done.
At Hall's Corner the school has been thoroughly painted in- side, new doors put on, made to swing out.
At North Duxbury the old double desks have been replaced by new single seats.
The floors in all the schools have been oiled.
The itemizing of the financial account is taken from the new system of accounting.
ALBERT M. GOULDING, ANDREW HAHN, JOSHUA B. WESTON.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, JANUARY 1, 1916
Jan. 1, 1915, unexpended balance, $1,437 70
Jan. 12, 1915, Dividend Dog Fund, 443 79
March, 1915, Appropriation, 12,000 00 Nov. 17, 1915, Tuition and Transportation,
State, 125 00
Sale of books,
8 42
$14,014 91
Expenditures
High School instruction,
$2,295 00
Grammar and Primary,
4,687 50
Music,
200 00
Drawing,
358 50
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Superintendent,
633 30
Transportation,
1,467 05
Janitor High School,
300 00
Janitors other schools,
565 00
Fuel, High School,
285 00
Fuel, other schools,
370 80
Book Agent,
75 00
Census,
35 00
Tuition,
20 00
Truant Officers,
5 00
Books, stationery,
628 32
Supervision,
37 05
School Committee,
37 50
Furniture,
379 11
Fire extinguishers,
12 00
Health,
75 00
Cleaning schools,.
63 00
Water and plumbing,
314 96
Janitor's supplies, High school,
6 31
All other schools,
39 84
Repairs, etc.,
406 41
Grounds,
13 80
Oiling floors,
16 80
Miscellaneous,
65 27
Diplomas and graduating exercises,
20 59
Repairing clock,
1 00
All other,
1 75
15 35
$13,431 21
Balance,
$583 70
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Board :-
I submit herewith my seventh annual report as Superintend- ent of Schools.
The summary of statistics heretofore given at the beginning of the report will be found in the appendix with other statistical data.
The enrollment of the schools from data taken in December, 1915, was 303 pupils. This is the largest December enrollment since this data has been taken.
To relieve the overcrowded condition at the Village Grammar school the grammar pupils from Island Creek were transferred to the school at Tarkiln. Since this change has been made there is no room in town that has as many pupils as the State average number of 44 per room. The average number per room for Duxbury is 28. This low average number of pupils per teacher causes Duxbury's average expense per pupil to be slightly above the average for the state. On the other hand Duxbury's tax rate for support of schools is $2.65 per thousand dollars of valuation, while the average rate for the towns and cities of the state is $4.54.
The population of this town is so scattered that farther con- solidation and a consequent larger number of pupils per teacher would be a difficult matter.
As it is our teachers should be able to give more attention to individual pupils who are slow in some studies than is possible with a larger number of pupils. This should result in a smalle» percentage of retarded pupils than occurs in school systems har- ing an average of from 40 to 50 pupils per teacher. This, how-
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ever, does not seem to be the case. There were more non-promo- tions last year than conditions seem to warrant. By this it is not meant that any well prepared pupils failed of promotion at the end of the year ; but that more careful attention to the needs of backward pupils, that the small number of pupils in most of the rooms warranted might have resulted in more pupils being prepared for advancement.
Special attention will be given to decrease the number of non- promotions by increasing the amount of drill on the minimum essential things necessary for the pupils to do the work of the succeeding grade, and by a study of the needs of pupils who are backward in some of their work. The following is quoted from the report of the State Board of Education: "When the pupil lacks faculty in some line of study, as penmanship, reading or arithmetic, a careful examination should be made to determine the reasons for his weakness." Ofttimes such weakness is due to, or results from, defects in early training in the subject, or from some physical limitation, as near-sightedness or difficulty of hearing, which can be obviated or cured by treatment. When, however, the difficulty is inherent and ineradicable, and the re- sulting weakness in school work makes it impossible for the pupil to benefit by instruction, and makes his presence in the class a decided obstacle to the teacher in her work with the other members, then such defective or backward pupil should be placed in a special class or institution.
If the weakness of the pupil in a school subject is not such as seriously to interfere with the pupil's progress in other lines of work, and does not seriously affect the work of the class as a whole, then the pupil should be advanced with his mates on a minimum attainment in that subject in which he is weak.
Our percentage of attendance is again above the average for the state. This is favorable, but it is important to increase the regularity of attendance in some of the schools if we are to de- crease the number of retarded pupils and maintain a reasonable standard of efficiency in our work. To improve our standard of
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attendance it will be necessary for both teachers and parents to take an interest in the standing of their local schools.
With a view to attracting attention to this important matter the following list is given in which the schools are ranked ac- cording to the percentage of attendance found on the school registers.
School, Teacher, Percentage.
Island Creek, Clara Glover, 91.55
Point, Mary L. Devereux, 96.00
Village, Grades 5 and 6, Elizabeth Hastings, 95.40
South Duxbury, Blanche Simmons, 95.20
Village, Grades ? and 8, Ellen Downey, 94.66
Partridge Academy, Alton H. Hartford, 94.40
Ashdod, Abbie Baker, 92.70
Tarkiln Grammar, Eileen Marshall, 92.44
Millbrook, Sadie Paulding, 92.00
Tarkiln Primary, Marion McGregor, 87.40
North Duxbury, Bernice Belknap, 84.64
The above list shows less than two and one-half per cent. of absence at Island Creek and more than five times that amount at Tarkiln Primary and North Duxbury. The latter schools apparently have been no more interfered with by sickness than the school at Island Creek. It is difficult to understand why there should be this difference in the attendance. The matter is worth investigation at an early date.
The course of studies for Duxbury schools is at present being revised and a copy will shortly be placed in the hands of the teachers. In this nothing elaborate is being attempted. It will simply define the amount and kind of work to be done in each grade in each subject. As yet no attempt will be made to require a definite amount of work in the practical arts. Until these sub- jects are in some degree out of the experimental stage and the state has something definite to recommend, it would seem wise for Duxbury to persue the policy of "watchful waiting" in regard
1
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to this work. The following in regard to these subjects is taken from the State Report: "Educators generally are convinced that the elementary education of the future should be rich in practical arts studies. Nevertheless, there still exists the utmost confusion both as to aims and as to methods of instruction in these fields. The entire situation is still in an experimental stage."
Early in the fall term a Parent-Teachers' Association was formed as a branch of the State Association. Regular monthly meetings have since been held. These meetings should result in a broader and more comprehensive grasp of school problems on the part of both teacher and parent and cannot fail to if parent and teacher each strive to see things from the viewpoint of the other. Kindly constructive criticism will help and destructive criticism or fault finding will hurt the schools.
Last spring the work of the Academy was approved by the State Board of Education and for the first time the school is placed on the list of schools whose graduates gain admission to the State Normal schools without examination by having main- tained a requisite standing in their studies while in high school.
Our work in the various studies has been discussed in previous reports and little remains to be said at this time. Manual train- ing as mentioned in a previous report is being continued and strenuous endeavors are being made to continue improvement in the traditional studies. Reading and oral English are at present receiving special attention. It would seem an easy matter for all teachers to require pupils in reading to stand in the isle clear of the desk, hold the book properly and read distinctly with clear cut enunciation and good expression and so as to interpret the thought of the author. Some teachers succeed in doing this but indications are that it would be difficult to find any school system where all the teachers succeeded in so doing. Also it would seem easy to require pupils in oral recitation, to recite in complete sentences, with good articulation and so as to be easily understood. It is, however, easy to find classes where there is still much room for improvement in this respect.
Duxbury seven
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The grammar or high school teacher who causes his pupils to form the dictionary habit has done much, for it must be remem- bered that the habits formed during school life are much more important than the facts learned in school.
The discipline and atmosphere of the schoolroom should be such as to develop cheerful obedience to those in authority, a kindly regard for the rights and feelings of others, faithful at- tention to duty and the habit of industry.
Governor Walsh at a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Teachers' Association well said that the chief function of the public schools is to develop better and more efficient citizens and that all else is incidental. In Duxbury we are striving to keep the discipline, the work and the general atmosphere of the school- rooms such as to improve the standard of citizenship.
Your attention is called to the report of the principal of the high school, the reports of the special instructors, and the school calendar and other data in the appendix.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN, Superintendent of Schools.
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SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. W. E. Chaffin, Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir :-
There certainly should be a noticeable improvement in the singing throughout the schools of Duxbury. I can not praise the teachers enough for their good conscientious work.
Instructions have been continued according to the lesson plans in the "Weaver System" which was introduced into the schools last year. The grammar schools have naturally been able to accomplish more, there being but two or three grades in these rooms, and one class in singing, while in the primary schools where there are four and sometimes five grades, it is necessary to have two or three different classes in singing. How- ever, it is observable that the primary grades have made progress.
The fact that the pupils are very interested is evident, as it is seldom necessary to speak to a child for inattention.
All the teachers are provided with manuals explaining the system and giving lesson plans for the presentation to the pupils.
The monotones are getting more attention than previously.
In most cases monotone singers are among the first and second grades, so competent singers from the upper classes have been appointed as teachers for the little ones who are not able to sing but one or two tones. This idea seems to have created enthusiasm and has proved successful to some extent. No little child should be told he cannot sing, on the other hand, he should be encour- aged, especially the monotones, who do not sing with the class but individually, by imitation.
The grammar grades are singing two and three part music. They are also having written work and slip singing (exercises in sight singing). The marks on this work are averaged up and
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the result given on the report cards at the end of each month. The primary grades are also doing a little sight reading.
The pupils at the Academy are writing scales besides the sing- ing of four part exercises and selections from their song book.
Here, I thank our Superintendent, School Committee and teachers for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, PANSY E. BARTLETT, Supervisor of Music.
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SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
To Wm. E. Chaffin,
Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir :-
An exhibit of some of the drawings done in the Duxbury Public schools was given at the Marshfield Fair in August. The larger exhibition we expected to give at Duxbury was postponed until this coming spring on account of the short time at my disposal to prepare it properly. This promised exhibit will be given, and due announcement of same made at an early date.
Two of our workers lettered in the names of graduates on Grammar and High School diplomas for Duxbury and Marsh- field. This work done in Old English and previously handled by professional workers in Boston was put through in a most successful manner and I feel that we are much indebted to you for the chance to demonstrate the practical worth of vocational work. The money gained for this work and the awards made at Marshfield netted our workers about $14.00. On the strength of this diploma lettering two other towns or school officials of same have requested us to do the same work for them this srping.
The teachers for the most part have taken hold of the drawing very well indeed for the past year. The improvement over the previous year being marked.
Respectfully yours, SAMUEL WARNER.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE PARTRIDGE ACADEMY AND DUXBURY HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Wm. E. Chaffin,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :-
I herewith submit the following report of the work at the Partridge Academy and Duxbury High School for the year end- ing December 31, 1915 :
A class of five pupils was graduated at the close of the school year in June. This is the smallest number of graduates for sev- eral years, but this class had only eight members when it entered the school. The program of the graduating exercises and the names of the graduates will be found at the end of this report. One of the graduates is attending Cushing Academy, another is studying at the Burdett Business College, a third at the Went- worth Institute, and a fourth has just been appointed a teacher at one of the primary schools in this town. A member of the class of 1914, who took post graduate work at the Academy last year, entered the State Normal School at Framingham this fall.
The membership of the school this year is 53-9 seniors, 7 juniors, 16 sophomores, and 21 freshmen. This number, larger than we have had for many years, has made necessary the pur- chase of a dozen new desks for the recitation rooms and the addi- tion of several desks to those in the main room. Nineteen pupils entered the freshman class, a larger proportion than usual of the grammar school graduates.
It is to be regretted that a change of teachers and a necessary review of the work in several classes has put the pupils behind where they should be in some subjects; but the greatest effort will be made to cover the required ground by the end of the year,
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and present indications justify the hope that the effort will be successful.
The attendance during the past term has been better than it was last year, but there is still much room for improvement. No pupil can lose two or three school days out of each month, with- out this loss affecting his interest in the school work and, con- sequently, his mark for the month. Tardiness is also very pre- valent, but the usual excuse given by the pupil, "I guess I didn't start early enough," shows that in most cases tardiness could easily be avoided. In cases where some unusual circumstance makes it imperative that the pupil remain at home until it is too late to reach school before nine o'clock, a brief note of explana- tion from the parent will be greatly appreciated by the principal, and will release the pupil from the penalty attached to unneces- sary tardiness.
At the request of a member of the School Committee I will make a few explanations concerning our course of study. This course is shown in the following table. "R" designates those subjects which are required of all pupils, "E" those which are elective, and the figure following a subject indicates the credit toward graduation allowed for the successful completion of the subject. Sixteen credits are required for graduation.
First Year
English (with a review of grammar), R 1
Elementary Algebra,
R 1
Elementary Science, R 1
Latin,
E 1
Elementary Business,
E 1
Drawing,
E1/4
Second Year
English (with composition),
R 1
Community Civics,
R 1
Plane Geometry,
E 1
Latin (Caesar),
E 1
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Bookkeeping,
E 1
Physical and Commercial Geography, Ancient, History Typewriting, Drawing,
E 1/2
E 1/2
E 14
Third Year
English (Rhetoric),
R 1
English History,
R 1
Physics,
E 1
Shorthand and Typewriting,
E 1/2
French,
E 1
Latin (Cicero),
E 1
Review Mathematics (Geometry and College Entrance Algebra ),
E 1
Drawing,
E 1/4
Fourth Year
English (required for college entrance),
R 1
American History and Government,
R 1
Chemistry,
E 1
Shorthand and Typewriting,
E 11/2
French,
E 1
Latin (Virgil),
E 1
Drawing,
E 1/4
Elementary business consists of a half year of commercial arithmetic, six or eight weeks of penmanship and the rest of the year of elementary bookkeeping to prepare for the actual-business bookkeeping of the second year. Elementary science gives a brief view of the essential facts in physics, chemistry, botany, biology, astronomy and physiography, which all persons should know, and is of especial value to those pupils who take no other science courses in the high school. It usually arouses an interest in science so that more pupils elect physics and chemistry during their junior and senior years. Community civics is the study of the life and
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interests of the community, and the relations between the person and the community in which he lives. "Community civics should lead a person ; first, to see the importance of those things which affect the entire community; second, to know the agencies by which different things which affect the community are con- trolled ; third, to see in what way he can help the best interests of the community." The other subjects on the course need no explanation.
All the subjects in this course can not be given in any one year. There are several reasons for this, the chief of which is the following :- In order to obtain the approval of the State Board of Education certain specified requirements must be met. The most important are :-
"No teacher in an approved school shall teach more than six classes.'
"All classes whenever possible shall recite every day."
"To count as a full credit toward graduation the total recita- tion periods of a class must aggregate 120 sixty-minute periods."
We have in our daily school session 7 forty-minute periods, out of which, according to the above requirements no teacher may teach more than six. In order to aggregate 120 sixty- minute periods, all our classes must recite each day. Therefore it is necessary, if we wish the approval of the Board, to lessen the number of subjects taught in any one year. We have been able this year, for the first time, to meet these requirements and get the approval of the State Board, giving us the privilege of sending pupils to any State Normal School without examin- ation.
To lessen the number of classes the following combinations can be made. The junior and senior classes in all subjects except shorthand and French, can be combined, and the subjects given in alternate years : e. g., physics, senior English, English history, and senior Latin this year; chemistry, junior English, American history and junior Latin, next year. Every second year the review algebra and geometry can be omitted if the class is open
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to both juniors and seniors when it is given. This alternating of subjects makes larger classes and is proving very satisfactory to both teachers and pupils. In fact we have for several years combined classes and alternated physics with chemistry, and English history with American history. This year it was also possible to combine the French classes and the shorthand classes, thus further reducing the number of subjects; so that there is a recitation in each subject every day, with extra time for labor- atory work in the science classes.
Another question frequently asked is, "Can a pupil prepare for college examinations in four years at the Academy, or must he study an extra year at some preparatory school?" Since January 1, 1909, nine boys and seven girls have either entered college or normal school on certificate or passed college entrance examinations direct from the Academy.
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