USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1894 > Part 7
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Attention has been given to the methods of teaching penman- ship and the merits of " vertical " writing have been studied. Its simplicity, legibility, and hygienic position of pupil are strong features of the system, and it is likely that a test of it will be made in one of our schools.
No one who was in the habit of visiting our schools when they occupied rooms that were entirely unventilated save by occasion- ally opening a window, can fail to observe the great change that has resulted from the ventilating systems that have been adopted and are now in use in every occupied school building in Braintree.
Instead of the children and teachers sitting immersed in an atmosphere poisoned by their own exhalations, they now occupy rooms in which the air is constantly changed and is practically as
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pure as it is out of doors. The children are not so restless and study better, and there cannot fail to be less sickness among them. The teachers also speak of the improvement in their own health and energy. The State Inspectors have made several tests of our school buildings since November, coming without warning and testing the rooms without any previous preparation. Every test has been perfectly satisfactory, and the Chief of State Inspectors, Rufus R. Wade, has spoken in the strongest terms of commenda- tion of the excellent sanitary condition of our school buildings. It is obvious that any system in which the air is completely changed in every room every ten to fifteen minutes throughout the session must be more complicated and must require more expe- rience to operate than to keep fires in stoves. It is therefore hardly to be wondered at that there should have been days when the janitors have failed to have the temperature in all rooms up to the required 70 deg., but there has been a constant improvement in this respect, and we anticipate no further trouble.
We are very glad to be able to record that the winter has nearly passed without an epidemic of disease afflicting our schools al- though it has been perhaps the worst winter ever known thoughout the country for contagious diseases in schools. Our immunity we attribute not only to the perfect ventilation of our schoolrooms but to the precautions that have been taken in all directions for the details of which we again refer to the Superintendent's report. These precautions were not adopted under the pressure of the alarm from the spread of contagious diseases in adjoining towns but most of them have been in force for the last two years.
As far as we can learn, our school system is the first that has adopted many of these sanitary measures, but they work so well in our schools and are attended with so little expense that we be- lieve that it will be a question of but a short time before they are adopted generally. .
For sanitary as well as educational reasons, we have abolished the use of slates in all grades, using paper and pencil or pen and ink in their place, with a marked improvement in cleanliness, pen- manship and diminution of noise, and with an increase in expense that is small when the manifold advantages are considered.
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The introduction of the study of elementary Latin and Algebra, into our Grammar Schools is an advance that has been accom- plished during the year. Not only are these studies of use to those who are to enter the High School, but they will be of the great- est benefit to those whose school days will end in the Grammar School, as the latter would otherwise leave school without the slightest knowledge of these important studies, and although they obtain only the rudiments, yet we do not hesitate to say that what they do learn will be of the greatest practical value in their future life.
We are satisfied that there has been a great improvement in our High School since its reorganization, and the adoption of the new courses of study. We call particular attention to that part of Mr. Horne's report that treats of this subject, and also to the report of the principal, Mr. Oliver R. Cook. The great increase in the number of the pupils, from 64 to 100 in the last two years, and the fact that so few pupils have dropped out since the begin- ning of the school year in September; is gratifying and significant.
We recommend that the selectmen be authorized to sell the East and Iron Works School properties.
Much more has been done in transporting pupils living in the outlying districts to the schools than ever before and we believe that every dollar that has been spent for this purpose has been money well invested. These pupils now have the benefit of the best schools in town, and their record of attendance formerly the poorest, is now better than that of pupils living nearer the schools.
In making the usual annual repairs to the school buildings last summer a new plan was adopted that has proven very satisfactory. A sub-committee was appointed who visited all the buildings and made a complete list of all the work that needed to be done. We then employed Mr. Parker Hayward to take charge of this work, paying him $25 for his services. He was instructed to employ Braintree men for the work as far as possible and it was done under his charge. We believe that much more was accomplish- ed for the money spent than has hitherto been possible where the
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work has been done without expert supervision and that Mr. Hayward saved the town much more than the amount paid him.
Realizing the necessity for economy we have carefully scrutin- ized every item in our estimates for school expenditures during the coming year and have placed the amount of each item at the lowest possible figure consistent with the efficient operation of the schools. Although the past year has witnessed an increase of nearly 9% in our average school attendance we believe that by the exercise of the utmost economy the schools can be maintained without lowering their efficiency for practically the same appropri- ation as last year.
Our estimates are as follows ;
Salaries of teachers and superintendent (in addition
to dog tax and sinking fund)
$14,500 00
Janitors
1,325 00
Fuel .
1,600 00
Incidentals for schools
500 00
Incidentals for schoolhouses
750 00
Text books and supplies
1,000 00
Conveyance of pupils .
1,625 00
Total
$21,300 00
.
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As more than 95% of this amount is for charges that are fixed and cannot be varied we recommend that the sum of $21,300 be appropriated " for maintenance of schools" without specifying items. This will obviate the necessity for calling a special town meeting in case the committee find it necessary to use a small part of the amount estimated for one item to pay for material or work chargeable to another item.
In conclusion we take pleasure in testifying to the ability, good judgment and energy with which Mr. Irving W. Horne has ful-
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filled the duties of his position as superintendent. Credit for much that has been accomplished during the last two years, is due to him, and we venture to express the hope that he may remain in charge of Braintree Schools for many years.
THOMAS A. WATSON, HENRY L. DEARING, ANN M. BROOKS, S. C. BRIDGHAM, A. C. DRINKWATER, CARRIE F. LORING,
School Committee.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
To the School Committee of Braintree :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,-I herewith submit to you my third annual report of the public schools for the year ending January 1, 1895, and the tenth of the series of annual reports of the Superintendent of schools. It contains a report of my work, both as secretary of your Board and superintendent.
No change was made in the membership of the Board at the annual town meeting in March, and no change has occurred dur- ing the year. At that meeting Mr. Thomas A. Watson and Dr. Samuel C. Bridgham were reelected for three years, and Mrs. Carrie F. Loring for two years to complete the unexpired term of Rev. Oliver Huckel. At a meeting of the Board held April 5, 1894, Mr. Thomas A. Watson was reelected chairman and Mr. Irving W. Horne, secretary.
Ten regular and seven special committee meetings have been held during the year. In July and August the regular meetings were omitted.
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SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
Appropriations for schools for the year ending January 1, 1895 :
Teachers and superintendent :
Taxation .
$14,700 00
Dog tax
733 56
School fund
300 00
$15,733 56
Janitors
1,350 00
Incidentals for schools
500 00
Incidentals for school-
houses
700 00
Text books and sup- plies
1,100 00
Conveyance of pupils
1,325 00
Fuel
1,400 00
Rent of hall, Braintree
150 00
$22,258 56
Credits for tuition and
books
81 08.
Total 1
$22,339 64
Expenditures for the support of schools for the year ending. January 1, 1895 :
Teachers and superintendent
$15,143 70
Janitors
1,175 11
Incidentals for schools
568 04
Incidentals for schoolhouses
700 40
Text-books and supplies
1,075 81
Conveyance of pupils
1,020 95
Fuel
1,397 12
Rent of hall, Braintree
112 50
Reappropriation
1,107 79
Total
Unexpended balance
$22,301 42 38 22
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Monthly pay roll of teachers for December, 1894
$1,414 75
Monthly pay roll of teachers for December, 1893 1,405 75
Monthly pay roll of janitors for December, 1894
113 67
Monthly pay roll of janitors for December, 1893
94 00
Number of teachers, regular and special
28
Number of regular teachers
27
Number of female teachers
25
Number of male teachers
3
Average monthly wages of female teachers for
December, 1894 45 81
Average monthly salary of female teachers for
December, 1893 46 33
Average monthly wages of male teachers for De- cember, 1894. . 93 33
Average monthly wages of male teachers for De- cember, 1893 .
115 00
Number of pupils enrolled during the school year ending June 22, 1894
976
Number of children in town between five and fifteen years of age, May 1, 1894 892
Average membership of the schools in September and December, inclusive, in 1894 876
Average membership of the schools in September and December, inclusive, in 1893. 806
CONCERNING THE STATISTICS.
The past year has been particularly difficult in the management of the school finances. The rapid reorganization of the schools and other changes, some of which could not be anticipated far in advance, made it very difficult to determine appropriations. The immediate extension of conveyance of pupils complicated the prob- lem. Moving into new schoolhouses, like entering a new dwelling, necessitated unanticipated expenditures. Certain appropriations became exhausted, while in others there was a considerable unex- pended balance ; and, because of a vote passed at the last annual meeting, it became necessary to ask the town, at a special meet-
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ing, to re-appropriate these unexpended balances for other pur- poses than which they were intended. With the schools fully reorganized and the transportation of pupils well established, the problem of determining expenses will not be so difficult for some years.
It will be noticed that the average monthly salary of both male and female teachers has been decreased. The most reliable stand- ard of comparison in school attendance is the average membership for similar periods of time. The average membership of the schools for 1894 shows an increase of seventy over that of the same period in 1893.
SPECIAL EXPENDITURES.
Since our schools are now completely reorganized on a perma- nent basis, the expenses are closely determined and can vary only slightly during the year. Among the fixed expenditures are pay rolls of teachers, janitors and superintendent, and conveyance of pupils. The expense of text books, supplies, incidentals and schoolhouse repairs is far below the average for similar towns. The special expenses of equipment in the new and renovated schoolhouses, the money for which must be taken from these already meagre appropriations creates a peculiarly difficult financial problem. Among such equipments now demanding attention are the follow- ing : Double windows for the Pond, Monatiquot and Union buildings will not only afford considerable economy in the expense of fuel, but will make the sides of the class rooms more comfort- able, the heating and ventilating more perfect and the manage- ment of the heating plant much easier and more satisfactory. I have no doubt that the cost of fuel saved in four years would equal the cost of outside windows. Some convenient arrange- ment ought to be made for the artificial lighting of at least one room in each of the Jonas Perkins and Monatiquot buildings. Our teachers will be assembled still more frequently out of school hours for study and professional improvement, and some conve-
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nient place well lighted, seems necessary. The time and expense that teachers give to personal improvement are not lost by any means. Settees need to be provided for the as- sembly hall of the Jonas Perkins school. It is desirable for pu- pils to assemble for general exercises at times, and have their pa- rents and friends present. The assembly hall of the Monati- quot building has settees for only one third of it. One room in the Monatiquot building and four rooms in the Jonas Perkins are provided with old desks, most of which were thrown aside as use- less some years ago. Many of the teacher's desks also are in a shabby and dilapidated condition. Becauseof the increased de- mands, since the reorganization and equipment began, and the consequent enforced economy, many of the class rooms are pro- vided with only enough desks for the present number of pupils, so that new desks are required at each increase of scholars. At the present time there is an urgent demand for the extension of the work which has already been begun so excellently, of providing cabinets and collections of specimens for illustration and observa- tion. With these are needed reference books, charts and appara- tus in all the schools. Suitable tables are needed in nearly all the class rooms for the accommodation of these things when in use. The walls of nearly all the school rooms are bare. They should be decorated generously with the best things which art affords. There are many other things which time should bring to the as- sistance of the work of the schools. Every one will admit that the better way is not to study about things or to memorize statements about them, but to study the things themselves.
Of course text books, pencils, ink, paper, etc., must be supplied as needed, yet with the practice of the truest economy in supply- ing them and their most economical use in the school rooms, and with the continued and increased assistance of private generosity, all these things will come in abundance and speedily without in- creasing materially the appropriation for supplies and incidentals.
EXPENSE OF SCHOOLS.
In the annual report of the secretary of the State Board of Education, for the school year 1893-4, I notice that, for the towns
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of Weymouth, Dedham, Holbrook, Randolph, Hingham, Canton, Hyde Park, Melrose, Winchester, Arlington, Quincy and Brain- tree, the average of the appropriations for teachers, janitors and fuel for each child between 5 and 15 years of age is $19.01; for Braintree it is $18.75 ; for Norfolk County it is $19.95. The averages of the percentages of valuations appropriated for the same purpose is 4.20 mills ; for Braintree it is 3.61 mills. The average of the percentages of all school expenses of the total appropriations for the fiscal year of 1894, in the same towns, is .258; for Braintree it is .239. The average of the amounts appropriated for text books, supplies and incidentals for the same towns is $2.32 ; for Braintree it is $1.88. The expense of text books and supplies per pupil for the whole state, for the school year of 1893-4, was $1.77, while in Braintree for this purpose with incidentals added, it was only $1.88. For text-books and sup- plies it was $1.29. The average salaries of assistant teachers in primary and grammar schools in the same towns are maxi- mum $518.64, minimun $385. The average monthly salary of female teachers in the whole state is $47.91; of male teachers it is $129.41. In Braintree they are $45.81 and $93.33 re- spectively.
The towns named above were selected without any knowledge whatever of their various expenditures, but merely as represent- ative in population, location and wealth.
It will be seen that our educational expenses are not, in com- parison, excessive, even with the most approved school organiza- tion. When considered from the various standpoints, our expenses are well below the average. The reason why the mini- mum salary of assistant teachers is so low is chiefly because in .some of these towns the school year is much shorter than in Brain- tree, the salary per week or month being fully equal to the mini- mum salaries here.
It seems desirable to make the minimum price such that home candidates will be brought into competition in their qualifications with well qualified teachers from other towns. In this way only can the young women of Braintree, who desire to become teachers, be induced to acquire the qualifications which are for the best interests of our schools. There should, also, be provision for
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gradual increase from this minimum to an ordinary maximum sal- ary, perhaps $460 for the present, which shall depend upon suc- cessful and satisfactory experience. This would not increase materially the expense of tuition, because a certain number of teachers would begin each year at the minimum salary. The small annual increase, until the maximum should be reached, would be an inducement for the best teachers to remain in our schools.
TEACHERS.
Miss Margaret E. C. Bannon, because of her injuries in a rail- road accident in February, resigned from the Mayflower Park School, a position which she had filled with unusual success for twenty years, and Miss Martha W. Lock was appointed her successor. Miss Carrie M. Bassett and Miss Sarah W. Lane, assistants in the high school, resigned in March to go elsewhere. Miss Lane was elected to a more remunerative position in the Woodward Seminary at Quincy, Mass. These vacancies were filled by Miss Mary G. Osborn and Miss Ella Macgregor, assistants in the high schools at Lee and Maynard, Mass., respectively. Miss Alice C.Jenkins, assistant at the Pond primary, resigned in May and Miss Emma M. Kane was chosen to take her place. Mr. W. C. Burnham was elected to teach the branches of the business course, which was established in the high school in September. In August, Miss Mary L. Crowe, assistant in the Iron Works grammar school, resigned to accept a more remunera- tive position in the Quincy public schools ; and, as the Mayflower Park school was closed at that time, Miss Martha W. Lock was transferred to Miss Crowe's place in the Iron Works school. In September, Miss Helen A. Mitchell succeeded Miss E. Frances Hayward in the East school. In November, when the East, Iron Works and Middle street schools were closed and reorganized in the Jonas Perkins building, the plan of organization demanded an additional teacher, and Miss Nellie F. Monk was selected. In October, the services of Miss Carrie F. Spear, special super-
154
visor of music, were dispensed with, as our teachers have become well qualified to carry on her work.
The new teachers were well prepared by scholarship and exper- ience. Miss Osborn is a graduate of the Rhode Island State Nor- mal School and Wellesley College and has taught three and a half years in high schools. Miss Macgregor is a graduate of the Bridgewater State Normal School, four years course, and has taught three years in high schools. Miss Lock had attended Bos- ton University three and a half years. Miss Kane, Miss Monk and Miss Mitchell have completed high school courses and been graduated from the Bridgewater State Normal School. Mr. Burn- ham is a college graduate and a specialist in the business branches.
At the present time three of our teachers are college graduates and twelve are graduates of normal schools. Two and a half years ago, one teacher was a college graduate and six were grad- uates of normal schools. All other things being equal, the per- son with the best scholarship will be the best teacher.
We have an excellent body of teachers they are earnest and faithful and manifest a desire to do all that is best for the child- ren. Many of them are making considerable annual expenditures for general and professional improvement and culture. Some attended schools for teachers at considerable expense during the summer vacation.
During the year nine general and eighteen grade meetings have been held, and only one of these has interfered with the regular school work. All the teachers attended a state institute of instruction at Weymouth [on November 9. Many of them are constant attendants at teachers' meetings in Boston, and a most healthful spirit of educational activity permeates the whole school system.
SCHOOLHOUSES.
At the annual town meeting in March, 1893, a committee was appointed to consider the needs of East Braintree respecting
· JONAS PERKINS SCHOOL, EAST BRAINTREE.
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schoolroom accommodations. At an adjourned meeting in the following April, this committee recommended for the accommoda- tion of the pupils of the East and Iron Works Schools, that a building containing eight class rooms, an assembly hall and other necessary apartments, be erected on the corner of Liberty and Commercial streets, on land which had formerly been the home- | stead of Rev. Jonas Perkins, who during many years was a mem- ber of the school committee of Braintree. This recommendation was adopted and the same committee was authorized to carry it into effect. The schools were permitted to occupy the new build- ing November 9, 1894, and the house was formally transferred to the control of the school committee, and dedicated in a most ap- propriate manner as the "Jonas Perkins Schoolhouse," on the afternoon of November 27, 1894. The following is a program of the exercises :
HON. EDWARD AVERY, Presiding.
Overture. Orchestra.
Transfer of Building to School Committee.
Presentation of keys to the Selectmen.
Mr. Thomas A. Watson, chairman of Building Committee. Presentation of keys to the School Committee. Mr. John V. Scollard, of the Board of Selectmen.
Reception of the Keys.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, of the School Committee.
Selection
The Nilsson Ladies' Quarette.
Prayer .
.
Rev. W. H. Alexander.
Historical Address .
Samuel A. Bates, Esq.
Selection
Orchestra.
Address, His Excellency Governor Greenhalge.
Acrostic and Song
Pupils.
Reading
Miss Florence Ogden.
Selection
The Nilsson Ladies' Quartette.
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Short addresses by Rev. A. A. Ellsworth, Rev. Sidney R. Per- kins, Dr. S. C. Bridgham, Dr. H. L. Dearing, and Mr. J. W. West.
Song, "America," by the audience.
Inspection of the building by citizens and invited guests before the exercises.
Building Committee.
Thomas A. Watson, chairman.
George D. Willis.
Daniel Potter, secretary. Alva Morrison.
Josephus Sampson.
Governor Greenhalge was the special guest of Col. A. C. Drinkwater, of the school committee, at whose invitation he was present at the exercises of dedication. Mrs. Carrie F. Loring was a special committee to make the arrangements for dedication. She not only made such preparation as the school committee in its official capacity would be authorized to do, but, with the assist- ance of citizens of East Braintree, obtained by subscription seventy dollars with which she secured an orchestra, a quartette, and the decoration of the hall. The exercises were unusually suc- cessful and interesting, and were attended by a large company of citizens and invited guests.
The building is superior in many of its appointments. Double windows and double paper between the walls make the house an unusually warm one. The many radiators near the wardrobes warm and dry the clothing on damp and cold days. The rubber boxes here enable the pupils to keep their rubbers separate and permits the floor to be kept tidy and clean. The ventilation flues opening from the corridors carry off the offensive odors which come from children's clothing, especially on damp days. The heating apparatus is arranged for both direct and indirect steam radiation. There are two boilers, each of which has sufficient power to warm the building in ordinary weather, thus assuring an abundance of heating power in the coldest weather. The air is driven into the rooms by a six-foot centrifugal fan, which is run by a low-pressure engine connected with both boilers. This pro- vides for an abundant and constant supply of fresh air in all the
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class rooms, corridors, and hall at all times when they are in use.
The basement contains, besides the closets, large playrooms with cement floors, for both girls and boys, in stormy and cold weather. In the third story is a hall which has a seating capacity for 450 people, with a large stage and suitable ante-rooms. The eight class rooms are all located on the south or side of sunny exposure. Each room contains two large closets for books, cabi- net collections, and supplies. On the north side of the first floor are a lunch room for the pupils and a teachers' room containing a locker for each teacher, and on the second floor is a large recita- tion room. All these things combine to make this one of the best equipped school buildings in the state. Its total cost was $29,000.
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