USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1896 > Part 4
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The review then, of the work done in 1896, while it re- veals defects and short-comings in some cases where we felt reasonably certain of success, yet denotes progress along many lines of work ; and while we may not yet have attain- ed to all the excellencies of the MODERN school, the commit-
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SCHOOL REPORT,'
tee feel that our schools are really doing more for the practi- cal training of the thought and character of our children than ever before. There has been in many instances, and should be in many more, an attempt to depart from the long tried methods of reducing the pupils to a "uniform con- sistency," as it may be termed, and more attention has been given to individual training. History may repeat itself but Human Nature never does. No two atoms that are cast into the crucible of life are exactly the same nor can they be wrought into character by exactly the same means, Hence the necessity that our children should be taught as individ- uals, that our boys and girls may make the most and the best of themselves, and may develop a strong, healthy, in- telligent and virtuous manhood and womanhood.
To this end many of our teachers have striven during the past year, and their aim has been. not to grind out from the educational hopper. a certain number of graduates and promotions, but to inculcate such habits of thought, and to give such comprehension of a subject as shall meet the abso- solute needs of the pupil, and shall make a systematic training for the duties of life. It has been truly said that, "What you would have come out in the life of a nation you must put into its schools." A teacher's capability, therefore, in what- ever grade he may be placed, should be estimated by his power to train the individual. The great defect of the new system of education is the seeking to stamp all children with the seal of uniformity, regardless of the fact that as designed by the Creator or made up by Nature no two minds, or hearts, or souls are alike.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Individual work in the lower schools-and nowhere is it more essential than in the primary grades,-had been made
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SCHOOL REPORT,
possible this year as never before, by the increased facilities afforded by our new and commodius Winthrop School Building. The opening of this school has relieved the over- crowded, discouraging condition of the primaries and the beneficial results are visible every day. The children are no longer compelled to sit upon the floor, or in such spavined chairs as have been handed down through generations of boys and girls, and to breathe the vitiated air of densely crowded rooms, but are comfortably seated and consequent- ly are more orderly, better behaved and happier. The teachers now have only as many pupils as can be properly and efficiently taught, and more time has been devoted to each individual. As a natural result the children have been TAUGHT and have not simply recited a lesson if the teacher had time to hear it. Recitations, discipline and all minutiae of the school-room has improved, and the teachers have shown their appreciation of their changed environment by a hearty, wholesome, and cheerful interest in their work which has, in the main, been productive of good results. No grade demands more liberal qualifications, broader compre- hension of child nature and temperament, nor sounder judgment than do these schools, that are the basic ele- ments upon which depends the whole structure.
At the opening of the Winthrop School in April, the Denni- son, Payne, and Cogswell buildings were utilized as prima- ries, two grades being placed in the lower and one grade in the upper rooms.
At the beginning of the school year in September, Miss Adams was removed from the Dennison to the position of third assistant in the Winthrop School, and Miss Willis was transferred from the Wainwright School to the Dennison. Miss Decatur was placed in charge of the Wainwright, from which school one class was removed to the Dennison.
The teachers that constitute the Primary Corps have worked willingly and with notable energy during the year, and. in general, with gratifying results.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
WINTHROP SCHOOL.
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An event of the school year, which marked a long stride in educational progress, was the completion, dedication and occupancy of the Winthrop School building. which "when we saw," like St. Paul of old, "we thanked God and took courage." The new building has made possible many im- provements in the grading of the schools and is daily prov- ing its adaptation to our needs.
The dedicatory exercises, (a program of which is append- ed to this report,) were appointed for the evening of April 1, 1896, a day which dawned and closed with clear skies. The new building was opened for inspection on the afternoon and evening of that day. There was a general acceptance of the opportunity offered, and many expressions were heard in praise of the finely constructed edifice.
The exercises were held, by the courtesy of the Manning School Trustees, in Manning Hall. A large audience was present. Upon the stage were seated many guests invited from neighboring towns, conspicuous among whom was Mr. Frank A. Hills, Secretary of the State Board of Education, -a man who has risen, and most deservedly, from the teacher's ranks to his present position of honor.
The school was opened on Monday, April 6, with Miss M. Elma Smith as Principal, Miss S Isabel Arthur and Miss Eva Purinton as Assistants. To this list Miss Adams was added in September. Here were placed the pupils of the former Intermediate Schools, and also the third division of the Grammar School. Out of these elements the fourth, fifth and sixth grades have been involved. Teachers and pupils have taken a just pride in their new surroundings, and the order, cleanliness and beauty of the building have proved strong incentives to teacher and taught. Although less than a year has elapsed since its opening, the work
THE WINTHROP SCHOOL.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
that has been done warrant the committee in pronouncing it a success.
Nature studies have been introduced with excellent results and an attempt has been made to start the children in the right direction for a knowledge of our best authors. Phys- ical exercises for a few minutes each day have been found both interesting and beneficial to the pupils. Several really ex- cellent collections of minerals have been made by the child- ren and they have become greatly interested in the work. These subjects are taught incidentally and are never allowed to usurp the time of the regular studies.
Tuesday, June 23, was the appointed Visiting Day for the Winthrop School, when thirty scholars received certificates of promotion to the Manning Grammar School.
The formal presentation of a flag to the school, by Silver Star Council, United Order American Mechanics, was made on the seventeenth day of June, the exercises being held out of doors. Col. Nathaniel Shatswell presented the flag, which was accepted on behalf of the Committee by Mr. Bamford, and was then raised to its place by the children, and surely nothing could be more fitting than that the flag of free citizenship should float above the temple of free learning, where it can proclaim a whole nation's history.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
After the removal of the pupils from the third division of the Grammar School to the new building, Miss Hamlin was placed in the principal's room as Assistant and Miss Lake- man succeeded Miss Hamlin in the seventh grade.
Bookkeeping and Civil Government have been introduced into the school curriculum, in order that the children, espec-
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SCHOOL REPORT. 1
ially boys, who tinish their school lite here and go out into the world, may be fitted as far as possible with some prac- tical knowledge of the duties of citizenship.
The teachers have labored with remarkable unanimity and the work of the school has gone steadily forward under the usual vigorous discipline. Up to this stage of their school life, children are rare imitators, and there should be kept ever before them living examples of broad culture, refined manner and graceful expression.
For almost the first time vocal music has had a place in the school work. The result has been better than was anticipated, and the very perceptible hiatus which formerly existed between the intermediate and high schools, in this branch of education, seems likely to be closed.
The vertical writing, which was adopted for the lower schools, has been put into practice here with most gratify- ing results. A noticeable improvement in the drawing has also been made.
List of Pupils from the Grammar School who Received
Diplomas, June 24, 1896.
Alva Howe Story,
Alice Marshall Brown,
Alice Gertrude Burnham, Eya Louise Spiller,
Daniel Earl Measures, Ellis Waters Morton, Joseph Edward Fellows, Thomas William Hayes,
Carrie Elizabeth Perkins, Elsie May Ross.
Nellie Ethel Warner,
Emily Agues Constant,
Alfred Henry Pickard,
Annie Atherley, Henry Seville Spaulding, Edward John Ready,
Raymond Everett 1.ord, Adrien George Barker,
Edward William Willis,
Frederick Allen Brown,
Kenneth Everett Kimball.
John Frank Goodhue,
John Arthur Herlihy.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Programme.
Piano Duet, Misses Perkins and Constant
Invocation, -
· Rev. Gec. F. Durgin
Singing,
"Awake! Awake!
School
Composition and Salutatory, Carrie Elizabeth Perkins
Recitation, "Flash, The Fireman's Story," Edward W. Willis
Composition, "Making Things Happen." "Carcassonne." Annie Atherly
Alice M. Brown
Recitation,
"If the Sun Has Gone Down Look Up to the Stars."
Elsie M. Ross
Recitation, "Await the Issue."
John A. Herlihy
Singing
"Jubliate."
Recitation, "The Indian Chieftian."
Alfred H. Pickard
Composition, "How Our President is Chosen." Daniel E. Measures
Recitation. "The Old Clock on the Stairs."
Alice G. Burnham
Composition, "Some Poor Boys.
Recitation,
"The Elf Child."
Ellis W. Morton Agnes E. Constant
Composition, "The Emancipation Proclamation
and What It Meant." "Vocal March,
Kenneth E. Kimball
Singing,
School
Selection, From "Snow-bound,"
Members of Class
Recitation, "The Swiss Good Night,"
Eva L. Spiller
Composition, "The Cuban Question,"
Henry S. Spaulding
Recitation, "The Owl Critic,"
Ethel Warner
Looking Backward,
Adrien G. Barker Alva H. Story
Composition and Valedictory,
Presentation of Diplomas. Singing of Class Hymn.
Benediction,
Rev. E. E. Harris
Composition,
"Blessed Knight."
School
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SCHOOL REPORT,
/
HIGH SCHOOL.
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No school bears greater evidence of increased individual work than does our High School under the quiet, yet vigor- ous and scholarly leadership of the present principal, Prof. John P. Marston. :In this work the new building has been a potent factor, for its influence has reached up to the higher, as well as down to the lower grades. The facilities for work in this school have been largely increased by the removal from the upper floor of the Manning building, of the third division of the Grammar School. This room has long been needed by the High School. Anticipating this change and knowing that the needs of the school demanded a second assistant, an appropriation of $500. for such an additional teacher was asked and readily granted by the town. Miss Mabel K. Remick, of Lynn, was elected to fill the position and entered upon her duties at the beginning of the spring term. Miss Gardner has completed another year of conscientious and thorough work which needs no eulogium.
Although in the Grammar School children are imitators, they arrive at the High School at an age when they begin to reason and reflect, and when they are extremely susceptible to the influence of other minds. Therefore the High School teacher has large opportunities for moulding character, and for developing by individual instruction, the best possibil- ities of each pupil.
Many of our scholars enter the High School with the too evi- dent idea, that as they have so nearly "finished their course', and run their educational race, their reward will be certain whether they work for it or not. Many consider promotion from a lower to a higher class as an established fact and do not make the diligent effort they ought, to make their "elec- tion sure." Several causes may militate against the doing of the necessary work. Habits of application may not have
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SCHOOL REPORT.
been formed , the mind may never have acquired the power of concentration requisite for the more abstruse studies of the High School, or it may be due to indifference. This lack of sufficient preparation for admittance to an advanced class, affects both the class and the individual, and can only be remedied by the conditioning of those who fail to reach the required standard. A few instances of such discipline might act as a wholesome tonic and furnish an incentive to greater work.
The committee after due and careful deliberation decided, that the best interests, of the school demanded that a four years' course should be adopted in place of the three years' course, and the advantages anticipated from the change are already materializing, It will now be possible for any one who takes this course to enter college directly instead of spending a year's time at a preparatory school. The failure of the post-graduate course to secure good results, except in a few instances, was also a strong motive for the change. Three elective courses are now open to the pupils enter- ing the High School, viz : English and Scientific, three years ; French and Latin, four years ; College, four years. These courses include the following branches :
English and Scientific
Algebra. English Language. Chemistry,
Geometry. English Composition. Geology.
Physics. English Literature. Botany.
Roman History. English History. Astronomy Greek History, French or German.
French and Latin.
Algebra. English History. Roman History. Geometry. Eng. Composition. Greek History. Geology. English Literature. Physics. Chemistry. Latin Comp'tn. French or German. Botany, Latin, Caesar ; Virgil, Cicero.
Astronomy.
English. Latin. Greek.
Composition. Conposition. Composition.
Literature. Caesar. Anabasis.
College.
History.
Cicero. Virgil. French or German. Roman History.
Iliad.
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During the past year water and gas have been introduced by the Trustees, which greatly improve the building. It is
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SCHOOL REPORT.
to be desired that more adequate provision for the study of the natural sciences. especially of chemistry, physics, and their allied branches, may be made as soon as the Trus- tees can see a way to do it. The many discoveries made in recent years, and the application of these discoveries to the useful arts, have changed greatly the conditions under which men live today, and the boy who goes out from the school without some knowledge of the sciences is deprived of a part of his rightful inheritance and is less fully equipped than he should be for the practical affairs of life.
If the knowledge gained here be but sound and useful the pupil will feel that he has traveled upon no purposeless errand, and the parent will feel that in the public school lies the best investment for his children. Of the class of '96, four have returned for a Post-Graduate course, and one en- tered the Boston College in September.
CLASS OF '96.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Edith Lyman Daniels, Ralph Hallam Grant,
Clement Lakeman Kimball, Marion Pike Ross. Edward Mark Sullivan.
LATIN COURSE.
Florance Abbie Conant,
Bessie DeLaHaye,
Lucy Gerrish Harris, Martha Underhill Lord,
Ellen Theresa Sullivan.
ENGLISH COURSE.
Franklin Trott Burnham,
Minnie Fellows Hodgkins,
Chester Hammond Smith, Etta Mabel Wells,
Frederick Gage Whittier.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Programme. =
March.
Invocation,
Singing, Salutatory,
'Tis Morn,
The Olive Wreath,
Essay, Unrestricted Immigration,
Frederick G. Whittier
Essay, The Financial Question from a Personal Standpoint Chester H. Smith.
Essay,
Woman's Clubs,
Martha U. Lord
Singing,
b. Yachting Glee,
Sextet and Ladies' Chorus
Essay, Ancient Cities,
Minnie F. Hodgkins
Class History,
Franklın T. Burnham Florence A. Conant Ellen T. Sullivan
Singing,
Meadow Song, Ladies' Chorus
Essay, Free Trade and Protection,
Edward M. Sullivan
Essay
"Go tell the Spartans, thou that passest by,
That here obedient to their laws, we lie."
Edith L. Daniels
Class Prophecy,
Solo, True to the Last,
Etta M. Wells Edward M. Sullivan
Essay,
The Curse of Monopolies, Study,
Ralph H. Grant Bessie De La Haye
Essay, Why Do We Honor Great Men?
Clement L Kimball
Singing, Heaven and Earth Display,
Mendelssohn
Valedictory,
High School Chorus. To the Strongest, Presentation of Diplomas.
Lucy G. Harris
Class Song, Benediction,
Class of '9f Rev. E. E. Harris
Rev. George F. Durgin High School Chorus Marion P. Ross
( a. Fair is the Night, {
Essay, My Ideal Young Woman,
Essay, Education,
Essay.
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SCHOOL REPORT,
Class Ode.
We are gathered here as classmates, As a volume loosely bound ; Soon the leaves will all be scattered By life's breezes blown around.
CHORUS When eternity shall bind them May it golden volumes find them.
May each page be closely written With the good we each have done;
Battles we have bravely conquered, Glorious Victories we have won. CHORUS. And then be sure in Gol's own time, We each shall reap a crown divine. MINNIE FELLOWS HODGKINS.
UNGRADED SCHOOLS.
Like Banquo's ghost these schools are a problem which will not down, but is continually confronting the commit- tee, and asking for solution. The teachers with one exception are the same as those of last year and many of them deserve especial commendation for the good work they have done, sometimes under unfavorable circumstances. Where the number of pupils is so small neither ambition nor enthus- iasm can be long maintained.
The Grape Island School seems to be approaching dissolu- tion. Never of very considerable numbers, the removal of several families from the island has so reduced the attend- ance that it is hardly probable that the school will be re- opened the coming season, unless the population of the island is greatly increased. Miss Jewett's long, faithful ser- vice is fully recognized and appreciated and she deserves great credit for her persevering efforts under very trying conditions.
The question of transporting the scholars from these
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SCHOOL REPORT,
schools and centralizing all the educational privileges has been seriously considered, but the plan is not yet deemed feasible. The trolley cars might make it practicable for the older pupils at Candlewood but there would still remain a younger class for whom the change would be injudicious. The same objection holds good with other districts.
The only change in teachers in these schools has been at the Appleton, where Miss Bertha Brown, who resigned, was succeeded by Miss Martha Underhill Lord. The vari- able number of scholars and the irregular attendance have been so detrimental to this school, that the committee, for the past three years, have closed the school in the winter, limiting its session to the six months required by law.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
The fact that Miss Hubbard and Miss Condon are re- tained year after year, in their respective positions as teachers of music and drawing, is sufficient evidence that the work done under their supervision is uniformly satisfac- tory. The past year has been one of notable progress. The lessons assigned by Miss Hubbard and Miss Condon have been conscientiously taught, for upon the regular teachers falls a part of the special work. Vocal music, which hitherto has been one of the "lost arts" in the Grammar School, has been taken up by the principal more systematically and with more enthusiasm than in previous years. The really good effects of the teaching of Miss Condon are more than ever apparent, now that those who began to draw in the primaries have reached the higher grades.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
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ERRATA.
The plan of an exhibition at the close of the summer term was changed last year and a simple Visiting Day substitut- ed, in order that parents might see something of the regular routine of school work in the several rooms. Another de- sign of this plan was to lessen the work and strain upon teacher and pupil, which is consequent upon an Exhibition Day. It is proposed to have at least one such Visiting Day in each term and parents and friends are earnestly urged to avail themselves of it.
Semi-annual promotions are strongly favored by the com- mittee. particularly in the lower grades, where exceptionally bright scholars have sometimes been kept back, because they must advance with the "slow rapidity" of which the entire class is capable, in order to appease the "uniformity" idol. Several such promotions were contemplated for the beginning of the January term, had not the interruption and consequent loss of time caused by the diphtheria epidemic prevented.
SCHOOLHOUSES.
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These are twelve in number and, as a rule, are in fairly good condition. Few buildings have required any exten- sive repairs during the past year. The greatest expenditure 1.as been for the refurnishing of the Dennison upper primary. The old seats and desks,-which were much more conducive to spinal curvature than to either good manners, good mor- als or good lessons. - have been removed, and plain, sub- stantial, and suitable furniture has taken their place. In the coming year some repairs will be necessary upon the exterior of this building.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the School Committee of the Town of Ipswich :
It was thought best by you to appoint one member of the School Committee and one of the police to act as Truant Officers.
We have attended to our duties and beg leave to submit the following report.
We have had 64 cases and have succeeded in getting them all into school. The difficulty we have had to contend with has been the fact of the parents making it too easy for the children to stay away from school. They seemingly do not appreciate the importance of regular attendance, to school and pupil. No reports of children unlawfully employed in the mills or elsewhere has come to us.
In several homes where we have been sent to look for truants, we have found the delinquents obliged to remain away from school to care for younger children, while the parents were away at work. In other cases lack of proper and sufficient clothing has been the cause of absence.
During the year, two children were brought into the Juve- nile Court and sentenced to the Reform School. This ex- treme measure is resorted to, only when all other means fail, but when a child is incorrigible and is constantly absent, whether the parents condone his fault or not, the offender must be made amenable to the law.
Respectfully submitted, Charles S. Cummings, Frank B. Page, Truant Officers.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The prevalence of measles, diphtheria and scar'et fever in
1.
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SCHOOL REPORT,
our town, have made many of our patrons apprehensive about the spread of contagion in our schools. Reference to the following extract from the Public Statutes shows clearly the laws respecting contagious diseases.
We have made every effort to enforce these laws as far as reliable information could aid us. During the school year the clerk of the Board of Health has informed the secretary of the School Board of every reported case in the town,-the nature and location of each -so that our teachers could be at once warned and advised. Whenever cases of contagion have appeared, the schoolhouses have been thoroughly fum- igated.
EXTRACTS FROM THE PUBLIC STATUTES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
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Contagious Diseases.
Chapter 198 of the Acts of 1885, provides that "the school com- mittee shall not allow any pupil to attend the public schools while any member of the household to which such pupil belongs is sick of small-pox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, or during the period of two weeks after death, recovery or removal of the sick person; and any pupil coming from such household shall be required to present a certificate, from the attending physician or board of health, of the facts necessary to entitle him to admission in accord- ance with the above regulation."
The School Committee shall not allow a child who has not been vaccinated to be admitted to or connected with the public schools. -Section 9, Chapter 47, Public Statutes of the Commonwealth.
Child Labor in the Mills.
SECTION 13. No child under thirteen years of age shall be employed at any time in any factory, workshop or mercantile
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SCHOOL REPORT.
establishment. No such child shall be employed in any indoor work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or shall be employed in any manner during such hours unless during the rear next pre- ceeding such employment he has attended school for at least thirty weeks as required by law.
SECTION 14. No child under fourteen years of age shall be em- ployed in any manner before the hour of six o'clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o'clock in the evening. No such child shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile es- tablishment, except during the vacation of the public schools in the city or town in which he resides, unless the person or corpora- tion employing him procures and keeps on file a certificate and employment ticket for such child, as prescribed by section seven- teen of this act; and no such child shall be employed in any indoor work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of such city or town are in session, unless as aforesaid, or shall be employed in any manner during such hours unless during the year next pre- ceding such employinent he attended school for at least thirty weeks as required by law : PROVIDED, the public schools are in ses- sion that number of weeks, which time may be divided, so far as the arrangement of the school term will allow, in three terms of ten consecutivo weeks each ; and such employment shall not con- tinue in any case beyond the time when such certificate expires
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