USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1898 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
I 230 lineal feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe, Spring street
828 66 66 Agawam Heights
54 66 66
Muddy River Blow-off
A total of 2, 112 lineal feet laid the past year.
The number of feet of mains laid to date and the sizes are as follows:
Sizes
Feet
14 inch
1,505
1 2 inch
10,963
Io inch
8,830
8 inch
17,897
6 inch
28,756
Total 67,951 feet or 12.869 -[- miles.
There have been five leaks in main pipes during the year which were all in the joints as follows : one in 12 inch ; one in 10 inch ; three in 6 inch. The 10 inch main pipe on County street opposite Daniel A. Hodgkins when laid in 1894 was laid across the bottom of the culvert instead of under it. This has been fixed the past year in a manner satisfactory to all parties concerned. The bed of the brook on the upper side of the main has been raised level with the same, and a 16 inch tile laid across the road and connected same with a close drain on lower side.
19
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
HYDRANTS.
Three hydrants were set on the Spring street extension and two on the Agawam Heights extension. The total number now set is as follows :
Town
116
Private
6
Total
122
STREET GATES.
One 6 inch gate was set on Spring street extension, and one 6 inch gate was set on Agawam Heights extension.
The total number now set is
I28
SERVICE PIPES.
There have been seven leaks in service pipes during the year : six from bad solder joints and one from defective fitting. Forty-two services have been added this year, 35 of which were on the lines of mains which had been laid in previous years. Seven were added on the extension, 3 at Spring street and 4 at Agawam Heights. Total number of services con- nected with works to date 583.
Forty faucets are sealed at the present time and there are 16 services on which the water is shut off at the sidewalk. [This number does not include services supplying sillcocks only, or those at summer residences where the water is shut off at the sidewalk for the winter. ]
Following is an account of the number of feet of service pipe laid (by years ) since the works were put in :
Town
Private
Total
Ft.
In.
Ft
In.
Ft.
In.
1894
4,470
4
2,771
2
7,241
6
1895
5,312
3
6,051
5
11,263
8
1896
2,391
9
2,616
5
5,008
2
1897
896
6
1,991
6
2,882
0
1898
1,112
7
1,318
3
2,430
IO
Total 28,926 feet 2 inch or 5.478 -- miles.
The kinds of pipe used are lead and galvanized iron, the sizes from 34 inch to 3 inch.
20
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
METERS.
Twenty-two meters have been set this year. The total number now in use is as follows :
SIZE
TOTAL
NAME
1 inch
5% inch
Crown Piston
2
55
7
Hersey Disc
I
33
34
Nash Disc
4
4
Thompson Disc
2
2
Buffalo Disc
I
I
Union Rot
I
I
Columbia Turbin
I
I
Empire
8
8
Trident
I
I
Elevator Indicator
I
I
IO
4
106
IIO
PUMPING PLANT.
The buildings at the Pumping Plant are in good condition. The pumping-engines, condenser, feed pump and boilers are receiving a general overhauling and when completed will be in good condition.
21
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
SYNOPSIS OF PUMPING RECORDS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1898.
1898.
Total pumping time
per month.
Total amount of
coal used per mon.
Average amount of
coal used per day.
Total number gal-
lons water pump'd
per monthi.
Average number of
water pumpeu per
day.
to 1b. coal used --
while pmpg. only.
Month.
Hrs.
Min.
Pounds.
Po'nds
Gallons.
Gallons
Gallons
January
25
45
17,753
.572
1,774,320
57,236
.238
February
22
15
15,120
.540
1,491,670
53,273
. 263
March
30
40
18,321
.591
2,055,220 66, 297
.257
April
24
15
15,205
.506
1,612,467 53,748
. 231
May
24
30
14,165
.456
1,653,875 53,350
.275
June
40
20
14,479
.482
2,793,78093, 126
.28z
July
37
15
15,279
.492
2,626,632 84,730
.295
August
42
45
16,880
.544
2,881,790 92,960
. 27.7
September
45
55
18,442
.614
2,963, 575 98,785
.243
October
II
40
6,560
.2II
782,600 57,553
. 256
November
39
45
18,460
.615
12,728,140
57,553
. 264
December.
36
32
17,979
.579
2,383,340
76,881
.252
Total for yea .
381
37
188,643
25,747,409
Daily av. for yr
.516
70,540
Gals. water pumped
Tons of coal consumed during the year-84 and 492-2240.
22
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
STORAGE BASIN.
The ninth of October the Storage Basin was blown off and the work of cleaning it out began. This work took about two weeks. There were 273 two-horse loads in all taken out from in front of the different streams and drains that enter the basin. I 2 loads were the growth of algae and weeds that were raked up on the sides. This growth appears to form only in shallow water.
The gates were closed Oct. 26th and the basin began to fill. Basin was 24 days in filling. The estimated capacity of basin is 55,000,000 gallons. The quantity pumped to reservoir during that time was 1,703,711 gallons. Total in 24 days 56,703,711 gallons or an average supply of 2, 362,654 gallons a day that was yielded by Dow's Brook alone.
Respectfully submitted,
January 26, 1899.
PRINCE A. ALLEN, Engineer.
23
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
THOMAS E. CONDON, TREASURER, in account with the WATER BOARD, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1898.
1898
DR.
Jan. I. To cash on hand
$ 122 84
5.
.
II. div. on ins. policy on power house 37 50
I2. 66 Water Board on acct. water rates
473 82
25.
66
66
66
362 14
Feb. I. 25. 66 66 66
596 21
Mar. 12. 66
66
66
66
104 10
Apr. 25.
66
66
300 00
" 25. 66 notes issued in antic'n sale water bonds
1,500 00
June 16.
from town on acct. app. in part for '98 3,000 00
“ 16.
temporary loan to town returned 1,000 00
( 27.
Water Board on acct. water rates
300 00
July I3.
66
66
1,000 0.0
Aug. 6.
66
1,000 00
Sept. 8.
66
66 66
700 00
Nov. 8. 66
500 00
Dec. 8. 66
sale of apples from Basin
5 00
13. 60
note issued in antic. of sale of water bonds .
1,000 00
66
30
Water Board on acct. water rates 66 service piping
9 57
30.
332 84
30.
66
miscellaneous
114 72
$14,356 74
CR.
By cash paid on balance of orders allowed by Water Board for 1897
$566 37
By cash paid on orders allowed by Wat. Bd. for '98. 12,301 82 66 temporary loan to town . 1,000 00
Feb.
I .
on hand
488 55
$14,356 74
Examined and found correct.
HENRY F. DUNNELS, AUDITOR.
13.
from town, bal. app. for 1898
775 00
66 Water Board on acct. water rates . 623 00
66 66
500 00
(a)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS .- State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
ODOR.
RESI - DUE.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
Oxygen
sumed.
Hard-
ness.
REMARKS.
Collec- tion.
Exam- ina'n.
Turbid- ity.
Sedi- ment.
Col- or.
Cold.
Hot.
Total.
Free.
Albu- min'd.
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
1898
1898 Jan. 24
slight
Cons.
0.46
None.
4.70
.0010
.0178
.68
.0100
0000
.4240 2.0 Bull Brook
Jan. 24
Jan.
Jan. 24
slight
0.60
None.
Faintly veg. Distinctly veg. Distinctly veg. Faintly veg.
4.15
.0006
.0170
.61
.0080
.0000
.4080
1.7 Storage
Jan.
Jan. 24
24
Basin
Feb.
0.56
None.
4.20
.0004
.0100
.58
.0070
.0000
.4320
1.3 Dow's
Brook
21
Feb. 21 Feb. 21
0.40
None.
4.05
.0020
.0114
.66
.0070
.0000
.3200|
1.0 Storage
21
Mar.
Very
Very 0.60
None.
3.35
.0000
.0110
.51
.0030
.0000
.4720 1.1 Dow's
Mar. 21
21
slight slight slight slight 0.49
4.15
.0016
.0144
62
.0060
.0000
.3840 .1.6 Storage
Basin
3.35
.0012
.0246
.33
.0030
.0002
.9520 0.6 Dow's
Brook
4.60
.0014
.0168
.60
.0050
0001
.4240 1.3 Storage
Apr. 25
slight
slight Cons. 1.10 earthy slight 0.50
Faintly musty. Faintly vegetable. Faintly vegetable.
Faintly veg. Faintly musty. Faintly musty. Dist. veg. & earthy Dis. veg. & musty.
2.65
.0010
.0434
.35
.0030
.0000
.5760 1.0 Dow's
Brook
24
Cons. sand. slight Very slight Very Very slight slight Very | Very slight| slight
0 41
None.
Feb.
Basin
Brook
Mar. 21 Apr. 25
Mar. 21 Apr. 25 Apr. 25
Basin
Chlorine
Con-
1
.
(b)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS .- State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE,
ODOR.
RESI- DUE. Total.
ΑΜΜΟΝΙΑ.
NITROGEN AS
C'on- Oxygen
sumed.
Hard-
ness.
Collec- | Exam- tion
ina'n.
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Cold.
Hot.
Free.
Albu- min'd.
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
1 898
1 898 May
Very slight
Very slight Very
0.66 Faintly veg.
Distinctly veg. Faintly veg.
4.50
.0006
.0132
.53
1. 0040
.0000 . 5040|1.6 Dow's
Brook
23
23 May
Very
0.44
None.
4.00
.0014
. 0184
.61
1.0060
OOO I
. 4320 1.4 Storage
Basin
23
23
slight Very slight
slight
slight 0.38
None.
Faintly musty. Faintly musty .
4.70
.0014
.0190
.58
.0020
.0000 . 4640 1.6 Storage
Basin
20
20
slight | slight 0.37
None.
4.60
. 0012.0250
.59
.OOIO
.0000 . 4640 1.6 Dow's
Brook
July
July
slight 0.50
None.
Faintly veg.
5.30
.0010
.0148
.39
.OOIO
.000I
.5600 1.6 Dow's
Brook
25
25
Very slight slight
slight
0. 30 Faintly veg.
Dis. veg. and musty. None.
4.95
.0012
.0222
. 49
.0000
.0000 |. 4400 1.6 Storage
July 25
July 2 ) Aug.
Very slight slight
Very slight slight
0.72
None.
5.05
.0010 .0184
.47
.0020
.0000
. 4560 1. 4
Dow's
22
Aug. 22
· 23 Aug. 23
0.41
Faintly mustv.
Distinctly musty.
5.20
.0014
.0264
.46
. 0040 .0002 . 5440 1.6 Storage
Basin
May
June
June
June
June 20
20
Basin
Aug.
Brook
Chlorine
REMARKS
May
(c)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS .- State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
1
DATE OF
APPEARANCE,
ODOR.
RESI- DUE. Total.
AMMONIA.
NITROGEN AS
Collec- | Exam- tion. ina'n.
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Cold.
Hot.
Free.
Albu- min'd
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
Oxygen
Con-
sumed.
Hard-
ness.
1898 Sept 26
1898 Sept. 27
slight
0.35
Faintly veg.
Distinctly veg. Distinctly veg. Faintly veg.
5.05
.0018
.0218
.51
.0020
0000
. 47 20 1.8 Storage
Basin
26
27 Oct.
none
0.85
Faintly veg.
4.95
.0000 . 0136
.45
.0010
.0000 .9600 1. 3
Brook
24 Oct
25 Oct.
dec'd
0.89
Faintly veg.
Faintly veg.
6.20
.0076
.0316
. 46
.0050
.000 I
· 9920 1.6 Storage
Basin
24 Nov
25 Nov.
0.90
None.
None.
4.15
.0002
1.0156
.41
.0010
.0000
. 9120 1.0 Dow's
Brook
21
21
Very slight slight
Very slight slight
0.63
None.
None.
5.05
.0026
.0172
.48
.0070
.0000
. 6240 1.6 Storage
Resv
21 Dec
Nov. 21 Dec. 28 Dec. 28
Very slight slight
Very slight Very slight
0.30
None.
3.85
.0002
.0060
.45
.0060
.000 I
. 3280 1.4 Dow's
Brook
27
None.
Very Faintly veg. Very Faintly veg.
4.80
.0010 .0126
. 50 .0060 .0003 . 4320 1.6 Storage
Basin
.58
.0030
.0000 . 4400 1. 7 Dow's
Brook
Sept
Sept.
slight
Very slight slight
0. 32 Faintly veg.
5.05
.0020
. 0232
Chlorine
REMARKS
Dow's
Oct
Very slight slight
Nov
Dec 27
0.41
Town of Ipswich.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MASS
IPSY
5
J.S
INC.
634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 1637
For the Year Ending Dec. 20, 1898.
IPSWICH: INDEPENDENT PRESS. 1 899.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN W. NOURSE
,
TERM EXPIRES IN 1901
CHARLES W. BAMFORD
.
66
66
1901
MILO H. GATES
66
66
1900
CHARLES S. CUMMINGS
65
1900
HARRIET E. NOYES .
66
·1899
JOHN H. COGSWELL
66
66
1 899
ORGANIZATION.
JOHN W. NOURSE, CHAIRMAN. JOHN H. COGSWELL, SEC'Y.
Sub-Committees.
HIGH SCHOOL MR. NOURSE,
MR. GATES.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS
MR. BAMFORD, MRS. NOYES, MR. COGSWELL.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
MR. CUMMINGS, MRS. NOYES, MR. COGSWELL.
APPLETON SCHOOL MR. GATES.
ARGILLA SCHOOL MR. CUMMINGS.
CANDLEWOOD SCHOOL MR. BAMFORD.
LINEBROOK SCHOOL MRS. NOYES.
VILLAGE SCHOOL MR. NOURSE.
WILLOWDALE SCHOOL MR. COGSWELL.
ON REPAIRS
MR. COGSWELL, MR. CUMMINGS.
LABOR CERTIFICATES MR. BAMFORD.
TRUANT OFFICERS
FRANK B. PAGE, WM. H. BROCKLEBANK.
LIST OF TEACHERS
January 1, 1899.
HIGH SCHOOL .
EMMA G. GARDNER Assistant
ANNIE C. HATCH 66
JOSEPH I. HORTON, . Principal
LUCY HAMLIN . Assistant
CARRIE L. LAKEMAN
.
M. ELMA SMITH .
.
S. ISABEL ARTHUR
EVA M. PURINTON
66
E. MABEL ADAMS . MABEL A. WILLIS
66
COGSWELL SCHOOL
LUCY A. KIMBALL
. Assistant
٢ ANNIE P. WADE . . Principal
DENNISON SCHOOL
GRACE E. SMITH . Assistant
EVA A. WILLCOMB . Principal KATHARINE F. SULLIVAN
Assistant
MYRTA B. DECATUR .
WAINWRIGHT SCHOOL
LOUISE L. GLOVER.
APPLETON SCHOOL ·
MARTHA U. LORD.
ARGILLA SCHOOL
CORA A. SMITH.
GRAPE ISLAND SCHOOL
CORA H. JEWETT.
LINEBROOK SCHOOL
EDITH F. PERLEY.
VILLAGE SCHOOL
ISABEL G. BROWN.
MUSIC
LAURA A. HUBBARD.
DRAWING .
HARRIET D. CONDON.
Principal Assistant
WINTHROP GRAMMAR
KATHERINE C. BAKER
Principal
PAYNE SCHOOL
٢ 1
JOHN P. MARSTON · Principal
MANNING GRAMMAR
Numerical Statement.
Number of children in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years, according to census taken in May, 1898,
Number of pupils enrolled in Public schools
·
836
In High School
57
In Grammar Schools
346
In Primary Schools .
357
In Ungraded Schools
77
836
NOTE. In connection with the above it should be stated, that the number enrolled includes 149 pupils who are above fifteen years of age.
Enrollment and Attendance.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
No En- rolled.
Av. Mem- bership.
Average attendancelattendance Percent of
High School
57
55.5
52.5
93.7
Manning Grammar
1 29
III.6
IOI.5
91.3
Winthrop Grammar
217
178.8
162.5
91
Cogswell School
8 1
61.9
55.1
89
Dennison School
III
85.7
76.4
89.3
Payne School .
13I
100.4
88.4
88
Wainwright School
33
29
25.3
87.5
Appleton School
IO
8.2
7.
85.4
Argilla School .
8
7
5.6
80
Candlewood School (6 mos.)
IO
8.5
7.4
87
Grape Island School (4 mos.)
3
3
2.9
96.7
Linebrook School
.
20
17
14.8
87
Village School .
8
6.7
6.4
94. 2
Willowdale School (6 mos. )
18
16.4
13.7
83.5
836
689.7
619.9
89.9
· 793
REPORT.
The year just completed has been one of. progress along many lines and the present conditions for successful work are, in many instances, much better than they were one year ago. Ethical and intellectual progress however is often better recorded in the changes in the meaning of words than else where, and the term "educational progress" has come to mean the making not alone of able scholars but of upright and moral men and patriotic citizens. Montaigue says, "We have not to train up a soul nor yet a body, but a man, and we cannot divide him." Education has in view life, and not scholarship. Just as in art, manufactures, commerce and science new ideas are constantly advanced, so in education methods are employed now which a little time ago were unknown. Instead of the "three R's" our text is the three H's, hand, head and heart. Mistakes, doubt- less, will be made in the future, as in the past, but it will be better to have the mistakes made in going forward, rather than in standing still or in going backward. There is no farther use for the "As-it-was-in-the-beginning, is-now-and ever-shall-be" kind of teachers, and Ipswich is to be congratu- lated that few, if any such are to be found in its corps of in- structors. The general tendency is to broaden culture; whether the result will be to make it less deep and thorough
10
SCHOOL REPORT.
the future will tell. The prophets of the future predict won - derful things in regard to education and carry it even to the ethereal regions, but at present men are still making their living on the earth, and it is more than probable that the average child of the twenty-fifth century will be much like that ofthe nineteenth. "Make haste slowly," is by no means a bad educational motto The future will belong to that nation which learns the truth and makes the most of it for education, which is the "key to the wisest use of the mater- ials of nature and of life."
In connection with our own educational system several inquiries suggestive of public interest may be made. Are we teaching too much? Are we teaching the right things? Are we teaching our children how to study as well as what to study? Are we thinking too much for the pupils or leading them to think for themselves? Are we clinging too closely to form and text-book? Are we re- lying too much on memory and per cent. in examinations? Are we considering the physical welfare of our children as well as the mental? And, on the other hand, are we always acting wisely and patiently in regard to the intellectual measles and mumps incidental to the early stages of edu- cation? These inquiries are worthy of attention.
It is evident that we need courses of study adapted to pupils' powers, rather than representing the views of the ambitious theorist.
To plan intelligently for a child's education means to keep him constantly at something that is new and some- thing that is real to him; something adapted to his capacity and related to what he already knows; and a pupil's grade should be changed just as often as it may be seen that he is either over taxed where he is, or that he is not taxed enough. To this end the committee has endeavored to provide a well-considered course of study and the teachers of the various grades have conscientiously fol-
SCHOOL REPORT.
lowed the suggestions. One great danger has been in at- tempting too much. As Arte nas Ward said of his school life. "I tried to do too much and I did it" Especially has this been the case in the primary schools, which today are doing the greatest work in education. In the higher schools it is a matter of time and mental ability, but the pupil has been tested. In the primary school the problem is how to start him right and to give him the preparation best suited to his own individual needs. Heretofore we have acted up- on the principle laid down by the framers of our immortal declaration that, "all men are born free and equal" and we have considered all children "equal,"-equal to anything, apparently. But we have come to realize that whatever course may be decided upon, whether for lower or high- er grades, it must not be so stiff and rigid as not to admit of modification, to adapt it the better for gaining the pro- posed end, which is the training of each particular child. The system is for the pupils, not the pupils for the system.
Several important changes have been made in the school work. Less attention is paid to mathematics and more time is devoted to literature, science, history and nature study. Mathematics, of course, has an indispensable place in education and its practical side is taught,-and well and thoroughly taught, in our Ipswich schools, but the pupil no longer spends one fourth of his school life in working ex- amples. Both the retrospect of the year now ending and the outlook for the coming year are encouraging. Teach- ers have realized more fully the dignity of their work; pupils as a rule have been interested and parents have been more zealous for their children's education. Of the 836 scholars enrolled in the schools, 149 are above 15 years of age.
At the beginning of the school year several departures were made from the "straight and narrow way" which we have trodden so long. In the judgment of the committee the time had come when, to close the Willowdale school
T2
SCHOOL REPORT.
and transport the children to town, where their advantages would be largely increased, would be the right and proper thing to do. After consulting each parent in the district the plan was adopted and so far has worked well. As yet it is in its experimental stage. While the actual per capita cost will not be greatly less than that of maintaining the school at Willowdale, the gain to the children will be much greater. After careful consideration and consultation with the par- ents in the Candlewood district, it was decided to follow the same plan in regard to the school in that section of the town. As at Willowdale, the desire for its discontinuance was unanimous on the part of the parents. The trolley cars made transportation an easy matter The scholars who have enjoyed for the first time, the privileges of our thoroughly graded schools already show that the change has been beneficial. The stimulus of the larger school and the more systematic teaching, -for the best teachers in the state would find it impossible to teach systematically in the un- graded, "out district" schools, has stirred the ambition and awakened the enthusiasm of these scholars and many of them will be ready for promotion at the end of the school year. Apparently, the plan is a success and the problem of better teaching for the out-district schools is solved so far as these two are concerned. Four still remain, the Apple- ton, Argilla, Linebrook and Village. At the latter school, the number of pupils is small, and, probably, should the proposed electric railway become an established fact, the children would be brought to town. Several parents at Linebrook would like to be included in the centralization plan, but at present the cost of transportation would be too great. At Argilla and Appleton a part of the parents object to a change.
For the first time also since "Adam delved and Eve spun", the committee can report that every school-room in the central part of the town is well and properly furnished.
13
SCHOOL, REPORT.
Single desks have been placed in the Cogswell (lower) pri- mary and in both rooms at the Payne building, where desks and chairs had outlived their usefulness and were in con- stant need of hospital treatment. With ordinary care on the part of teachers and pupils, it should be many years be- fore the refurnishing of any room will be necessary. More quiet and orderly rooms and better work has been the re- sult of the change. Sanitary conditions also have received attention and have been improved when possible.
Owing to illness among the teachers, many changes and promotions have been necessary. That such changes have been made with but a few hours break in the school work, the teachers taking up the advanced work almost at a. moment's notice, and the pupils readily adapting themselves to the new regime,-proves the admirable harmony existing in our schools and the benefit of the closely connected se- quence of grades, which was accomplished nearly three years ago. This continuity of work from Primary to High school, while not yet all the committee could desire, is be- ing systematized as rapidly as possible.
Among the changes referred to was that at the Win- throp school, where Miss Smith the principal was granted leave of absence until April and the teachers in the several rooms were moved up one grade, Miss Willcomb being tem- porarily transferred from the Payne to the Winthrop. Miss Sullivan and Miss Grace E. Smith took entire charge of the two rooms at the Payne school and performed very cheer- fully the work usually requiring three teachers. In Septem- ber, by the enforced absence of the honored principal of the Manning Grammar school, a second temporary promotion Was made necessary, and once more the teachers were moved on. Excellent results have followed and the teachers are to be commended for their hearty and cheerful co-opera- tion with the committee.
14
SCHOOL REPORT.
The attendance has been satisfactory in nearly all the schools. In the primaries the per cent, has been lessened by an epidemic of measles, followed by whooping cough, and in one or two instances by habitual truancy. Despite these drawbacks the schools have made a reasonable advance.
No cases of harsh ruling have been reported during the year, although in most cases the schools have been well dis- ciplined. If the hand has been "of iron" it always "has worn a glove."
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
GRADES I, II AND III. WHOLE NUMBER 356.
There are four primaries comprising seven rooms, in which are found the first, second and third grades. For ob- vious reasons children cannot be classed upon their first en- trance to school, and extra time is needed for each particu- lar pupil. Considering this, the committee still adhere to the rule that only in September, the beginning of the school year, can entrance be permitted to these little ones. The teachers of the primary grades have been alert and inter- ested in their work. With the exception of Miss Glover, who was transferred at the closing of the Candlewood school to the Wainwright, all the teachers have had previ- ous experience in large schools. To make a successful pri- mary teacher requires gifts that no other grade demands, and nowhere else does the personality of the teacher so stamp itself upon the school. In no other grade is it so nec- essary that school and home should be kept in touch and made to act in harmony. With rare exceptions this har- mony has existed during the past year and has been a po- tent factor in school life.
15
SCHOOL REPORT.
Several scholars who were promoted from the first to the second or from the second to the third grade in January of last year, were ready for a farther promotion in Septem- ber. It is a principle as old as humanity and as new as the morning newspaper, that children learn to do by doing; and in these grades the children are taught to do more than to think. Reading, writing and number work form a trinity of studies which may be supplemented by oral lessons in Geography, and nature study. Reading, however, is of the greatest importance during the first four years of school life, and the habit formed at this time will have much influence upon subsequent progress. Good reading is the corner stone of the whole educational temple. Many children in our primary schools write well, the vertical, system now in use, being especially adapted to beginners. Music and drawing are taught in all the primary schools and the chil- dren are greatly interested in both studies.
WINTHROP GRAMMAR.
GRADES IV, V, VI, VII.
PRINCIPALS-Miss M. Elma Smith, Miss S. Isabel Arthur. ASSISTANTS-Miss Eva Purinton, Miss Mabel Adams, Miss Mabel Willis.
Miss Smith's promotion to the Manning School in Sep- tember placed Miss Arthur at the head of the Winthrop, a position for which she has proved herself eminently fitted. Under her quiet and dignified rule the school has gone on without any apparent friction. Her assistants have been of one mind and while each has preserved her own individ- uality, all have worked together for the good of the school.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.