USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1899 > Part 5
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10 00
209 Michael Young
66
10 00 66
210 Rufus Dewar 211 Geo H Lord
66
7 90
66
7 96
212|P A Allen 66
Services to Nov 25 Paid for labor
25 Services
213 Alfred Young
9 40 Main'ance
214 Michael Young
9 40
215 Michael J Judge
3 00 60
216 David A Grady
Teams
2 00 66
217 Chronicle Pub Co
Printing
6 50
5 40 66
3 60 Services
219 Alfred Young 66
220 Josiah Wright 66
221 Wm Perkins
66
50
222|John Earley
6.
60
66
223 Chas Guilford
66
11 10 Main'ance
225 Wm A Mitchell
Manure
1 25
226 Paul R Eames
Labor
34 00
227 Walworth Mfg Co
Fittings
228B &M RR
Freight
Labor
1 80
.6
9 00 Main'ance
230 Alfred Young
231 Old Colony Tr Co
232 Albert D Mallard
Teaming
2760 00 Int on b'nd 1 95 Main'ance 30 Services
6 72 66
233 Walworth Mfg Co 234 Geo W Barker
Fittings Labor
9 00
6.
1 80 Services
Int on bonds
50 31 Services 48 66
66
229 Michael Young
66
3 60 Services 66
224 Albert () Goodwin
23 30
66
4 20
3 60 Main'ance
1 95 R services
218 Michael Young 66
Labor
66 00
Labor 66
30 Services
Supplies Labor
45
1 80 Services
66
1 80 Main'ance 66 75
4 35 Services
50|Main'ance
11
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
No.
Paid To
For What
Amts.
Acct Ap'ied to
235 Josiah Wright
Labor
3 00 |Main'ance 1 05 R services 4 42 Services
236 P A Allen 237 Michael Young
Services to Dec 16 Labor
5 15 1 50 R services
66
1 60 Services
238|Alfred Young
1 50
1 50 R services
239|P A Allen 210 Frank II Howe 66
Services to Dec 30 Teaming 66
5 15 Main'ance 33 00 40 50 R pipe line 60 Services
241 Natl Meter Co 242 A W Chesterton & Co
54 40 33 60 Main'ance 7 32 Services
243 Walworth Mfg C'o 244 W E Lord
100 00|Main'ance
245 C W Brown
100 00 100 00 60
247 Chas M Kelly
62 50
248|Albert Tenney
Services to Dec 30 Teaming
6 60 Services
249 John W Goodhue
Supplies
3 58 Main'ance 35 66
250 Arthur (' Damon
1 38
66
252
251 Hancock Inspirator Co David A Grady
Teams
1 00
1 00 R pipe line
66
66
1 00 Services
$11,135 93
66
49 50 Main'ance 66
Meters Ring Packing Fittings Salary 1899 66
246 Wm A Stone
66
12
WATER COMMISSIONERS REPORT.
II.
MAINTENANCE ITEMS.
Commissioners' salaries, 1899
$ 300 00
Engineers' services, 1899
858 50
('lerk's 66 1899
250 00
Supplies
189 30
Books, printing, advertising, postage, etc.
135 26
Insurance
70 00
Teaming, express and freight
34 27
Painting Pumping Station
68 00
Labor
319 47
Miscellaneous
53 84
82,278 64
III. RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 30, 1899.
RECEIPTS.
Balance Jan 1, 1899, $ 488 55
Appropriations, 3774 00
Dividend on Ins. Policy, 44 50
Water rates, 6942 02
Services.
431 19
Miscellaneous.
107 42
Interest. 349 91
Bonds, 2000 00
EXPENDITURES.
Maintenance, 2278 64
Repairs, pipe line. 81 87
services, 34 38
reservoir, 1 80
Service pipes construction, 1025 75
Pipe line, 12 35
Interest on bonds. 5480 00
Sinking fund. 2381 91
Water rates. 1 00
Interest,
108 14
Notes paid. 2000 00
Balance Dec. 30, 1899. 731 75
$14,137 59
$14.137 59
13
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
IV. COMMISSIONERS' BALANCE SHEET, 1899.
DR.
CR.
Bonds and premiums, $146254 58
Engineering, 3350 00
Interest 915 05
Land damages and
Water rates,
29186 09
rights of way, 3377 65
Appropriations,
25258 50
Pumping station, 10047 41
Miscellaneous receipts
287 32
Pumps and pumping machinery, 8298 46
Storage basin, 27693 59
Bull brook's supply, 1778 60
Distrib'g reservoir, 17827 56
Pipe line construction
66034 51
Service pipe 66
7255 62
Miscel. expenses, 2834 20
Total cost construction $148497 60
Int on bonds and notes, 28858 32
Maintenance,
12230 44
Materials and supplies on hand, 1249 51
Sinking fund,
10155 30
Water rates due and un- paid, 518 67
Services due and un- paid, 38 06
Sundry bills due and un- paid, 121 89
Balance, 731 75
$202,401 54
$202,401 54
Money borrowed in an- ticipation of issue of bonds,
500 00
14
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
V. SUMMARY OF COST OF CONSTRUCTION TO DATE.
Construction Account.
Dec. 31, '98
Year '98
Dec. 30, '99
Engineering
3350 00
3350 00
Land damages and rights of way .
3377 65
3377 65
Pumping station
10047 41
10047 41
Pumps and pumping machinery
8298 46
8298 46
Storage basin
27693 59
27693 59
Bull Brook supply
1778 60
1778 60
Distributing reservoir
17827 56
17827 56
Pipe line construction
65900 59
133 92
66034 51
Service pipe
6688 80
566 82
7255 62
Miscellaneous expenses
2834 20
2834 20
147796 86
700 74
148497 60
Examined and found correct.
HENRY F. DUNNEES, AUDITOR.
VI.
SINKING FUND.
RECEIPTS.
INVESTMENTS.
Appropriations 1895
$1700 00
Ipswich Savings Bank,
$1274 41
،٠
1896
1759 50
Salem Five ('ts. Sav. Bk. 850 69
1897
1899 08
Inst. for Sav. New'port 1030 20
1898
1965 55
6.
1899
2032 00
Interest
799 17
Ipswich Gas Co., note. 3000 00
Ipswich Water bonds 2000 00
$10,155 30
Town of Ipswich school notes, 2000 00
$10,155 30
1 Examined and found correct.
HENRY F. DUNNELS, AUDITOR.
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
To the Board of Water Commissioners :
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith present my report for the year ending December 31, 1899.
MAIN PIPES.
During the year there were no extensions of mains except 48 lineal feet of 6 inch cast iron pipe on change of hydrant School street. The number of feet of mains laid to date and the sizes are as follows :
Sizes
Feet
14 inch
1,505
12 inch
10,963
10 inch
8,830
8 inch
17,897
6 inch
28,804
Total 67,999 feet or 12.878-1- miles.
There have been three leaks in main pipes during the year as fol- lows : Two in 12 inch, both were in joints ; one in 10 inch cracked pipe caused by pipe resting on sharp edge of ledge.
HYDRANTS.
One defective hydrant has been repaired. They have all been in- spected and oiled. The total number now set is as follows :
Town
116
Private
6
Total
122
16
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
STREET GATES.
The total number now set is 128.
SERVICE PIPES.
There have been four leaks in service pipes during the year : three from bad solder joints and one pipe split open just inside of cellar wall, caused by being frozen. Thirty-four services have been added this year. Total number of services connected with works to date 617.
Sixty-seven faucets are sealed at the present time and there are 17 services on which the water is shut off at the sidewalk. This num- ber does not include services supplying sillcocks only, or those at sum- mer residences where the water is shut off at the sidewalk for the winter.
Following is an account of the number of services added, also the number of feet of service pipe laid (by years) since the works were put in :
Number of
Town
Private
Total
Year
Services added
Ft.
In.
Ft.
In.
Ft.
In.
1894
181
4,470
4
2,771
2
7,241
6
1895
218
5,312
3
6,051
5
11,363
S
1896
110
2,391
9
2,616
5
5,008
2
1897
32
896
6
1,991
6 2,882
0
1898
42
1,112
1,318
:
2,432
10
1899
34
842
1
1,335
10
2,177
11
Total 31,104 feet 1 inch or 5.890-|- miles.
The kinds of pipe used are lead and galvanized iron, the sizes from 3-4 inch to 3 inch.
17
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
METERS.
Seventeen meters have been set this year. The total number now in use is as follows : 1
SIZE
NAME.
TOTAL
1 inch
5-8 inch
Crown piston
2
55
57
Empire piston
20
20
Hersey disc
1
32
33
Nash disc
1
4
Lambert disc
2
2
Niagara disc
7
7
Trident disc
1
1
Columbia turbine
1
1
Union rotary
1
1
Elevator indicator
1
10
4
123
127
PAINTING.
The store house and all wood-work at the gate houses and pumping station have been painted.
PUMPING PLANT.
The building at the pumping station is in good condition. The pumping engines, condenser, feed-pump and boilers are in good condi- tion. The boilers have been inspected quarterly by the Mutual Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company.
18
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
SYNOPSIS OF PUMPING RECORDS For the Year Ending December 31, 1899.
1899,
Total pumping time
per month.
Total amount of coal
used per month.
Average amount of
coal used per day.
Total number of gal-
lons water pumped
per month.
Average number gal-
lons water pumped
Gallons water pum-
ped to lb. coal used-
while pumping only.
Month
Hrs.
Min.
Pounds
Pounds
Gallons
Gallons Gallons
January
42
45
20,109
.648
2,700,810
87,122
.261
February
35
20
19,331
.690
2,410,560
86,091
.256
March
25
20
15,382
.496
1,647,030
53,130
.271
April
28
15
15,366
.512
1,800,065
60,062
.262
May
42
25
16,392
.528
2,885,070
96,169
.314
June
50
50
18,458
.615
3,451,785
115,059
.312
July
53
25
18,617
.600
3,549,350
114,495
.301
August
41
30
16,188
.522
2,899,260
93.524
.306
September
37
20
15,283
.509
2,632,350
85,745
.309
October
35
30
15,437
.497
2,628,875
84,802
.280
November
29
50
14,732
.491
2,210,210
79,673
.308
December
B3
15,492
.496
2,463,350
79,462
.315
Total for year,
456
40
200,797
31,288,715
Daily av. for yea.
.550
85,722
per day.
Tons of coal consumed during the year-89 and 1437-2240.
Amount of wood " 66 66 3 cords. ,
19
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
STORAGE BASIN.
The water in the storage basin did not fall below the high water mark until June 2nd. From that time it fell gradually until the 18th of September, when it reached the lowest point which was two and one-half feet below high water line. From this time the basin began to fill until December 5th when it had again reached the high water line and had begun to flow over the waste-way. When we consider that this has been an extremely dry season the above record makes a very good showing for the capacity of this source of supply.
The consumption of water has been larger this year than in any other since the works were built.
Respectfully submitted, PRINCE A. ALLEN, ENGINEER.
January 26, 1900.
20
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
THOMAS E. CONDON, Treasurer, in Account With the WATER BOARD for the Year Ending December 31, 1899.
1899.
DR.
Jan. 1 To cash on hand
488 55
66 div on Ins policy on power house
36 50
28
Water Board on acct water rates
1624 65
6
service piping .
14 31
66
miscellaneous
5 33
Feb. 7
66
..
on acct water rates
548 04
25
66 66
٠١
66
service piping
15 17
Apr. 1
66
on acct water rates
273 94
66
miscellaneous
16 45
24
..
..
on acet water rates
392 12
service piping
8 30
..
66
miscellaneous
2 75
June 15
6.
66
on acct water rates
180 46
66
service piping
164 27
6.
miscellaneous 11 10
17
66 from town on acct of appropriation in part for 1899 .
2500 00
To cash interest on town notes
80 00
temporary loan to town returned
2000 00
July 8
Water Board on acct water rates
.
..
miscellaneous
4 72
24
. .
.6
on acct water rates
952 13
66
66
service piping
9 07
. .
.6
miscellaneous
18 00
Ang. 2
..
..
on aect water rates ..
417 42
..
service piping
105 81
Oct. 6
.6
66
div on Ins policy on power
8 00
To cash Water Board on acct water rates
383 93
66
.6
service piping
30 92
66
6.
miscellaneous
6 15
Dec. 5
6.
..
on acet water rates
530 78
..
.6
service piping
54 62
..
miscellaneous
14 60
..
..
756 38
Sept. 5
66
miscellaneous
4 35
house .
66
miscellaneous
2 90
178 27
649 03
21
WATER COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
Dec. 15 To cash from town bal of appropriations for 1899
1274 00
31 To cash Water Board on acct water rates 54 87
66 service piping 28 72
miscellaneous 21 07
$13,867 68
1899
CR.
By cash paid on orders allowed by Water Board for 1899
$ 11135 93
Feb. 7 By cash temporary loan to town
1000 00
Mch. 15 66
1000 00
on hand 731 75
$13,867 68
Examined and found correct.
HENRY F. DUNNELS, AUDITOR.
(a)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
ODOR.
RESI- DUE.
AMMONIA.
Chlorine
NITROGEN AS
Oxygen
Con-
Hard-
ness.
REMARKS.
Collec- Exam- tion. nation.
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Cold.
Hot.
Total
Free.
Albu- minoid
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
1899
1899
Jan.
Very
Very 0.17
None
Faintly veg
3.75
.0000
.0060
40
.0020
.0000
.20
1.1
Dow's Brook
23
23
slight slight
Jan.
Jan. 23
Very slight
0.32
None
Very faint- ly fishy Very faint- ly veg
4.10
.0004
.0184
.40
.0070
.0000
.42
1.0
Storage Basin
23
Feb.
slight Cons.
0.19
None
3.80
.0010
.0116
.53
.0050
.0001
.30
1.4
Dow's Brook
20
21
e'rthy
Feb.
Feb.
slight Very
0.18
None Dis veg & mouldy
Very faint- ly veg Dis veg
3.70
.0000
.0080
.40
.0010
.0000
.45
0.8
Dow's Brook
April 24
24
May 22
Very
0.37
Dis veg Faintly veg Faintly veg
Faintly veg
4.35
.0002
.0132
.42
.0020
.0000
.44
1.3
Dow's Brook
May 22
May 23 May 23
Very slight slight Very Very slight slight
).21
Dis veg
3.70
.0008
,0214
43
.0020
.0000
.36
1.1
Storage Basin
.48
.0110
.0002
.30
1.7
Storage Basin
20)
21
slight Very
0.34
0.26
Dis veg
3.50
.0002
.0146
38
.0030
.0001
.46
0.6
Storage Basin
April 24
April Very 24
slight slight April siight slight
4.50
.0030
.0090
Feb.
slight
Jan.
sumed.
(b)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
ODOR.
RESI- DUE.
AMMONIA.
Chlorine
NITROGEN AS
Oxygen
Con-
Hard-
ness.
REMARKS.
Collec- Exam- tion.
nation.
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Cold.
Hot.
Total
Free.
Albu- ininoid
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
1899
1899
June
Very slight
slight 0.8
Faintly Faintly veg veg Dis veg
5.40
.0002
.0126
.50
.0170
.0000
.17
1.7
Dow's Brook
June 27
28
Very slight slight None
None
0.00
V faint- ly veg Faintly veg Faintly veg None
Dis veg
4.20
.0006
.0188
.46
.0020
.0000
.31
1.7
Storage Basin
Aug. 31
1
Cons. slight Very slight slight
0.10
None
4.65
.0016
.0294
.51
.0010
.0000
1.3
Storage Basin
Aug. 31 Sept. 23 Sept. 23
Sept. 1 Sept. 26 Sept. 26
Very slight
slight
0.26
None Faintly veg
Faintly veg Dis veg & fain unpľ'nt
5.50
.0000
.0126
.52
.0020
.0000
.39
2.0
Dow's Brook
4.30
.0020
.0230
.55
.0040
.0001
.32
1.8
Storage Basin
.
Dis veg & fain unpľ'nt Faintly veg
3. 85
.0014
.0220
.42
.0000
.0000
.30
1.1
Storage Basin
July 20
July 21 July 21
Very slight| slight Very
Very
0.11
0.14
Dis veg
6.75
.0010
.0192
.62
.0050
.0001
.19
2.2
Dow's Brook
June 27
28
June
.0200
.0000
.01
2.0
Dow's Brook
5.25
.0000
.0008
.59
July 20
Sept.
Very slight slight
0.10
0.12
sumed.
(c)
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS-State Board of Health. WATER ANALYSIS. (Parts in 100,000.)
DATE OF
APPEARANCE.
ODOR.
RESI- DUE.
ΑΜΜΟNIA.
NITROGEN AS
Collec- |Exam- tion.
nation,
Tur- bidity.
Sedi- ment.
Color
Cold.
Hot.
Total
Free.
Albu- minoid
Ni- trates.
Ni- trites.
Oxygen
Con-
sumed.
Hard-
ness.
1899 Oct. 22
1899 Oct. 23 Oct.
Very Very slight slight slight
.40
Faintly veg Dis veg
Dis veg
5.65
.0006
.0176
.53
.0030
.0000
.54
2.0
Dow's Brook
Oct. 22
23
slight scum
Very
.34
20
slight slight
Very slight
22
None Faintly veg®
Dis veg & decayed Very Faintly veg Dis veg & earthy
5.40
.0008
.0132
.42
.0020
.0000
.47
1.7
Dow's Brook Storage Basin
Nov. 20
Dec. 26
Nov. 20 Dec. 27 Dec. 27
slight Very slight slight
None Very slight
.18
None None
fain unpl'nt Faintly fishy
5.45
.0010
.0178
.49
.0030
.0000
.91
1.7
Dow's Brook
4.65
.0008
.0214
.58
.0010
.0001
.40
1.7
Storage Basin
4. 50
.0006
.0248
.56
.0050
.0000
.35
2.0
Storage Basin
Nov.
Nov. 20
.0010
.0000
.37
1.7
4.55
.0010
.0220
.52
.78
Dec. 26
Very
.10
REMARKS.
Chlorine
TOWN OF IPSWICH.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-
MASS.
MSal
INC.
516 34
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 1637
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1899.
IPSWICH : E. W. REYNOLDS COMPANY, 1900.
School Committee.
JOHN W. NOURSE
TERM EXPIRES 1901
CHARLES W. BAMFORD
1901
MILO H. GATES
66
1900
CHARLES S. CUMMINGS
66
1900
HARRIET E. NOYES
66
66
1902
JOHN H. COGSWELL
66 66
1902
ORGANIZATION.
JOHN W. NOURSE, CHAIRMAN. JOHN II. COGSWELL, SEC'Y.
SUB-COMMITTEES.
HIGH SCHOOL.
MR. BAMFORD MRS. NOYES.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
MR. NOURSE, MRS. NOYES, MR. COGSWELL.
APPLETON SCHOOL.
MR. BAMFORD.
ARGILLA SCHOOL.
MR. CUMMINGS.
LINEBROOK SCHOOL.
MR. COGSWELL.
VILLAGE SCHOOL.
MR. NOURSE.
ON REPAIRS.
MR. COGSWELL. MR. CUMMINGS.
LABOR CERTIFICATES.
MR. BAMFORD.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
MR. FRANK B. PAGE, MR. WM. II. BROCKLEBANK.
-
LIST OF TEACHERS.
JANUARY 1, 1900.
IHIGH SCHOOL
JOHN P. MARSTON EMMA G. GARDNER ANNIE C. HATCHI
Principal
Assistant
MANNING GRAMMAR
LUCY HAMLIN, CARRIE L. LAKEMAN KATHARINE F. SULLIVAN
Principal Assistant 66
WINTHROP GRAMMAR
S. ISABEL ARTHUR EVA M. PURINTON E. MABEL ADAMS MABEL A. WILLIS
Principal Assistant
66
COGSWELL SCHOOL
KATHERINE C. BAKER LUCY A. KIMBALL Assistant
Principal
ANNIE P. WADE Principal
DENNISON SCHOOL
GRACE E. SMITH Assistant
PAYNE SCHOOL S
EVA A. WILLCOMB . Principal
O. LOUISE PURINTON ISABEL G. BROWN .
Assistant
WAINWRIGHT SCHOOL LOUISE S. GLOVER.
APPLETON SCHOOL
MARTHA U. LORD.
ARGILLA SCHOOL
CORA A. SMITH.
GRAPE ISLAND SCHOOL C'ORA HI. JEWETT.
LINEBROOK SCHOOL
EDITH F. PERLEY.
VILLAGE SCHOOL
AUGUSTA N. APPLETON.
MUSIC .
LAURA A. HUBBARD.
DRAWING
ETHEL W. RATSEY.
-
NUMERICAL STATEMENT.
Number of children in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years, according to the census taken in September, 1899 . 686
Number of pupils enroled in Public Schools · In High School 62
In Grammar Schools
304
In Primary Schools
327
In Ungraded Schools
50 743
NOTE. In connection with the above it should be stated, that the number enroled includes 143 pupils who are above fifteen years of age.
ENROLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
FOR SIX MONTHIS ENDING JUNE 30, 1899.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
No En- roled.
Average Member- ship.
Average atten- dance.
Per cent of atten- dance.
High School
62
55.2
51
92.4
Manning Grammar Grades VIII and IX
72
68
61.3
90.1
Manning Grammar Grade VII
45
41.4
38
91.4
Winthrop Grade VII
47
44
41.5
94.3
VI
48
46
41
89.1
39
38.5
34.5
91
IV
53
47.5
43.3
91.2
('ogswell Grade III
32
31
26.6
86
I and II
43
31.7
29.5
93
Dennison Grade III
52
45
42.5
94.5
I and II
63
56.5
49.3
87.3
Payne Grade III 66 I and II
35
32
29.7
90
Wainwright Grades I and II
29
24.7
22.5
91.3
Appleton Ungraded
10
7.5
6.5
86.7
Grape Island
7
5
4.5
90
Linebrook
66
20
17.5
16.1
92
Village
66
.
.
5
5
4.5
90
743
671.8
606.9
90.3
73
69
58.9
85.4
Argilla
66
6.3
5.7
90
743
1
REPORT.
In taking the annual "account of stock" and presenting its report to the citizens of the town, the committee can but be encouraged at the present outlook in the school work. While we may discover, in our retrospect, many defects and shortcomings both in our special work and in general administration,-as are likely to occur in any system of public schools,-we find many excellencies, and a degree of progress that justifies the assertion that the Ipswich public schools are doing more for the thought, knowledge, and character of our children, than in any preceding year. Defects there are, but as in individual so in educational life, it is by our mistakes, recognized and retrieved, that we are braced to new effort ; are enabled to establish success upon past failures : and by the stepping stones of error to "rise to higher things." In social, political, and educational matters, "the world swings out to- ward the light," and he who would not be left behind must yield himself to the world's motion. Many defects of the present time are to be charged to the account of the general system of education laid down by our state boards and leaders in educational work. "Local option" seems to be an unknown quantity in relation to the adoption of many of the so-called "fads" of the present day. But here a clear distinction should be made between those branches which are ornamental and those which, ultimately, may be of real advantage to the majority of the children. No thinking person will deny that the inculcation in the child of a taste for the best in literature, or a knowledge of the princi- ples of music, or the training of the hand to "cunning in its ten fingers and strength in its right arm," can be counted as anything but helpful. All innovations are not "fads" nor ornamentals. It is a matter for congratulation that the purely ornamental fever has had so "light a rum" in the Ipswich schools, and that many of those branches now in-
10
SCHOOL REPORT.
eluded on our neighbors' educational tree, never have been grafted upon our own. Disregarding the advice of George Eliot, "don't seem to be on the lookout for crows else you will set other people watching," the committee feel and state plainly, that the great and growing danger in our present system is the overloading it with too many studies. The danger is a serious one. There is a constantly increasing strain in directions and on lines which the average child is incapable of compre- hending. We cannot provide, in our primary schools, a foundation for all forms of specialisni. To attempt too many things at the same time is a foolish ambition which "oe'rleaps itself and falls on the other side." Whether the human mind be a "unity or a manifold" it is pos- sessed of powers and capacities, whose activities from the start should be guided in the most useful directions, and with the least possible waste and friction. This guidance must fall to the teacher and makes apparent the wisdom of Mr. Emerson's remark, "I care not what my child studies in school, but it is a matter of infinite moment who is his teacher."
The compromise in educational methods, -between the teaching sim- ply of the three R's and the introduction of the many studies of the present day .- is not yet fully worked out. It will not do for teachers to be content always with the old ways leaving the new untried ; nor al- ways to discard the old when a new is proposed. Sound judgment and careful discrimination on the part of the teacher are needed to choose the "golden mean" between the old and the new, and to make such se- lection as shall lead to the "survival of the fittest." Equally needful is this wise discrimination on the part of those who plan the course of study. If the school is for the child and not the child for the school, the entire course from primary to high school must be of a character to train the mind, not only of the exceptionally bright pupil, but the minds of the rank and file. It must fit together like the intricate parts of some delicate machine, where each cog wheel however tiny has its own mission, and its loss throws the whole structure out of gear. To this end the committee, believing that our system needs simplification rather than greater complexity, and that the standard should be below, rather than above the possibilities of the average pupil, has endeavored to build up a course of study which neither shall confine itself to the ancient Rs, nor embrace all the new and purely ornamental branches.
11
SCHOOL REPORT.
But a well-considered curriculum will not cure the faults in our schools. The carrying out of the plan must be left largely to each indi- vidual teacher. The manner in which this plan is worked out, the facts of everyday life with pupils in the school and with parents in the home, with school officials and the public, will prove the crucible in which every teacher is tested.
A closer touch with and knowledge of, the course mapped out, would modify adverse criticism and dispel the notion that the committee en- courages "fads" to the neglect of essentials and to the injury of the children ; but all school systems having the welfare of the whole child as their principle of action,-to make him better than his forbears,- have been made perfect through such tribulation.
It may be that some excellent teachers in our corps have not con- sidered sufficiently the limitations of the growing child, but the fault has been the outcome of an enthusiastic zeal to bring the pupil up to a certain standard. It may be that less home work, where the pupil has the assistance of parents, and more work in school where he must de- pend upon himself, would result in lasting good in the end. Happy the teacher who can adapt to his or her need the best method to secure the desired end. Schiller says, "The artist may be known by what he omits."
The growth in the requirements for educational work has been very marked during the past five years. Those in charge of school matters have become more and more unwilling to entrust classes of children to men and women who have no criteria to guide them, except what is re- membered of their own school life, Previous to 1890 any high school graduate was deemed competent to teach a school of any grade from primary to grammar. Now, special preliminary preparation of a prac- tical character is demanded even from the college graduate. Notwith- standing however this Shibboleth of preliminary preparation in Normal and Training schools, the fact still remains that the teacher "is born not made," and Ipswich is to be congratulated that among her corps of instructors, there are those whose natural aptitude for the work place them side by side with those who have had special pedagogic training. Training alone never can make a teacher. There must be that which develops only through education and training. Yet preliminary prep-
12
SCHOOL REPORT.
aration would help many to snecess in the art of teaching who now are handicapped and liable to failure. The life of a teacher is onerous at best, and it must be conceded that she needs preparation for her life work. Every year, increased consideration is given to this subject and if your committee are to administer the affairs of the schools for the best results we cannot overlook this matter. To get the best should be our aim. The general policy of the Board has been and is, to favor home talent when possible, but our first plain duty to the schools is to get the best teachers wherever from, which the high-water mark of our appropriation will allow. The policy of the State is well known and recognized, and we should heed it, and it now seems wise to re- quire that new teachers shall have received some special preparation for their work either in Normal or Training school. We refer to the teachers annually, we elect them annually, but they require our peren- nial consideration. This special preparation and high standard would be equally as valuable to the teacher as the taught. Practically it would insure her a position and would strengthen her standing in the matter of tenure of office. Therefore we would recommend to all our graduates who intend to join the grand army of teachers that they take if possible a well-rounded course of preparatory work.
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