USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1909 > Part 6
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66 1911
GEORGE H. W. HAYES
66
1912
GEORGE W. TOZER.
1912
Organization.
GEORGE W. TOZER. Chairman. HARRIET E. NOYES, Secretary. JOHN P. MARSTON, Superintendent.
e
School Physician Dr G. E. Macarthur Purchasing Agents. · Mr. Cogswell, Mrs. Noyes Labor Certificate . Mr. G. H. W. Hayes Truant Officers Warren Boynton, W. B. Atkinson
Repairs Committee Mr. Cogswell, Mr. Hayes
General Report.
IN presenting this report to the Citizens of Ipswich, all of whom presumably are interested in our public schools, the committee is following a time-honored custom by which the condition and progress of our schools, their successes and their failures, their defects and their excellencies, are brought to the knowledge of all. In so doing the committee desires to tell "a plain unvarnished tale" which "he who runs may read." Conditions may be stated; results can not be express- ed either in words or figures. It is only as the boys and girls of today become the active, intelligent, thinking, men and women of the future that true values can be reckoned. In early colonial days education used to begin with the Univer- sity or College and work down; now it begins with the lower grades and works up. The old idea was that education is for the training of leaders; the new bases its energies upon the training of the whole people. and lays its foundations, broad and deep and strong, in our primary schools. Horace
Mann once said, "One right former is worth a thousand re- formers," a principle which is especially applicable to the lower grades of our schoolsystem. Dr. Arnold of Rugby defined the functions of the school as "a place, first for the forma- tion of character; and next a place of learning and study as a means to this high end." Reading, writing, arithmetic,
grammar and kindred studies are but tools for use. What one is, is far more important than what he can recite. Aaron Burr, it is said, was a brilliant student of history, but it did not make him loyal, if history is to be believed. The chief
8
ISWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
corner stone of the educational structure is laid in the primary schools; the corner stone of habit; the habit of prompt at tendance and of obediance to authority; the habit of truth and honesty; the habit of courtesy and loyalty; the habit of
morizing and reciting; the habit of doing ones best. Along with this comes to the child the learning how to study . and how to think for himself. Habits formed in these prim- ary schools are the habits that are likely to last through life, and therefore we reiterate, habit is the corner stone of edu- cation and of life. Boys who have walked our Ipswich streets have become eminent as jourists, strong in pulpit power, or have attained high rank in the commercial world; girls have become women whose life has been devoted to teaching and to the uplift of humanity; and they have been the boys and girls whose habits were begun under the care and discipline of a "right former", so that there has been no need of their be- ing made over by a " reformer."
With this thought underlying our report, the commit- tee feels justified in stating emphatically, that during the past year our schools, as a whole, have done satisfactory work. While we have no thought of announcing that the millennium in school work actually has begun, we can con- fidently assert that, notwithstanding untoward and unexpected changes,- there has been all along the line from Primary grades to High School,- a stronger impetus to excellence in teaching and improvement in scholarship. Without special- izing individual teachers or schools, which sometimes savors of injustice, we say that the year has brought many success- es, although a few of the teachers have been working under adverse conditions.
The school year begins in September and ends in June. The fiscal year, which the school report covers, is from Janu- ary 1 to December 31. This necessitates a report including the closing half of one year and the opening half of another, a condition not altogether satisfactory.
9
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Teachers.
From January to June of 1909 there were few changes in the teaching force - the principal ones being in the ninth grade where Miss Varney after one month's work as assis- tant was taken ill and was succeeded by Miss Grace Holden, who resigned in May to be followed by Miss Ruth Adams. At Linebrook Miss Charlotte Burnham was succeeded by Miss Managhan. Notwithstanding these changes everything moved on in the usual routine, and at the close of the school yesr in June, it was acknowledged by committee and superin- tendent that a commendable advance had been made and that teachers and pupils had earned the right to the summer's rest.
With September the committee's troubles began. With the exception of Miss Ruth Adams, who was transferred from ninth grade to High school, the corps of teachers of the preceding year had been elected and had accepted their sev- eral positions when the schools opened it was found that, nu- merically, the several grades had changed greatly and that the Fifth grade rooms wers full to overflowing; the Sixth Grade was nearly as crowded; while the higher grades with the exception of the ninth, had fewer pupils than usual. Al- though contrary to the wishes of the committee, it was found necessary to double up the grades in several rooms. This has made extra work for the teachers in these rooms, but the good spirit with which this extra labor was assumed by the majority of the toilers, was commendable.
In October troubles increased. Resignations were re- ceived from Miss Carrie E. Baker, assistant in the High school and from Miss Nina Low, of the Winthrop school, Grade VI. Miss Baker was succeeded by Miss Edith R. Macurdy of Watertown, a graduate of Radcliffe; Miss Low's place was ably filled by transferring Miss L. Maude Schofield from
10
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Grades III and IV at the Burley to the vacancy at the Win- throp. This necessitated other changes and as Miss Carrie Black resigned the last of the month, there was a general upheaval. Miss Elsie Johnson was transferred from the Wainwright to the Burley and Miss Elsie C. Green elected to the Wainwright; Miss Clara Managhan of the Linebrook school was put in charge of Grades I and II at the Dennison where Miss Black had taught, and Miss Helen Perley was elected to the Linebrook school. In November, Miss Ratsey, the efficient supervisor of drawing resigned her position to accept a similar one at Wheaton Seminary. So far no suc- cessor has been elected. Early in October Miss E. M. Adams principal of the Winthrop school, was obliged to ask leave of absence on account of the serious illness of her fa- ther. Her place is still being satisfactorily filled by Miss
Anna Hartford of Gloucester. At this time also it became imperative to elect an assistant for the Ninth grade where Miss Arthur was in charge of 60 pupils, and Mrs. Grace E. Phillips was elected and has been doing acceptable work. When school work can go on almost without interuption in the face of such changes and disconcerting circumstances, there must be some strong, latent power in the Ipswich sys- tem.
One word should be said in regard to the resigning of teachers at any and all times when convenient to themselves. The tacit understanding when a teacher accepts a position is that she accepts for the school year. To resign for any cause except illness borders on the dishonorable. To guard against such inconveniences the committee is considering seriously some form of contract, (as is used in other towns and cities), by which, in case of resignation, a certain por- tion of salary shall be forfeited. The teachers, as a rule re- sign to take "better positions." Supposing the tables were turned and the committee should say to a teacher, without any previous warning, " We have secured a better teacher
11
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
than you; we shall need you no longer," what then would happen?
The School Physician.
"Mens sana in corpore sano,"-a sound mind in asound body,- is the slogan of the modern educator. Dr. Macarthur has been vigilant in his office of school physician. His re- port deserves careful reading. The work which, he is soon to inaugurate will be of great benefit to pupil and parent.
Superintendent.
With the end of the school year Mr. Robert M. Martin closed his conscientious labors as superintendent of our pub- lic schools, the committee feeling confident that a citizen of our own town, one who would be familiar with the people, the homes, the existing conditions, and whatever else should be known to a successful superintendent, should be elected to the position. After due deliberation such a citizen was found. and the results of the work since the opening of the schools in September show decidedly that the committee made no mistake when they elected Prof. John P. Marston as superintendent of schools. Mr. Marston has brought to his new work a quiet enthusiasm, if such an expression is permissible, which has aroused a like spirit in the whole corps of teachers. For the first time in several years a reg- ular course of study, covering the years work in each grade has been made out by the superintendent, and cannot fail of bringing about more uniform results in our lower grades. Heretofore there has been a leak in the system somewhere between the second and fifth grades so that pupils entering this grade have in many cases not been up to the standard. This, perhaps, has been due to the lack of a systematic course rather than the fault of any particular teacher. It is
12
ISWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
believed that, the new course will remedy this defect. Tea- chers in similar grades are "putting their heads together" to make their work more uniforn. It is believed by the com- mittee that the work of the superintendent will be character- ized by the same honest, efficient work as has been displayed during his fifteen years as principal of our High school.
Under his supervision the "leak" to which reference has been made is in a fair way to be repaired, and the pupils entering the Fifth Grade to be better prepared for assimi- lation.
Course of Study.
While we do not publish the course of study as mapped out by our superintendent, we would call the especial atten- tion of the citizens to its merits and design. The course covers practically the same ground as that which has been followed, in a somewhat straggling way, heretofore. It is designed however to be accomplished in eight years instead of nine. It does not eliminate any of the work or the stud- ies of the present so-called system, withthe exception of al- gebra and civil government, which will be relegated to their proper places in the High school. The citizens of the town are asked to look carefully into this change and to be ready at the coming town meeting, to vote upon its adoption or re- jection. It should be understood that it simply divides our school work into eight parts instead of nine, the work itself being the same, with the above exceptions. Scholars will en- ter the High school at the end of the eighth grade with the same preparation that they now have. If any are obliged to remain two years in a grade because they do not reach the standard, they will have a course of nine years instead of ten 'as at present.
13
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
In this connection the committee would like to recom- mend alsodoing away with theGraduating exercises oftheGram- mar school. Indeed, if the change from nine to eight grades is made, it will be a necessity. Citizens generally are asked to consider this matter also, and to be prepared to accept or reject the recommendation.
Our Appropriation and Its Disposal.
Your committee is entrusted with the largest appro- priation of any single department of town affairs. Realizing fully the trust, and the responsibilities it brings, the commit- tee has endeavored to expend the money entrusted to their use, in the most judicious manner; to discountenance lavish expenditures and at the same time to keep our schools fur- nished with all the necessary supplies. No one would like the task of "making bricks without straw," but an organ- ized system of purchasing "straw"-books, papers, pencils. and other necessaries ;- has been adopted. Instead of one member. or any member of the committee ordering whatever may be asked for by the teachers, a requisition in writing must be sent to the purchasing agents. If the articles asked for require the expenditure of any but a small nominal sum, the agents, in this and in all cases of ordering supplies when a certain amount has been exceeded, must present to the com- mittee a list of books and supplies needed, so that action by the whole board may be taken. In this way each member can have an intelligent knowledge of the amount of money expended and the articles purchased. The secretary also can give upon request the totals of expenditures and balance. This plan which was adopted in June with the new "rules and regulations," has worked well in all respects.
In September the salaries of a few teachers in the prim- arv grades were increased and an attempt made to adjust the payment of teachers on a more equal scale. The committee
14
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
has endeavored to expend every dollar of its appropriation with a personal knowledge and interest in its disbursement, and herewith we give an account of our stewardship.
Our actual appropriation was $20.000. To this has been added an especial appropriation of $150.00 for salary of school physician, and $720.00 for payment of Manning school tax. In tabulated form. found a little later in our report. our entire receipts will be found to have amounted to $21,910.25 our expenditures. $20.570.12, leaving a balance of $1,340.13, which speaks for itself.
Schools.
We have eight buildings in which 18 teachers are em- ployed. In the Manning building for which we pay a rental of $1900. a year, we employ five teachers. two in the ninth grade and three in the High school. We also pav a part of Miss Gardner's salary. Two schools only are ungraded.
As already has been stated the general work of the schools has been characterized by faithful teaching and ex- cellent discipline. Few cases of injustice have been reported and also few cases of insubordination. There has been har- mony among the teachers and a spirit of good fellowship has taken the place of the rivalry which in some years has work- ed against the common good. The school and the home. in nearly every instance, have been complements, each of the other and this relation has been a factor in the year's im- provement.
The teaching force at the High school was increased in September by the election of Miss Ruth Adams as a fourth assistant and her work has been very helpful. The fact that the town has received more than $600.00 for the tuition of pupils from other towns would indicate that our High school is approved and appreciated, and that its work compares fav- orahly with that of other High schools in the state. We can
15
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
but echo the statement made year after year, "the school needs the whole building."
Mr. Alfred Moseley, an English educator, is credited with saying, "The American schools graduate theirboysinto overalls." We wish that statement was more literally true of our schools; that the "sugar plums and the bread and butter of life" conld be brought into more close relationship; that ed- ucation could be brought into real life and real life into edu- cation. Scholarship does not mean cramming with inform- ation from text books; but becoming able to get knowledge every day and everywhere. Stuart Mills once said, "Educa- tion makes a man a more intelligent shoemaker, if that is his occupation, but not by teaching him to make shoes." Let our graduates then include in their fitting for the outer man both the dress suit and the overalls, the dainty gown and the checked apron, if overalls and apron mean that they can ap- ply their education to real use; and for the inner being the fine courtesy, the true honesty, and the high ambition which makes the highest type of an American citizen.
For the first time in several years, the committee has a "local habitation." Through. the courtesy of the select- men a room in the Town House, has been assigned to the use of the superintendent and committee. The committee had several articles of furniture and a desk and chair have been purchased for the superintendent. With a little hygienic reform, which it is hoped will be effected early in the com- ing year, the new quarters will be both satisfactory and sumptuous. When not in use by the committee, the Finance committee holds its meetings here.
In closing we would call the attention of the citizens to the report of the superintendent, bespeaking kindly and thoughtful consideration for his plans and recommendations. He is "on the inside" and knows what is needed. We take pleasure also in commending the work of Mr. Tozer, the supervisor of music whose report follows.
16
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Herewith is submitted a detailed account of receipts and expenditures.
Respectfully submitted,
Chas. G. Hull
Geo. E. Macarthur
John H. Cogswell
Harriet E. Noyes
Geo. H. W. Hayes
Geo. W. Tozer
School Committee
17
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Receipts and Expenditures.
EXPENDITURES
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
Miss Emma G. Gardner
$400
Alice E. Perkins
606
" Carrie E. Baker
403 75
" Ruth Adams
340
Edith Macurdy
151 25
Isabel Arthur
710
Mrs. Grace Phillips
35
Miss Harriet Varney
20
" Grace Holden
98
" E. M. Adams
471
·· K. C. Baker
457 25
" Nina Low
360
" Ethel Bagley
450
Maude Schofield
426
" Pauline Ross
136 50
" Eva A. Willcomb
420
" Cora H. Jewett
231 25
K. Sullivan
620
N. T. Sullivan
450
Elsie Johnson
370
Stella Adams
368
A. N. Appleton
409 50
Annie Ryan
362
" Alice Burnham
332
18
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Helen Tupper
399
66 Rosalie Chase
360 10
Clara Managhan
237 25
Charlotte Burnham
96
" Cora Smith
4
Annie Wade
420
Carrie Black
314
Elsie C. Green
89 30
66 Anna Hartford
78 75
Helen Perley
64
Ethel Ratsey
280
Mr. A. H. Tozer
320
.
$11,301.15
SUPERINTENDENT.
R. M. Martin
$432
J. P. Marston 133 33
$565 33
OFFICIALS.
G. E. Macarthur-School Physician $150
John H. Cogswell- Sec. and Purchasing Agent 86 66
Harriet E. Noyes, - Asst. .6
25
Warren Boynton, -Truant officer
40
$301 66
JANITORS.
J. H. Baker-Winthrop
$275
F. B. Saunders-Payne & Burley
335
W. H. Kirk Payne 6 mos. 90
S. E. Hayes --- Dennison & Wainwright 170
19
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
E. L Darling-Cogswell
$100
Jos. Johnson-Manning St.
50
Jas. Ryan -- Linebrook
36
Cora Jewett --- Island
9
$1065 00
TRANSPORTATION.
Ipswich Highway Dept.
$375
B. & N. Street Railway Co.
300
$675 00
RENT.
Manning School Trustees
$1900
C. F. Chapman --- land Manning St.
20
$1920 00
TAXES.
Manning Sch. tax --- by special appropriation $720
FUEL
C. C. Caldwell
$344 43
J. S. Glover
230 93
T. B. Fall & Son '07-'08-'09. 471 55
Jas. Small
4
Jas. Ryan
5
A. H. Peatfield
10 50
Spencer Gwinn
15
$1081 41
WATER DEPARTMENT.
January
17 03
March
18
April Burley & Winthrop 14 31
20
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
July
$36 37
October
2 75
December Burley & Winthrop
10 54
99 00
FURNITURE.
Roll top desk for Supt.
64
Supplies for desk
6 80
A. C. Damon, chairs
3 70
F. R. Schaller, organ
40
$114 50
EXPRESSING.
American Ex. Co. $22 02
Jackson Ex. Co.
15
Mallard and Harris
14 89
$51 91
REPAIRS.
A. H. Staniford $40 43
C. W. Harvey
59 85
M. W. Chadbourne
136 03
B. O. Woodward
185 39
A. H. Plouff
92 68
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins
46 55
S. F. Canney, lumber
29 59
Irving Brown
5 47
J. H. Lakeman (flagstaff work)
17 50
C. L. Stevens & Co.
3
William Webber, plumbing
2 10
H. A. Pickard
4 14
C. S. Tyler (clock)
75
John Wippich (clock)
8 25
21
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Joseph King
2 50
$634 23
BOOKS & SUPPLIES.
American Book Co. Books $107 89
D. C. Heath books and supplies 83 54
Edward E. Babb
243 81
Silver, Burdett & Co. books
58 63
J. L. Hammett & Co. supplies
127 48
Ginn & Co. books, music, etc.
227 65
C. F. Winchester books
74 99
Little, Brown & Co.
39 36
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
12 04
Allyn Bacon & Co. books
102 01
Houghton, Mifflin & Co. books
18 78
Milton Bradley Co. supplies
3 42
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins
41 71
George F. King & Co. supplies
24
A. H. Osborne & Co.
6 60
Adams, Cushing & Foster
38 03
H. R. Guild books
10
Chas E. Merrill
6 45
C. C. Burchard, music
4 57
Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover books
18 82
Ethel W. Ratsey supplies
8 43
C. W. Thompson music
50
Ipswich Post Office stamps
11 15
Oliver Ditson Co. music
28 19
C. Howard Hunt Pub. Co.
7 50
J. B. Lippincott books
5 40
H. P. Shaw supplies
5
W. R Jenkins
3 30
Perry Mason, Co
2 70
J A Blake
22 93
D. E. Measures ink etc.
3 10
$1352 33
1
22
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
INCIDENTALS.
Phinotas Chemical Co. disinfectant $18 75
T. D. Whitney burlap. Burley sch. 4 75
W. C. Henderson
cushions 18
C. L. Chase floor dressing 27 60
Cash Division sundries
2 13
J. W. Goodhue
29 78
F. T. Goodhue
1 55
J. B. Mitchell cleaning vaults
40
A. G. Lauer
1 50
Fred Witham census '08
20
E. L. Darling
8
Jas. Damon '09 & exp.
27
W. Dupray use of team
6
Masury Young & Co. disinfectant
8 10
Howard Blake labor
1 50
Wm. Story
1
Joseph Johnson
9 55
Robert Spencer
26 69
Chas. Jewett
3
Chas. Harvey
4 40
Fred Buzzell
1
Smith E. Hayes 6 6
33
F. B. Saunders
66
3 10
Elmer Smith
6 65
Jas. Ryan
3
J. Frank Perkins
6 50
Maynard Russell 6
18 82
H. A. Churchill
3 75
W. P. Ross
11 50
J. R. Small
1
B. J. Conley crepe paper
2 40
3 65
N. E. Telephone Co.
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT. 23
D. A. Grady
use of teams $4 50
A. P. Hills
35
L. E. Willcomb
'08 '09
2 30
Allen, Totman & Co.
cement
1
Thomas H. Lord '03 to '10 5 27
Geo. H. Lord use of plants 3
C. F. Chapman 45
F. R. Schaller tuning piano 6
W. J. Lefavour
6 .
3 50
Mrs. Clara Webber disinfectant 6 75
G. H. W. Hayes expenses incurred in Boston 7
7
J. Warren Perkins teaming 3
Horace Barker
Perley Bartlett
moving books from Argilla to Burley 2
Town of Hamilton tuition 2 children 30
$439 94
PRINTING.
C. G. Hull Reports $80
stationery for Mr. Marston 7 50
.. .. 6 . Graduation programs 85
John E. Hull Bill folders & Course of study M.H.S. 10 50
66 Rules & Regulations 22
Salem News Co. adv. 2 66
Ipswich Chronicle
notice
1
$208 66
DIPLOMAS.
Gardner Printing Co. $20 25
W. O. Hartshorne engros sing
14 45
W. E. Lord
ribbon
5 30
$40 00
G. E. Macarthur
،،
1
24
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
RECAPITULATION.
Teachers' salaries
$11,301 15
Supt.
60
565 33
Officials
301 66
Janitors
1065 00
Transportation
675
Rents
1920
Tax special ap.
720
Fuel
1081 41
Repairs
634 23
Water Dept.
99
Furniture
114 50
Expressing
54 91
Books & Supplies
1352 33
Printing
208 66
Diplomas
140
Incidentals
439 94
$20,570.12
25
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
RECEIPTS
Appropriation
$20,000
Special appropriation for M.H.S. tax
720
" sch. physician
150
Dog licenses
313 52
Cash refund
3 25
Class of '09 M.H.S.
29 58
Rowley, tuition of pupils
632
Hamilton
.6
30
Mrs. Varney " (Essex)
25
Sale of old books
6 90
$21,910 25
Ex.
20,570 12
Balance.
$1340 13
26
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of the town of Ipswich, Mass.
I hereby submit my annual report for the school year ending December 31, 1909.
During the summer vacation the school houses were thoroughly cleaned and repaired, so that when the schools opened in September, the pupils occupied sanitary buildings. The citizens of the town should feel that the Committee did all that could be done for the better condition of the schools. With few exceptions the buildings offer favorable conditions for a school. The town has a right to know whether its mon- ey is expended with good judgment. It has a right to know,-if the present condition of its schools is not satisfac- tory,-whether a not ample appropriation. or deficient man- agement is the cause.
Our schools should turn out at the end of the highest grade, people who have correct manners. the habit of decid- ing and doing what is right, a clear conception of the duties of citizens, a desire favorable to good literature, a knowledge of the use of the dictionary and books of reference, an ever abiding self reliance which has come from that peculiar joy that follows success after intense and persistent efforts, and
27
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
finally an ability to express intelligently their thoughts.
Without hesitation I state that the school money is expended with economy and good judgment. I do not think that the present appropriation is large enough to make a judicious expenditure. It is a simple business prop- osition. A mechanic turns out one hundred finished parts of a machine in a day. If he is compelled, with the same equipment, to turn out one hundred and fifty parts in the same time, each part will not have that perfection in finish which the one hundred have. The quality of the machine is not upto the former high standard.
For our schools to turn out a standard quality of work we require two or three more school rooms and two or three more teachers.
It is impossible for a teacher to make as complete preparation for the classes of two grades as for one grade. All teachers daily prepare work for the following day, for of course, no teacher for two successive years, teaches in the same manner.
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