USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1887 > Part 11
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street ; these accretions choke the stream, and at times of high water back the brook up immoderately. It is proper that the town by its School Committee, or by some other of its officers, should remedy this matter ; the brook should be widened, deep- ened, straightened. and stoned up, as in its course farther down stream. This would not only benefit one portion of the school- lot, but it would be a great improvement to property in the neighborhood.
In selecting a name for the new school, your Committee recognized the fact that to each of the other schools in the town has been given a name of general historic interest, - Quincy. Wollaston, Coddington, Adams. Willard and Wash- ington, - and, with one exception. of lasting connection with the town's history. John Hancock's name, however, has never yet been perpetuated in this way. Born in the old North Pre- cint of Braintree (now Quincy) -married into that family which afterwards gave its name to the town - so violent a rebel as to be one of the two Massachusetts men to whom the British crown offered no pardon, and upon whose head a price was set - a prominent town-officer of Boston, when Boston was the foremost town of the Colonies - president of the congress that made the Declaration of Independence - the first governor of this Commonwealth, and for ten years its chief executive, - John Hancock was certainly a very representative man of his time. and it is a little remarkable that in this age of rather indiscriminate perpetuation of the memory of men more or less great, no other testimonial to his worth could be found in this town. than the name of a street, and the recollection in some men's minds of the cellar-hole denoting his birthplace. now covered by the Adams Academy Schoolhouse. It seemed fit- ting. therefore, that the new school should bear his name.
RE-DISTRICTING.
By the opening of the John Hancock School. the much-needed relief to the primary grades of the Adams and Willard schools was given. Already five rooms in the new schoolhouse have been filled by children of the B, C and D primary grades. This school bids fair to contain only children of the primary grade, which, as is well understood, greatly outnumbers the grammar grades. It was impossible at the start to fix the limits for the new district otherwise than approximately. The expe- rience of this school-year. however, has been of value. and the lines for the Willard, John Hancock, Adams and Coddington schools should be run anew for primary districts, leaving the grammar grades districted as at present.
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EVENING DRAWING SCHOOL.
Your Evening Drawing School has nearly completed its second year. Pursuing the suggestion of last year's report, an advanced class, made up of men who took the first-year course, was established. This class has done most satisfactory work, and the benefit to its members this year is even more marked than in their first year. It is doubted if there exists in the Commonwealth an evening drawing school where the attend- ance is better, or the interest of the students deeper, than in the two classes of our school. The reason for this lies in the fact that seven out of eight of the students are men who have a common employment, - the working of granite. In this we have an advantage over most evening drawing schools. The students do not come to the school on the general principle that learning to draw is likely to help them in some occupation ; but they come with a perfectly definite object, in desiring in- struction in that which will materially and directly aid them in their chosen avocation. This unanimity of purpose, this concen- tration of ideas in the students' minds, is immediately reflected in the work of the instructor. Knowing what the students want, he is enabled from the first to so map out and arrange their work that results most useful to them may be obtained. A full sym- pathy between the instructor and the students exists, and it is a pleasure to see with what industrious zeal the teacher's efforts are rewarded. As a result, the men report that in their daily employment they have been greatly assisted by their instruc- tion ; for instance, among the stone-cutters, the experience obtained in the school has been of material help in the "read- ing of drawings " at their work.
The second-year class is naturally somewhat smaller than the first year, and there are several drawing-tables vacant. Your Committee believes that next year there might be established a third-year class, to take these unoccupied tables. The teach- ings of the second year would be continued, and a course in freehand drawing given, so adapted as to be of service to men in the stone business. This would not be an extra expense, as the instructor would teach the second and third years at the same time.
It must not be thought that this school is intended solely for the workers in granite, to the exclusion of those of other occu- pations ; but where the proportion of stone-workers to those of all other occupations in the school is so overwhelmingly in favor of the former, it seems only right that the instruction should conform as closely as possible to the actual needs of the stu- dents.
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The present room should not be used much longer for the Drawing School. It is small. and quite devoid of any good means of ventilation. The large hall at the top of the John Hancock School would make an admirable room for the Evening Drawing School. The schoolhouse is conveniently located for very many of the workers in stone. The hall is lofty and spa- cious: this the great heat generated br the large number of lighits over the students' tables would be carried off. The only reason that your Committee is not prepared to unqualifiedly recommend the removal of the Drawing School to this hall upon the expiration of the present lease. is the question of lighting. At present. the pipes of the Gas Company do not extend either on Granite or on Water Street as far as the schoolhouse. Gas- burners are no better light to work by than first-rate kerosene lamps : but for the purposes desired. the safety. neatness and reliability of gas is much greater than kerosene lamps.
WOLLASTON.
The village of Wollaston is so situated that any increase in its school population cannot well be cared for by relocating the boundaries of the neighboring districts. The increase of scholars is shown by the Superintendent's report. hereto appended. Those familiar with the past growth and the future prospects of Wol- laston are confident in their belief that the ratio of increase for the past twelve years, will continue during the next twelve years. The seating capacity of the school is also shown in the Super- intendent's report. Comparing the tables of attendance and seating capacity, it is plain that more room must soon be pro- vided. Shall this be acquired by an addition to the present school- house. or by the erection of a new building to be used in con- nection with. and as an annex to. the present house. similar to the annex at the Coddington School? Any one well acquainted with the architectural design of the Wollaston School will admit the inherent difficulties attending any attempt to add to this building the required room. There is a vacant part of the Wollaston school-lot. westerly of the schoolhouse. making the south-east corner of Beale and Prospect streets. and con- taining some eight thousand square feet of land. Here is an available parcel. with ample room for a two-storied schoolhouse of four rooms. accomodating two hundred children. Your Committee recommends that in the near future the town ap- propriate enough money to construct a plain. four-roomed, two-storied building of wood. following the same general de- sign as in the John Hancock School. - every room lighted from
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the south only, with a corridor on the north side. Such a structure would admit of addition in the future, and would be as easily cared for by the principal of the school as is the annex at the Coddington.
FIRE-DRILLS.
Fire-drills have been established in our schools, to meet the particular requirements of each school-building. The useful- ness of these drills hardly needs explaining. Constant drill subordinates the naturally tumultuous impulse of the imagina- tion to the deliberate mechanical movements of the body, and in course of time renders the most nervous child quite indiffer- ent to the alarm of fire. As an example of good drill, the Adams School, which, it will be remembered, has two classes located in the third story, has been emptied on a spring day, with full attendance, in a little over two minutes.
SINGING.
It is a pleasure to report the success attending the introduc- tion in our schools of the systematic teaching of singing, embracing therein the use of the voice, and the reading of music. There is no better, simpler, or more logical method of teaching music to children than that adopted by Mr. Wade. Of course there has always been singing in the public schools, but the singing of the pupils depended on the taste or musical acquirements of the respective teachers; and at times the former, or again the latter, was found to be pretty weak. One rarely finds a child to whom proper musical instruction has been given early in life, that cannot sing and has no appreciation of music. To give the child such instruction, it is not enough to set him singing at the top of his voice some simple Sunday- school hymn or nursery ballad, with innumerable repetitions of the same. He must be taught notes and the intervals, and to combine certain notes and intervals so that certain effects of melody are produced. He must be taught the principles of time, and, finally, the combining of notes to make harmony. All this time he is becoming impressed with the fact, that, to make good music, a pure quality of tone with clear enunciation, rather than a vast quantity of lung-power, is needed. The ex- cellence of the method followed by Mr. Wade is shown in the highly gratifying way in which our teachers have acquired his system, and are now instructing the scholars, under his super- vision.
Americans are a music-loving people. Music is fast becoming as much of a necessity as are holidays- in fact, to be the one
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indispensable component part of our holidays. No day of pleas- ure is complete without a musical accompaniment, which year by year is attaining a higher standard. It seems right that we should give to every one the greatest possible opportunity to enjoy to his utmost that art which is capable, more than any other, of pro- ducing the keenest sense of delight and pleasure. When we see open-handed citizens spending large sums of money to put the very best music within the reach of almost every one, it seems right that we should meet such a spirit half-way, and lay the foundation for the proper enjoyment of such advantages.
Quincy has enjoyed the reputation of keeping well in advance on all educational matters ; and it is interesting to note, that a very strong petition has just been presented to the General Court. asking that the State Normal system be so extended as to include music, " to the end that excellence and uniformity of method may be secured in the musical instruction now nearly universal in our public schools."
ROOM FOR THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
No satisfactory quarters could be found until the new block of Messrs. Durgin & Merrill was erected, wherein suitable rooms have been secured. Of the appropriation of $175, there- fore, nothing has been spent for rent; but the sum of $60 has been laid out in furniture for the room, which will soon be ready for occupancy.
HIGH SCHOOL: FOURTH YEAR.
Last year it was the regret of the Committee that no gradu- ates in 1885 of the High School had availed themselves of the opportunities presented by the fourth-year course. This year, however, your Committee is pleased to report a fourth-year class of seven scholars.
ABUTTING WAYS.
When the Willard school-lot was purchased, and the school- house built, - in 1854, - the lot bounded easterly on a private way that led from Copeland Street, in a southerly direction, to what is now known as Miller Street. At that time the West District was small, the school was small, and there was but little passing over this private way. But as time has gone on, the population has greatly increased, the schoolhouse has been twice enlarged - until it is now a twelve-room building - and the travel over the way is very much greater. The fence that makes the easterly boundary of the way is but a few feet from the easterly side of the building, and from the easterly doors,
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through which the entrance and exit of the scholars are made. The danger to children, playing about the yard or coming from the building, of being knocked down or run over by the pon- derous stone-teams that may be passing over this way, is cer- tainly very great, and, when it is considered that there are between 500 and 600 children constantly in attendance at the school, it seems quite remarkable that no serious accident has as yet occurred.
Your Committee believes that the town should certainly close up this way to the public, despite the fact that it has suffered it to continue for thirty-three years. If the town advises in the negative, the Committee will feel that it has given fair warning if any accident occur in the future.
Acting on the same principle, it is hoped that an arrangement may be made by which the continuous private ways, known as Gordon Street and Nightingale Street respectively, running from Granite to Water streets, and forming the north-westerly boundary of the John Hancock school-lot, may be forever closed to the general public, and only used when required by the abut- ters for their own private purposes. The heavily-laden stone- teams that use these ways as a thoroughfare are a standing menace to the safety of our school-children.
SCHOOL CENSUS.
The following table shows the official census of children in the town, between the ages of five and fifteen years : -
1882.
1883.
1884.
1885.
1886.
Adams .
501
523
588
520
727
Coddington .
362
388
432
409
461
Washington
312
337
356
308
376
Willard .
646
706
802
693
939
Wollaston
202
213
236
229
242
Quincy
291
279
320
257
343
2,314
2,446
2,734
2,416
3,088
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FISCAL STATEMENTS.
The receipts and expenditures on account of the schools for the past year are as follows : -
Appropriated by town at annual meeting in March, 1886 . $47,700 00
Our share of State school-fund 162 22
Received from Coddington fund 75 00
" sale of Willard out-buildings 32 50
66 Old Colony Railroad for broken
slate
7 94
$47,977 66
Expenditures.
Teachers' salaries
. $30,711 76
Fuel
1.733 88
Care of rooms
2,718 23
Superintendent's salary
1,666 62 .
Incidentals
4,175 36
Transportation
814 00
Books and stationery
2,242 41
Repairs .
1,939 43
Out-building at Willard School
930 00
Evening Drawing School
995,27
47,926 96
Balance unexpended
$50 70
Your Committee recommends that the following appropria- tions be made for the school expenses of the year to come : -
For superintendent's and teachers' sal- aries, fuel, and care of rooms
. $39,580 00
Transportation
900 00
Repairs on buildings
2,000 00
Books and stationery
2,000 00
Incidentals
3,200 00
$47,680 00
Improvements at John Hancock School .
1,000 00
Evening Drawing School
1,000 00
ยท
.
.
$49,680 00
A comparison of the record of attendance for the year ending Jan. 1, 1887, with that for the year ending Jan. 1, 1886, as exhibited in the reports of the superintendent, shows an increase
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of 300 pupils in the average membership of the schools, and of 262 in the average daily attendance. Such an increase of scholars necessarily demands an increase of the appropriation for teachers' salaries.
In conclusion, your Committee reports that the schools are in good condition, and the scholars are happy and contented, and making satisfactory progress under a faithful and conscientious corps of teachers. As in former years, we suffer from changes of teachers, caused by their resignation to receive higher salaries in other places. But this we must bear with equanimity, for the town is and has been generous to its schools, and it would be unreasonable to ask for such an appropriation as would make a material increase in the salaries paid to our teachers. Your committee fully appreciates, however, the fact that much of the disadvantage of such changes is offset by the efficiency and ability of Mr. Aldrich, our Superintendent, who by his close surveillance and unremitting care strengthens any weak spot as soon as it appears.
It is a matter of congratulation that the towns of Quincy and Milton have succeeded in retaining the services of Mr. Aldrich, despite the very flattering and urgent offers to him of the prin- cipalship of the Westfield State Normal School by the State Board of Education.
SIGOURNEY BUTLER. JOHN A. GORDON. SYLVESTER BROWN. ADELAIDE A. CLAFLIN. FRANCIS L. HAYES. JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN.
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW SCHOOLHOUSE.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE TOWN OF QUINCY : -
Pursuant to the vote of the town of Sept. 24, 1885, author- izing an expenditure of $35,000, your Building Committee pro- ceeded with the construction of the new schoolhouse, near the junction of Granite and Water streets, and had it ready for occupancy by the School Committee at the opening of the schools last September. The plans of Messrs. Cabot & Chandler finally adopted, differed but little from the general scheme favored by the committee appointed in the summer of 1885, upon whose recommendation the vote above referred to was passed.
The building is constructed of good Eastern brick, with slate roof. The main features sought in this school are, -
1. Large schoolrooms, lighted only from the south, -thus obtaining plenty of sunlight, - with a capacity of fifty seats facing to the west, that every scholar may get the light over his left shoulder.
2. Coat-rooms, also lighted from the south, and so situated that the teacher may at the same time command a view of the schoolroom and the coat-room.
3. Spacious, straight, well-lighted hallways running the length of the building on the north side, with a broad, easy staircase at each end.
4. Steam-heating by indirect radiation:
5. Teachers' dressing-rooms.
6. Large playrooms in the basement, also lighted from the south, and communicating by a covered way with the water- closets.
7. Ample means of egress.
Your Committee believes that the building as completed ful- fils the above conditions, and is constructed on such a plan that additions, if deemed necessary, may in future be made without altering the original design, and consequently at no increased ratio of expense. The cost of the building is shown in the itemized accounts of the Auditors' report.
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For a detailed description of the building, your Committee begs leave to refer to the report of the Superintendent of Schools.
After the contracts had been made, and the construction of the building had begun, the attention of your Committee was called to a quality of blackboard slate, so superior in color and finish that it was deemed best to substitute it for the ordinary composition blackboarding, on the sides of the room used by the scholars for their blackboard work. Being more expensive than the composition, it was thought advisable to put the slate only on the rooms - five in number - first to be occupied by scholars, that it might have a long and thorough test. Your Committee believes, however, that the slate will prove entirely satisfactory, and, although more costly at the start than the composition, is, in truth, an economy, in that it never has to be replaced.
We consider the basements a valuable part of the building. They are as bright and light as most of the schoolrooms in town, and are heated not only by the steam-boiler, but by the sunlight, through a row of windows the entire length of the building. The basement is thus kept so dry, that the gravel floor first laid has proved inadequate, owing to the dust that is raised by many feet passing over it. To obviate this, a cement floor should be laid. A heavy coating of beach-gravel might be put down; but the length of time that would elapse before it was trodden into place, aside from the consequent noise and dis- comfort, would more than counterbalance the saving in price. The fact is now pretty well established that this school will for some time to come be occupied by children of the primary grades. To these little ones who are least able to withstand inclement weather, the airy, bright, and sunny playrooms are quite indispensable in the winter months. Therefore your Committee begs leave to suggest that the entire basement floor be laid in cement.
Until the town establishes its system of sewage, it was deemed best to use earth closets. These, being systematically cared for, are giving entire satisfaction.
The appearance of water in the north-west corner of the building, and in the boiler-pit, during the thaws at the end of December and the end of January, is due to the cropping-out of springs, or, more properly speaking, underground water-courses from the granite ledges lying to the north of the school-build- ing, of which there was no surface evidence before excavating. After an examination by Mr. Whitman, drains have been dug under his supervision, which will control the water and do away with the annoyance.
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The members of your Committee take pleasure in thanking Messrs. Cabot & Chandler, the architects, for their able, con- scientious, and courteous services rendered in connection with the construction of this building.
SIGOURNEY BUTLER. Q. A. FAUNCE. E. A. PERKINS. JOHN A. GORDON. ADELAIDE A. CLAFLIN.
FRANCIS L. HAYES. SYLVESTER BROWN.
JOSEPH M. SHEAHAN.
GEORGE I. ALDRICH.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF QUINCY : -
In accordance with your requirements, the following is sub- mitted as my Fourth Annual Report - constituting the twelfth in the series prepared by the Superintendent of Schools. De- ferring, for the present, all discussions of a general nature, I proceed at once to the mention of several individual matters of importance.
ATTENDANCE.
Complete information as the attendance of pupils may be gathered from the table to be found on subsequent pages of this report. Such as it is, the record is made up for the year, and cannot be changed. We may very profitably, however, recall the leading ideas which for more than a decade have determined our policy in this matter of attendance. I am glad of an opportunity to re-state these ideas in print, because it is constantly found necessary to impress them upon new teachers. I quote the substance of certain paragraphs in Mr. Parker's first report : -
1. " Pupils who attend irregularly not only derive very little posi- tive benefit from school themselves, but disturb and lessen greatly the advantages of the other members of their classes. The success of a school is indicated, in a great degree, by the per cent of attendance.
2. "Pupils should never be encouraged to attend school when sick, or in any way incapacitated for school work.
3. " Pupils should always be required to bring from their parents a written excuse for absence.
4. "Every case of truancy should be carefully and persistently treated. The blame for any neglect in this regard will fall upon the teacher.
5. " The principals and teachers should spare no pains in keeping in school all children legally required to attend.
6. " All possible and proper means should be used to interest and encourage dull and backward pupils, - great care taken not to dis- courage them.
7. " Truancy and irregularity of attendance can best be prevented by making the schoolroom attractive. Good, wholesome, normal in- struction, a mild, firm government, and a proper amount of exercise, - in other words, SUNSHINE in the schoolroom, - will do more to keep children in school than all other means put together."
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Ten years' experience has proved to us the soundness of these views. Our adherence to them has produced results which, as a whole, are very gratifying. It may justly be ob- served, that while the above citation throws the whole burden of securing and maintaining good attendance upon the teach- ers, at least an equal responsibility rests upon parents and guardians.
Great pains have been taken to secure the co-operation of parents in all necessary instances. In most cases they have been found ready to afford the needed assistance. Two years ago the annual school report contained those sections of the Public Statutes relating to the employment of children. Em- ployers of labor in manufacturing, mechanical, or mercantile establishments are again reminded that no child under ten years of age can be legally employed in such establishments ; that no child under sixteen years of age can be legally employed until he presents such certificate as is called for by the sections just referred to. A considerable penalty attends each violation of this law ; and in order that ignorance of its provisions may not lead to its infringement, it has seemed to me well to once more direct public attention to them.
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