USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1904 > Part 12
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GEORGE M. AMERIGE.
In the death of the Chairman of the School Committee the Town has met with a loss that can only be realized as time passes on, and the need of his devoted and judicious counsel occurs. George M. Amerige became a member of the School Committee at the town meeting which was held on March II, 1895. During the ten years of his membership occurred the great expansion of the school population of the Town, and in Clifton- dale, the district assigned to his charge, the task of properly caring for school children and school property was hardest of all the three districts. He was never unequal to the task. Parents found him very willing to hear their difficulties, and his ready sympathy and sterling common sense brought to a happy con-
8
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
clusion troubles that might otherwise have had serious con- sequences. Particularly was he a friend of the teachers, and there was not one of them but felt the greater confidence in her success, because of the sturdy friend who they knew was behind them. Judge Amerige became Chairman of the School Com- mittee in March, 1903, and continued to hold that position until his death. At the March Meeting of 1904, although his health had become even at that time seriously impaired, the voters showed their confidence in his administrative ability, by according him a virtually unanimous re-election. The Committee feel that they express the real sorrow of the community, as well as their own, at this untimely death of a beloved fellow citizen.
Signed HENRY J. MILLS, FRANK P. BENNETT, JR.
We estimate that we shall require for the year, as follows :
Teachers
$18,000
Janitors
3,000
Supplies
2,400
Fuel
3,000
Incidentals
1,000
$27,400 HENRY J. MILLS, FRANK P. BENNETT, JR.
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee :
GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor to submit to you and to the people of Saugus my eleventh annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
During the year ending June 30, 1904, the total average mem- bership of all schools was 1,235, an increase of sixty five for the year. The average membership for the fall term ending Decem- ber 23, 1904, was 1,300, a gain of thirty-five over the fall term of 1903. There have been 2, 160 cases of tardiness for the year. This is less than two for each pupil and 131 less than the num- ber recorded in 1903. Thirty-five teachers are now employed. Of this number, twelve are at the Centre, fifteen at Cliftondale, five at East Saugus and three in outside districts. Several of our best teachers have resigned to accept positions paying larger salaries, but this is to be expected so long as we employ good teachers at less salaries than are paid in neighboring municipal- ities.
During the year, 148 pupils entered our schools from other towns. Of these thirty-two came from Lynn, twelve from Bos- ton, eight from Revere, ten from Malden, forty-five from other cities and towns of this state and forty-one from different places outside the state.
The membership figures for several years are here given.
9
IO
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Average Membership.
High School.
Saugus Centre.
Clifton- dale.
East Saugus
All Schools.
1896
January . .
53
240
315
120
772
September
78
243
364
149
86S
1897
January .
74
223
360
154
847
September
100
276
386
167
977
1898
January .
86
274
417
163
939
September
98
256
420
197
1,024
1899
January .
95
268
3S5
181
979
September
S6
267
425
164
992
1900
January .
S5
260
431
159
993
September
102
255
532
152
1,120
1901
January
146
1,089
September
121
273
502
157
1,130
1902
January .
I]3
263
500
164
1,115
September
124
264
571
172
1,200
1903
January
109
250
539
169
1,148
September
112
276
624
185
1,277
1904
January .
99
273
622
ISO
1,250
September
IOS
29S
610
198
1,300
261
510
II
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
School Accommodations.
Early in the fall the upper room in the Lincoln avenue build- ing, the only vacant school-room in town, was fitted up, an additional teacher employed, and another school opened. In this way provision was made for all the Cliftondale pupils. But there are only a very few sittings not already occupied, so that it may be confidently asserted that another school will be required within a year.
The East Saugus schools are somewhat larger than one year ago. There should be another school here, but having no other room, two teachers are working together in one room, doing as well as they can to teach more than sixty small children. This arrangement is very unsatisfactory and excellent work is impos- sible.
At Saugus Centre the schools have been increasing, and with the expectation of greater numbers this spring the prospect is not wholly pleasing. Three of these schools are now working at great disadvantage because of their crowded condition and the unusual demands upon the teachers. There is work enough for one teacher to care for grade nine, and the teacher of grade seven ought to have no other pupils, but the work of teaching grade eight has been shared by the teachers of grades seven and nine. There are pupils enough in grades four and five for two schools, yet they have been crowded into one room and one teacher has had the care of both grades. Two additional schools are needed at Saugus Centre.
It would seem to be advisable to take steps at once to erect a new high school building, large enough to accommodate the ninth grade, as well as the high school proper. At the present time this would be about 200 pupils, but the building should be made large enough to comfortably seat 400 pnpils.
Teachers.
The following is the full list of changes in our corps of teachers for the year 1904.
I2
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
WITHDRAWALS.
SCHOOL.
ELECTIONS.
Alice M. Goodwin
Felton
Elizabeth B. Sawyer
Arlena Russell
Saugus
Maud E. Richardson
George F. Hopkins
East Saugus
Elsie P. Bates
Saugus
Sarah A. Biffin
Nellie I. Keene
North Saugus Alice G. Smart
Marie L. Ambrose
Lincoln Avenue Eva A. Cole
Edith A. Lucas
Lincoln Avenue Elizabeth A. Rowe
Edith A. Kelley
High
4 Rebecca Moore
Fred E. Goddard
Felton
Harriet M. Bryant
George L. Ward
High
Myrtie E. Nute
TRANSFERS
FROM
TO
Ethel W. Coker
Felton
East Saugus
Beatrice A. Randall
Lincoln Avenue Felton
Lillian C. Campbell
East Saugus Lincoln Avenue
Attendance.
Several times I have had occasion to refer to the necessity of more punctual and regular attendance. While the year reveals a record somewhat better than the one preceding yet I am persuaded that it is far from what it should be. Whether children shall attend school or not is not optional with parents, teachers or school officials, except in cases of physical inability, contagious disease or death in the family. The law compels attendance but if for any reason pupils are absent parents should send a note to the teacher at the earliest opportunity giving the reasons for absence. Courtesy as well as self-interest would seem to be sufficient rea- sons for parents to do this and yet in a few cases they have refused to give cause for absences. The following quotation on this point is from a recent annual report of the State Board of Education.
"It is neither the parents nor the children, but the school authorities that finally determine whether absence is necessary or not. Therefore, the school authorities are legally entitled to know the reasons that exist for absence. Persons who ask that
13
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
children be excused for absence are doubly bound by common courtesy and by implication of law, to say nothing of a certain consideration for the rights and welfare of others, to state the reasons for so asking. It devolves, indeed, upon persons having the control of children to decide in the first instance whether the reasons for their absence are sufficiently weighty to justify it ; but such reasons are finally subject to the judgment of the school authorities, or on appeal therefrom, to that of the courts. It is true that the simple request of a parent to excuse his child's absence is not unfrequently accepted by the school when no hint of the reason for such absence has been given, but the practice is not to be interpreted as a recognition of any right to withhold the reason. Should such a right be admitted, it would nullify the compulsory attendance law. It is so simple and obvious a thing for a parent to do, it so helps a teacher to discriminate between that necessary absence with which he should deal con- siderately, and that unnecessary absence which he should dis- courage, it so strengthens the school authorities in their efforts to secure regular attendance and its resulting benefits, that it ought not to be necessary to remind a fair-minded person of his legal obligation to do what considerations of courtesy, co-opera- tion, example and the like should naturally prompt him to do."
Needless irregularity of attendance is exceedingly harmful to the pupil, the school and the family. It is fatal to the child's interest in school. The teacher must repeat her instruction or the child loses it. It lessens the profits to be properly expected from the expenditure of school money and gives to the child habits which may result in many evil consequences.
The State law in regard to attendance reads as follows :
CHAPTER 44, REVISED LAWS.
SECTION I. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of attendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two, and sections three, five and six of this
14
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
chapter. The superintendent of schools, or, if there be no superintendent of schools, the school committee or teachers acting under the authority of said superintendent or committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required. * Whoever * induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlaw- fully from school, or employs or harbors a child, who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
School Exhibit.
Last June an exhibition of school work was held in the Town Hall. This was largely attended and afforded an opportunity for parents to see the work of their own children and compare it with the productions of other pupils of the same age and grade. The papers were arranged so as to show the several grades separately in each subject.
High School.
This school has had a successful year and good work is being done, although interrupted somewhat by changes in the corps of teachers. Miss Kelley resigned in August and Mr. Ward in December to accept other positions at larger salaries.
It is to be regretted that so many pupils leave the school before completing their course. This is due in many cases to the fact that the work they are asked to do is not adapted to their tastes and needs. Pupils leave the school, and the upper grammer grades also, because they cannot maintain a creditable rank in their studies. This is not due to inferior ability always but rather to a course of study which does not meet the needs of these particular pupils.
The chief business of the High School is not to prepare pupils for college. But this particular work must be done and as long as the requirements on the part of the colleges is so exacting the college fit demands severe and prolonged study. Probably many pupils would do well to take five years for their college course rather than to try to prepare in four years.
15
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
The courses of study in the small High School are greatly influenced by the college requirements. This must be so, yet they ought not to be dominated by that influence. Greater attention should be paid to the ninety per cent. who do not intend to enter college than to the ten per cent. who may take the col- lege course.
For these reasons our High School, as soon as arrangements can be made, should offer larger opportunities to those who would be greatly benefited by stenography, typewriting, science courses and manual training. Our High School course of study as at present arranged is appended to this report.
Your attention is called to the report of Mr. Ross the efficient principal of our High School.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I herewith submit to you my third annual report of the Saugus High School.
- Enrollment IIO
Average membership for the year 96
Percentage of attendance 924
Present membership . IOI
Although the entering class was the largest in the history of the school, the membership to-day is hardly any larger than it was a year ago. This is due, principally, to the fact that many of last year's class, unable to maintain a good standing, became discouraged and left school. Over one-third of last year's enter- ing class left within one year. Of the present freshman class of 48 members, after four months only one has left school and that not because of his scholarship.
Just how difficult a course of study should be made is, indeed, a hard question to decide. Shall it be so difficult that all scholars must work diligently and faithfully to keep up? Or, shall it be so easy that the careless and indifferent may glide from one grade to another, trusting that by keeping in school they will absorb more than enough to compensate for any habits of laziness or in- attention they may acquire.
16
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Our present course of study, now in use a little over a year, seems well adapted to our needs. By it a scholar in order to graduate must take four studies, part of them optional, with a total of sixteen recitations per week. Each weekly recitation counts one point ; hence, the required work amounts to sixteen points in one year, or sixty-four in four years. If a scholar is not able to carry the four studies, he may take a less number with a corresponding longer time to graduate. That the usual work, however, is not too severe for the average intellect, is evidenced by the fact that a large proportion of the scholars of the upper classes take A rank in five or more studies.
In addition to our regular work outlined in the course of study, each scholar twice during the year speaks before the school, a recitation on which he has been carefully drilled by the teachers. The result of this work and of the Bond prize contests is apparent at our graduations and other public exercises. Last June the speakers of the Bond prize contest were drilled by the teachers of the High School. It was, however, too much of a task, espec- ially when taken in connection with all the other work of grad- uation week.
Other extra work of the school this year includes the success- ful editing of the school paper, the management of a course of entertainments, and the formation of a school orchestra. Our regular work has not suffered, but has been carried on with a regularity and enthusiasm that has been good to see.
By the action of the New England College Entrance Certificate Board last spring, scholars from our school are now admitted without examination to nearly all the New England colleges. This is most gratifying for the Board is considered very strict. It withdrew the privilege of certification from several Massa- chusetts towns and cities that had hitherto enjoyed it. That we may not lose it, it has been decided to give certificates only to those scholars who receive an average of A rank.
Our greatest needs-that of suitable laboratory rooms in the main building, and that of a good business course-will probably be met in the course of time with the increase of pupils and the advent of a new High School building. When that time
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
does come it is evident that much might be gained by having the ninth grade in the High School building where greater uniform- ity of preparation could be secured.
We were sorry to lose Miss Kelley at the end of the spring term, but Miss Moore, who took her place, has carried on the work most satisfactorily. The rumor that Mr. Ward is to leave early next term is a disturbing one. He has done excellent work in his department creating and maintaining an enthusiastic interest in a subject difficult to teach acceptably.
Financial Report.
Amount on hand January 1, 1904 $167 95
Received from Bond prize contest . 42 65
Received from programs sold schol-
ars Interest accumulated .
5 35
5 83
$221 78
Expended for programs for school . $4 00
Expended for programs for prize
contest
.
8 75
12 75
$209 03
Again I recommend my assistants for the excellent work they have done this year.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you and the gentlemen of the School Board for your kind support and helpful interest through. out the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LELAND A. ROSS.
Music.
Vocal music holds an important place in our school system. For reasons generally recognized and which need no mention
18
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
here it has been ranked among the leading subjects of study. In recent years when many new studies have been seeking admission to our curriculum and the older subjects have been greatly changed and broadened, music has not always received as much attention as its many-sided value would warrant. But I think we do well to continue to give a large place to singing in our schools. The report of the director of music, Miss Helen M. Page, follows.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
The subject of music, more than any other in the course, touches the spiritual side of the child, and gives opportunity for the expression of real emotion. Music without feeling is an anomally. While music for the proper expression of feeling requires a technical and intellectual training, this training is a means, not an end. The ultimate aim of this work is to give the child adequate power for the correct expression of his emotions.
A careful review of the work of the year in the department of music, shows, on the whole, satisfactory progress. While some of the results, when compared with the plans made, still leave something to be desired, in many ways there has been decided improvement.
The work has not differed materially from that done previous years. Individual work has been emphasized and with the exception of a few cases, there is a general improvement in tone quality. The many changes in our corps of teachers, has been a decided drawback to this branch of work.
The highest grades are visited once a week and intermediate grades once in two or three weeks as time permits.
A High School orchestra of eight members has begun regular practice, furnishing music once in two weeks. I am satisfied that this work will prove a pleasure and benefit to all concerned.
We are now considering the purchase of a piano. Through the efforts of the High School pupils, nearly enough money has been procured-this, with a liberal gift from our committee, will sufficiently increase the fund to secure a good instrument. With a good piano, the work will receive renewed life and enthusiasm.
19
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
May we try to remember that music is a science as well as an art, and day by day live up to the requirements of its exact laws so that be our journey long or short in the pursuit of musical knowledge, so far as we go, we may be artists.
With thanks to the School Committee, the Superintendent, principals and teachers for courtesies and co-operation, I am,
Very respectfully, HELEN M. PAGE.
Drawing.
This department continues in charge of Mr. Newell and to his skill and enthusiasm is due in no small degree the very satis- factory work of the year.
Your attention is called to his report.
Mr. Charles E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-It gives me pleasure to submit the following report of my year's work as drawing director in the public schools of Saugus. .
In preparing my course of study for this year I felt that if we were to do better work than last year the effort must begin with myself. Accordingly, as an incentive to good work, I prepared my annotated outlines in as artististic a form as the limitations of the hectograph as a printing press would allow. This has had its effect and the little drawings have been a great aid to the teachers, repaying me for the time and effort put into this work.
The great number of pupils in the schools and the extra room which has been opened gave me more ground to be covered each month without an increase of time. In order to cover the ground I found it necessary to take part of the time previously devoted to the High School classes. With several new teachers who had never taught drawing before under a supervisor, it has been hard work getting well started. I thank these teachers for their earnest efforts. The teachers who worked with me last year have done all within their power, when we consider the large number of pupils each teacher has.
20
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
We are using the pencil more this year, realizing that we are weak in this line. It is the medium everyone should be able to use, as it is most ready at hand whatever is to be illustrated. After study and practice it gives most pleasing results. I do not mean that we are to emphasize this branch to the exclusion of the brush, for both are very necessary in making an all around course of valuable training. There is one hole in our course at present and that is in the fifth grade. Very few have any brush work, making it doubly hard when the sixth grade is reached. I hope soon to have brushes for all the fifth grade pupils, that they may have some training in its use before leaving this grade. This, I believe, will make our course more progressive.
The brush and color must have its place and be admitted to be a great factor in training the child's taste. The training of taste is perhaps as important a part of our work as the ability to draw. This means that the pupils must be given such ideas of the harmony of form and color and the conventions of artistic composition as will constitute a fund of information upon which they may draw throughout life. Such knowledge should enable its possessors to select and to arrange their personal possessions, be they few or many, in a tasteful manner.
I hereby thank you for your keen interest in my work and also thank the gentlemen of the committee for their words of praise and encouragement.
Respectfully submitted,
E. EDWARD NEWELL.
Troublesome Pupils.
How to deal with the troublesome boy or girl is one of the most perplexing problems with which teachers are confronted. It is the same problem which causes so much concern in the home, in society and in the juvenile courts. What shall we do with the child who persistently and habitually does the wrong thing? Such children are found everywhere but the percentage of this class is greatest in the cities.
21
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Here are presented problems that are baffling, but they should be studied. Too long they have been neglected and we have worked at something easier. We have been trying to produce- minds rather than men and with some success. Science and knowledge has been our study but conduct which shall be active. on the side of righteousness has been neglected. We have labored to manufacture machines of learning and have seemed to forget that we are dealing with boys and girls capable of tremendous possibilities of good and evil. But it is time we began to consider most seriously how we can influence the will, the desires and the emotions ; how we can produce noble young men and worthy young women.
We are told that in this state about 8,000 children under seventeen years of age annually commit offences serious enough to call for police action. But this is not the whole story of evil. The enforcement of the law is imperfect. If we knew the truth we should discover 8,000 others quite as bad who were not arrested. And probably there were 16,000 others only a degree less wicked than those of the first class.
This is a vital matter and it should make us thoughtful. The education of these children is a failure. The combined effort of all their teachers, including all those persons who have had a part in influencing their lives, has resulted in complete failure. Instead of becoming useful self-supporting citizens many of these will lead useless and perhaps criminal lives. And this is the result of their education for children are not born wicked ;; they are made so by their environment.
Children are quickly influenced and act upon the idea of the moment. Their perceptions are vivid, emotions strong and imagination is active ; but reason is feeble, judgment is unreliable and past experience is as yet of little service to them. So they easily make mistakes. But we need to carefully distinguish between acts arising from impulse and acts of deliberate willing. The former may produce harm but only the latter deserves pun- ishment. Impulsive, unpremediated acts need attention but only deliberate acts of wrong doing call for punishment. These of the latter class are easily detected and call for prompt treat
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