USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1905 > Part 14
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It was but a short step from this first duty of the superintend- ent of directing and supervising teachers in their work to that of picking those who were to do the teaching. In many of the large cities the plan is followed absolutely of never electing any one as a teacher unless that one is recommended, and in fact proposed, by the superintendent. The school committee of Saugus has not been willing to go so far as that. It does place upon the superintendent the duty of hunting up teachers for vacant positions, and no teacher is elected without a discussion with the superintendent of the candidate's fitness. But your committee reserves to itself the entire right to elect the teachers and on every occasion exercises in the end its own judgment. It has believed it to be its duty to reserve this independence to itself.
It is true, however, that when vacancies suddenly occur, some one must have authority to fill the same without waiting for a full committee meeting. No teacher would be willing to take employ- ment for a week or two only or until the committee can determine
IO
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
her case and on the other hand the committee would act unwise- ly if it granted a full election to a teacher hired hurriedly and still untried. For this reason authority is given the superin- tendent here as in other places to fill vacancies, but a teacher so selected is always on trial and subject to discontinuance of employment if her work proves unsatisfactory. A certain number of such teachers must always be on our lists so long as we are unable to hold regularly elected teachers when larger remuneration is offered elsewhere.
Your committee would be very ungrateful if it did not thank the citizens of the town for the generous treatment which the schools have received. The increase in expense each year has been cheerfully met. There has been no niggardliness on the part of the voters and no attempt to practice by curtailing the expenditures for schools, that economy which every town must give more and more attention to in the next few years. We believe in the long run that this policy of moderate liberality is far wiser than that of holding down appropriations for schools to the lowest figure consistent with safety.
HENRY J. MILLS, GEORGE M. AMERIGE, FRANK P. BENNETT, JR.,
We estimate that we shall require for the year 1906 as follows :
Teachers
. $20,000
Janitors
3,500
Supplies
3,000
Fuel .
2,900
Incidentals
1,000
·
.
$30,400
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee :
GENTLEMEN,-I have the honor to submit herewith my twelfth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
The past year has not marked the appearance of great or unusual changes in organization or management. The several schools have moved along successfully and in nearly all cases good results have been in evidence. The teachers in general have done faithful and effective work, and to them should be given the credit for the successes of the year.
The total average membership of all the schools for the year closing June 30th, 1905, was 1, 294, an increase of tifty nine for the year. The average membership for the fall term ending December 22nd, 1905, was 1,389, a gain of 89 over the fall term of 1904. The increase at East Saugus was so great that an out- side room was hired and an additional school opened.
Thirty-eight regular teachers are now employed. Of this number five are in the High School, eight at the Center, seven at East Saugus, fifteen at Cliftondale and three in outside districts. Eight of these are college graduates, eighteen are Normal School graduates and four others have attended Normal School without graduating.
The average membership figures for the past ten years are here inserted. They are so arranged that the growth from year to year of each section of the town is shown as well as the growth of the town as a whole. It will be observed that the East Saugus schools have nearly doubled since 1896, even though five years ago about thirty scholars withdrew to attend the Lynnhurst school when it was opened.
11
1 2
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
The growth at Cliftondale has also been rapid although the area from which these schools draw has been somewhat increased. When the Felton school was opened a considerable number living in the Adams avenue section were transferred from Saugus Center to the new school.
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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
868
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
385
181
979
September
86
267
425
164
992
1900.
January .
85
260
431
159
993
September
1 102
255
532
152
1,120
1901.
January . .
98
261
510
146
1,089
September
121
273
502
157
1,130
1902.
January . .
113
263
500
164
1,115
September
124
264
57
172
1,200
1903.
109
250
539
169
1,148
January September
112.
276
624
185
1,277
1904.
January . . September
99
273
622
180
1,250
108
298
610
198
1,300
1905.
January ...
98
294
187
1,257
September
115
310
598 650
250
1,420
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
School Accommodations.
When schools opened in the fall it was discovered that at Cliftondale all the pupils could be seated without the opening of additional schools. Numerous transfers of pupils were made but parents recognized the necessity and cheerfully accepted the accommodations offered even though they were not always in the building of their first choice. Several of the schools have been large, too large for the most successful work; yet all pupils have had comfortable and convenient school-room necessities.
At Saugus Centre the schools have been somewhat larger than one year ago. The school of grades eight and nine has had about fifty-five pupils and an assistant teacher has been employed. The principal did most of the class teaching and the assistant corrected papers, did clerical work and taught the pupils individ- ually. In this way the large school of the highest grammar grades has been cared for in a very satisfactory manner.
No other assistant has been employed at Saugus Centre this fall although two of the schools have been large-about fifty pupils each. Last spring term an assistant was employed in Mrs. Peckham's room.
At East Saugus the number of pupils were so largely increased this fall that the problem of properly caring for them was a difficult one. It was found that we had 250 pupils and only four school-rooms. A room in the masonic building was hired, fitted up and the girls of grades three and four placed in this room. Two teachers cared for grades one and two in one room, nearly seventy pupils. The principal, Miss Coker, was given an assistant and had nearly sixty pupils of the highest grammar grades. The school has been conducted in the same way as the school with two teachers at Saugus Centre. With these changes, using the four school-rooms, and one outside room, and employ- ing seven teachers the East Saugus schools are being cared for as well as may be under the circumstances. For this section additional school accommodations are a necessity and will be ready none too soon.
Since the above was written and just as this report goes to the printer, the Masonic building is so badly damaged by fire that
15
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
the school must find other quarters. For the present two schools are put on half time, each using one of the school-rooms for one session a day.
Teachers.
The following is the list of changes in our corps of teachers for the year 1905.
WITHDRAWALS SCHOOL
ELECTIONS
Harriet M. Bryant
Felton
Mabel E. Bemis
Beatrice A. Randall
Felton
Bertha I. Phillips
Olive E. Bryer
Brick
Annie E. Rhodes
Hulda J. Barnes
High
Edith M. Ellsbree
Maud E. Richardson
Saugus
Harriet A. Harlow
Alice B. Sawyer
Brick
Florence M. Henderson
Felton
Gertrude M. Hart
Saugus
Florence L. Black
Elizabeth A. Rowe
Lincoln Avenue
Lynnhurst
M. Ellinor Forsyth
North Saugus
Maud L. Plummer
East Saugus
Mary E. Greene
East Saugus
Lucie Mears-Norris
Essex street
Susie L. Fitz
Saugus
Alice J. Potter
Harriet A. Harlow
Saugus
TRANSFERS FROM TO
Elizabeth P. Lefavour
Essex Street Felton
Edith K. Moore
Lynnhurst Brick
Alice G. Smart
North Saugus
Lincoln Avenue
During the year ten teachers have withdrawn,-three because of ill health, three to be married and four to accept more desirable positions elsewhere. Of the first-named, Miss Bryer was granted an indefinite leave of absence, it being understood that she could have her school again when she was able. Miss
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Bryant, a very popular and successful teacher, was obliged to give up her school in April; she died in September. Miss Harlow began work in Saugus in September. Her service was unusually acceptable to all and marked success for her was assured, but a serious illness began about Thanksgiving which terminated fatally early in January.
Memorial Day.
Memorial Day exercises were given in all the schools Monday, May 29. This was in accordance with our usual custom as well as the law of the State and an abiding desire to perpetuate the memory and patriotism of our fathers. In advance of the day, an outline program was prepared giving the time of the exercises in the several schools. Members of the G. A. R. and many friends and parents attended and contributed to the success of the day. The programs indicated much interest and careful prepara- tion on the part of the teachers and pupils, and all conducted themselves in an entirely praiseworthy manner.
High Schools.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR, -I herewith submit to you my fourth annual report of the Saugus High School.
Enrollment 116
Average membership for the year 102+ .
Percentage of attendance 93} .
Present membership .
III
Each of the above items shows a gratifying increase over the report of last year. In the percentage of attendance there has . been a gain of over one per cent. but it is still much too low. It seems unfortunate, to say the least, that pupils of the High School should lose on an average two and a half weeks out of each year because of sickness, yet most cases of absence were so explained. Few of our scholars bring lunches to school, but supply their wants from the near-by stores. May there not be a close connection between the quantities of pie, cake and con-
17
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
fectionery consumed at intermission and the cases of headache and indigestion so frequently reported? If so, does not the advisability of a lunch room in the new school building where suitable lunches may be obtained at reasonable cost suggest itself?
It should be noted that fewer scholars. have left school this year than usual. Our present membership is III out of a total enrollment of 116. One reason for this is that out of an enter- ing class of forty-eight, not one entered on condition. Conse- quently, nine have been dropped because they were unable to keep up with their work.
In our regular work there has been nothing abnormal or startling to report. We have carefully followed the prescribed course of study and much good work has been accomplished. The same cordial relations have existed between pupils and teachers as heretofore, and my assistants have rendered their usual faithful and efficient service. There has been only one change of teachers since my last report. After three years of excellent work Miss Barnes resigned at the close of the spring term. Miss Ellsbree, who took her place, has carried on the work most satisfactorily.
During the past year thirteen scholars from our school, includ- ing six graduates, have taken a course at a business college. Under a competent teacher such instruction might just as well be given in our own school, much time gained, much expense to the parent saved, much knowledge acquired that cannot be taught in a business college, and the pupil kept longer at home and in school. Since a business course seems to be so generally demanded, will not the next year be a favorable time to introduce it into our school?
At last, with the assistance of the School Committee, the scholars have succeeded in raising enough money for the purchase of a new piano which they much enjoy.
18
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Financial Report.
Amount of money on hand Jan. 1, 1905 .
$209 03
Received from Bond prize contest . 38 90
Received from gift of Class of 1905
25 00
Received from sale of programs
4 25
Interest accumulated
2 92
$280 10
Paid for printing .
$5 50
Paid for elocution teacher
25 00
Paid for recitation programs .
3 50
Paid toward purchase of piano
225 00
Paid for cover for piano, express for ·
same, etc. .
. 5 00
264 00
Amount on hand Jan. 1, 1906
$16 10
In conclusion, I wish again to thank you and the gentlemen of the committee for your kind and helpful interest throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LELAND A. ROSS.
Music.
Your attention is called to the report of the teacher of vocal music.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Mass. :
During the year past, I have followed much the same lines of teaching music as reported in previous years. There is a steady growth in the power to read music intelligently. Quality of tone, rhythm, and intervals are constantly taught and reviewed, keeping in mind the mental activity of the children.
More attention has been given to individual work, but the time
19
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
allowed for music each week will not admit of as much time for individual work as I would like.
We aim to cultivate in the children a lively appreciation of good music, by the singing of the best exercises and songs in one, two and three parts; so that they will not be satisfied to sing or study anything below the standard of excellence which has been established through the material that has been the medium of development.
The usual chorus of children from the grammar grades sang at the Memorial Day exercises. For a number of years the children have sung for the G. A. R. and I am glad to have them take an active part in these patriotic exercises.
Some years ago a piano fund was started in High School whose growth was slow but steady, but it was not until this year, by the generous gifts of school committee and class of 1905 that our ambitions were satisfied and an instrument purchased.
The High School music at graduation was worthy of mention it being the best for some years. Our orchestra, composed of high school pupils, having given much time to preparation, added greatly to the success of the program.
Without the hearty support of the committee and the faithful work of the teachers, the good work in music could not be accomplished, and I wish to thank all for their help.
HELEN M. PAGE.
Drawing.
Mr. Charles E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-It gives me pleasure to submit the following report of my year's work in the town of Saugus as drawing director.
My plan of keeping a careful record of each month's work has been continued this year as it was last year. At the end of each month I have made a record of those things in which we have made errors, had misunderstandings, successful lesson plans, progressive steps found helpful and words of encouragement and criticism received from the teachers. These notes I find of great
20
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
value in helping me to head off difficulties, in helping me to see where we are making progress and wherein our course should be altered.
There has been a few changes in the course as published this year. The greatest change is in our method of going about the work and this is a change that we should keep up each year lifting better up to best. The work in color is new and rather difficult for some of the teachers to handle but I am pleased to report that some very excellent work has been done in this line. This year we shall continue this work and associate it more closely with the life of the children outside the school-room.
It is very gratifying to a man to feel that there is something constantly ahead of him. Many young men tell me that the work on which they have entered has no more opening for them, nothing ahead, and that they are discontented because of this lack of any chance of either developing themselves or of develop- ing their work. This seems a sad state indeed. We who are teachers should be continually praising our good fortune and constantly happy in thinking that there is always some good thing ahead for us to study over and conquer and having accomplished one victory to study over and achieve another. From our past year's work I have gleaned these few aims toward which we must press in a united force this year.
To form habits of going about things and drawing in the best possible way, using all the light and knowledge we possess at the time. To create a more contagious desire to have drawings correct in general proportions. To develop a more progressive course of study. To associate our color study with every day life. These may be put in a very homely way but it is well sometimes to come down out of the clouds of ambiguous speech and say something with an honest, straightforward homely swing.
Support.
I here wish to thank the teachers who have worked so well and accomplished so much considering the little help I have had time to give each individual one. The work of the new teachers
2I
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
greatly pleases me and I thank them for their efforts to make their work satisfactory. I trust that their eager efforts will continue.
Whenever I can see children forming habits of working in a right way, when I see thought and study standing right out through a month's work and the good habits formed in one year helping to build up a better and stronger one the next year, I am filled with delight. But when the opposite conditions exist for any length of time I am deeply pained.
Teachers' Meetings.
A successful drawing director's meeting cannot be conducted without drawing and drawings. The best possible kind of a meeting is one in which some of the drawings are made by the drawing director and some by the teachers. If my time can be increased I hope to conduct some of these ideal meetings as I have done in another town.
The call for pupils' work to illustrate our course and the demand for drawings to show just what can be done with a given subject, have been so strong and so often repeated that I have been prompted to study out the following plan to gratify these demands.
Two weeks of my vacation were spent in arranging and mounting children's drawings, selected from the year's work, on paper charts 22x36. I have from one to four of these sheets to illustrate each month's work for every grade. This work shows what not to do as well as what is well to do. At the grade meetings these drawings are exhibited. The teachers talk them over while examining them and get from them just the help they need.
High School.
Again the question of time has so hampered me that I have been obliged to take all the pupils in the freshman class, forty- six in all, in one section, in place of two sections, the better plan. As the work is now arranged there is little time for individual
22
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
attention. The class is to take mechanical drawing for the first half of the year and freehand drawing the latter half. By the present plan the Freshman Class is the only class receiving instruction in drawing. There are many in the other years of the High School who would like to take up this study but are pre- vented from doing so because my time is so filled I cannot give the time for another class.
The State Agent for the Promotion of Industrial Drawing, Mr. Walter Sargent, has been holding a series of conferences for Drawing Directors throughout the state. At these round tables many interesting matters have been warmly discussed. One of these is the question of "How to Get Better Drawing in Our Schools." This topic has been traced from the teacher who admits lack of training in the Normal School to the Normal School where they accuse the drawing directors of sending them High school pupils who are not properly trained, from the High School drawing teacher to those who have charge of the course of study in the High School, who crowd the pupil's time too full of other studies or who will not encourage pupils to take up this study. President Elliot calls this kind of a course "monstrous." This seems to bring the problem quite close home to us. With the opening of the new High School, I hope all those pupils who are to enter normal schools will be required to take drawing for at least two years of their course.
In my report of last year I said that I felt and knew that more time should be allowed for the directing of drawing in Saugus. With the increase of schools which will come this year I feel an increase in time will have to be made. It is impossible to visit all the schools each month by the present plan and in the time now allowed. With a new High School, the Roby School filled with grade pupils and extra rooms opened at East Saugus, the Director's visits will be few and far between if the time is not increased.
In many towns where there are fewer schools and fewer pupils than in Saugus, three days each week are given to supervision. Are not our teachers to receive as much help and are not our pupils to be trained as well as those in other towns?
23
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
This reports deals largely with facts, but very important ones, that I feel the people of Saugus should know. My year's work has been a pleasant one, and I wish to thank those who have aided in making it so happy a one.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD NEWELL, Drawing Director.
24
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Total Expense Public Schools, excluding re- pairs and school-houses.
Popula- tion. 1905.
Average Member- ship.
Average Cost per Scholar.
Arlington
$48,747.15
9,672
1,589
$30.68
Belmont
23,322.47
4,361
672
35.00
Chelsea
136,492.98
37,277
5,904
23.12
Dedham
48,908.55
7,774
1,513
32.32
Everett
140,957.92
29, 108
5,672
24.86
Hyde Park
50,222.93
14,492
1,815
27.67
Lexington
27,708.00
4,530
803
34.50
Lynn
242,463.95
77,025
9,571
25.33
Malden
176,725.93
37,990
6,024
29.33
Medford
105,267.58
19,638
3,800
29.02
Melrose
82,700.81
14,294
2,838
29.14
Milton
64,859.00
7,051
1,343
48.29
Needham
20,902.66
4,284
726
28.79
Quincy
III,257.33
28,067
5,283
21.06
Revere
67,014 68
12,647
2,466
27.18
Saugus
26,636.96
6,252
1,235
21.57
Somerville
315,904.00
69,188
10,917
28 94
Stoneham
25,079.88
6,320
1,060
23.66
Swampscott
22,887.79
5,141
754
30.36
Wakefield
50,835 40
10,266
2,033
25.00
Waltham
96, 118.41
26,239
3,119
30.82
Watertown
44,627.86
11,202
1,446
30.86
Winchester
48,235.38
8,236
1,622
29.74
Winthrop
35,767.86
7,034
1,231
29.06
Woburn
57,908.93
14,401
2,775
20.87
25
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
The attention of the citizens is called to the foregoing table compiled from the forth coming report of the Secretary of the State Board of Education giving certain facts in regard to twenty- five cities and towns in this section of the state. In the first column is given the total expense of the public schools for a year. Every item of expenditure is included except repairs and school-house alterations or building. In column two is given the population according to the latest census, 1905. In column three is given the average membership of the public schools for the year ending in June, 1904 - the latest figures available. In the last column is given the average cost per pupil for the year based upon the average membership.
An examination of the table leads to the conclusion, (1) that the cost of the public schools in Saugus is less for each scholar than in every other city and town of greater Boston, with but two exceptions. While the average cost per pupil in Saugus for the year in question was but $21.57, there were only five other places in this section when the cost was less than $25 a pupil.
(2) A comparison of the average membership figures with the population will show that Saugus has a very large percent- age of its population in school. While the average membership for the year ending in June, 1904, was but 1,235, for the year following it was 1,294 and at the present time we have nearly 1,400 in school. So it is evident that in this Town there are from 20 to 22 per cent. of the people always in school. This is two or three per cent. more than usual and from five to eight per cent. more than in towns having private schools.
Appended to this report is the revised course of study in mathematics. The course was published several years ago, but being now entirely out of print, it was thought best to revise, make a few desirable changes and reprint with the annual report. Teachers and parents as well will find the out- line useful.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. STEVENS,
Superintendent.
.
Truant Officers' Report.
FOR THE YEAR 1905.
Mr. Pratt
Mr. Joy
Mr. Mansfield
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