USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1893 > Part 4
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PETITION OF MESSRS. PORTER AND KING .- - A petition has been received from the abutters upon the town lot on New Ocean Street, asking the town to build an embankment wall so that they can fence and maintain their property line. They complain that the removal of the gravel and the conse- quent caving of the banks is causing serious inroads to be made upon their estates,-they have asked the town several times to remedy the matter, they now make a final appeal; some action should be taken on this matter by the town. The removal of the remaining gravel to be used upon the streets would be valuable, as well as the large amount of room which would be acquired and is very much needed in the rear of the Engine House. It is recommended that the petition be granted and an appropriation of $800 be made to carry out the work.
62
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN-1892-1893.
FINANCIAL.
The total indebtedness at the commencement of the
year was
$42,333 32
Borrowed (Water Loan) . ·
4,000 00
$46,333 32
Notes paid
8,833 33
Present town debt
$37,499 99
In accordance with Article 2, Section 3, of the By-Laws, after consultation with the different Boards, we recommend the following amounts for the several departments :
Selectmen Department
$4,300 00
Highway Department
5,500 00
Public Schools
11,500 00
Health Department
1,500 00
Poor Department
2,500 00
Fire Department
3,500 00
Police Department .
2,300 00
Sidewalks
1,000 00
Concrete and Curbstones
700 00
Cemetery Department
400 00
Town Hall (and Receipts)
400 00
Library (Dog Tax and Receipts)
400 00
Memorial Day
100 00
Catch Basins and Paved Gutters
300 00
Care Monument Lot
25 00
Water Rates .
600 00
Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid
200 00
Interest and Discount
2,500 00
State Tax, (estimated)
4,235 00
County Tax, (estimated)
4,952 28
Repairs Essex Street
1,200 00
Retaining Wall, Town Lot, New Ocean Street
800 00
Street Crossings
400 00
Building Ontario Street .
700 00
Street Lighting
6,400 00
.
63
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN-1892-1893.
EXTENSION OF ROCKLAND STREET .- A petition has again been received for the extension of Rockland Street to Elm- wood Road. It will be seen by reference to the Annual Report for the year ending February, 1891, that a committee appointed on this subject reported adversely by reason of the large outlay required, ($5,800). Since that time the cost of the proposed improvement has been increased by the building of Mr. Kitfield's house, causing the street to run di- agonally across his remaining land, making it unfit for the purpose for which he purchased it, also necessitating the turning around of Mr. Delano's house, to which he decidedly objects. Mrs. Stone also objects to the taking of any of her land. As the conditions are not as favorable to the town as they were in 1891, or the demands for the street more imper- ative, the Selectmen have no hesitation in endorsing the re- port of the former committee, that the town take no further action.
Respectfully submitted,
AARON R. BUNTING, 1 Selectmen JOHN H. FARWELL, of
ARTHUR C. WIDGER, Swampscott.
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 27, 1893.
64
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1892=1893.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT : -
Your present School Board have come to their place of trust at a confessedly responsible, and difficult period-a transitory period-a period in which our town is growing rapidly in its school population ; a period when there is pres- sing upon us from all sides the abounding vitality of the pub- lic school idea ; when the spirit of progress is knocking at our doors and asking admission ; when a new school house, repre- senting a new order of things, is demanding by the inevita- ble logic of events that it may supplant the old school house representing the old order of things ; when we feel the claims of the rising generation, who will tarry with us for what we can give to them, or who will go elsewhere for what we fail to provide.
" New occasions teach new duties." We, as a school board, force no issue, we simply present an issue which confronts us and for which we are in no wise responsible, but which we hope to meet wisely and successfully for the future growth and prosperity of our town. Our young people are feeling the thrill of a new purpose, and a new life all around our borders. We must let this new life come into our bor- ders, or our best young life upon which our future hopes depend will go out from our borders and contribute to the prosperity of other communities to the impoverishment of our own.
As a School Committee we trust we have the heart and the energy to do the right thing. Our work is a labor of love.
65
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
We see an opportunity to greatly increase the permanent population of our town with a citizenship that will add to our elements of strength by providing such general facilities . as are found all around us and such extra facilities as our natural advantages afford. We need that sympathetic re- sponse from the community in all our honest efforts, which will enable us to know the right thing, and that sustained effort which will help us to do the right thing.
MORALS AND DISCIPLINE .- We believe that the morals and discipline of our schools are improving with a steadiness that entitles us to a just satisfaction. Our teachers are very properly making high character and aim of greater impor- tance than high scholarship, and cleanliness of speech and thought are even more earnestly inculcated than cleanliness of person and apparel. Special efforts are made to develop the moral sense of the pupils.
TRUANCY AND TARDINESS .- Truancy has not been as common an offense the past year as in years previous. Pat- rons of the school should welcome the truant officer, for his duties are performed not only in the interest of the youth, but in obedience to the law which also makes it obligatory that parents shall render assistance.
Every possible effort and device which ingenuity can sug- gest is exercised in behalf of regularity and promptness of attendance, and we solicit the co-operation of parents in this respect.
The severe weather of the present winter. together with measles and other diseases, has co-operated with dilatoriness of parents and pupils in making a low record in this regard. Could parents appreciate the earnest efforts and commenda- ble ambition of the teachers to give the children the best training possible, they would feel that any failure to keep their children regularly and promptly at school would seem almost ungrateful if not cruel to the teachers whose patience is often sorely tried by absentees and tardy scholars. It is
66
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
unfortunate that one careless child or parent should spoil the record of a whole school. In the B Grammer grade, presided over by Miss Hadley, we have a record of only six cases of tardiness for a term of sixteen weeks where the enrollment is 35. Our aim is that such a record may be the rule and not the exception.
It should be kept in mind that if we are to be law abiding citizens, our children are to be kept in school thirty weeks in the year, with only two weeks of unexcused absence.
OUR CORPS OF TEACHERS .- It is matter for congratulation that there has been no change in our corps of teachers during the past year, who are now employed by the tenure of office act. which retains them from year to year so long as their work proves satisfactory, thus saving the necessity for re- employing them each year. We repeat the statement of last year, that they teach more weeks in the year for the same pay, and have fewer recesses for storms, than the teachers in many surrounding towns.
Miss Susie S. Harris, though not a regular teacher, has done so much substituting and has done it so well, as to be worthy of special mention.
Miss Hutt, one of our own graduates, is fulfilling the prom- ise which she gave when she first entered upon her work last year.
There has been more detention of teachers by sickness during the past year than was the case the year previous, and this calls our attention to what was said last year as regards ventilation and sanitation :
" As civilization advances, both children and adults grow more and more sensitive as to bad air and inferior sanitation. The modern improvements in public buildings along these lines are such as must sooner or later compel some positive changes in our school buildings. Both teachers and pupils have often prosecuted their work under the disadvantages of bad headaches and colds.
There are ventilating appointments now which do not necessitate the raising or the lowering of windows, thus sub-
67
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
jecting some one to a cold draught, in order that the school at large may breathe pure air. In modern school buildings the sanitaries are often placed in the basement, which base- ment has hard cement bottom and affords a light and airy place for play ground in stormy weather. Proper and pleas- ant surroundings are an important feature in securing a good education."
Swampscott ought to cherish the commendable ambition of being as noted for her excellent people as for her beautiful scenery, and as our public school teachers are an important factor in bringing this about, they should have light and air and room unstinted. Their surroundings should be every way pleasant, tasteful, and agreeable.
Nature has done much for our town in the beauty she has lavished upon us. We are more indebted to natural scenic attractiveness for the fair name and prosperity of our town than to any other cause. Let man put his hand beside na- ture's hand, and let our new school building emphasize the fact that our citizens fully appreciate the real genius of our place, and the great source of our prosperity.
PATRIOTISM .- The flags now fly on all our school houses on pleasant days. This is in harmony with a custom which prevails throughout the country, a practice which tends to cherish the sentiment of patriotism. The children them- selves, almost without suggestion, contributed the money necessary to purchase the first flags. The School Board pro- vides the flag staff and replaces the flag when worn out.
Columbus Day was celebrated in a manner which proved very acceptable to the people and creditable to the schools. Our teachers are wisely fostering the public spirit of their pupils by spending a little time each day in noting the pro- gress of current events. These exercises are always profit- able and often prove of a highly interesting character.
MUSIC AND DRAWING .- Our citizens have had opportu- nity to note the progress of our pupils in music by their sing
68
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
ing on graduating evening, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day.
An Exhibition in Drawing, to be given at the Town Hall during the month of June, will afford an opportunity to wit- ness the progress made in this department.
The tendency of instruction in these branches is not only to cultivate the finer qualities of the intellect, but to devel- op also the finer moral instincts.
SUPPLIES .- Our schools are above the average in other towns and cities in the completeness and variety of school supplies. Such is the testimony of the agents of the State Board of Education. A much needed popular encyclopedia has been furnished during the past year. In this connection it should be noted that while the number of scholars has in- creased by more than sixty during the last three years, there has been no increased appropriation called for in that time. The equipment has improved and the average number of scholars has increased while the average cost of education per pupil has steadily decreased.
A chemical apparatus and laboratory is still an unprovided but necessary requisite of a well equipped High School. This is impossible with our present building. A six-room school building is inadequate for our present needs and will much less accommodate them in the very near future.
We have ample assurance that people are watching the action of the town in regard to public school matters, with a view to settling here, if ample and adequate school facilities are provided. We have been compelled to use the dingy and ill ventilated Primary Room at the Redington Street School for lack of ability to make any other arrangement, although a diligent effort was made.
CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO .- We are still unable to sup- press entirely, as should be done, this baneful habit. The frequent deaths reported, by the use of cigarettes, should
69
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
cause every parent to view the growth of this practice with great alarm.
We again call attention to the statutes on this subject which are as follows :-
CIGARETTES AND TOBACCO.
SECTION 1. No person shall sell any cigarette, snuff or tobacco in any of its forms to any person under sixteen years of age.
SECTION 2. No person other than the minor's parent or guardian shall give any cigarette, snuff or tobacco in any of its forms to any minor under sixteen years of age.
SECTION 3. Any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall be punished by a fine not exceeding fifty dollars.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES OF '92 .- Miss Susie S. Harris, of our last graduating class, has already been mentioned as having entered upon a field of successful work. Miss Mabel Estelle Ingalls entered in September, the Boston University, having before graduating, passed the entrance examinations without any conditions. James Hammar, a pupil of our High School for two years and a half, though not a graduate, left here to enter the Mass. Agricultural College, where he is doing good work. We wish more pupils would complete our course of study. The advantages are apparent. We are pleased to note that the present graduating class is much larger than for many years.
70
CORPS OF TEACHERS, JANUARY, 18924
Name.
School.
Date of Appointment.
Where Educated.
Gardner P. Balch .....
High.
Sept. 1888.
Dartmouth College.
Gertrude L. Drake ... High
April 1889.
Putnam Free School
Abbie M. Mott
First Grammar.
Sept. 1879-Sept. 1874. .. Salem Normal School ..
Elizabeth J. Hadley ... Second Grammar.
Sept. 1880-Dec. 1872 ...
Sept. 1888.
66
66
66
Lulu P. Washburn
Beach Intermediate ..... Jan. 1888-Sept. 1886.
Fannie A. Gould ·
Pine St. Intermediate ... Sept. 1888.
Danvers High School.
Emma J. Machon
Essex Street .. ·
April 1888.
Boston Normal School.
Hattie A. Thayer .
Pine Street Primary . .... Oct. 1888
66
Mary A. Wells ... . Redington St. Primary ... Oct. 1888
Danvers High School.
Louise C. Stanley
Farms . .. ·
Jan. 1888 .
Norton Ladies' Seminary . ·
Isabel Hutt .
Beach Primary .. . .
Jan.
1892.
Salem Normal School ..
Elizabeth A. Bill
Music and Drawing .. ... Jan. 1890
Boston Normal School.
[Date of appointment to present position is given in Roman type. If the teacher has previously served in other schools in town, the earliest date of such appointment is stated in Italics.]
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
M. H. Fernald
Third Grammar.
.
7
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1892.
SCHOOL.
Number of sittings.
any one time.
Number enrolled.
Average age.
during winter term.
during spring term.
during fall term.
attendance
ing winter term.
attendance
ing spring term.
attendance
ing fall term.
Per cent. of attendance.
Per cent. of tardiness.
-
High.
40
37
30
15.4
343
25}
34₺
30
22.5
331
92
1}
A Grammar
45
31
30
14.2
28.8
27
28
27.6
26
27
961
B Grammar
45
35
35
14
293
29
33
27,
27
31}
94
9
C Grammar.
45
46
50
13
45
40
37
42
39
34
943
Pine St. Intermediate.
54
55
55
12
51
51
53
47
46
51
92
3
Essex Street Primary.
45
51
67
8
38
44
41
33
41
41
92
Pine Street Primary ..
51
42
67
7.7
33
39
38
30
37
36
93
Redington St. Primary
40
42
53
8.3
38
40
34
35
38
31
92
1
Beach Primary .
58
33
40
7.5
29
30
26
27
28
25
94
1
Farms Primary.
24
20
25
7.3
18
19
1×
16
17.2
17
92
Number enrolled in Town-Jan. 1893, 493; 1892, 465; 1891, 462; 1890, 434.
No.
No.
First year grade
68
Fifth year grade.
46
Second year grade.
54
Sixth year grade.
50
Third year grade
49
Seventh year grade.
35
Fourth year grade
59
Eighth year grade
30
dur-
dur-
dur-
Largest number of pupils at
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
Average
Average
Average
-
Beach Intermediate ... -
56
54
41
11
39
35
52
35
31
49
94
72
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Pupils who have been neither absent nor tardy during the year.
ALFRED MACPHERSON,
M. LOUISE ASHTON,
EDITH MARTIN,
FLORENCE A. GOULD,
MAGGIE FINNEGAN,
EDITH P. HAWES,
MILDRED M. HAWES,
ALICE M. HILLIARD,
BESSIE STONE,
LORETTA SMITH,
JOHN RUSSELL,
LIZZIE M. CAHILL.
SELECTED LIST.
Pupils whose rank in all studies was above 85 per cent. promoted with- out examination.
SUSIE S. HARRIS,
MABEL E. WHITE,
MABEL E. INGALLS,
RUTH A. IVERSON,
HELEN L. WEEMAN, JOSIE E. TWISDEN,
IDA F. BASSETT,
MARION T. BULFINCH,
NOWELL INGALLS,
E. WARNER COBURN,
MAUDE F. ALDEN,
M. LOUISE ASHTON,
MAY BROWN,
EDITH GIBSON,
ALICE HILLIARD,
ERNEST KNOWLES,
LESLIE MERRITT, OLIVE PITMAN.
SADIE COKLEY.
73
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
SCALE OF SALARIES FOR TEACHERS.
Grammar-4 or more years' experience (maximum,) $550. Intermediate-3 or more years' experience (maximum,) $500. Primary-3 or more years' experience (maximum, ) $450. Primary-2 years" experience, $400.
Primary-1 year's experience, $350.
Primary-No previous experience, $300.
HOLIDAYS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR.
Washington's Birthday.
May Day.
Memorial Day. 17th of June.
Labor Day.
Thanksgiving recess, beginning Wednesday noon.
-
CALENDAR FOR SCHOOL YEAR, 1893.
Winter term 1893 begins Jan. 9 ; closes March 31. Spring term 1893 begins April 10; closes June 30. Fall term 1893 begins Sept. 5; closes Dec. 22. Winter term 1894 begins Jan. 8.
74
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
COURSE OF STUDY.
FIRST YEAR .- D. PRIMARY.
Teach 300 words by aid of toys and reading from blackboard.
Begin reading from books the fifth month. Read first « half of as many First Readers as possible.
Spelling .- From the reading Lessons.
Language .- Copy easy sentences from the board, object les- sons from familiar objects, correct errors in use of lan- guage.
Arithmetic .- Numbers from 1 to 10, fractional parts, Roman numerals, use objects, lines, etc.
Writing .-- On slate and paper.
Drawing .-- On slates from solids, clay modelling.
Geography .- Familiar objects about home, at school, out of doors, domestic animals, well-known birds, common insects, flowers. plants, etc.
Music .- As directed by music teacher.
SECOND YEAR .- C. PRIMARY.
Reading .- Second half of five First Readers. and first half of four Second Readers, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Oral and written spelling from reading and lan- guage lessons.
Language .- First year's work continued.
Arithmetic .- Numbers through 25, Roman numerals, original concrete problems by the pupils, fractional parts.
Writing .- Tracing books, copy exercises from the board, writing selections from reading books and from dictation. Drawing .- From objects, clay modelling.
75
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
Geography .- Familiar objects, houses. school-room, streets, buildings. neighborhood, a village, a city, cardinal points of compass. horizon, earth, land, air. etc.
Music.
THIRD YEAR .- B. PRIMARY.
Reading .- Last half of Second Readers, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Oral and written. exercises dictated from reading lessons.
Language .- Part I. Mary Hyde's Language Lessons. dicta- tion exercises.
Arithmetic .- Numbers to 100. use of common measures, Ro- man numerals. written arithmetic. four operations with no multiplier or divisor exceeding two figures. writing numbers through thousands. fractional parts, common measures.
Writing .- With pen and ink.
Drawing .- Prang No. 1 Drawing Book.
Physiology .- Taught orally. the external parts of the body. hygiene.
Geography .- Our town. our state, position. boundaries. plans. and maps. land and water in town and the state. parts of animals. vegetables, etc.
History .- Stories, Holidays.
Music.
FOURTH YEAR .- A. PRIMARY.
Reading .- First half of six Third Readers, King's Geographi- cal reader. The Beginner's American History, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Harrington's Spelling Book. Part I, and from reading lessons and geography.
Language .- Part I, Mary Hyde's Lessons.
Arithmetic .- Mental arithmetic, written arithmetic, four operations, addition and subtraction of decimal and com- mon fractions, United States money. denominate numbers. elementary work with simple examples.
76
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
Geography .-- Studied from Globe in hands of pupil, the world as a whole, form, size, motions, hemispheres, zones, seasons, animals, plants, people, races, civilization, continent, oceans, position, form, size, etc., North America, United States, our state.
Drawing .- Prang No. 2 Drawing Book.
Writing .- From copy book.
Physiology .- Read Child's Health Primer, Talks on Hygiene. History .- Stories.
Music.
FIFTH YEAR .- D. GRAMMAR,
Reading .- Second half of six Third Readers, King's Geo- graphical Reader, The Beginner's American History, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Part I, Harrington's Spelling Book, also from reading lessons and geography.
Language .- Part II, Mary Hyde's Lessons.
Arithmetic .- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and divis- ion of United States money, elementary fractions, tables of weights and measures, simple examples in percentage, factoring, multiples and compound numbers, simple exam- ples only are to be used.
Geography .- The Continents, form, size, extent, North America, United States, with special Geography of New England and our own state, map drawing.
Writing .- From copy book.
Drawing .- Prang No. 3 Drawing Book.
Physiology .- Study Child's Health Primer.
History .- Stories, Historical Reader. Music.
SIXTH YEAR .- C. GRAMMAR.
Reading .- Munroe's Fourth Reader, King's Geographical Reader, with other supplementary reading, phonetic anal- ysis.
77
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
Spelling .- Harrington's Spelling Book, Part II, also, from the reading, history, and geography lessons.
Language .- Mary Hyde's Lessons Part III, letter writing, composition writing, declamations, selections from Whittier and Hawthorne.
Arithmetic .- Fractions, reductions, weights and measures, simple examples in percentage and interest.
Geography .- Finish the United States, South America, map drawing.
History. - The discoveries and settlements, abstracts on famous men.
Physiology .-- Skeleton and process of digestion, hygiene, effect of alcohol and narcotics.
Writing .- From copy book.
Drawing .- Prang No. 4 Drawing Book.
Music.
SEVENTH YEAR-D. GRADE.
Reading .- Davis' Fourth Reader, with other supplementary reading.
Spelling .- Harrington's Spelling Book, also from the Read- ing, History, and Geography lessons.
Language .- Mary Hyde's Lessons, Part IV. Composition writing, bills, advertisements, and telegrams, declamations, selections from Longfellow and Irving.
Arithmetic .- Compound numbers, percentage, interest.
Geography .- Europe and Asia, map drawing.
History .- French and Indian war, Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. Abstracts on famous men.
Physiology .- Muscles, respiration, circulation, effect of alco- hol and narcotics.
Drawing .- Prang No. 5 Drawing Book.
Writing .- From copy book.
Music.
EIGHTH YEAR .- A. GRADE.
Reading .- Munroe's Fifth Reader and other supplementary reading.
78
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1892-1893.
Spelling .- Graves' Spelling Book, also words from reading, geography. and history lessons.
Language .- Grammar, written work, composition writing, declamations, selections from Holmes and Lowell.
Arithmetic .- Banking, stocks and bonds, proportion, simple examples in square and cube root, reviews.
Geography .- Completed and reviewed topically.
History -- Completed and reviewed topically.
Physiology .- Nervous system, special senses, reviewed topi- cally.
Drawing .- Prang No. 6 Drawing Book.
Writing .- Copy Book.
Music.
HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST YEAR.
Algebra, book-keeping, physical geography, Latin or English, study of Authors.
SECOND YEAR.
Geometery, arithmetic, botany, civil government, Cæsar, or English, study of authors.
THIRD YEAR.
Physics and chemistry, Cicero, or English with history, French, study of authors.
FOURTH YEAR.
Astronomy and geology, or Virgil, English literature, French.
English composition, declamation, drawing and music throughout the course. Course may be modified for pupils preparing for College or any other higher Institution.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. ROGERS, - WILMOT R. HASTINGS, School Committee.
FRANK E. INGALLS,
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS., Feb. 27, 1893.
79
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER-1892-1893.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER, 1892=1893.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SWAMPSCOTT :-
As Truant Officer for the town I have made 18 calls, only three of these were found to be cases of truancy. The sever- ity used last year has seemed to have a most wholesome effect, and we may congratulate ourselves upon the regularity of the school attendance for the past year.
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