USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1894 > Part 4
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TRAINING AND ASSISTANT TEACHERS .- Early in the fall, Miss Edith S. Gardner and Miss May E. Jackson, both of the class of "'93," began gratuitous and creditable service as training teachers in our Primary schools on Essex street and Pine street, respectively. Miss Jackson's failing health has compelled a temporary retirement. Training teachers, here and elsewhere, consider that the experience desired, and the chances for promotion secured, are good compensation for service rendered until fitness for more responsible positions
60
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
is demonstrated. On January 15, Miss Gardner began her work with nominal wages, as assistant teacher for Miss Washburn at the Beach Intermediate, the increased enroll- ment of that school making such assistance necessary. On the same date, Miss Emily P. Ellis, also of the class of "'93," began similarly necessary service for Miss Gould at the Pine street Intermediate. The efficient work of these young teachers gives excellent promise of their future usefulness.
HOME TALENT EMPLOYED .- The fact that of the five (5) new instructors employed during the current year, three are residents of our own town, illustrates the policy of the com- mittee to encourage home talent as far as possible. We wish here to acknowledge the good service of Miss Comey, another of our residents, as a substitute teacher.
METHODS, GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE .- The selection of text books, methods of instruction, government and disci- pline are left largely with the teachers, under the general direction, counsel, support and sympathy of the committee to whom the teachers show all due deference and submission. The principle of self government on the part of the pupils receives all possible encouragement from the teachers, whose aim is to govern by treating their pupils as self respecting men and women. The appeal is always directed in the first place to the higher motives, and every effort is made to fos- ter the consciousness of true dignity in the scholar's nature.
MORALS .- The morals of the pupils are carefully guarded by both committee and teachers, and great vigilance is exer- cised in the maintenance of the statutes concerning the use of tobacco, and the defacement of buildings and furniture and fences. In this work we beg the hearty co-operation of parents and patrons.
DRAWING AND INDUSTRIAL WORK .- The exhibition in drawing and industrial work given at the Town Hall last
61
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
June, proved unexpectedly profitable, popular and enjoyable. It consisted of color work, free hand drawing, including the first steps in charcoal, and working drawings. The indus- trial work was only such as the child could do without spec- ial instruction from a teacher, but some of the needle work, as well as the painting, would have done credit to much older persons. Our citizens gave every evidence of cherish- ing a just pride in the work that is being done in this de- partment, and of a lively appreciation of the arduous effort by which it is accomplished. Visitors from other towns were heard to express surprise at our progress, and the success of this new feature of our educational work is cause for pro- found satisfaction. The committee and community are grateful for what the teachers have done along this line, under the lead of Mr. Balch and Miss Bill, to give our schools a name in the regions beyond.
BETTER GRADING .- The efficiency of our schools has been promoted the past year by a better system of grading in the Primary Departments, giving only two different classes to teachers who have hitherto had three. Another school, which is necessitated not only by the desire for yet better grading, but for the rapid increase of pupils, is in contempla- tion for the coming year. The changes in grading have necessitated longer walks for the children in some cases, and we are grateful that parents and pupils have so generally acquiesced in the new arrangements, sacrificing individual preferences and comforts to the general good. In all cases, known to us, the pupils have finally come to be satisfied with the new assignment of places. When pupils become inter- ested, and when they have formed an attachment to their teachers, then willingness to walk long distances has been surprising, instances of which could be given if necessary. The pedestrian tendencies and capabilities of children are often greatly underestimated, especially when the heart is engaged.
62
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
REGULARITY OF ATTENDANCE .- The somewhat monoto- nous appeal to parents to cooperate with the teachers in the effort to secure regularity of attendance seems to be an urgent necessity from year to year. The primary schools are the particular sufferers along this line. We are glad to note an improvement. The State record of 1892 brings the grat- ifying intelligence that our Swampscott schools stood first among the schools of Essex county in the matter of attend- ance. The B Grammar grade made a perfect record, so far as tardiness is concerned, in the spring term and the pupils maintained the same in the fall term of 1893, when they passed up to A Grammar.
ECONOMY OF ADMINISTRATION .- There are but five of the 35 towns in Essex county which pay a smaller per cent of the total valuation of their taxable property for school purposes than Swampscott, and there are only 25 towns in the entire Commonwealth which pay a smaller per cent. The average annual cost of the education of each scholar in our schools is gradually decreasing. While each year the committeee have provided increased facilities, it has been done without increasing our appropriation for several years. The starting of the new school for the accommodation of new scholars is likely to necessitate a larger appropriation than heretofore, for the coming year. It is only by an inconven- ient makeshift that we have been able to postpone the start- ing of the new school until fall. It is also a matter for con- gratulation that we are able to meet the unexpected demand for new teachers, while still keeping well inside the limits of our appropriation.
VACANCY IN THE SCHOOL BOARD .- The vacancy on the School Board, occasioned by the decision on the part of Mr. Benjamin Potter who was elected for the place, was filled by the appointment of E. F. Small.
63
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION .- The class of "'93" held a very pleasant reception at the Town Hall on the evening after their graduation, at which time a High School Alumni Asso- ciation was formed, with the following named persons as officers : President, S. Everett Doane; Vice President, M. Isabelle Hutt ; Secretary, Miss Edith S. Gardner ; Treasurer, Louis Marble. It is hoped that the outcome of such an asso- ciation will be not only to promote a deeper interest and cherish a truer pride in all educational matters, and especially in our public schools, but also to keep alive the happy asso- ciations and pleasant memories that cluster about the dear old school days.
MORTUARY .- In the death of Mr. Melzard, the janitor of the schools on Pine and Essex streets, our schools lose a most willing and efficient helper. We sincerely mourn our loss, and the committee would not be satisfied to close this report without paying our heartfelt tribute to one so well worthy of our respect - so genial, so gentlemanly, so kind and affable and faithful in all the relations of life.
-
CORPS OF TEACHERS, JANUARY, 1893.
Name.
Sehool.
Date of Appointment.
Where Educated.
Gardner P. Balch
. . . . . High.
Sept. 1888
Dartmouth College.
A. Lillian Rideout .... High
Sept. 1893.
Boston University .
Ellen M. Dewing . . . . ...
A Grammar.
Jan. 1894.
Natick High School ..
Elizabeth J. Hadley ... B Grammar.
Sept. 1880-Dec. 1872 ... Salem Normal School.
M. H. Fernald
C Grammar ..
Sept. 1888 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 1880
Boston Normal School.
Hattie A. Thayer .
Pine Street Primary ..... Oct. 1888
Florence A. Oliver.
Redington St. Primary ... Sept. 1893
Chelsea Training School
Louise C. Stanley
Farms.
Jan. 1888
Norton Ladies' Seminary ..
Isabelle M. Hutt. ..
. Beach Primary . . .
Jan. 1892.
Salem Normal School ..
Elizabetlı 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 sehools in town, the earliest date of sueh appointment is stated in Italics.]
64
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
65
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR 1893.
SCHOOL.
Largest number of pupils at
any one time.
Number enrolled.
Average age.
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
during fall term.
attendance
ing winter term.
attendance
attendance
ing fall term.
Per cent. of attendance
Per cent. of tardiness.
High.
40
38
32
15}
30
30
38
28
28.3
36.5
95
A Grammar.
45
30
30
14₴
25₴
22
27
23₴
203
25g
94%
B Grammar
45
33
31
13
29.3
29.9
32.6
27.8
28.6
32
963
C Grammar.
45
49
46
123
34}
33.4
47
33
32
45
96
Pine St. Intermediate.
54
59
63
11
48}
47층
54
45
46
51
94
1를
Beach Intermediate ...
56
53
55
11
49.3
52
51
44
48
49
93
Essex Street Primary.
55
55
86
7.4
41
48
47
37
46
44
94
Pine Street Primary ..
51
50
60
7.9
41
46
45
37
43
44
93
Redington St. Primary
40
39
51
6.2
31
39
32
28
36
30
92
Beach Primary
56
41
42
7.5
24
26
40
21
24
37
91
1g
Farms Primary ..
24
25
31
7.4
15
22
20
14
20
19
92
Number enrolled in Town-Jan. 1894, 527; 1893, 493; 1892, 465; 1891, 462; 1890, 434.
No.
No.
First year grade
92
Fifth year grade.
49
Second year grade
48
Sixth year grade.
46
Third year grade
53
Seventh year grade
31
Fourth year grade
64
Eighth year grade
30
dur-
dur-
dur-
Number of sittings.
Average
Average
ing spring term.
Average
-
during winter term.
during spring term.
66
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE -: 1893-1894.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Pupils who have been neither absent nor tardy during the year.
IDA F. BASSETT, WILLIAM PHILLIPS,
M. LOUISE ASHTON, ESTHER CONNELL,
ALICE M. HILLIARD,
SARAH J. FINNEGAN,
FRANK CONNELL, ROY AUSTIN,
LEE MARTIN.
SELECTED LIST.
Pupils whose rank in all studies was above 85 per cent, promoted without examinations.
EMILY P. ELLIS, MABEL E. WHITE,
RUTH A. IVERSON,
JOSIE E. TWISDEN,
GRACE L. EARP,
MARION T. BULFINCH,
IDA F. BASSETT,
NOWELL INGALLS,
ALFRED MACPHERSON, HERBERT CURTIS,
M. LOUISE ASHTON, ANNA WILLEY,
KATE MERRITT,
CHESTER BROWN,
BERTRAM GILMAN,
REGINALD WEBB,
LIZZIE LASSELL,
ROY CRANE,
BESSIE HUSSEY,
SIDNEY DOANE,
MAUD TOWLE.
67
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE- 1893-1894.
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, 1894.
Winter term 1894 begins Jan. 8 ; closes March 30. Spring term 1894 begins April 9 ; closes June 29. Fall term 1894 begins Sept. 4 ; closes Dec. 21. Winter term 1895 begins Jan. 7.
68
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
-
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.
Drawiny .- 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.
69
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE -1893-1894.
Drawing .- From objects, clay modelling.
Geography .- Familiar objects, houses, school-room, streets, buildings, neighborhood, a village, a city, cardinal points of compass, horizon, earth, land, air, etc.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
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, dictation exercises.
Arithmetic .- Numbers to 100, use of common measures, Ro- man numerals, written arithmetic, four operations with no multiplier or devisor exceeding two figures, writing num- bers through thousands, fractional parts, common measures. Writing .- With pen and ink.
Drawing .- Prang No. 1 Drawing Book. Supplementary
work.
Physiology .- Taught orally, the externals 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 .- As directed by special teacher.
FOURTH YEAR .- E. GRAMMAR.
Reading .- First half of Third Reader, King's Geographical reader, The Beginner's American History, Fables and Folk stories, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Graves' Spelling Book, and from reading lessons and geography.
Language .- Part I, Mary Hyde's Lessons.
Arithmetic .- Mental arithmetic, written arithmetic, four operations, addition and substraction of decimal and com-
70
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
mon fractions, United States money, denominate numbers, elementary work with simple examples.
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. Supplementary work.
Writing .- From copy book.
Physiology .- Read Child's Health Primer, Talks on Hygiene. History .- Stories.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
FIFTH YEAR .- D. GRAMMAR.
Reading .- Second half of Third Reader, Gods and Heroes,
King's Geographical Reader, The Beginner's American History and King of Golden River, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Graves' 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, fac- toring, multiples and compound numbers, simple examples 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. Supplementary work.
Physiology .- Child's Health Primer.
History .- Stories, Historical Reader.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
71
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
SIXTH YEAR .- C. GRAMMAR.
Reading .- Tanglewood Tales, Hiawatha, Bees and Birds, King's Geographical Reader, with other supplementary reading, phonetic analysis.
Spelling .- Graves' Spelling Book, also, from the reading, his- tory, 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. Supplementary work.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
SEVENTH YEAR .- D. GRADE.
Reading .- White Hills, selections from Longfellow, Lars, with other supplementary reading.
Spelling .- Graves' Spelling Book, also from the Reading, 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.
72
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE - 1893-1894.
Drawing .- Prang No. 5 Drawing Book. Supplementary work.
Writing .- From copy book.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
EIGHTH YEAR .- A. GRADE.
Reading .- Masterpieces in English Literature and other sup- plementary reading.
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 root and mensuration, reviews.
Geography .- Completed and reviewed topically.
History .- Completed and reviewed topically.
Physiology .- Nervous system, special senses, reviewed topic- ally.
Drawing .- Prang No. 6 Drawing Book, supplementary work. Writing .- Copy book.
Music .- As directed by special teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST YEAR.
Algebra, book-keeping, physical geography, Latin or English, study of authors, reading-Sketch Book and Deserted Village.
SECOND YEAR.
Geometry, arithmetic, botany, civil government, Cæsar, or English, study of authors, reading-Twice Told Tales, Lady of the Lake, Enoch Arden.
THIRD YEAR.
Physics and chemistry, Cicero, or English history, French, study of authors.
73
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1893-1894.
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. Home reading of forty books from standard authors.
WILLIAM H. ROGERS, -
FRANK E. INGALLS,
ELBRIDGE F. SMALL, ~ School Committee.
74
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER-1893-1894.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER, 1893 = 1894.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SWAMPSCOTT :
I have to congratulate the Town upon the fact that there have been no cases of truancy during the year. I have made but 16 calls for all of which good and sufficient reasons were given as the cause of absence from school.
Respectfully submitted, CHAS. RODERICK,
Truant Officer.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 16, 1894.
.W.W NORTHEND, ARCHT. LYNN.
-
NEW PHILLIPS SCHOOL BUILDING.
75
REPORT ON NEW SCHOOL BUILDING - 1893-1894.
Report of Committee on New School Building, 1893=1894.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :-
Your committee appointed at the last Annual Town Meet- ing to procure plans and construct a High School building for the Town on the lot donated and accepted for that pur- pose, agreeable to the appropriation then made, herewith submit the report of their doings to this date.
After having received the title and plans of the lot, and establishing the boundaries, we proceeded to clear the lot and make survey for the location of the building. Your commit- tee, having visited other localities where buildings similar to our requirements had been recently erected, gained much valuable information relative to the matter in hand, and, finally, having decided upon the style and character of a building which, in their judgment would be best adapted to the present and prospective needs of the Town, selected from the various plans submitted, those of Messrs. Wheeler & Northend of Lynn, and closed a contract with that firm, on terms which your committee considered very favorable, for plans, specifications, detail drawings, and general superin- tendence of construction of an eight-room building, as per elevation on exhibition at the office of the Town Clerk.
As it was plainly evident that blasting could not be safely done during construction of the building, it was decided to first remove the obstructions and grade the lot. We, there- fore, contracted with F. D. Mayo & Co. of Lynn, they being the lowest bidders for removing the ledge and reducing the lot to grade, which was done to the entire satisfaction of the committee.
Meantime, having advertised for bids for construction of the building, your committee were about to close a contract for the work when, at this juncture, it becoming apparent
76
REPORT ON NEW SCHOOL BUILDING - 1893-1894.
from the general financial situation that the Town Treasurer could not place the loan at such rates as was deemed for the best interest of the Town, your committee at once considered it wise to defer letting the contract, and only complete such work on foundation as would enable the committee (in con- nection with the work already done) to complete the entire building in season for occupancy on the opening of the fall term of 1894.
Later, considering it advisable in order to be able to start the building in the early spring, the committee contracted with H. Scott Tuttle, he being the lowest bidder, to do the excavating and lay the granite foundations for the structure, which has been completed in a satisfactory manner.
By the delay in letting the contract, the Town has been enabled recently to place with the Commonwealth the loan voted, and at a very low and satisfactory rate, thereby mate- rially reducing the cost in interest.
We have, recently, again submitted the plans for estimates of cost of the entire work and, in view of the present situa- tion, your committee are confident that the interest of the Town will not have suffered by the delay incurred.
The committee expect to be able to present for the infor- mation of our citizens, at the ensuing annual meeting, the entire probable cost of the work. For the detail amount already expended, reference is made to Auditor's report else- where.
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON T. PORTER,
A. R. BUNTING, E. F. SMALL, D. HOLMAN MILLETT, W. H. ROGERS,
Committee.
F. E. INGALLS,
H. C. BULFINCH,
A. C. WIDGER,
D. K. PHILLIPS,
CLASS ROOM.
CLASS ROOM.
CLASS ROOM.
CLASS ROOM.
Coat Room.
Coat Room.
E
CORRIDOR
Cont Room.
Coat Room.
up
Tolle!
UP
down
UP
Vestibule
Vestibule
Teachers' Rm.
Reception Am.
E
Toilet
Loggia
Loggia
.....
· FIRST FLOOR .
EXHIBITION HALL.
T
UNFINISHED.
UNFINISHED.
up
down
E
Stage.
Up, Te
Ante Room,
Ante Room.
Partage.
=
down
· THIRD FLOOR .
77
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES - 1893-1894.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARY TRUSTEES, 1893 = 1894.
TO THE CITIZENS OF SWAMPSCOTT :
In submitting our annual report we are pleased to note an increase in our circulation of about 1,000 volumes over the previous year, the total number taken out being 14,794. During the year we have added 175 new books, and our col- lection has now reached 6,024 volumes.
The Library has been open for delivery of books, as usual, Wednesdays from 4 to 8 P. M. and Saturdays, 2 to 9 P. M., except three weeks in December, when our annual stock tak- ing occurs; we intend, however, to abolish the yearly calling in of the books and adopt a new method for examination, so that the Library may be open throughout the year without intermission.
In June last we issued a supplement to our catalogue, a neat pamphlet of 51 pages. We have on hand a number of copies of both catalogue and supplement on sale at the Li- brary at the low price of 25 cents for the two, which is not half the cost. Readers who have not availed themselves of the catalogues will find them invaluable for home selection, which can be more satisfactorily done there than in the sometimes crowded library room. We propose to print and issue, occasionally, a bulletin of latest acquirements, in the same style as the regular catalogue, which will be sold at one cent each.
We close with the oft-repeated request to our patrons, to
78
REPORT OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES -1893-1894.
furnish the Librarian with a list of any books desired and, if our funds permit and the works are proper, we will cheerfully add the same to our Library.
JAMES E. PEASLEY, Trustees of CURTIS V. MERRITT, Swampscott
FRANK F. STANLEY, Public Library.
SWAMPSCOTT, Feb. 15, 1894.
79
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS-1893-1894.
REPORT OF THE FIRE ENGINEERS, 1893=1894.
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