USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1899 > Part 5
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QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.
" Great changes have taken place in schools in the last few years, more work is required of the teachers and a better prepa- ration and training of all who aspire to be teachers. Teaching is ranking with the other professions and an equally thorough prep- aration on the part of new teachers is demanded. All men feel
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
that the physician should be thoroughly equipped for his work, by study and practise for years ; but he deals merely with our bodies. How much more careful should we be in the training of those to whom shall be intrusted not only the bodies but the minds and souls of our children ? Most especially, should we be particular in the trainining of those who are to lay the founda- tions during the first years of the children's lives. Mistakes in the early nurture and teaching of the children can never be wholly corrected even by the most anxious care. The aspirant for the position of doctor, teacher or lawyer, should not have our- selves nor our children to experiment on, before he has had thor- ough training and preparation for the delicate task. Some peo- ple think that it needs but little knowledge to teach little chil- dren, but the work of the lowest grade teachers is much more difficult and trying than that of the highest grade teachers, and calls for the very best material, the most thorough preparation and the highest culture."
HIGH SCHOOL.
During the spring of '98 your Committee received with deep regret the resignation of the Principal of our High School, Mr. Gardner P. Balch, who resigned to accept a position in the Eliot School, Boston, where a broader field awaited him. Mr. Balch has served as Principal of our High School faithfully and con- scientiously for ten years and has brought it to a high standard of excellence. We wish him success in his new position. Your Committee realized that it would be hard to fill his place, but were fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Harold C. Childs, of Brockton, who has the following record.
Mr. Childs was fitted for college in the public schools of Boston and graduated from Brown University, near the head of his class in 1878. He taught in the Dorchester High School for nearly two years, during a temporary increase of pupils. He then became Principal of the High School of Pepperell and held that position for three years. The next five years he was Prin- cipal of the High School at Needham and for the past nine years has been sub-master in the High School at Brockton. His nat-
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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ural bent is toward the sciences and for a while he supplied the science teacher's place at the Friends' School in Providence. Mr. Childs is President of the Plymouth County Teachers' Association ; President of the Brockton District in the "Teach- ers' Guild ;" Vice-President of the Brockton Teachers' Associa- tion ; Secretary and Treasurer of the High School Masters' Club of Massachusetts and member of several teachers' organizations.
Mr. Childs has taken hold of the work in earnest and is anxious to place our Schools on a still higher plane. Let us give him our undivided support.
INCREASED SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
We were not mistaken in thinking we should be obliged to change our school district lines, as we suggested last year. The large increase in population in the west part of the Town has filled the Essex and Pine St. Schools to over- flowing, conse- quently we have taken into Redington St. School district, the territory between Thomas Road and New Ocean Street.
The increase has also obliged us to open a first grade school in Redington School Building. We appointing Miss Edith Far- num as teacher of the same. This gives Miss Emily P. Ellis the second and third grades and Miss Farnum the first grade.
Now another problem confronts us, we shall be obliged to open at least one school next spring. It has been suggested that we petition for a new school building to be erected on the lot owned by the Town on Essex Street, but your Committee will endeavor to avoid that expense, at present, and try to get along temporarily with the room in the Redington Street building now occupied by the Good Templars. This arrangement is not desirable for several reasons, but the room in question is the only one available for the purpose. It is plainly evident, however, that if the growth of the Town continues as in recent years, that the erection of a new building, containing at least two large rooms, cannot be long deferred.
TRUANCY.
During the past year we have had but very few cases of truancy, but these have been of a stubborn nature and have
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
caused a great deal of trouble. The Truant Officers, Teachers and School Committee have interviewed the parents of these children, who have promised to remedy the matter. But we are sorry to say that they have not kept their promises in many cases. We hardly understand how a parent can be so indifferent to their children's welfare. If there is no improvement the coming year, the Committee will be obliged to enforce the law in rela- tion to truancy, which the State very strongly recommends.
We give the laws recently enacted.
SECT. 24. Every habitual truant, that is, every child between seven and fourteen years of age who wilfully and habitually absents himself from school contrary to the provisions of section twelve of this act, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, and if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
SECT. 25. Every habitual absentee, that is, every child between seven and sixteen years of age who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any town or city of the Commonwealth, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending school, and grow- ing up in idleness and ignorance, upon complaint by a truant officer or any other person, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, at the discretion of the court, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, or to the Lyman school for boys, and, if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on pro- bation as provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
SECT. 26. Every habitual school offender, that is, every child under fourteen years of age who persistently violates the reasonable regula- tions of the school which he attends, or otherwise persistently misbe- haves therein, so as to render himself a fit subject for exclusion there- from, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, at the discretion of the court, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, or to the Lyman school for boys, and if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
SECT. 31. Any person having under his control a child between seven and fourteen years of age who fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, upon com- plaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while school is in session any child absent unlaw- fully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than fifty dol- lars.
IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.
During the summer vacation we graded the Phillips School lot, which gives the scholars a fine play ground, an improvement which we were very glad to carry out. We also made the fol. lowing repairs :- laid two floors in the Pine Street School House, and painted the Essex, Pine, Redington, Beach and Farm school rooms, finding it very necessary. The buildings are now in good condition and will need but very little repairing the coming year.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Memorial Day was appropriately observed. Members of the Grand Army were present. An address was given by Rev. D. E. Bustner, pastor of the Congregational Church, followed by reci- tations and singing of a patriotic nature by pupils of the Phillips School. There was a good attendance of parents and friends.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
The Committee are pleased to announce that good progress has been made in these departments during the past year, as will be seen by the following reports.
MUSIC.
There is very little that is new, to be said in regard to this branch of instruction. The work has been carried on substan- tially as indicated in previous report ; with only such changes as the advancement of the pupils warrant. It is the constant aim of the teachers to make good readers of the pupils, and the progress is very satisfactory. The ability to read music readily is steadily increasing. There is also a noticeable gain in correctness of pitch, and in the independence of the pupils. In a successful course of musical instruction very much depends upon the treat-
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
ment of lessons in the primary grade, and the better the work in that grade, the more intelligent and successful will be that of the higher schools. We have now three schools for first year pupils. Introductory charts have been furnished them, and the work is well carried on. Good progress is being made in tone production and sight reading, while the singing of rote songs is a pleasing and profitable recreation for the little ones. New song books have been placed in all the schools except the high, and have added much to the enjoyment of the pupils. The high is sup- plied with Codas from time to time which give pleasing variety to the daily lessons. As in the work of drawing I am greatly in- debted to the teachers for their fidelity, and the Committee for their kindness and liberality.
Respectfully,
ELIZABETH A. BILL.
DRAWING.
Since my last report, there have been radical changes in this department. The last two years have witnessed, almost every- where, a great difference in the aim and scope of the work done. Educators, all over the country, felt that the best had not been reached, and that while many of the subjects formerly taught have their place and value, the great aim should be to cultivate the love of the beautiful, in both art and nature. Purely mechanical work is distasteful to children and of no real educa- tional value to them at their present stage of advancement. It belongs to a later period. Form can be taught to young pupils as well, and much more interestingly from fruits, leaves, vegeta- bles, etc., as from wooden models. In leading the pupils to love beauty, the value of picture study must not be overlooked. One cannot over-estimate the value of such study in deepening and fixing an impression. If a child learns a song or reads a story of an animal, a picture of the object will intensify his interest and neither story or picture will be soon forgotten.
The teachers in our schools are alive to the great worth of this study, and nearly all, if not all, have purchased many beautiful
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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reproductions of famous paintings, and from daily seeing these, our pupils are becoming familiar with the best. Another means furnished for cultivating the love of beauty, is color. The pupils are led to see the beautiful colors all about us, and take great de- light in trying to draw and color objects in nature, historic orna- ments, etc. The Committee have furnished water-colors for the schools, from the highest to the lowest, and creditable work is being done. Charcoal is a medium used to teach light and shade and good results are obtained. It is used in the seventh and eighth grades, also in the high school. Drawing from life is attempted in all the schools and some of the results are good even now; and with more practice greater skill will come. While I feel that there is progress in our schools, and that creditable work is being done, I also think the changes that have been made will make our work still more interesting and profitable in the future, and that year by year greater and better results will be obtained. I wish once more to thank the Committee for their uniform kindness and helpfulness; for their liberality in furnish- ing supplies that make good work possible, and also the teachers for their interest and faithfulness in carrying out the plans laid out for the work.
Respectfully, ELIZABETH A. BILL.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
GIFTS TO GRADE VI-PHILLIPS SCHOOL.
Subject.
By whom presented.
PICTURES-" THE SHEPHERDESS" Le Rolle Class 1897-'98 "SCOTTISH CATTLE " Rosa Bonheur Mabel Clark
"PORTRAIT OF ROBERT C. WINTHROP "
Sarah Evans
" COLUMBUS AT THE COURT OF FERDINAND AND ISABELLA " Brozic Winifred Carr
SEVEN STUFFED BIRDS Mr. Chas. Rodrick
GRADUATION EXERCISES.
Graduation Exercises of the Swampscott High School, at Phillips School Hall, Wednesday evening, June 29, 1898, com- mencing at 7.45 o'clock.
OVERTURE, from "Tancredi." . Mary C. Pitman and Olive K. Pitman
INVOCATION . Rev. Harold Marshall SINGING-"Light from Heaven" Girls' Semi-Chorus ESSAY-"Roman Civilization under the Empire" .
Alice M. Hilliard SOLO-"La Gondola" Bertha D. Ryder DECLAMATION-"Selection from Columbus" (Lowell) Esther B. Connell SINGING-"Sweet May" Girls' Chorus
ESSAY-"Sketch of Spanish History" Carl P. Ellis
DECLAMATION-"Extract from a Speech of Senator Hoar" C. Henry Holbrook
SOLO-"Dream of Paradise" Isabel V. Bartlett Violin and Cornet Acccompaniment ESSAY-"A Study of Wordsworth" Carrie L. Pecker
Bertha D. Ryder
SINGING-Trio, "Hither, Fairies, Trip" Carrie L. Pecker Isabel V. Bartlett
DECLAMATION-"In Memory of Lincoln" (Lowell) B. Augusta Potter
SOLO-"Out on the Deep" Carl P. Ellis
CLASS PROPHECY . Isabel V. Bartlett
SINGING-"Hand in Hand, we Hasten" Chorus VALEDICTORY Granville Ingalls
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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SINGING-"Good-night,-Farewell" Class and Girls' Chorus Solos by B. Augusta Potter and Carrie L. Pecker.
Pianist, ADDIE L. PHILLIPS. Organist, ELLA M. PHILLIPS. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS BY CHAIRMAN OF SCHOOL BOARD. PRESENTATION OF PHILLIPS MEDALS.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF HONORS gained in the Phillips School during the year, by EDWIN M. BAILEY.
GRADUATES.
Classical Course-CHARLES HENRY HOLBROOK.
Latin Scientific Course-CARRIE LOUISE PECKER, ALICE MILDRED HILLIARD, BERTHA AUGUSTA POTTER.
English Course-CARL PALMER ELLIS, GRANVILLE INGALLS, ESTHER BURKE CONNELL.
Special Course-ISABEL VERNON BARTLETT.
Selected List for 1898.
PUPILS WHOSE RANK IN ALL STUDIES AVERAGED A.
ELLEN D. BERGIN,
MILDRED C. BREED,
MILDRED C. BULFINCH,
OUIDA BUTLER,
MABEL CLARK,
SADIE M. GOWELL,
MARY P. INGALLS,
LUCY C. JAMESON,
JAMES M. MCNAMARA,
STELLA MAXFIELD,
W. PERCY NORCROSS, PRUDENCE W. POTTER,
RUTH SHATTUCK, MIRA M. SOUTHWORTH, OLIVE L. WILLEY.
Roll of Honor for 1898.
PUPILS WHO HAVE BEEN NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING THE YEAR.
CHESTER F. AUSTIN, HERBERT E. CAHOON, JENNIE W. CAREY, ROY E. CRANE, JOHN A. FINNEGAN, FLORENCE R. LAMPARD,
FLORENCE E. MARSH, DOROTHY MARTIN, ADDIE L. PHILLIPS, GEORGE T. POOR,
RALPH H. STEVENS, GRACE M. TAYLOR.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
Phillips Medals Given to Pupils.of the High School.
Gold Medal, for Superior Scholarship, GRANVILLE INGALLS. Silver Medal, for Excellence in English Composition and Declamation, MIRA M. SOUTHWORTH.
Honorable Mention, ISABEL V. BARTLETT, C. HENRY HOL- BROOK, GRANVILLE INGALLS, CARRIE L. PECKER, ADDIE L. PHILLIPS, REGINALD L. WEBB, ANNA F. WILLEY.
For Superior Deportment :
Two Silver Medals, OLIVE K. PITMAN, EMMA BROWN.
Medal Reinscribed, Sarah J. FINNEGAN.
Certificates, LIZZIE M. RYAN, CORA MERLE COLE, REGINALD L. WEBB.
Calendar for School Year, 1899.
Winter Term, 1899, begins Jan. 2; ends Feb. 24. Spring Term, 1899, begins March 6; ends April 28. Summer Term, 1899, begins May 8; ends June 30. Fall Term, 1899, begins Sept. 5; ends Dec. 22. Winter Term, 1900, begins Jan. 1; ends Feb. 23.
Holidays for the School Year.
Washington's Birthday. Patriot's Day, Wednesday, April 19th. Memorial Day. Seventeenth of June. Labor Day. Thanksgiving recess, beginning Wednesday noon.
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Corps of Teachers, January, 1899.
Name.
School.
Date of Appointment.
Harold C. Childs .
High
Sept. 1898
A. Lillian Rideout
High
Sept. 1893
Mabel E. Ingalls
High
Sept. 1894
Ellen M. Dewing .
Grade VIII. .
Jan. 1894
Elizabeth J. Hadley .
Phillips
Grade VII. .
Sept. 1880 - Dec. 1872.
M. H. Fernald .
Grade VI. . . Sept. 1888
Frances A. Gould .
Grade V. .
Sept. 1888 .
Mabel S. Knight
Grades IV.&V.
Nov. 1894
Isabelle M. Hutt
Grade IV.
Sept. 1894 - Jan. 1892.
Emma J. Machon
Essex St. Grades II. & III
April 1880
May E. Jackson
Essex St., Grade I. . .
Nov. 1894
Mabel F. Verry .
Pine St., Grades II. & III
April 1896
Charlotte Bain
Pine St., Grade I.
Sept. 1897
Emily P. Ellis
Redingt'n St., Gr. II. III
Jan. 1895
Edith Farnum .
66 " Grade I .
Sept. 1897
Edith S. Gardner .
Beach, Grades I., II., III
Sept. 1894
Louise C. Stanley . . Farms, Grades I., II., III
Jan. 1888
Elizabeth A. Bill . . Music and Drawing
Jan. 1890 .
[ 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 appoint- ment is stated in italics.]
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
1899]
School Statistics for 1898.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
Number of sittings.
any one time.
Number enrolled.
Average age.
Average number of pupils
Average number of pupils
during spring term.
Average number of pupils during summer term.
Average number of pupils
during fall term.
Average attendance during
winter term.
spring term.
Average attendance during
Average attendance during
Per cent. of attendance.
PHILLIPS SCHOOL.
High
72
69
55 16.5 58
53
52
64.8 54.5 51
49.6 62.2 95.4
Grade VIII.
48
46
44 14.8 44
41 39.5 45
41.5 38.7 37.5 42.5 94.5
Grade VII.
48
49
48 14. 4 42. 9 42.9 40.3 48.1 40.6 41.4 38.5 45.5 95.5
Grade VI.
50
53
12.6 50.1 52.5 51 .8 50.1 50.2 51. 7 50.2 47.2 97. 1 62
Grade V.
54
54
56 11.2
47.9.49.3 46.3 53.2
45.5 46.9 44.3 50.7 95
Grades IV. and V.
49
50
48 11.8 41
40
38
49
37.8 37.6 35.6 45.6 93.2
Grade IV. 55
60
59 10.6
53 5 52.5 54
58.5 52.1 51.7 53.8 55.4 97.5
Essex St., Grades III. and II.
50
51 48
8.5 35
40 38.5 49
32
3S
37.5 47
95
Essex St., Grade I.
46
43
72
5.8 34.5 43.8 42.5 43
30.8 41.3 39
39.5 92
Pine St., Grades III. and II.
45
47
59 8.4 35.5 31
33
41.2 27.1 27.6 30.3.37
84
Pine St., Grade I.
50
42
71
5.7 30.5 24.5 40
31.5 24.8.21.3 31
24.6,80
Redington St., Grades III. & II. 48
49
46
7
38.5
35.8 92
Redington St., Grade I
36
28
25
5
28
25
90
Beach
38
42
39
7.5.30.3 33.5 38
28.8 28.1 31.5 35.7 27.9,94
The Farms
24
25
34
6
22
20
25
21
20
19
24
18
90
Number enrolled in Town - Jan. 1899, 766 ; 1898, 677; 1897, 648; 1896, 598; 1895, 560, Increase over last year, 89 pupils.
37.5 40.1 44.2
34.7 38.3 39.8
A verage attendance during
summer term.
fall term.
Largest number of pupils at
during winter term.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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Course of Study.
FIRST YEAR.
Reading and Language - Common words and easy sentences from the board, reading from books as soon as practicable, with phonetic analysis and synthesis. Object lessons from familiar objects, correction of errors in use of language, memorizing of poems. Three or four first readers.
Spelling - From the reading lessons.
Writing - On paper, "Natural System" of vertical writing. Arithmetic - Numbers through 10, fractional parts, Roman numerals, use of objects, lines, etc.
Nature Study - Familiar objects about home, at school, out of doors, domestic animals, well known birds, common insects, flowers, plants, etc. Use of Boyden's Outlines.
Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
SECOND YEAR.
Reading and Language - First year's work continued, with as many second readers as practicable.
Spelling - Oral and written spelling, from reading and other lessons, of not more than twenty words a week. Writing - Copying of exercises from the board, writing of selections from reading books and from dictation.
Arithmetic - Numbers through 25, Roman numerals, original concrete problems by the pupils, fractional parts.
Nature Study - Familiar objects, dwellings, school-room, streets, buildings, neighborhood, village, city, cardinal points, horizon, earth, land, air, etc. Use of Boyden's Outlines. Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
THIRD YEAR.
Reading und Language - As many third readers as practi- cable. Phonetic analysis. Historical stories, stories of the holidays. Spelling - Same as second year,
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
Writing - Same as second year. Use of writing books.
Arithmetic - Numbers through 100, use of common measures Roman numerals, written arithmetic, "four operations" with no multiplier or divisor above "twelve," writing and reading numbers through thousands, fractional parts.
Nature Study - Our town, our state, position, boundaries, plans and maps, land and water in town and state; parts of animals, plants, etc. Use of Boyden's Outlines. External parts of human body, hygiene, taught orally.
Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
FOURTH YEAR.
Reading -As many fourth readers as practicable. King's Geographical Reader, Fables and Folk-stories, Stories of American History. Phonetic analysis.
' Spelling - Not more than twenty words from reading, geogra- phy, etc.
Language - First part of Sheldon's Language Lessons. Writ- ing. Copy-book 2, and on paper.
Arithmetic - Mental arithmetic, written arithmetic, addition and subtraction up to millions, multiplication and division by numbers of not more than three figures for multiplier and divisor; United States money ; denominate numbers, elementary work with simple examples.
Geography and Nature Study - Study from globes in hands of pupils, the world as a whole, form, size, motions, hemi- spheres, zones, seasons, animals, plants, people, races, civilization, continents, oceans, position, form, size, etc., North America, United States, Massachusetts. Natural Elementary Geography, Boyden's Outlines.
Physiology - Reading of Child's Health Primer, talks on hygiene.
Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
FIFTH YEAR.
Reading - As many fifth readers as practicable. Hans Ander- sen, The Beginner's American History, King of the Golden
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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River, Cyr's Fourth Reader, phonetic analysis, supplemen- tary reading.
Spelling - Same as year before.
Writing - From copy books and on paper.
Language - Tarbell's Lessons in Language, selections from the poets.
Arithmetic - Notation and numeration of whole and fractional numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals through thousandths. Tables of denominate numbers, reduction ascending and descending, simple factor- ing.
Geography and Nature Study - The continents, form, size, extent, North America, United States, with special geogra- phy of New England and Massachusetts, map drawing. Natural Elementary Geography and Boyden's Outlines. Physiology - Brand's Physiology.
Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
SIXTH YEAR.
Reading - Hiawatha, King's Geographical Reader, with other supplementary reading, phonetic analysis.
Spelling - Same as year before.
Writing - From copy books and on paper.
Language - Mary Hyde's Lessons, Part III, letter writing, composition writing, declamations, selections from the poets. Arithmetic - Fractions, common and decimal, denominate numbers finished, simple examples in percentage and interest.
Geography and Nature Study - Finish North America, the United States, New England, Canada and West Indies, South America, map drawing. Natural Advanced Geogra- phy and Boyden's Outlines.
Physiology - Skeleton and process of digestion, hygiene, effects of alcohol and narcotics.
History - Discoveries and settlements, abstracts on famous men.
Music and Drawing - As directed by special teacher.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1899]
SEVENTH YEAR.
Reading - Tanglewood Tales, Sharp Eyes, with other supple- mentary reading.
Spelling - Same as year before.
Writing - From copy books.
Language - Mary Hyde's Lessons, Part IV, composition writ- ing, bills, advertisements and telegrams, letters, declama- tions, selections from the poets.
Arithmetic - Measurements, percentage and interest.
Geography and Nature Study - Europe and Asia, map draw-
ing. Natural Advanced Geography and Boyden's Outlines. Physiology - Muscles, respiration, circulation, effects of alcohol and narcotics, hygiene.
History - Growth of the Colonies through the French and Indian Wars, Revolutionary Period, United States to the close of War of 1812. Abstracts on famous men.
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