USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1909 > Part 6
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The new Farms School building was erected during the sum- mer vacation and with the exception of a few finishing touches was ready for occupancy at the beginning of the school year in September. The new building contains two large, well lighted and well ventilated rooms. Its exterior is in perfect harmony with the atmosphere of the locality and the committee feels that it is an ornament to the town and a credit to its people.
Had the committee met with no unexpected obstacles the new Farms building would have been constructed within the amount of money appropriated for the purpose. A far greater amount of ledge than was anticipated had to be blasted and this entailed an expense of several hundred dollars more than the committee had estimated would be required. In consequence the appropri- ation was slightly overrun. The committee, however, reduced this amount by the sale of the old building for the sum of $150.
The new Farms building has been visited by representatives of a number of other towns and they were unanimous in their opinion that it is a model of excellence in a two-room building. The grounds surrounding the building will be properly graded this spring and soon the spot will be one of the most attractive in the town.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
A radical change was made at the High School building dur- ing the summer when two large rooms were made into three, comprising the physical and chemical laboratories and a lecture room between. Hitherto both the chemical and physical labor- atories had been located in the small brick building in the rear of the school building proper. Proper results were not obtainable under the conditions which existed and the wisdom of making more commodious and better arranged quarters for this most important branch of work has already been amply demonstrated.
Both pupils and teachers have much appreciated the new laboratories and their new equipment and much better results have been obtained. There is probably no town in the common- wealth so well equipped in this direction as Swampscott now is. The committee feels that this step will be of lasting benefit to the town.
The exodus of the chemical and physical department from the small brick building to the main building left the former vacant, but only for the time being, as it was particularly well adapted for the needs of the manual training department so auspiciously inaugurated in the High School in 1907. All of the machinery and other equipment of this department was moved into the small building and put up. The jar and noise which must of necessity accompany the operation of machinery is now removed from any opportunity to disturb the pupils in their studies, and the work is proceeding very smoothly and with great satis- faction in point of results. Early last year Mr. Henry B. Sprague added $200 to the $1,000 which he had previously donated, and this sum was expended for additional equipment. Mr. Sprague's generosity and interest in the education of the children of the town are highly appreciated by the members of the committee.
For the purpose of making repairs upon the older buildings the town appropriated the sum of $1,450 which was expended where it was most needed. The Redington and Essex street school buildings were both treated to two coats of paint, and all the wooden buildings painted on the inside. Extensive altera- tions were made in the Redington street building and as a result
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
two more rooms were added. This building is now crowded, and the next step must be one in contemplation of a new and larger building of adequate size to care for the needs for a num- ber of years.
Though the business depression in Lynn had its effect in re- ducing the normal increase in the school registration of that city it apparently had no effect upon this Town. The total enrol- ment at the opening of the school year was over one hundred more than the previous year. It was with much difficulty that these pupils were properly housed.
The fact that the high school building has not been connected with the sewer has been a source of constant annoyance to the School Committee. Complaints have been numerous and the total inadequacy of any cesspool arrangement has compelled the committee to ask the Town to take the necessary steps to provide sewer connections. With about two hundred people daily using the high school building no system of cesspools would prove satisfactory nor meet with the requirements of proper sanitation.
In addition to the regular work of the department the School Committee contemplates a step which it hopes will meet with the approval of the Town. Believing it to be in the best inter- ests of the Town that our high school be placed upon a plane with any other town of its size in the state the committee is con- stantly striving to make the conditions such that the best of re- sults may be obtained. The facilities for commercial and mechanical drawing work are entirely inadequate and the School Committee hopes to be able to make such changes this summer as will enable it to give to the school ample facilities for the proper promotion of these important branches of work.
There are two rooms adjoining the assembly hall which at present are of little use for any purpose. One is entirely unfin- ished and is used largely for storage purposes. This room the committee proposes to make into a commercial department fitted with all the appurtenances of a banking establishment. Properly equipped its use would greatly facilitate the work of the com- mercial course and furnish the pupils with an added incentive to lay the foundations of a knowledge of business affairs of inesti- mable value to them in after life.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
The finished room at the other side of the assembly hall can be easily made into a well lighted room for mechanical drawing purposes. In both rooms it will be necessary to enlarge the lighting facilities by extending and increasing the size of the dormer windows. This is very practical and can be done with- out an extraordinary amount of expense. The committee has secured an estimate upon plans for this work and recommends to the town that the sum of $3,000 be appropriated to make the necessary alterations and provide adequate equipment. The consummation of this prospect would practically complete the work of the committee in the direction of providing adequate facilities for the proper promotion of all branches of high school work.
Though the town was most generous in its treatment of the school department last year the constantly increasing growth of the schools has made it a perplexing problem to keep down the expenses without jeopardizing the interests of the pupils. The committee feels that the people of Swampscott desire that their children shall be as well equipped for the battle of life as the children of any other community and it has been its constant and conscientious endeavor to give them the maximum of knowledge with the minimum of expense.
In addition to the regular meetings of the committee numerous special meetings, for the most part of an entirely informal nature, have been held for the purpose of discussing the various problems which are constantly arising. There has been no stint in the time which the committee has given to the work, each member feeling it to be his duty to devote as much of his time to the work of the schools as his private interests would permit. The committtee feels that at this time the organization of the schools is in splendid condition and that the results, which are only obtainable under a proper working system, will show a higher degree of efficiency than ever before.
The committee has been fortunate in securing most loyal co- operation on the part of superintendent, principals and teachers. All are working in harmony for the best interests of the school and with the co-operation of the people of the town the commit-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
tee feels that a degree of excellence will soon be obtained which will be an example for other towns to follow.
The schools should be the first consideration of any town or municipality. Upon their work depends the character of the next generation. If they are properly supported and their affairs are administered wisely and economically, there can be no ques- tion as to the measure of good results they will obtain. The committee hopes that a closer interest will be taken in the affairs of the school; that there will be less reluctance upon the part of parents to inquire what is being done, and that they will carry their interest into a more frequent inspection into the actual workings of the department.
S. PERRY CONGDON, Chairman, ARTHUR W. STUBBS, HOWARD K. GLIDDEN,
Members of the School Committee.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Members of the School Committee:
At the end of the fiscal year, January 31, 1909, the books of the School Department showed the following financial condition :
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand February 1, 1908 .
$1,632 26
Expenditures from January 31 to
March 13 in excess of $1,632.26 and met by extra appropriation
1,270 14
Annual appropriation
33,000 00
Received from State
5 50
Sales to pupils
7 74
Total
$35,915 64
EXPENDITURES.
Salaries
$23,768 55
Supplies
1,614 72
Books
1,464 03
Light
94 31
Miscellaneous
551 78
Repairs and Cleaning
1,107 99
Furniture and Furnishings
1,205 76
Fuel
2,420 56
Insurance
127 50
Water
271 28
Printing
149 75
Express, freight and hauling
282 0I
Total expenditures for fiscal year .
Balance on hand February 1, 1909,
33,058 24
$2,857 40
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
New Farms School Building.
Appropriation
· $7,000 00
Received for old building
150 00
$7,150 00
W. W. Brooks & Co. contract, exclusive of heating plant and blasting · $5,700 00
W. W. Brooks, blasting, ·
626 00
W. W. Brooks & Co., extra work,
boiler pit. ·
64 14
Charles V. Burgess, architect
324 35
Nichols & Drown, heating · · 668 95
7,383 44
Overdrawn
$233 46
High School Laboratories and Alterations.
Appropriation $3,000 00
Harry E. Hardy, contract . $1,685 00
Harry E. Hardy, alterations, etc.
655 57
A. L. Bemis, laboratory equipment 440 00
Charles V. Burgess, architect
·
137 67
2,918 24
Balance unexpended
$81 76
General Repairs.
Appropriation
$1,450 00
James E. Phillips, painting Essex street school
$129 92
George Avey and Letts for cleaning walls of rooms in Essex, Redington and Beach schools preparatory to painting, James Ryan, Clarke school drain . ·
41 00
34 93
Amount carried forward, $205 85
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
Amount brought forward, $205 85
Charles G. Rowell, Essex street chimney repairs .
61 44
James T. Lyons, bulkhead Redington school
17 00
H. W. Wardwell, general work 31 00
Sampson & Allen, electric work, Clarke school 16 83
Gilbert Delano, repairs and alterations at Phillips, Redington, Clarke, Essex street and the Beach school buildings, James E. Phillips, painting Redington school .
408 49
George H. Lampard, interior painting at the Redington, Essex and Beach school buildings .
204 27
26 69
George I. Blake, painting and varnishing, W. F. Embree & Co., making and installing ash hoist, repairing boilers and changing shafting at the Phillips school building .
229 16
Union Paint & Varnish Co., paint . ·
98 54
1,449 96
Balance unexpended 04
Manual Training Department.
Gift of Henry B. Sprague to town .
$1,200 00
F. B. Reed Co., four lathes
·
$232 00
Chandler & Barber, tool outfit
153 00
A. L. Bemis, twelve benches .
240 00
W. F. Embree & Co., shafting Kenney Bros. & Wolkins, chairs J. B. Hunter & Co. ·
125 00
33 00
7 16
Amount carried forward,
$790 16
150 69
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
Amount brought forward, $790 16
Milton, Bradley Co., 12 drawing
tables . ·
115 20
Henry B. Sprague, motor and wiring
87 70
A. L. Bemis, three benches . 60 00
A. J. Wilkinson, tools and supplies
59 17
Chandler & Barber, supplies . 19 97
Milton, Bradley Co.,6 drawing tables,
57 60
$1, 189 80
Balance unexpended February 1, 1909, $10 20
ARTHUR W. STUBBS,
Secretary.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of the Town of Swampscott :
My third Annual Report for the fiscal year ending January I, 1909, is herewith presented for your consideration.
January 1, 1908 our schools, not including the high school, were seated in twenty-one rooms with an average of 39 pupils to each room. September 14, 1908, the same number of rooms were occupied with an average of 41 pupils in each room. The increased attendance at the high school required more room for the work in that building, thereby necessitating the removal of the sixth grade to the Redington street building and the seventh grade to the Beach building. .
The new building in the Farm district has been occupied by the primary pupils of that district and the Beach district, and even now is filled nearly to its maximum capacity. It is unfortu- nate for our school system that the Town has not in past years built more wisely in the construction of school buildings. Within the past four years, two new buildings have been erected ; but with this addition of nine rooms to our school accomodations, the question of another new building is forced upon us for im- mediate consideration. The Redington street building is, in its present condition a menace to good school work. It is unsani- tary, poorly arranged, too small, and dangerous in case of fire, when filled to its present capacity. A building erected to house four grades,-it is now occupied by six grades. No plan of re- pairs which can be conceived will remedy these conditions. The building is too old to justify repairing. There is then only one alternative-a new building-built not only to accommodate the present needs, but built large enough to meet the increased de-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
mands of the future. Next year the eighth grade class in the high school must move. The only logical place for it is at Red- ington street ; but with its present capacity that building cannot accommodate more pupils. By next year, our attendance will have increased enough to necessitate the transfer of extra pupils from Redington street to other schools, besides the rental of a room for the Phillips school eighth grade.
These conditions then must convince you and the people of the town that a new building is needed at Redington street. My recommendation would be for a building of twelve to sixteen rooms with an assembly hall suitable for all public exercises connected with the schools, besides rooms for the committee and Superintendent. I believe that the broad, generous and far- sighted policy of your townsmen will cause them to see the advis- ability of adopting such a recommendation from your committee.
It is doubtful if any other expenditure of money is so advan- tageously used to further the interests of the town materially, intellectually and morally, as in the erection of beautiful, well- equipped school buildings. Each new school becomes a center of civic pride and interest. A new impulse is given not only to school interests but to all other allied interests that go to build up the life of the town. A seat in a good school is the birthright of every boy and girl. This means more than at first appears. The growth of our school population since the construction of the Clarke school indicates that we shall need three extra rooms for every two years during the next decade. The policy of the town in the past and the increasing wealth and pride of the people, leave no doubt that these demands will be met.
Equipment.
The extensive repairs made last year at the High School have greatly improved the work, especially in the science and manual training departments. The present laboratory facilities in our High School are as good as can be found in any High School in the State. The wisdom of installing such an equipment already has shown itself in the high grade of work done in that depart- ment.
8
IO2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
The removal of the manual training plant to the old labora- tory building has not only improved the conditions for good work in that department, but has removed the disturbing noise of the lathes from close proximity to the High School class rooms. To put our High School building in condition to meet the growing demands of the work, two other changes need to be made at once. A room should be equipped for the work of the Commercial department. At present these classes are using the old office room which is too small to accommodate the number of pupils electing this work. At comparatively small expense, the room on the third floor, south of the assembly hall, could be fitted up to meet the needs of this department for many years. This will necessitate the removal of the drawing classes. To accommodade the latter, I recommend that the room at the north of the assembly hall be made into a drawing studio, and that drawers, lockers, cupboards and shelves be installed in which to place the drawing materials. Under the present con- ditions, there is no place to store the paper and utensils used by the drawing classes and as a result much of this costly material is lost to the school. A room properly equipped would avoid such a waste of material and at the same time it would greatly improve the nature of the work in ths department of the school.
Fire Drill.
During the year all the buildings have been equipped with fire gongs, and each month the teachers and pupils have practised the fire drill, so that the length of time required to get all pupils out of the buildings, safely, has been reduced to the minimum. In some of the buildings, as at Essex and Redington, the condi- tions are such as to demand the greatest care by the teachers to avoid injury should a fire occur. The superintendent has insisted that all locks on exits be kept in such a condition as to readily respond to use whenever occasion requires.
Teachers.
As is the teacher, so is the school. This is a maxim which every day of school work more firmly convinces me to be true.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
The teacher is the one vital necessity in the accomplishment of the great purpose for which our schools were established. A splendid building, however well equipped, does not constitute a school ; fill it with the best of the children of the community, and even then you do not have a school, probably nothing more than a mob. It becomes a school only when the teacher enters, and the kind of school it is to become depends upon the kind of teacher who takes charge. To all intents and purposes then, the teacher makes the school. If she be neat and 'cleanly in dress and personal appearance, the children will be inclined in the same direction ; if she have noble thoughts and lofty ideals, these will influence the character of her pupils; if she be kind and thoughtful for others, firm but fair, accurate in thought and word, earnest, enthusiastic, cheerful, loyal, encouraging, happy,-these all will find lodgement in the life and character of her children.
On the other hand the dissatisfied, grumbling, scolding, gossiping, irritable, fault-finding, pessimistic teacher always has a school which causes her and others a deal of trouble, and which makes little progress in its work, but which invariably reflects the characteristics of its teacher. Good, bad, or indifferent then, the teacher determines the character of the school over which she presides.
When an excellent teacher enters a school room, there enters a power for good, immeasuarably greater than that of all books and apparatus which it is possible to supply. Indeed these are useless without her. The one great problem then is that of supplying every school room with such a teacher. To the accomplishment of this nothing should stand in the way. Political favor, personal friendship, sympathy because of need, community preferment, none of these should constitute a just reason for placing a teacher in charge of children when a better teacher is available. In the selection of the teacher the children only should be considered.
There are two classes of teachers in every school system. One of these-the better class-we may call professional teach- ers. They love their work and put heart and soul into it. They aim at securing the attention and confidence of their pupils, and
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
after securing these, hold them. They stimulate effort on the part of their pupils and the work in their rooms goes on without friction. They do not expect all the pupils to toe the same line, but they recognize the weaknesses of some and the mental vigor of others, giving all just consideration. Their schools are al- ways in the best of spirits, and consequently their pupils do ex- cellent work. Ninety per cent of their pupils pass because they feel that failure would be a reflection on themselves as well as their teacher. They never humiliate a pupil in the presence of his classmates, but always are just with all. They are always eager to help each member of their class and each pupil knows this without being told. In a word, the professional teacher finds out what each child knows, not what he does not know, and begins at that point. She knows the "point of contact'' between the known and the unknown in every one of her pupils.
The other class comprises those who regard teaching as a task, who enter the profession until some more congenial occupation is open to them. Such teachers' work is mechanical, unattract- ive to them, poorly done, and often barren of good results. As our writer puts it, such teaching is "an effort to pour into a reluctant mind some unintelligible bit of cipher knowledge and to cook it down by punishment. It disagrees, it ferments, the cork flies out, the noxious stuff is spilt; but the taskmaster be- lieves it is all right because of the effort he made to get it in."
Teachers of this latter class we do not want, only the wide- awake, energetic inspiring, professional teacher is worthy of a place in our schools. Such teachers are hard to find and are difficult to secure because their services are always in demand, and that, too, where remuneration is greatest. Our salaries then must be high enough to enable us to draw to our schools the best teachers from the best schools, and to prevent the best schools from taking our best teachers. It is urgently necessary therefore that our salaries be made sufficiently high to attract and keep in our service only the best teachers.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
Course of Study.
The new course of study is ready to be put into the hands of the printer, and with a copy of it in the hands of each teacher, I am sure that better results will be obtained in scholarship and gradation. The new course will include outlines in Reading, Arithmetic, Geography, Spelling, Language, Physiology, His- tory, Nature Work, Literature, Music and Drawing. I feel especially indebted to the teachers for their invaluable assistance in completing this work which required a vast amount of time and effort on the part of all concerned in its production.
Mothers' Club.
Last fall, this new organization came into existence, and its efforts are pledged to the improvement of our schools, by bring- ing teachers and parents into closer relationship, and by the im- provement of conditions in those homes where parental guidance of children is lacking. Under the wise direction of Mrs. Arthur Widger, the Mothers' Club is already making its usefulness felt, not only in our schools, but in the whole town. Several in- structive lectures have been given during the year, and in addi- tion the club at each meeting discusses some phase of school life which is of direct interest both to teachers and parents. I look for even more helpful results from the efforts of this organization of the mothers of our boys and girls. Some of these results I may mention here : the encouragement of regular attendance and home study ; easier discipline in the school-room; a better un- derstanding by the teacher of the child and his home life ; a bet- ter understanding by the parents of the school and its problems ; mutual interest and helpfulness between the home and the school.
Recommendations.
The liberal policy of the committee in providing material equipment for our schools has contributed much toward the improvement of the work. This is especially true in the matter of text books. There is still one department of our work, Read- ing, in which many of the books have outlived their usefulness.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
I have made out a list of new books in Reading which will be submitted to you for adoption, with the recommendation that future purchases be made from this list with the view to replace old text books with new and better ones.
Last year, I recommended to the committee the advisability of engaging the services of a permanent substitute, who could be employed when not substituting, in helping backward pupils in those buildings where crowded conditions prevent teachers from doing individual work. Not only would such a teacher greatly help to raise the standard of scholarship among the backward pupils, but she would greatly minimize the loss now incurred by hiring substitutes from among unemployed teachers. I hope the committee will be able to furnish me with such a teacher at once.
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