USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1913 > Part 12
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New High School.
The need for prompt action relative to a new building for the High School or the enlarging of the old is upon us. The pres- ent building was built several years ago to accommodate two hundred and twenty-five pupils. In February, there will be two hundred and sixty pupils. Each room is filled beyond its seating capacity. We have been driven to putting seats in the Teachers' Retiring Room. The graduating class next June will about equal the class now entering. Next September, we must find accommodations for two hundred and seventy-five pupils. Any expense we may go to in fitting up temporary quarters is money wasted, and is only putting off the time when we must have a new building. It would be wise for us to think seriously of this matter now, because if the rapid growth of the Town continues, it will be not more than five years before we must consider the erection of a new grammar school building.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Revision of Rules and Regulations.
For a long time the school system of Swampscott has been running without any scheme of rules and regulations. Such looseness works well in a small system where the administration comes closely in touch with the School Committee at all points. Our system is no longer small. The centralization of all expen- ditures should be made. Books should be adopted for a definite period. There should be a regular procedure in the election or dismissal of teachers. Expenditures for supplies, etc., should be placed on some equitable basis. Duties of the various school officers should be clearly outlined.
Dental Inspection.
In December it was voted to have Dental Inspection in our schools, and Dr. L. S. Austin was elected School Dentist. He was not able to take up the work early enough, so as to make a report.
Summary.
Summing up the work for the past year, I would say that we have made great strides educationally. Our present teaching corps is second to none. I say this without the least hesitation. The grading (eight grades in the elementary school and four in the high) has been put in keeping with the general trend through- out the country. The High School course has been made more flexible. The training of the hand has been introduced into the grades. Dental inspection has become a part of the work of medical inspection.
Looking forward, I would urge you to consider several new topics, the introduction of cooking into the grades and High School, the revision of the rules and regulations, the revision of the course of study and most important of all, the providing of new quarters for the High School.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the committee, the principals, and teachers for their co-operation and advice.
Respectfully submitted.
ELDRIDGE SMITH.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
Report of Principal of High School.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I herewith respectfully submit my seventh annual report of the Swampscott High School :
The School.
The total enrollment since September, 1913, has been 240, compared with 245 of a year ago. This slight falling off in attendance is due to the fact that the entering class in September was very small. When the mid-year class is admitted in Feb- ruary the membership will be about 265. The problem of caring for this number in our present school building can be met in only a very unsatisfactory manner. The seating capacity of the building, as remodeled to conform with High School conditions, is only 245. In order to accommodate the increased attendance in February, extra desks must be crowded into the already well-filled class rooms. Classes must be held the greater part of the time in the Physical Laboratory. The small room which was formerly the Principal's office, and the room used for the teachers' dressing room must be devoted to recitation rooms. These two rooms are small, poorly heated and are abso- lutely without ventilation.
The school has outgrown the existing building in its present condition. In September, 1914, the enrollment will be about 280, and in February, 1915, it will reach about 325. Provision should be made at once so that additional class rooms may be available in September. At least three or four rooms will be necessary then, and even this number will not make any pro- vision for the natural growth of the school beyond that time. Last year I called your attention not only to this need of addi- tional room, but I expressed the hope that some provision might be made for a school gymnasium. The present school hall is now used nearly every afternoon for basket ball by the girls of the High School and the boys of the grades. In addition, Mr. Frank Homan has a class of High School boys in athletics two evenings each week. The school needs a regular gymnasium, and it would fill a much needed want in our community.
166
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Teachers.
Several changes have occurred in the staff of teachers during the past year. In June, Miss Florence Young, teacher of Eng- lish, resigned to accept a similar position in the Lynn English High School at an increased salary. Miss Ruth Everett of the Great Barrington High School was secured to take charge of this work. Miss Minnie L. Shedd, teacher of French and Ger- man, resigned in June, and Miss Adeline E. Lewis of the High School in Somerset, was elected to fill her position. Mr. Merle G. Summers, who was in charge of Athletics and some of the work in History, also resigned at the close of the school year, in order to complete his work in the Harvard Law School. Mr.Gilbert C. Walker of Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N. H., was elected to succeed him The first class to enter the High School in February under the semi-annual promotion plan, will be admitted in a few weeks. In order to provide for the work of this class, and at the same time relieve some of the present teachers, who, for some time, have been carrying too heavy programs, two additional teachers must be secured.
Athletic Advisory Board.
In September an Athletic Advisory Board was appointed by the School Committee to have full supervision of School Athle- tics. Mr. John J. Blaney, Mr. Frank Homan, Mr. John R. Honors and Mr. C. Irving Lindsey were chosen along with the Principal and Sub-master of the High School and the Captains of the foot ball and base ball teams to constitute this committee. During the foot ball season just past these men, by their work and advice, have contributed greatly to the athletic and financial success of the team. For this coming year, it has seemed ad- visable to this committee to secure a regular athletic instructor, and already Mr. Charles Cuddy has been secured to take charge of coaching the base ball and foot ball teams of the High School, and also give some time to organizing and coaching athletic teams from the two grammar schools.
Prize Speaking Contest.
The annual Prize Speaking Contest for the Phillips Medals was held in the High School Hall on Friday Evening, May 23, 1913. Following the precedent of two years ago it was decided to select one person to act as sole judge of the contest. Prof. E. E. Watkins of Harvard University awarded the medals to Miss
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
Marion E. Dennis, 1915, and Joseph H. Doane, 1916. The second prizes, consisting of Longfellow's Poems, and Carlyle's Sartor Resartus were won by Miss Sally S. Pickering, 1917, and Mahlon G. Knowles, 1913.
Class Gift.
In accordance with the custom of past years, the Class of 1913 voted to give $50.00 for its Class Gift to the School. With this amount, the committee from the class purchased the following pictures :- "Alls Well" by Homer, "Landscape and Windmill" by Ruysdall, "Children of the Shell" by Murillo, "Angel with Lute" by Carpaccio, and the "Victory of Samothrace." The school is gradually securing a beautiful collection of pictures, and each graduating class may well look with pride upon the fact that it has contributed its part in helping to make the build- ing more attractive.
Conclusion.
The suceess of a school depends much upon the liberality of a community. It depends much more upon the earnestness and faithfulness of its teachers, but its ultimate success depends most of all upon the home, and co-operation of parents. To the parents is entrusted primarily the duty of teaching their sons and daughters honesty and obedience. Upon them rests the respon- sibility of teaching punctuality, of insisting that school lessons be prepared at home, and that school duties should be attended to before all outside pleasures and engagements.
In conclusion, I wish to extend to you my gratitude for your advice and assistance. To the members of the School Committee, I also wish to express my appreciation for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD W. LOKER.
Report of Supervisor of Drawing.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I respectfully submit the following report on the instruction of drawing for the year ending December 31, 1913 :
The general course of study is similar in most features to that developed last year.
168
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In the primary grades, exercises in construction, representa- tion, and illustration have been planned about different centers. The first grade has dealt with the home center, fairy stories and legends ; the second grade with community life, as methods of transportation, the grocer, farm life ; the third grade with prim- itive people, sports and stories.
The work of the fourth and fifth grades in representation was unusually strong this year. The ability to see proportion and relation of objects was well developed by cutting shapes of ob- jects from paper and arranging them to correspond with given groups. Good habits of work were formed by the use of paste- board easels. Nature drawing in the grammar grades has im- proved, the class work being steadier and more uniformly good.
The introduction of manual training in the eighth grade has made it advisable to introduce mechanical drawing into the sixth grade and enlarge the course in the seventh and eighth grades. This necessitates a division of the class in the two upper grades. The girls study freehand drawing, while the boys are having the mechanical.
In October, lessons in basketry were begun with the boys of the sixth and seventh grades in the Hadley school, and fifth and sixth grades in the Clarke school. The eagerness with which the boys take up the work makes the instruction most pleasant. The fifth grades in the Hadley school are studying elementary manual training; that is, the construction of objects from paper and pasteboard.
The pupils in the High School work well and seem interested. Owing to the number of divisions here, members from three and four classes are working together during some periods. This hampers the work, but I recognize that at present this is unavoid- able. In the freehand department we are giving greater emphasis to representation than in previous years.
The working schedule this year has been changed to meet the growth of the schools. At present two days are given to the High School and each grade is visited once in two weeks. With the semi-annual promotion a change will be necessary.
I recommend that more time be given to the seventh and eighth grades than to the first six. The reason for this is that the lower grade teachers do not need great technical skill. Drawing in the higher grades involves a knowledge of perspective in theory and practice ; that is, skill in drawing correctly without hesitation ; ability to make designs good in form, color and construction ; a working knowledge of mechanical drawing, a knowledge of
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
construction which shall serve as a complete guide to the work- man. Hence it can easily be seen that with the greater flexibility of the course in the upper grades over that of previous years, the supervisor can be of greatest use here.
The willingness and interest which the teachers show is highly commendable, and in conclusion, I wish to express my appreci- ation of their concientious work.
Respectfully submitted,
LULA M. DIX.
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
To Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-In presenting our annual report, we have about the same conditions as formerly. By the opening of the Hadley School, the work was made much more easy, both so far as les- sons and application were concerned, as well as time saved in going from one room to another.
The sixth grades have received the third book of the New Normal Music Course, and that has been the only important ad- dition to the material for the grades.
At the High School we have installed permanently the Laurel Song Book, C. C. Birchard, Publisher, thereby utilizing quite a number of copies that were on hand, but had not been used for a number of years, because there were not more than 50 per cent of the required number.
The course of study has been changed slightly, in the fourth grades, by deferring 2-part work to the latter part of the year, in mixed grades, and 4-A in the Hadley. Also having two first grades at the Hadley, gives, through the B-class, better prepar- ation for the work of the latter part of the year, as the little ones get more of an intuitive knowledge of the subjeet, by vocal ex- ercises, rote songs and primitive scale practice, which have a tendency to weed out the monotones.
The pupils of the public schools, have appeared in public for singing four times in the past year, viz ; before the Mothers' Club, James L. Bates Post, G. A. R., High School Graduation, and Eighth Grade Graduation, at which they, as usual, acquit- ted themselves most nobly and were a source of credit and pride to both parents and teachers.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
On the evening of January 31, 1913, upon invitation of the Mothers' Club of Swampscott, the Supervisor delivered a short lecture before them at the Hadley School Hall upon the subject of Music in the Public Schools.
Upon other occasions, such as graduations, etc., we generally have the higher grades do the work, so we decided this time to have the beginning and the middle, and so selected the first grade, Palmer, and fifth-A, Hadley to assist for demonstrating purposes, and to give the audience a good idea of primarily as an enter- tainment, yet, from the comments of those who were there, and the press notices, the entire affair received great praise, for the little people fairly bubbled over with enthusiasm, and did everything that the Supervisor asked them, and did it splendidly.
From the first grade we received rote songs, scale work, inter- val work, vocal exercises, etc., etc.
The fifth gave us songs and exercises in simple, medium, and intricate work through one, two and three part songs, bringing out all the different musical terms in actual practice.
Incidently, it was the very first public function of any descrip- tion to take place in the hall.
As is the usual custom, the G. A. R. visited the High School the Friday preceding Memorial Day, and the chorus assisted them with patriotic selections.
The splendid High School Chorus at the graduation exercises, sang Longfellow's "Building of the Ship", music by Henry Lahee. This is a fine musical work well worthy the immortal poet and gifted musician. In it we have choruses, solos, duets, trios, obligatos, in fact, every form of vocal music, and it was a real pleasure to direct it.
The graduation of the eighth grades at the Town Hall was given to a very crowded house, there being a number of people turned away. All the selections were rendered with the snap and vim characteristic of former years.
The musical numbers were : "Now The Day Is Over", Barnby, "Pirates' Chorus", Sullivan, "On Gallant Company," Becker, "Gypsy Song" arr. Page.
Yours respectfully,
EBEN F. RICHARDSON,
Supervisor of Music.
I71
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
Report of the Supervisor of Manual Training.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
Work in the manual training department of the schools has progressed very satisfactorily during the past year. Through action of the School Committee, manual training was introduced to the boys of the eighth grade last September, and three classes are now doing the work prescribed aside from the six classes in the High School. Three days a week are given to this instruc- tion and the results obtained reflect a great deal of credit on the boys engaged in the training, and demonstrate the value of developing the hand and eye of the pupils of the schools along mechanical lines.
In order to take the work into the grades it was necessary to purchase six more benches, which were added to the equipment already established at the High School where the work is carried on at present, both for the grade schools and the High School. The youngsters in the grades are indicating a large amount of enthusiasm for the work, and though they have engaged in it but for a short period are showing a considerable degree of skill. Three days a week are given to instruction in manual training, two for the High School and one for the grammar grades.
The High School pupils are doing excellent work, the advanced students now being capable of handling very intricate problems in wood work with a high degree of skill. The manual training instructor would be much pleased to receive visits to this department. Parents would find in it much to interest them and particularly so when the lathes are all in operation with the boys busily at work. To be sure the exhibi- tion at the end of the year shows the parents the results of the training, but they should take the time and trouble to see where and how the boys turn out the work. I want to thank the superintendent and the committee for their hearty cooperation in promoting the best interests of the department and hope to secure even better results during the ensuing year.
Yours very respectfully, S. PERRY CONGDON, Manual Training Instructor.
172
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the Supervisor of Domestic Science.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,- As instructor in Domestic Science, I submit my first annual report.
The recent installation of a course in Domestic Science in the Swampscott grammar schools, gave me the pleasure of organiz- ing the work along these lines. My time, thus far, has been spent with the sewing classes, the work in cooking being de- layed by the fact that the cooking room is not yet equipped. Instruction in sewing is given to the girls of the fifth, sixth, sev- enth and eighth grades at the Clarke and Hadley Schools. Owing to the fact that the pupils have had no previous instruc- tion, the work in various grades has been along the same lines, and includes practice of various stitches on samples and making of simple articles, as bags, towels, etc. The course will also include simple decorative stitches, patching, darning, construc- tion of buttonholes, and cutting and construction of such articles as can be successfully handled in the regular class room. One hour and a half each week is devoted to sewing in the eighth grades and one hour in the three lower grades. Home work is encouraged.
Much more work could be accomplished and better results obtained with the use of a sewing room, equipped with tables and chairs at least, and if possible with sewing machines for use in the higher grades.
The girls are enthusiastic in the new work, and as the course progresses and new facilities are offered, there is reason to be- lieve that a Department of Domestic Science will be one of the many advantages offered in the Swampscott schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE J. BALLARD.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
Report of the Medical Inspectors.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit to you my annual report for the inspection of the Hadley School. For such a large school, the past year has been a very healthy one. During the late fall, there were a few cases of scarlet fever, but nothing of an epidemic character. With the assistance of the other school inspectors of the town, the school was carefully examined each day for over a week, and any suspicious case was excluded for 24 or 36 hours until all positive signs were gone. The eyes and ears of all pupils were examined as required by State Law, and with few exceptions, all cases requiring glasses were equipped with such. I have made several visits to pupils at their homes following complaints of illness. In all such cases, I have been received in a good spirit.
Eye and ear test, total number examined 489
Eye defective not wearing glasses for correction
I2
Ears defective
Diseases.
Pediculoses Capitis
16
Imea Irrchophytina (Ring Worm)
2
Pertussis
8
Scarlet Fever
I
Impetigo Contagiosa
6
Tonsilitis (Acuta)
I
Conjunctivitis
3
Urticarea
I
Adenoids
56
Enlarged Tonsils
60
Adenitis (Cerricle)
I
Bronchitis (Acuta)
I
Eczema Chronic of Hands
I
Hip Disease
I
The teeth of a large majority of the pupils are defective and should be attended to at once by a competent dental inspector and treatment advised, for defective teeth, are in many instances, the starting foci of some contagion or infectious disease.
Very respectfully,
HOWARD K. GLIDDEN, M. D.
4
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR, - I hereby submit the following report as medical inspector of the Clarke School for the year ending Dec. 31, 1913. I have visited the school weekly, and at such other times as have been necessary. I have had occasion to exclude from the school only six children, five of these on suspicion that they might de- velop scarlet fever, and one on account of eczema of the scalp, to which the parents would not give proper attention.
Fortunately, I have not discovered any disease or affection of the children in school except the above mentioned. I have visi- ted the homes of two children, in both cases on suspicion that they might be suffering from some contagious disease. In nei- ther case did that prove to be true. Contagious diseases have been more prevalent about town this year, than for some time, and I feel sure that the careful and regular school inspection has done very much toward preventing a wide spread epidemic.
Very truly yours, LORING GRIMES, M. D.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-As Medical Inspector, I have made weekly visits and carried out the necessary examinations at the Machon School. The pupils have been above the average in health, and no epi- demic of any kind has prevailed. A few cases of Pediculi and Impetigo have appeared sporadically, but have been given imme- diate attention. Two cases of Scarlet Fever were reported from pupils at the school, but the cases were in no way associated.
Respectfully submitted,
H. M. LOWD, M. D.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-Herewith I submit my report for the High and Palmer Schools for the year ending December 31, 1913.
The following cases of disease have been found :
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
Pediculosis Capitis
.
·
2
Impetigo Contagiosa
.
4
Ringworm
.
I
Trachoma .
.
I
Measles
.
8
Enlarged Tonsils
.
2
In addition to the visits to the schools, a number of visits to homes have been made.
Yours respectfully,
R. E. BICKNELL, M. D.
Report of the Truant Officer.
Mr. Eldridge Smith, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I beg leave to submit the following report as Truant Officer for the Town of Swampscott for the year ending December 31, 1913 :
Whole number of complaints . 163 ·
Calls made in investigating the same
·
307
Letters written in regard to the same II
Cases of truancy .
5
Second offences
·
2
Cases of absence for trivial excuses . . 97
Absence is due largely by reason of the parents keeping the children out of school to assist in work at home, and also by allowing them to stay at home simply for the reason that they do not want to go to school for a session or so. During the past year your Truant Officer has assisted in the investigation and prosecution of three cases of neglected children. In one case the parents were given a chance to do better. In a second case the children were given over to the charge of the state, and in the third case the parents and children were discharged, only to be brought in again a little later and then turned over to the state.
Respectfully submitted,
A. F. FRAZIER,
Truant Officer.
176
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
GRADUATION EXERCISES
OF THE
Clarke and Hadley Grammar Schools
TOWN HALL, SWAMPSCOTT, MASS.
Thursday Evening, June 26, 1913
AT 7.45 O'CLOCK
Order of Erercises.
INVOCATION
Rev. John Vannevar, D. D.
"Now the Day is Over" . Barnby Chorus
Alexander Hamilton Sullivan
Dorothy Streamberg
Pirates' Chorus
Chorus
RECITATION - "Webster's Reply to Hayne" . Thomas Austin Knowlton
"Patriot's Prayer"
Chorus Grieg
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1913]
KANSAS-NEBRASKA BILL AND THE SLAVERY CRISIS,
A regular class-room exercise prepared and given by a group of boys of the Hadley School, who have been working out to- gether the history lessons during the year.
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