USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1909 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16
I have repaired the Locke Damper Regulator by putting in a new improved valve.
I have piped the jacket return to the Blake Pump with all brass pipe.
I have also made various other small repairs.
From my measurements I find that Great Pond was at its greatest height on March 26, April 2, 16, 23 ; it being at that time one inch above high water mark, and at its lowest point on November 5 and November 19, it being at that time forty-one inches below high water.
Respectfully yours,
GEORGE W. SARGENT.
RECORD OF BLAKE PUMPING ENGINE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1908
MONTHS.
Separate Days Pumping.
Number Hours Pumping.
Average Number Hours
Total Number Revolutions
Total Number of Gallons
Average Dynamic Head
Against Pump.
Hot Well.
Screenings
Raising Steam, Bank-
ing Fires and Heat- ing Building.
Pumping.
Total Coal.
Ashes.
No. Gallons Pumped per
ib. of Coal on Total Coal.
lb. of Coal while Pump- No. Gallons Pumped per
Average Duty in Foot lbs.
per 100 lbs. Coal on Total
Average Duty in Foot lbs.
per 100 lbs. Coal while Pumping.
January .. ...
15
64 15
4 17
Rev. 121,666
Gals. 4,257,960
Ft. 146
o 94°
Lbs. 4,124
Lbs. 3,795
Lbs. 14,827
Lbs. 18,622
Lbs. 3,140
Gals. 228
Gals. 287
Ft. Lbs. Ft. Lbs. 27.841.592 34,967,710
February ...
14
60 12
4 18
118,871
4,160,845
146
95°
2,964
3,770
15,091
18,861
2,814
220
269
26,859,514 33,569,233
March .
16
71 00
4 26
141,262
4,944,170
146
93º
4,186
4,330
18,252
3,483
219
270
26,659,370
32,983,887
April ..
15
63 30
4 14
124,543
4,359,005
148
107º
270
4,036
13,780
2,690
244
316
30,199,859
39,045,116
May ....
12
54 45
4 33
112,477
3.936,695
146
108°
2,978
12,688
15,666
2,176
251
310
30,504,131
37,553,415
June ...
15
112 40
7 30
246,731
8,635,585
146
117º
4,179
3,331
24.500
27,831
3,083
310
352
37,781,731
42,918,504
July. .
28
178 40
8
22
371,558
13,004,530
141
114º
9,471
3,828
36,483
5,267
322
359
37,936,411
41,507,333
August ... . ..
28
164 15
5 51
322,361
11,282,635
138
109°
9,148
4,213
34,143
5,216
294
334
33,854,964
38,032,423
September. .
October .....
31
148 00
4 46
295,919
10,357,156
148
94º
11,247
7,872
39,612
47.484
8,530
218
261
26,924,209 32,273,279
November ..
15
73 25
4 52
142,597
4,990,895
147-
96°
5.902
3,820
19,248
23,068
4,223
226
259
26,524,778
31,788,944
December ...
16
73 55
4 30
146,980
5,144,300
147
84º
6,614
3,944
19,658
23,602
4,688
218
261
26,721,497 32,082,652
Totals and averages.
205
1064 37
5 11
2,144,955
75,073,425
145
101º
58,105
45,917
248,282
294,199
45.310
255
302
30,858,803
36,565,797
-
..
... ...
.
.
..
H. M.
H. M.
Pumping.
per Month.
Pumped per Month.
Average Temperature of
COAL CONSUMED.
ing.
Coal.
22,582 17.816
40,311 38,356
.
274
RECORD OF DEANE PUMPING ENGINE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1909
MONTIIS.
Separate Days Pumping.
Number Hours Pumping.
Average Number Hours
Total Number Revolutions
Pumped per Montlı. Total Number of Gallons
Average Dynamic Head
Against Pump.
Water.
Screenings.
Raising Steam, Bank-
ing Fires and Heat-
ing Building.
Pumping.
Total Coal.
Ashes.
lb. of Coal on Total Coal. No. Gallons Pumped per
lb. of Coal while Pump- No. Gallons Pumped per
Average Duty in Foot
Average Duty in Foot
Pounds per 100 Pounds
of Coal while Pumping.
January .. ...
16
66 10
H. M. 4 08
Rev. 128,037
Gais. 4,481,295
147
89º
Lbs 4,272
Lbs. 3,897
Lbs. 15,718
Lbs. 19,615
Lbs. 2,513
Gals. 228
Gals. 285
Ft. Lbs. 28,014,133 34,953,378 Ft. Lbs.
February ....
14
60 05
4 17
120,671
4,223,485
147
94º
4,090
3,694
17,883
2,910
235
295
28,954,359]
36,485,362
March . ..
15
69 54
4 19
124,009
4,340,315
148
84°
3,908
4,004
19,828
3,162
218
274
27,019,102 33,855,773
April
15
63 50
4 15
124 942
4,372,970
146
97º
3,410
4,108
19,420
3,137
225
285
27,418,581 34,774,612
May ...
..
19
82 45
4 21
167,348
5,857,180
147
110°
4,754
19,116
23,870
3,577
245
306
30,082,888 37,564,267
June ..
.
23
94 35
4 06
197,413
6,909,455
145
109°
4,299
22,313
26,612
3,342
259
308
31,397,880 37,447,245
July . ..
..
28
166 55
5 57
345,187
12,081,545
141
115°
4,010
33,891 30,252 37,927
37,901 33,669 45,525
5,307
316
352
38,813,076
43,197,059
September ..
30
158 20
5 16
324,086
11,343,010
149
105°
11.246
7.598
6,984
249
299
30,962,119 37,164,829
October .....
November ..
15
70 35
4 42
143,893
5.036,430
150
91°
5,756
3,644
19,932
4,104
213
252
26,724,525 31,610,344
December ..
15
69 25
4 37
133,946
4,688.110
149
89º
6,406
3,622
19,292
23,576 22,914
4,308
203
243
25,424,272 30,197,578
Totals and averages.
212
1049 14
4 57
2,114,086
73,993,010
147
104º
60,156
47,047
243,766
290,813
44,228
254
303
31,193,223 36,803,266
0
Ft.
Average Temperature of
COAL CONSUMED.
Pumping.
per Month.
ing.
lbs. per 100 ibs. Coal on
Total Coal.
38,012,643 41,920,486
August ... . .
22
146 40
6 40
304,549
10.659,215
147
162°
8,036
3,417
14,189 15,824 15,312
4,215 # 8,787
4,884
315
356
275
.
H. M.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WEYMOUTH
I 909.
GAZETTE PUBLISHING COMPANY, WEYMOUTH, MASS : 1910.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Term Expires
Thomas V. Nash, Chairman
March, 1912
John F. Reardon, Secretary
. F. H. Torrey . . March, 1912
March, 1911
.
Eugene M. Carter ·
March, 1911
H. F. Perry .
March, 1910
Louis A. Cook
March, 1910
Regular meetings of the Committee are held the first Tuesday in each month at the Selectmen's Room, East Weymouth.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Parker T. Pearson. Office hours : Tuesday at close of school, Jefferson. Wednesday at close of school, Howe. Thursday at close of school, Hunt. Monday, Tuesday. Friday, 4.30 P. M. to 5.30 P. M., at home 511 Commercial Street, East Weymouth.
SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Winter term closes March 18, 1910. Spring term begins March 28, 1910, closes June 24, 1910. Fall term begins September 6, 1910, closes December 23, 1910. Winter term begins January 2, 1911, closes March 17, 1911.
HOLIDAYS.
Washington's Birthday, Patriots Day, Memorial Day, June 17, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Friday following.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2-2.
At 7.30 A. M. no school in any school during A. M. At 8 A. M. no school in grades I -IV inclusive. At 11.45 A. M. no school in grades I-IV inclusive during the P. M. At 12.45 p. M. no school in any grade during the P. M.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
The School Committee herewith submits for your consideration its annual report for the year ending December 31st, 1909, in- cluding the following statement of our finances on January 1st, 1910 :
RESOURCES.
Balance unexpended January 1, 1909 $16,441 85
Appropriation March 8, 1909 .
60,500 00
One- half dog license money
689 45
Tuition of state children .
80 00
Supplies and tickets sold
46 60
Fines for damages .
11 30
Total
$77,769 20
EXPENDITURES
Superintendent
$2,000 00
Instructors
37,713 13
Janitors
4,572 64
Fuel
4,332 85
Repairs .
2,952 57
Water rent
333 00
Supplies
5,451 96
Miscellaneous
608 58
· Transportation of pupils
2,215 00
Total
$60,179 73
Balance unexpended Dec. 31, 1909 $17,589 47
In accordance with the recommendation of the Board in its last report and the vote passed by the citizens of the town at the annual March meeting the increase of teachers' salaries from the first to the eighth grade inclusive became operative with the com- mencement of school in September, upon a graded salary system with a minimum of $450 for the first year, $500 for the second year, and a maximum salary of $550 thereafter. As stated in last year's report this will necessitate the additional appropriation of $2,500 increase for teachers' salaries.
4
Superintendent of Schools Abner A. Badger, after a little more than three years' service in this town, resigned in February, his resignation to take effect on May 1st. During Superintendent Badger's occupancy of this office, we feel the schools of Weymouth have maintained their former position in educational work and advancement. Upon the knowledge of the vacancy to occur, there were about forty applicants for the position. The Board selected Parker T. Pearson of Warren, Massachusetts, at a salary of $1,800. In his one year's incumbency as superintendent the Board are unanimously of the opinion that his work has been very effective and that we have an extremely strong man at the head of our school system.
During the year we have abolished the system of the vertical style of hand writing and have installed in its place a system of slant writing, taught by the leading Business Colleges, that will meet the demand for good hand writing made by the business men.
In Ward Five the Board made quite an outlay on the school buildings. The Howe was shingled and painted and repairs made in the interior of the building. At the Bates some much needed adjustable seats were added. A worn-out floor was relaid in one room, a teacher's room constructed and furnished with modern sanitary arrangements. These buildings are a source of constant expenditure to render them fit for school purposes. In this ward at the present time we are cramped for. school room. At the taking of the last school census only two wards in town (the two in South Weymouth) maintained an increase in the school popu- lation over that of a year ago. The gain in Ward Four being small, while in Ward Five the increase was more marked. Here we face a problem which must be solved next September. The eighth and ninth grades of Ward Five are combined under the principal of the Bates School, he at present having about forty- five pupils in his room. This combination will be impossible next year, for the present eighth grade added to the incoming eighth grade of next year would mean about seventy-five pupils, which would be an impossibility either for the room to accommodate or for one teacher to assume supervision over.
In Ward Three the appearance of the interior of the Tufts School has been much improved by the tinting of the walls. In the Lincoln a furnace has been installed supplanting the stoves formerly in use in this building.
5
In Ward Two, or Precincts Two and Six, we have the same un- occupied school buildings as one year ago, viz. : The Bicknell and Franklin schools. It seems well to call the especial attention of the voters to this idle property. It is a continual care and some expense, but only such work is done as is necessary to keep the buildings weather tight and from decay.
It was also found advisable to close one room in the Washing- ton building, and here is saved the salary of one teacher. The result is that we have seven closed rooms in this district and eight new ones in the Humphrey building, in their stead.
We employ only one more grade teacher in this ward than was employed previous to the erection of the Humphrey building ; one less than a year ago and two less than two years ago. Although the school registration shows a slight increase, there is no con- gestion.
It is probable that the roof of the Washington building will require shingling before another winter, and other than this the repairs here will be light.
We respectfully submit the following estimate for school ex- penditure for ihe ensuing year :
Teachers' salaries
$41,500 00
Superintendent
2,000 00
Janitors and cleaning
.
4,500 00
Supplies
4,000 00
Fuel
4,600 00
Repairs .
3,500 00
Transportation
2,000 00
Miscellaneous
500 00
Water tax
400 00
Total
$63,000 00
Respectfully submitted, THOMAS V. NASH,
JOHN F. REARDON, H. FRANKLIN PERRY,
LOUIS A. COOK, EUGENE M. CARTER,
FRANK H. TORREY.
EAST WEYMOUTH, MASS., Dec. 31, 1909.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Members of the School Committee :
I herewith submit my first annual report, the same being the twenty-fourth in the series of annual reports of the superin- tendents of this town.
Hugo Munsterburg, in his book entitled " American Traits," mentions the case of the young German who travelling in this country for the first time made his diary in the form of a ledger, entering those impressions which were favorable on the credit side and those which were unfavorable on the debit. The first impressions of the superintendent of schools who begins his work in any community would probably make interesting reading to those most vitally concerned, but I doubt if such impressions would add materially to his comfort or reputation as an observer, if they were all made public. Even after the large fraction of the year that I have been here I still find it necessary to con- stantly revise my first impressions concerning the needs and condition of the school system.
We speak often concerning the great loss suffered by the schools through the constant change in personnel of the teaching force, and yet, I believe a greater loss is incurred through a fre- quent change of superintendents. A change which may mean a modification of the entire previous policy of the school system. People do not agree on the ordinary routine matters of life and there is an even wider diversity of opinion, than one would believe possible, concerning the best methods of school management and control. For some reason the superintendent is supposed to have a particular subject on which he places his emphasis. I well remember in my first superintendency a teacher came to me and frankly asked that I name my particular " fad " so she could pre- pare herself accordingly. Since that time I have tried to have my " fads " as broad as the school curriculum, placing emphasis on certain subjects according as the zeal of the teachers or pupils may wane, or the trend of educational movements may suggest.
7
Possibly my particular endeavor since I have been here has been to improve the penmanship of the pupils. I found that whereas the vertical system was supposed to be taught, yet the ac- tual writing of the pupils varied through all the different degrees of angularity from back-hand to right-slant. It is always rather a serious matter to change the style of writing, particularly after a pupil has become experienced in a certain system, but it has been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Vertical System of writing although legible has very little commercial value, and has produced a generation of slow, cramped penmen. The Business Colleges have never used it, declaring that its principles violated nearly every rule of calligraphy. In writing its obituary, we are compelled to place its almost universal adoption among those movements which have been hailed as a panacea, but which have proved an injury rather than a blessing.
The Palmer System may not be better than others of a similar type, but it has many points that appeal to a superintendent. It is a reversion to an old type, in that it places stress on movement exercises as a means to speed. Some do not believe in the value of these and one superintendent has wittily said that movement exercises bear the same relation to writing that shivering on a log bears to actual swimming. From the standpoint of economy the system is a great improvement over the old. No copy books are required and the manuals are guaranteed to last from three to five years under ordinary usage.
Shortly after the opening of the fall term, the Committee re- ceived a letter from the President of the Old Colony Club stating that the members of that organization, and of the Monday Club, were willing to furnish a series of lessons in sewing to the girls of the eighth and ninth grades. This proposal was gladly accepted by the Committee and a course of twenty lessons was arranged under the direction of a teacher employed by the two clubs. The work is proceeding very smoothly under the able guidance of Miss Sanger, who has had extensive experience in conducting classes of this description. The pupils have shown an interest and enthusiasm which has thoroughly warranted the considerable ontlay of time and money of the ladies of the two organizations. It is hoped that this course, somewhat extended and embellished, may be made a part of the regular work during the coming year.
8
In order to bring the classes within the time limit for which the teacher is paid, it has been necessary to unite the girls of the Shaw and the Hunt in one class and those of the Athens and James Humphrey in another. This makes rather large classes for good work, but seems to be the best arrangement possible.
During the time that the girls are having their sewing, the boys are given wood work under the direction of the principals. The Pratt School is already equipped with benches for such work. The benches which were formerly in the basement of the library at South Weymouth, through the courtesy of their owner, were re- moved to the basement of the Bates, where electric lights have been installed and sufficient floor space prepared for their occupancy. The other schools have been given simple knife work. This form of training although inexpensive has proved of much value to the boys. It has quickened their interest in draw- ing and has shown far better than any amount of oral instruction the necessity for great care and accuracy in all work of this description. A mechanical drawing is a dreary object until it is brought to life under the keen, cutting edge of a good tool.
The knife work should be placed in the fifth and sixth grades, and all the boys of the upper grades should be given bench work as soon as possible.
The High School still continues to give excellent results under the able management of Mr. Sampson. The membership steadily increases and from all indications will continue to increase. The class to be graduated in the spring will probably be the largest in the history of the school. The privilege of sending students to college by certificate has been extended for another three year period, to Dec. 31, 1912.
In addition to those who are enrolled in the professional schools connected with Harvard, Tufts and the University of Vermont there are at present forty-one graduates of the Weymouth High School attending fourteen different colleges and five different normal schools, distributed as follows : Amherst (1), Brown (1), Dartmouth (2), Tufts (2), Boston College (1), Boston University (3), Massachussetts Agricultural College (2), Radcliffe (1). Simmons (1), Mt. Holyoke (4), University of Wisconsin (1), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (5), Smith (1), Wellesley (1), Boston Normal (1), Salem Normal (1), Massachusetts Normal Art (3), Framingham Normal (1), and Bridgewater Normal (9).
9
Sixteen of the present senior class are preparing for entrance to college or normal school next fall.
During the summer special tables were prepared for the use of the classes in drawing. These were placed in the gymnasium and all the work in drawing is done in that part of the building at present. The tables have to be taken down and stored away while the gymnasium is being used for athletic purposes. The growth of the school has made it impossible to longer use one of the regular recitation rooms for the drawing classes.
It will be necessary to have an additional teacher in the school next year. The English Department is running on three periods a week and this condition must be remedied if we wish to keep the school up to standard.
A reference to the reports of the last few years shows that the condition of the school grounds has been a subject for your con- sideration. I doubt if it would be feasible to attempt to carry out at present the rather elaborate plans which have been prepared, but the expenditure of the money which has already been secured for the improvement of the grounds would do considerable grad- ing and would at least cause two blades of grass to grow where one maintains a scanty existence.
I am glad to state that there has been no decrease in the interest shown by the children in the Penny Savings system as maintained by the Monday Club. The number of bank books issued has increased from 161 last year to 301 this year. Of those who have bank books, twenty-five deposit regularly each month and two hundred nearly every month. The total deposit has increased from about $1600 last year to about $2800 this year. The Athens School still maintains lead in total largest deposit for the build- ing and in the two largest single deposits. The Howe School has the second largest total deposit for a single building. It is rather interesting to note that the most of the savings come from the pupils in the first four grades. Above the fifth grade the amount received from the children steadily diminishes. For the benefit of those who desire information concerning the system, perhaps it would be well to reprint the following regulations.
REGULATIONS.
Deposits of one cent or more will be received every school day by the teacher of each class. The amount will be delivered to the treasurer, who will deposit the same in the Savings Bank.
10
Deposits must be made by attaching stamps to the deposit card at the school where the stamps are bought.
No sum less than the amount represented by all the stamps at- tached to one card can be withdrawn.
When a pupil has a deposit of three dollars. the bank will issue a bank book in his name, and from that time his deposit will draw interest.
Deposits should be withdrawn only in case of necessity-in case of sickness or removal from town. All withdrawals must be made through the treasurer, and at request of the parent or guardian of the pupil who withdraws money.
When a depositor graduates or leaves the school he will be given his bank book or the money due him.
" The habit of saving is an essential part of the true practical education."
Depositors are requested to keep this card clean, and bring it to school whenever depositing or withdrawing money.
From the eye and ear tests given by the teachers during the month of September, we get the following results :
Number of pupils examined
Number found defective in eyesight , 1637
215
Number found defective in hearing .
55
Number of parents or guardians notified
197
Per cent. found having defective eyesight Per cent. found having defective hearing
13+
·
3++
The above tests show the work which is required of the teachers according to law and the results obtained under the tests. The parents of those found to be defective either in eyesight or hear- ing are notified and the pupils themselves are favored in every way possible in their school work.
One of our most pressing needs is a more systematic medical inspection. The method used at present is inadequate and needs to be improved. Physicians should be appointed to make weekly visits to the buildings for consultation with the teachers concern- ing cases which may arise The physicians should also be subject to call in case of emergency.
At the opening of the fall term many children were found, even in the upper grades, who had not been vaccinated. After con- siderable delay, the most of these cases were attended to, some received certificates from physicians stating that they were not in
11
a fit condition to be vaccinated. To avoid needless interruption of the school work, I recommend that notices be posted next fall, before the opening of the schools, reminding parents of the necessity, according to law, of having their children vaccinated and stating that no child will be permitted to enter school, unless satisfactory proof of vaccination or a certificate from a physician can be produced.
Some misunderstanding has arisen several times during the year concerning the blowing of the no school signal. It is a diffi- cult matter to determine just when the no school signal should be blown. I believe it should be blown for the children of the first four grades much more often than for the children of the upper grades. In warm rain storms with little wind, or in light snow storms I believe it is unnecessary to blow the no school signal for the upper grades.
By a re-arrangement of the pupils in the Wards II and III, the teaching force has been reduced by two, resulting in a saving of nearly one thousand dollars. This, together with the amount saved by hiring thirteen new teachers at the minimum salary, has nearly offset the increase in the salary schedule decided upon at the last town meeting. Whether this arrangement can be con- tinued, will depend entirely upon the distribution of the pupils in the upper grades.
The buildings in the different parts of the town are in very good condition as far as the general comfort of the children is con- cerned. One of the most pressing needs is for adjustable desks in several rooms where the desks are worn out, or where they are so high that it is impossible for the little children to reach the floor with their feet. Some alleviation of the latter condition has been brought about by having blocks of wood as foot rests, but this is rather a crude device for relieving a serious difficulty.
The usual statistics are appended as a part of this report. In conclusion, I wish to write a word of appreciation concerning the zeal and enthusiasm with which the teachers have undertaken the work which has been required of them during the year. I, also, wish to express my appreciation of the cordial support which I have received at all times from the members of the committee.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.