USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1892-1898 > Part 23
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SUPERINTENDENCY.
At the meeting of the joint School Committe of Duxbury, Marshfield and Scituate, in April, Mr. Willard was unani- mously re-elected Superintendent of Schools for the three towns. He has filled the position to the entire satisfaction
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of the school board. There seems to be a misunderstanding among some of our citizens as to the actual cost of a Super- intendent. The following will be self-explanatory :
Salary of Superintendent $1,500 00
District receives from the State for
salary of Superintendent. . $750 00
For increase of teachers' salaries 500 00
Total 1,250 00
Net cost of Supt. to District $250 00
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" Town $83 333
GRADUATIONS.
The graduating exercises of the Hatherly Grammar School were held in the auditorium of the Baptist Church, Friday evening, June 18. A very interesting and pleasing pro- gramme was presented. Mr. J. K. Gannett, Jr., of the School Committee, presented diplomas to the following class of eight: Edith Burbank, Albert Dalby, Grace Harwood, Aurilla Litchfield, Valma Litchfield, Alonzo Pratt, Jr., Mar- garet Spear and Nellie Sullivan.
The East Grammar School held their graduating exercises at Music Hall, Monday evening, June 21. An exceptionally good programme was given. Diplomas were presented the following seven : Merton Colman, Jesse Ellms, Joseph Flynn, Chauncy Hodgon, May McDonald, Walter Newdick and Ruth Weed. All the grammar graduates, except Ruth Weed, who moved out of town, have entered the High School.
The commencement exercises of the High School took place at the Town Hall, Friday evening, June 25. A large audience listened with pleasure to essays and orations of a high order of merit and the music by the Albion Quartette. A portrait of Woodworth, the class poet, was presented to the school by the class of '97 and accepted by Velma W. Morris, in behalf of the undergraduates, Mr. Gannett pre- sented diplomas to the class of nine :
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Alice Foster Clapp, Frederic William Cole, Mary James Damon, George Francis Dwyer, William Henry Hern, Louisa. Bryant James, Lettie Grace Litchfield, Mary Ann O'Connor and Mary Hawley Seaverns.
CHANGES IN THE LIST OF TEACHERS.
In June, Miss Kate W. Skeele resigned, much to the re- gret of the Committee, and Mrs. Lilliette C. Jenkins, who spent the greater part of the year training in the Quincy schools, was placed in charge of the school. Mrs. Julia A. Neely, assistant teacher in the High School, who has served the Town faithfully for so many years, also resigned, and Miss Gertrude M. Hall, a graduate of Wellesley College, was elected as her successor. The wisdom of the choice was at once apparent. Miss Hall at once endeared herself to the scholars and showed marked ability and tact as a teacher. After teaching but a few weeks, she was elected to a posi- tion in her own city at a much higher salary. Miss Effie L. Kellogg, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, and a lady well fitted for the position, by reason of two years success- ful experience in High School work, now holds the position. Miss Kellogg has shown herself to be a most conscientious and painstaking teacher. There have been no other changes during the year.
The sudden and serious illness of Mrs. Mary L. Newcomb, after teaching but four days of the present term, has cast a gloom over the school, and the entire district. Mrs. New- comb has served the Town for many years, has been a very successful teacher, thoroughly in love with her work and very popular with the scholars. The Committee exceedingly re, gret the loss of her services and hope for her speedy re- covery. The regular substitute teacher, Miss Sara Kane, who has been training at the East Grammar and Hatherly schools, during the past year, is now in charge of the room.
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CONVEYANCE OF SCHOLARS.
The Primary scholars of the Hatherly School were con- veyed, during the Winter term, at a cost of $28.90 per week. In April, the North Main Street barge was discontinued and no conveyance was furnished those from the other districts, who lived within one mile of the school, and the Centre and Egypt districts were combined in one route. By these changes, the cost of conveyance was reduced to $19.90 per week and this arrangement was in effect for nineteen weeks, until Nov. 8, when, as the weather was likely to be incle- ment, the North Main Street and Egypt barges were again put on for the Winter, raising the cost of conveyance to $25.40 per week.
FUEL.
Oak wood was procured for the schools from D. S. Jen- kins at $3.95 per cord. Mr. George F. Welch furnished the pine at an average price of a little less than $3.23 per cord.
IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS.
At the last annual meeting $250 was raised and appropri- uted to concrete the cellar of the new school house. Mr. L. W. Cook did the work in a thorough and satisfactory manner, using the best Portland cement, for $123.
When the school was opened in January, the frost pre- vented completing the cess-pool for the waste water. It has been bricked up and a wooden cover and lock put on it at a cost of $15. A cover also has been put on the well and a bin, estimated to hold twenty tons of coal, has been built in the basement. In the Autumn a board walk was made from the building to the road.
In the High School no provision had been made to carry off the poisonous and otherwise obnoxious gasses, made in the course of chemical experiments. The Committee, ac- cordingly, had a piece of apparatus made to the satisfaction of the Principal, consisting of a sort of hood connected with
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an outside pipe, beneath which hood chlorine and other gases can be made in presence of the class, without danger of the air in the room becoming saturated with the fumes.
OTHER MATTERS.
In the Autumn the High School commenced one week earlier than the other grades, lengthening the year to thirty- nine weeks. The Committee will further increase it to forty weeks.
Two scholars in our High School, wishing to prepare for College, have commenced the study of Greek, and are mak- ing fair progress. "
Miss Sara T. Bailey, a graduate of the Normal Art School, has been giving lessons in Drawing gratuitously at the Hatherly School since September. A small sum was sub- scribed by the parents and presented to her at the close of last term. Many of the scholars take great interest in the work. It is often the case that a dull scholar will do ex- ceptionally well in Drawing. At the present day, a knowl- edge of Drawing is so necessary in the many trades which our children are likely to follow for a livelihood, that the Committee would respectfully ask you to consider whether it would not be advisable to appropriate a sum of money, sufficient to introduce a systematic course in Drawing in all our schools, and employ a special teacher.
The Committee would recommend an appropriation to cement the cellar of the High School, also an appropriation to purchase sufficient land of Mrs. Willis to square the Hatherly School lot and to fence the same.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIA E. WEBB, CLARA M. SKEELE, School Committee.
J. K. GANNETT, JR.,
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SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1898.
WINTER TERM.
SPRING TERM.
FALL TERM.
OPENS
CLOSES
OPENS
CLOSES
OPENS
CLOSES
High School
Jan. 3
Mar. 25
Apr. 4
Other Schools .
Jan. 3
Mar. 18
Apr. 4
June 24 June 17
Sept. 6 Dec. 23 Sept. 12 Dec. 16
HOLIDAYS .- Feb. 22, April 19, May 30, Sept. 5, one day of Marshfield Fair, Thanksgiving and the following Friday.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Greatest number
enrolled during
any one term.
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent.
High,
Julius N. Mallory,
59
54.4
49.5
91
Julia A. Neely, Ass't.
66
Gertrude M. Hall, «
Effie L. Kellogg, “
Clara L. Bedelle,
83
69.45
63.11
90
Hatherly, 7 & 8 Grades
Edith C. Holland,
31
27.6
24.8
91
5 & 6 Grades,
Hattie' M. Damon,
36
27.2
24.7
91
3 & 4
Ellen M. Tebbets,
34
31.6
29.7
94
1 & 2
Mary L. Newcomb,
47
37.2
36.5
98
Brook St.,
Gertrude Gardner,
35
29.7
27.6
93
Willow St.,
Margaret Sullivan,
30
24.3
22.7
93
High St.,
Josephine G. Ward,
25
22.0
19.8
90
Highland St.
Josephine I. Barry,
16
12.4
11.1
90
South St.,
Kate W. Skeele,
18
15.9
14.5
91
Lilliette C. Jenkins,
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E. Grammar,
Grace L. Otis, Ass't.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
To the School Committee :
I have the pleasure to present to you the annual report of the Superintendent, the third since the beginning of my term of service.
I hope that I may be pardoned if I depart somewhat from the usual form in the first part of this report, in order to say a few words applicable to all the schools, and to make a few general suggestions.
It is not with unalloyed pleasure that I say some things which I feel it my duty to say at this time, for it is one of the disagreeable duties of my office to find fault.
Every teacher, I fully believe, is trying to the best of her ability, to do her best work. Some of course succeed better than others, owing to the difference in their own capabilities. But all are hindered by circumstances beyond their direct control, to a greater or less degree.
Among these hindrances are those which pertain to school buildings. One, that of the East Grammar School, is over- crowded. At times during the past year, nearly, if not quite ninety pupils have been accommodated in this building of practically one room.
Within the week just passed, I have received from the State Board of Education, a list of six questions relating to school room decoration. The first question is this : "Which school
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building in your town is most satisfactorily furnished with works of art?" With the exception of three absolutely none are to be seen in any of our schools. But even in these three, if I were asked to designate the works of art, and dared to answer just as I sometimes feel, I would not mention any plaster casts or pictures which might adorn the rooms in those buildings, but rather the fresh paint and varnish every- where present, the smooth floors, the clean white walls, the comfortable chairs and desks, and the excellent heating and sanitary arrangements. These, it seems to me, are neces- sary in order that real works of art may have proper sur- roundings and exert their best influence. A definite amount of hammering and chiseling must be done before it is pos- sible to polish the stone.
In my report two years ago I urged parents to co-operate with the teachers in a proper way, in the management and discipline of the schools, more generally than had seemed to me to have been the case previous to that time. In this re- port I have little to ask of that nature better than what was accorded this year. Parents have taken a more active in- terest in the schools. More visits have been recorded this year than either one of the two preceding years. This is as it should be, and ought to be kept up. It is unjust to school officers and teachers to criticise the schools, except after personal observation of this kind.
ART IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The past year has witnessed a long stride forward in the desire of the teachers and friends of the schools to surround their children with the beautiful in nature and in art. In some schools potted plants in their season are cared for and nourished as zealously by the pupils as they are in their own homes, and in some cases, I am sure, more zealously. And right here let me say that they are the very children, those who do not have encouragement along such lines in their own homes, who are specially benefited and inspired by the silent but eloquent teachings of Mother Nature.
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Three schools, the Hatherly, East Grammar and the High School, have set the example in what is truly "art decora- tion." In these schools may be seen framed pictures of the most prominent American writers and statesmen, noted cathedrals, of statuary and paintings. In room 1, Hatherly building, is a high relief plaster cast.
Friends, parents, teachers and pupils have all contributed to make these three school buildings examples of attractive- ness.
The influences cannot be estimated by any human meas- ures, but they are sure to be seen and felt in the increased brightness, cheer and refinement of the homes twenty-five years from the present time.
ATTENDANCE.
School attendance is seldom what it ought to be. During the year just passed, as a glance at the statistics will show, some of the schools have done well. That some have not done so well ought not, I think, to be attributed to any fault of the teachers.
The teachers have set before their pupils high ideals ; have tried to show them that the habits of punctually and reg- ularity which they are, or are not forming now while in school, will affect their whole after life ; that in school they are building the most important part of their characters, the foundation.
Parents in some localities do not yet realize the im- portance of regular attendance. In no case, however, have I found it necessary to use my authority as a truant officer in order to secure the attendance of any pupil.
There is room for much improvement. When parents will' cease to detain their children at home for trivial reasons, or for no reason at all, except their own carelessness ; when they thoroughly realize that there is no shorter road to knowledge for their children, than the one between their home and the school, travelled every day, day after day, and year after year, then and not till then, will we have satisfac- tory attendance.
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I ask them again to send their boys and girls to school, every day and all day ; that they do not allow either end of the day to be clipped off. If they will do this, results will take good care of themselves.
Some absence, some tardiness, and some excusals are of course unavoidable. But there is a tendency still to allow trivial excuses to cause them. Parents and teachers, work- ing together, can bring into action the only possible cure.
TRAINING OF TEACHERS.
Somewhat over a year ago, one of the Quincy critic teachers, referring to Scituate, asked, "Why don't you train your own teachers?" I am glad to say that the suggestion implied in the question, has since been acted upon, and the opportunity offered to graduates of the High School to train in the East Grammar and Hatherly Schools. Thus far only one, Miss Kane, has accepted the opportunity. But her case alone has demonstrated the wisdom of the plan. For the past year she has spent the greater part of her time in the two above named schools. In her substitute work as well as in her training, she has shown, not only that she desires to learn to teach, but also that she possesses the elements of a true teacher. There is need now of one or two more trainers, as it is now evident that some will be needed before the year is ended.
Note. The sad illness of Mrs. Newcomb since the date of this report, has made it necessary to put Miss Kane into her school. Probably no schools require more tact and skill, more of the real teacher, than those made up of the very small children. But on account of her training in that very room, Miss Kane has been able to go on with little or no hindrance, with the work, so well begun, and so well carried on for so many years, by one who, we hope, has left us but for a short time.
TEACHERS' SALARIES.
It is my sincere hope that you may be able this year to re- vise your teachers' salary list. The average of wages to the primary teachers in your town, is the least in any one of the three towns in the district.
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In the primary schools of Duxbury, the wages at present are as follows : Four teachers at $10 per week, two at $9, and two at $8, according to their term of service, the aver- age being $9.25. In Marshfield, the following rate is paid : One at $11, two at $10, one at $8.50, two at $8, and two at $7. Average $8.68 a week. At the same time Scituate is paying on an average, something less than $8.
The fact that some of your teachers live at home is no reason why they should receive any less salary, because this is also true of many teachers in the surrounding towns. The supposition that your teachers can live at home at less ex- pense to themselves is erroneous in some cases at least, as some are the sole support of their families.
Can you not make the wages of your primary teachers from eight to ten dollars a week, according to length of ser- vice ? Is it reasonable to suppose that teachers who have served faithfully five, ten, and even fifteen years, are worth little or no more to the schools and the town, than those who have just begun ?
If possible, let deserving and successful teachers have some material evidence that their work has been and is ap- preciated.
TEACHERS.
There have been several changes in the teaching force this year, but as you in your report have already referred to them, I will only speak of the teachers now in the schools. Most of the teachers are doing good work. Some amid the most discouraging surroundings are doing excellent work. We do not hear much about them, but a visit to their schools will show that they are plodding quietly on, striving to in- spire here, to repress there, and always to sow the seed which, somewhere and sometime, must result in good to their pupils.
We are fortunate in having a corps of teachers not given to extremes. They teach " nature study," so-called, but they do not make a fad of it. They teach Drawing to the best of their ability, but they do not attempt to make it do the work of half the other studies. Visit their schools and they will
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not call an exhibition class, but will proceed with their regular work unless requested to do otherwise.
Three reports written at my request, will be found ap- pended to this. As they are from the Principal of the High School, the special teacher of Music, and from Miss Sara T. Bailey, who has been giving lessons in Drawing in the Hatherly and High Schools, I will refrain from touching upon subjects with which they will have to deal.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
Eight meetings have been held since January 1st, 1897. One a union meeting, held in Ventress Hall, Marshfield, was addressed by Mr. John T. Prince, of the State Board of Education, and by Miss Abbie Gannett, of North Scituate.
In the regular meetings, during the winter and spring terms, papers have been read by different teachers and then discussed by all. But during the fall term the time has been taken wholly by discussion on the work for the follow- ing month. The work in outline forn has been given to the teachers each month; in the hope that, knowing just what was expected of them, there would be a stronger desire on their part, to see how well it could be done.
VISITS.
During the year 1897 your Superintendent has made three hundred and eighty-four visits to the schools in the district. This is an average of twelve to each school. The same is true this year as last -that more time has been spent in some than in others. Those who stop to think of it will see that this is unavoidable.
An equal amount of time, however, will be in the future, as in the past, devoted to the work in each town.
It is my custom to make out a list of visits a month in ad- vance. But it often happens, through some unforseen cir- cumstances, that I am unable to hold strictly to it. For this reason it is sometimes longer between my visits to some schools than I would wish.
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PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL.
For fear that some may misunderstand what was said in the first part of this report, a few additional words to parents may not be amiss.
What is the right relation of the parent to the school, and its teacher, and how may the parent aid the teacher ?
These questions are more easily asked than answered. The relation, however, is such that neither can do well with- out the other. They are dependent one upon the other. How can the parent, in a proper way, help the teacher in the management and discipline of the school? First, by sending his children to school regularly, and seeing to it that they are started in time to make tardiness unnecessary. Second, by requesting no excusals, except when absolutely necessary, and by requiring good behavior of their children while in school. Third, by saying nothing detrimental to the teacher in the presence of children, and by deferring judgment on her regular work or actions until after a thorough personal investigation. And fourth, by frequent conferences with the teacher and frequent visits to the school.
So far, I believe, parents ought to take part in the manage- ment of the schools.
In closing, I wish to thank you for the many indications of your confidence and respect during the past year, and for the many helpful suggestions, all of which have been taken in the spirit with which they were given.
To the teachers also, who have helped me in every way, by their willingness to carry out my plans, and by their own faithful work, I owe and express my gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR L. WILLARD,
December 31st, 1897.
Superintendent of Schools.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
It is with pleasure that I comply with your request to give a brief report of the condition of the High School.
The year just closed has been a prosperous and successful one, without friction or trouble of any kind. The class about to graduate, '98, is the largest in the history of the school, having fifteen members.
Great progress has been made in recent years in the study of the languages, until we now have thirty studying Latin, twenty French and two Greek.
Many of our students who are contemplating an advanced course of study, either in normal school or college, can thus get a good start, though we believe that an attempt to fit for college, in a school like ours, can only result in neglecting the greater number that a few may be benefited, and that we may boast that our school fits for college.
Our course in literature now fulfils college and normal requirements. Physics and Chemistry are taught by experi- ments, and no pains are spared to train the observing powers, though no attempt is made to have each student for himself rediscover all the laws of Nature.
Our greatest needs are a physical laboratory, where pupils may work by themselves, and an appropriation for putting the play ground in suitable condition. Additional land was purchased by the town at considerable expense, but it is in such a rough and rocky condition as to be positively dan gerous.
It is greatly to be regretted that some kind of storm signal cannot be arranged for; as it is, a few scholars will work their way to school in the worst storm, usually arriving in a wet and bedraggled condition, and as the teacher has no authority to send them home, they sit in that condition through the day.
Such a day lowers our per cent. of attendance seriously,
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and is of no advantage to anyone. If the Principal was authorized he could turn back the first who come, usually with teams, and they could notify the others.
Thanking you for your kindness to the school and to me,
I am, Yours truly, J. N. MALLORY,
December 31, 1897.
Principal.
REPORT ON MUSIC.
To the Superintendent :-
It is said that the progress in Music is usually in keeping with the general progress of the school.
This is true in the larger towns and cities, and as I see the growing interest the teachers and scholars take in their music lessons, I feel that here it is partially true.
My work as Supervisor of Music, is to plan the work in this line, and visit the schools bi-weekly. My plans have been carried out by most of the teachers very satisfactorily, and this year, we are doing higher grade work than last.
The little songs, appropriate to the season, delight and en- thuse the younger scholars, while in the higher grades, music teaches the scholars; it consoles them; it inspires them ; it sheds beauty upon their minds and souls, and be- comes to them a companion.
Another has said that the aim of the study of Music, is that the pupil will not only feel the pleasure which beautiful melody affords, but he will be conscious of a growing appre- ciation of good music, and feel the deep satisfaction which increasing power and skill always give.
Respectfully submitted, ESTELLA LITCHFIELD,
Teacher of Music.
December 31st, 1897.
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REPORT ON DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
Early in the fall through the efforts of Mrs. Mary New- .comb, Drawing was given a more important place in the work of the Hatherly School.
Since then through the co-operation of the teachers and pupils commendable work has been done, although naturally the progress is slow, for a foundation laid with care takes time in the building.
The town has supplied nothing but drawing paper, but the parents have taken such interest in the work that the schools have been provided wich colored pencils and brushes, and the children in the rooms of Miss Holland and Miss Damon have been supplied with compasses and material for color work, with money raised at the school entertainment.
Mrs. Newcomb has furnished her own room with the needed supplies, and it is owing to her untiring zeal that the work has been given such an excellent start in the lower grades, for a special teacher in any line fails to attain good results unless the children's own teacher takes an interest in the work and does her best.
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