USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 14
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We are grieved that the Great Ruler of the Universe has, in his infinite wisdom, removed from our midst our worthy and esteemed principal, Julius N. Mallory. The intimate relation had during the long period of his service with the Committee makes it fitting that we record our appreciation of him. The wisdom and ability which he manifested, his- counsel and service, will be held in grateful remembrance. The sudden removal of such a man leaves a vacancy and a shadow that is deeply realized by the Committee and all who came in contact with him, and will prove a grievous loss to the community. Mr. Mallory was succeeded by Mr. Charles P. Dennison of Bates College. Miss Louise Adams of Boston University succeeded Miss Clancy, who resigned in June. The results under the administration of these teachers are very gratifying.
The Committee do not deem it expedient to occupy the Jenkins School before September. The Hatherly School was. somewhat disturbed this year on account of sickness, and the resignation of Miss Holland. Miss Holland was suc- ceeded by Mr. A. L. Crosby of Hingham, who has proved to be a very efficient teacher. Under his management the school has been brought to a very high standard, and with the extra funds, which we pray will be granted at the an- nual Town Meeting, we can confidently announce that our schools will be second to none in the State. For detailed report, see report of Superintendent of Schools and special teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
JULIA E. WEBB, CLARA M. SKEELE. HENRY E. DAMON.
Scituate, December 31. 190I.
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GRADUATING EXERCISES
OF THE CLASS OF 1901. SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL.
TOWN HALL, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 22, 190I. At Eight O'clock.
Class Motto-"Nil Desperandum."
PROGRAMME.
March.
Prayer, Rev. A. J. Cleaves Grace E. Harwood
Salutatory,
Music.
Essay,-"The Mainspring of Success,"
Aurilla G. Litchfield
Essay-"A Journey to Neptune." Jesse T. Ellms
Essay-"The Almighty Dollar," E. Walter Newdick Recitation-"The Governor's Champion,"
Mary F. McDonald
Music.
Essay-"Astronomy," Presentation, Acceptance,
Joseph P. Flynn Albert L. Delby Annie E. Doherty, '02
Music.
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Class History,
Essay-"The Nicaraguan Canal,"
Edith M. Burbank Alonzo A. Pratt, Jr.
Music.
Class Prophecy, Valedictory, Conferring of Diplomas,
Edythe A. Turner Margaret B. Spear Mr. Edgar L. Willard
Benediction.
CLASS OF I90I.
Edith May Burbank.
Frank Merton Colman.
Albert Lorenzo Dalby.
Jesse Thomas Ellms.
Joseph Patrick Flynn.
Grace Emma Harwood.
Aurilla Gertrude Litchfield. Mary Frances McDonald Edwin Walter Newdick. Alonzo Austin Pratt, Jr. Margaret Bradford Spear.
Edythe Almira Turner. kun
Music : The Helen Trickey String Quartette. Boston.
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SCHOOL STATISTICS.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
Total
Membership.
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Attendance.
High,
C. P. Dennison,
63
60 8
56.3
*92
East Grammar,
Mary E. Evans,
70
62.9
56 3
90
Hatherly, Room IV,
A. L. Crosby,
40
38.4
35.3
90
Room III,
Hattie M. Damon.
48
45.2
44.7
94
Room Il,
Carrie W. Litchfield, Sara M. Kane,
39
38 5
35.5
*92
Room I.
35
32 6
29.1
89
Brook Street,
Gertrude Gardner,
33
29.2
27.1
93
Willow Street,
Margaret F. Sullivan,
32
26.8
24.7
92
Highland Street,
Josephine I. Barry.
14
13.7
12.5
91
South Street,
Lilliette C. Jenkins,
26
24.6
21.9
*89
High Street,
Josephine G. Ward,
21
17.4
14.5
82
Drawing,
Sara T. Bailey,
Mrs. Lillie C. Stoddard,
Music,
Julius N. Mallory,
Lota N. Clancy.
ยง Mrs. C. L Bedelle,
Edith C. Holland,
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee:
The seventh annual report of the Superintendent is here- with respectfully submitted. Appended to it will also be found the reports of the special teachers of drawing and music.
While all these reports may deal more or less with the present condition of the schools, it might be well to state that they are supposed to deal with the school year that closed in June last. This is in accordance with the wish of the State Board of Education, that all school reports be made to correspond with the school year. For this reason therefore the table of statistics on the last page applies only to the year ending June 21, 1901.
There is particular pleasure in writing the report on the progress in our schools during the past year, because that progress has been so genuine, so great and so evident.
The sentiment of the voters has been so progressive and generous; the administration of your board so wise and just; the cooperation of the parents so general and helpful; the work of the teachers so persistent and earnest, that pro- gress was inevitable. Every one of these influences has con- tributed materially to this progress.
Money is necessary, first of all, to make any schools pos- sible. This, the voters of the Town have always provided without stint.
Secondly, this money must be wisely invested in securing efficient teachers and proper equipment. These duties, I be-
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lieve, have been efficiently and economically performed by your board.
Thirdly. the schools cannot be conducted to the highest standard of their efficiency, unless there exists a certain singleness of purpose among parents and teachers. This I believe. has existed during the past year, to a degree not true of any previous year of which I possess definite know- ledge.
Lastly, and perhaps the most important of all in pro- moting the welfare of the schools, has been the faithful work of the teachers.
The schools today are a unit. The work is uniform, and has been well done by the teachers. The teachers are zeal- ous, enthusiastic and progressive.
With the completion of the Jenkins school the opportunities for good work will be ideal. There may be other towns in the State equally well equipped. per- haps better. but I do not know where they are. Unless all signs fail, the wisdom of building a school building some- what larger than was immediately necessary. will soon be evident.
Scituate is surely and rapidly growing. This growth will soon be felt in the schools, and were it not for the fact that we possess six extra schoolrooms to accommodate this growth as may be found necessary, the schools would soon be overcrowded.
But these outward signs of prosperity are not the only encouraging circumstances relating to the schools. The schools are better governed and better taught than ever be- fore. This is the first year since the writer was first ap- pointed a truant officer that he could report no cases of actual truancy. This is not saying that there have been no such cases, for I am certain that there have, but not so many as heretofore.
The course of study has been so revised that the teachers
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are enabled to know definitely just what is expected from their classes each year and each term. The December ex- aminations have shown not only that this has been a benefit to all concerned, but also that the teachers are teaching the. various studies in a manner that fixes the desired facts more. firmly in the minds of the pupils, than was the case pre- viously.
Perhaps in no particular study has the improvement been more evident than in reading. Teachers are realizing more and more each year, that reading, primarily, is a thought getting process, and that oral reading is not only that, but also a thought giving process. Articulation and expres- sion have received special attention. As a result, quality, not quantity, has been the guide, the motto, "not how much but how well.'
The time is not far in the past when the call for more reading material was almost constant. This arose because of the fact that teachers would accept work too poorly done. A lesson would be given out, and at the appointed. time would be recited .- after a fashion. That was all; simply read at, not read, and another lesson given out. No questions asked, no words defined, nothing done, in fact, to prove that the thoughts of the writer had been grasped by the minds of the readers.
But this is very materially changed now. Reading is now regarded by both teachers and pupils as a study, to be studied; a study that requires just as much, and just as close preparation as any other. One regular reader per year. as a basis, with the histories, historical. geographical, and other supplementary readers, now in the schools, is enough.
The improvement in the reading, though general, is par- ticularly manifest in the Primary grades. As pupils ad- vance, even to some of the grades in the High School, the ability to express either their own, or the thoughts of others, seems to decrease correspondingly, in proportion to the ability we might expect them to possess.
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This may be partially accounted for in the fact that child- ren, between the ages of ten and fifteen, are in that period of life when over-consciousness is most prominent. Some of it may be accounted for in what has already been suggested, that pupils have been too prone to regard reading as a sub- ject needing no special preparation.
More drill and study in this one of the three R's might well be done in these upper grades. The results would be reward enough for the extra trouble.
The revision of the course of study for the High School was much needed. The one now in operation fills a long felt want. In changing it, the needs of a large majority of the pupils have been the guide. The commercial course serves to retain many pupils who would leave school were not such a course included in the curriculum. The school now numbers about seventy. This is more than I have ever known to be in the school at this season of the year. .
For the second time since the writer's term of service be- gan the sad Messenger of Death has visited one of our teachers. The passing from service of Principal Julius N. Mallory was the source of sincere regret and heartfelt sorrow to all with whom he came in touch. In his death the school has lost an efficient and earnest teacher, his pupils a true friend and leader, and the community an honored and upright citizen.
To fill his place was no easy task. Nor when the new principal had been chosen was it an easy task for him to take up the work, as he had to do, in the middle of the year.
In spite of all the difficulties attending the situation, Mr. Dennison has taken up the work with creditable earnestness and increasing success. He is steadily and surely prov- ing himself to be the right man in the right place. His efforts have been ably seconded by Miss Adams, who began her term of service last September.
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With the present teaching force, and another year of preparation before entering it, our High School need be second to none in the quality and quantity of its work.
If a ninth grade could be added to the present course of study, all elementary subjects could be taken out of the High School, thus giving opportunity there for advanced work.
At the same time those pupils who only finish the gram- mar course would get one year more before they leave school.
I sincerely hope that the previous generous sentiment of the town toward its schools, will prevail in the coming an- nual meeting, to an extent that will allow your board to add ninth grade work to the present course.
In closing I wish to offer two or three suggestions for your consideration. The first is that the janitors of the Hatherly and Jenkins School be appointed as truant officers, and that a fee be decided on by your board, to be paid him for each and every call made upon him to serve in this capacity, by teachers or others.
In large schools this is usually a part of the janitor's duty. A man is needed who is on the premises, and can be called upon at any time.
Truancy to be successfully dealt with must be nipped in the bud. No treatment of a case. a week, or even a day after it has occurred can have the effect that being caught in the act does have.
At the same time the sum total of fees for a year might add materially to the salary of the janitors.
A second suggestion is that, at the end of the present school year, all books be collected and sorted, and only those in good condition returned to the schools.
If on any topic the majority of books were worn out or out of date. there would be a good opportunity to exchange them for new ones.
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In regard to transportation I would suggest that the old school houses be made the basis, and that no pupils of what- ever grade, who live less than one and one-fourth miles from the new schools be furnished free transportation.
I wish to thank you for your courtesy and support dur- ing the past year, and congratulate you and the citizens in general on the excellent conditions under which the schools will soon be working.
EDGAR L. WILLARD, Supt. of Schools.
December 31, 1901. : :
REPORT ON MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools-
The report on music is, on the whole, quite satisfactory. The latter part of the year, which is freshest in our minds, is the most discouraging in this work, as it must be in all others, on account of the very small attendance of late; but we will consider the year as a whole.
At the close of the past school year the intermediate grades could read exercises and songs in the simpler keys, while the grammar grades read in all but the most difficult. In September we began at the beginning again, and we have reason to believe that the summer term will find us in as good condition. .
We have made it possible for each school to do some sight reading by allowing a few to sing at one time, then passing the books along to a few more,' which has been a great help.
The principal change in methods this year has been to instruct the lower grades in simple exercises of several keys, instead of keeping the practise in one key until they read the difficult exercise of that key.
Circumstances will not admit of grading this work in a more correct way; we must advance according to our sev- eral abilities and resources.
Two part music has been studied in the grammar grades with verv good success, as was proved at the graduating ex- ercises of the eighth grades.
The work in the High School since the opening of the
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present school year has been most satisfactory; this gain must be due to the very able efforts of Miss Adams, the assistant teacher, as there is no greater degree of talent in the school than formerly, the only difference being in num- bers; but the best qualities have been drawn out and used to advantage.
Any one hearing the school sing the songs they have learned, would enjoy it; and we think that were the school to sing at the graduating exercises, the audience could not fail to be interested.
Respectfully submitted, LILLIE C. STODDARD.
Dec. 31. 190I.
REPORT ON DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools-
From November until April last year the drawing was under the charge of Miss Annie Keme of Cohasset.
She took up the work with enthusiasm, and the children worked carefully and well under her direction.
In the spring several new features were introduced in the study of design.
An attempt was made to show the children that in all good design there should be a rhythm as there is in music, which binds the parts together in a harmonious whole.
The pupils were given at first a few lines and dots, which they arranged with this idea in mind, that the few ab-
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stract lines should bear a rhythmical relation to one another; then the units thus formed were traced over a surface to make symmetrical designs.
This preliminary exercise of bringing abstract spots into rhymth demonstrated its value by the good results obtained when flowers were used as units of design.
Water color paints have been supplied to the pupils in the High School, and at present a lesson is given every week instead of bi-weekly as heretofore.
The work there is not entirely satisfactory, as all the pupils are in one class, and cannot under these conditions do their best work.
It is hoped that soon a division may be made by which all the boys will be together for the study of mechanical drawing, and all the girls in one division in free hand draw- ing. In this way the course may be adapted to better meet the requirement of the pupils.
In the lower grades the children are doing well, particu- larly in the East Grammar school, where the improvement is quite marked.
Respectfully submitted, SARA TILDEN BAILEY.
Dec. 31, 190I.
1
i
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31,
1902
ATE
M
SC
SS.
INCO
1633
SATUIT
RPORATE
PLYMOUTH THE MEMORIAL PRESS
1903
TOWN MEETING.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING HELD IN SCIT- UATE, MARCH 3, 1902.
HENRY T. BAILEY, Chosen Moderator.
ARTICLE 3 .- Jetson Wade was elected Town Clerk.
ARTICLE 2 .- To accept the town report as printed. ARTICLE 3 .- Officers chosen for the year :
Selectmen .- John J. Ford, Thomas F. Bailey, William H. Varrell.
Constables .- John F. Turner, Walter S. Harrub, Liba F. Litchfield.
Auditor .- Francis B. Lee. School Committee for three years .- Clara M. Skeele.
Treasurer .- Ernest L. Bonney.
Collector .- Fenton W. Varney.
Surveyor of Highways .- John T. Fitts.
Tree Warden .- William H. Burke.
Assessors and Overseers of the Poor .- John J. Ford, Thomas F. Bailey, Wm. H. Varrell.
Pound Keeper .- James E. Merritt. Field Driver .- James Hogan.
Fence Viewers .- John J. Ford, Hosea J. Stockbridge, Caleb T. Jenkins.
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Fire Wardens .- Alfred A. Seaverns, Edward Rogers, John J. Ford, Charles W. Peare.
Surveyors of Lumber .- Ansel F. Servan, Edward Rogers.
ARTICLE 4 Voted to raise and appropriate the follow- ing :
Removing snow,
$1,000 00
Support of poor,
4,500 00
Town officers,
1,700 00
Collection of taxes, 400 00
Discount on taxes,
1,000 00
Public buildings and grounds,
500 00
Reduction of debt,
3,000 00
Printing, stationery and postage,
3.00 00
Support of schools,
9,000 00
Transportation,
2,000 00
Superintendent of schools,
250 00
Roads, bridges and sidewalks,
5,000 00
Miscellaneous,
1,000 00
Abatement of taxes,
600 00
Interest on debt,
3,700 00
Libraries,
500 00
Soldiers' relief,
500 00
Legal expenses,
100 00
Expense of lockup,
100 00
Memorial Day,
100 00
Scituate Water Co.
2,500 00
Fire Protection,
3,000 00
ART. 5 .- Voted, That the rate of wages for removing snow be the same as last year, 25 cents per hour.
ART. 6-Voted to accept the list of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
ART. 7 .- Voted, That the town authorize the Overseers of the Poor to contract at their discretion for the support of the town poor.
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ART. 8 .- Voted, That the Treasurer be, and is hereby authorized and directed with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow temporarily in anticipation of the taxes for the present municipal year, such sums of money as the same may be from time to time required, and to give the negotia- ble note or notes of the town for money so borrowed; and that all such temporary loans shall be payable from the said taxes.
ART. 9 .- Voted, To hear the report of any committee. To pass over.
ART. 'IO .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $100.00 for Memorial Day.
ART. II .- Voted, That the claim of Fred D. Graves be referred to the Selectmen.
ART. 12 .- Voted, That the way and manner in which the taxes shall be collected be the same as last year-five per cent discount to be allowed on all taxes paid on or be- fore October I, 1902; four per cent. on or before Novem- ber I. 1902; three per cent. on or before December 1, 1902. That the collector receive one per cent. for collecting the taxes.
ART. 13 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $250.00 for salary of Superintendent of Schools.
ART. 14 .- Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxi- cating liquors in this town. Yes, 143; no, 23I.
ART. 15 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate the sum of $100.00 for legal expenses and counsel.
ART. 16 .- Voted, That the town pay a bounty of twenty- five cents per head for all woodchucks killed within the limits of the town.
ART. 17 .- Voted, That the town reimburse T. F. Bailey & Son on account of Jenkins schoolhouse.
ART. 18 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $3,759.15 to reimburse T. F. Bailey & Son.
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ART. 19 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $300.00 for special repairs on road between the first and second cliff, to be expended under the direction of the High- way surveyor.
ART. 20 .- Voted, That the town raise $250.00 to build a sidewalk from Egypt Station on Charles street to Mount Vernon street, said side walk to be completed not later than July 1, 1902.
ART. 21 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $25.00 for sidewalk on Brook street.
ART. 22 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $40.00 to build a vaulted water closet inside the lockup, and do away with the old one on the outside.
ART. 23 .- Voted-To pass over.
ART. 24 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate fifty cents for every ratable Poll in the year 1900 to be ex- pended under the direction of the Tree Warden.
ART. 25 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $3,000 to protect the highway between Damon Island and Edgar Tilden's, to be expended under the direction of the Massachusetts Harbor and Land Commissioners.
ART. 26 .- Voted, That a committee of three be appointed by the Chair, and the Chair appointed Jonathan Hatch, James W. Turner and Stephen Litchfield, Jr.
ART. 27 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $400.00 to build sidewalk from "Clapp's Corner," so-called, as far toward Conihasset Hall as possible.
ART. 28 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $1,000.00 to be expended on road leading from North Scit- uate depot to North Scituate Beach, according to the Article in the Warrant; to be expended under the direction of the Highway Surveyor.
ART. 29 .- Voted, To pass over.
ART. 30 .- Voted, To pass over.
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ART. 31 .- Voted, To pass over.
ART. 32 .- To see if the town will raise and appropriate $500.00 to enforce the liquor law at North Scituate Beach.
Voted, To pass over. Voted, To reconsider.
Voted, To raise and appropriate $3,000 to enforce the liquor law in the town of Scituate. To be expended under the direction of Constable Walter S. Harrub.
ART. 33 .- Voted, To pass over.
ART. 34 .- Voted; To pass over.
ART. 35 .- Voted, To choose a committee. The chair appointed Moses L. Brown, Samuel Wilkins and Henry Webb.
ART. 36 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $75.00 to take up bridge on Summer street near the store of M. S. Litchfield.
ART. 37 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $98.27 to pay claim of Frank H. Torrey on account of road at Surfside.
ART. 38 .- Voted, That the Selectmen be instructed to contract for any extra hydrants which may be needed in the construction of the Water System.
ART. 39 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $3,000 to establish fire protection by forming a fire depart- ment, purchasing hose and other articles pertaining to fire protection.
ART. 40 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $50 for special repairs on hill on road leading to the house of James S. Jenkins.
ART. 41 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $300 for special repairs on road leading from Kent street to the northerly end of the Third Cliff.
ART. 42 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate the
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sum of $50 for special repairs on road leading from Mrs. Thomas Mann's, south of Elm Park to land of George M. Young.
ART. 43 .- Voted, That the town pay a reward of $25.00 for information that will lead to the conviction of any person or persons found trespassing and taking fruit, pro- duce or other property from the land of another in the town of Scituate.
ART. 44 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $500 for special repairs on Bridge street leading to Little's Bridge.
ART. 45 .- Voted, That the town pay Horace Litchfield $100 on account of fire in his woods burnt September, 1900.
ART. 46 .- Voted, To pass over.
ART. 47 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $500 for special repairs on Charles street from Main street to the Egypt station, to be expended under the direction of the Highway Surveyor.
ART. 48 .- Voted, That the town raise and appropriate $500 for special repairs on road leading from the junction of Charles and Mount Vernon streets over Mann Hill to the Beach.
Voted, That the thanks of the town be extended to Henry T. Bailey, and that he be paid $5.00 for his services as Moderator.
Voted, To dissolve the meeting.
ATTEST :
JETSON WADE, Town Clerk.
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SPECIAL TOWN MEETING HELD
APRIL 5, 1902.
HARVEY H. PRATT, Chosen Moderator.
ART. 2 .- Voted, That the town do make Damon avenue from Beach street to Grasshopper Lane a Town Highway.
ART. 3 .- Voted, That the town do accept the layout by the Selectmen, and make Collier avenue a Town way.
ART. 4 .- Voted, That the town do accept the layout by the Selectmen of Ticknor Court, and that it be made a Town way.
ART. 5 .- In regard to the layout of Allen Place at Scit- uate Harbor, and that it be made a Town way.
Voted, To pass over.
ART. 6 .-- In regard, to recind, annul and make void the vote made at the Annual Town Meeting, wherein they voted to raise and appropriate $3,000 for the enforcement of the liquor law.
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