USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 22
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In the last town report the school account shows an un- expended balance of seven hundred and fifty dollars. Quite a number of last year's bills were not presented until this year, and have thus gone into this year's account. These are : - F. D. Graves for conveyance, $130.00; American Book Co., $166.00, and other bills to the amount of $30.00.
The committee recommend a general school appropriation of $9,000.00-$3.500.00 for conveyance of scholars, and $250.00 for the salary of the superintendent.
We refer to the appended reports for further information concerning the condition of the schools.
Respectfully submitted.
J. K. GANNETT, JR., CLARA M. STEELE, JULIA E. WEBB.
Scituate. Dec. 31, 1903.
TEACHERS, 1903-1904. High School. Edward R. Clarke, Principal, Scituate Centre. Louise Adams. Assistant, North Scituate.
Hatherly School.
Grace B. Simmons. principal, North Scituate. Carrie W. Litchfield, grades 6 and 7, Scituate. Lilliette C. Jenkins, grades 4 and 5, Scituate. Sara M. Kane, grades 2 and 3. Greenbush, Bertha Bryant, grade I, Scituate Centre.
Jenkins School. .
Robert W. Rice, Principal, Scituate. Alice F. Clapp, grades 6 and 7, Greenbush. Josephine 1. Berry, grades 4 and 5. Scituate. E. Gertrude Gardner, grades 2 and 3, Scituate. Mary E. Gillis, grade I, Scituate.
High Street.
Josephine G. Ward, grades I to 4, Scituate.
Music. Mrs. Lillie C. Stoddard, North Scituate,
Drawing. Harriet J. Ford, Duxbury.
SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Winter Term. High school closes March 25; other schools close March 25. Spring Term. High school opens April 4: other schools open April 4. High school closes June 24; other schools close June 17. Fall Term. High school opens Sept. 5: other schools open Sept. 5. High school closes Dec. ? 3; other schools close Dec. 23.
Holidays-Feb. 22. April 19, May 30, Sept. 5. one day of Marshfield fair. Thanksgiving and the following Friday.
Superintendent of Schools. Edgar L. Willard, residence Marshfield Hills.
School Committee. Julia E. Webb, Chairman, Scituate. Clara M. Skeele, Secretary, Greenbush. Joy K. Gannett, Jr., Minot.
Truant Officers, 1904.
Walter T. Newcomb, North Scituate. Liba F. Litchfield, North Scituate. John F. Turner, Scituate Centre. E. L. Willard, Marshfield Hills. William E. Supple, Scituate.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
To the School Committee-
The ninth annual report of the Superintendent, with at- tendance table appended, is hereby submitted for your con- sideration, and for the perusal of those citizens whose interest in the general welfare leads them to study carefully the facts relating to the public schools.
Unlike the two other towns with which the writer is con- nected, the school population of Scituate has shown a steady and healthy growth during the last three or four years. There is an increase of 13 I-IO in the average attendance, 19 7-10 in the average membership, and 24 in the total mem- bership, over the figures of last year.
Not so encouraging, however, is the fact that there are two thousand and twenty-six more absences recorded this year than last. This brings the per cent. of attendance from 91 4-10 down to 90 2-10. It is to be hoped that the schools this year will not be so universally interrupted by sickness as was the case last year. Had it not been for the diphtheria and scarlet fever cases, which caused the Hatherly school to be closed for four weeks, and the consequent fear of con- tagion, the attendance this year would doubtless have been much better than last.
It is often the custom of school officials to complain of the condition under which they labor. Conditions are seldom quite what they ought to be. There are times, however, when such complaints are out of order. The present condi- tions in Scituate are such that no complaints are necessary.
Years ago, when the question of consolidating the schools was agitated, the citizens were told that consolidation would be less expensive than the way the schools were arranged at
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that time. We are told by some with a great deal of em- phasis, that this has not proved to be true; that the schools are costing far more today than ever before. These critics should remember that the reason for the added cost is not consolidation, but because the school population of the town has increased so rapidly since the plan was adopted. If the town continues to grow as it is now growing, the time must soon come when one grade will be all that a teacher in Scituate will be required to manage. While there are some of the minor details of the school work that might be, and will, no doubt, be improved, the only general improvement that could be made by a single step, would be the change from two grades for each teacher. to one.
In these days of educational progress, the question natur- ally arises, is it not time for Scituate to support something in the line of an education centre. The writer has several times been approached on the subject by young men and young women, who had been compelled to leave school by circumstances beyond their control, long before the course of study had been completed, and who now wish there were some way in which they might make up for some of these lost opportunities. Teachers have recently referred to the same matter, and some have even gone so far as to offer their services free, if evening classes should be started. There is a large number of young men and women in Scituate today who, I believe, would welcome any opportunity to study, and would improve to the limit any advantages offered by a so- called educational centre. Will the town authorize the com- mittee to support one or more such centres, is a question it is hoped will be voted upon at the next annual meeting. The good that might result from such an undertaking could not be measured by the dollars and cents it might require to carry it through.
In order that there may be no break in the graduations from the High school, would it not be well to allow two or
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three of the members of the present freshman class, who are physically and mentally able to do so, the opportunity to com- plete the course in three years, plus, of course, the year they have already spent in the ninth grade? By so doing an hiatus would be avoided in the long and honorable list of graduations. Beside the best of the freshman to constitute such a class for 1906, there may be some in the present junior class who may for one reason or another be unable to graduate with the class, and who would be justified in claiming the privilege of graduation or repeating the senior work the following year. And more than these above men- tioned, there is one pupil in the school today taking both junior and freshmen studies, whose proper place is in a sophomore class. As it is, he is obliged to take studies more or less unsuited to his age and development.
A district superintendent of Greater New York has this to say on the subject of efficient teachers : "An efficient teacher seems to me to be one who has made herself, or himself the leader, the central spirit, the developing agent of the class; who has so impressed her personality on the members of her class that they cannot fail to be swayed by it, uncon- sciously, as well as consciously, and whose personality is of such a kind as to exercise a civilizing. developing and refin- ing influence upon all with whom it comes in contact, wheth- er they be pupils, parents, or fellow-teachers. This per- sonality, this "make-up." is the great necessity, the sine qua non of the truly efficient teacher."
Such, I believe, our teachers to be. One would indeed have to go far to find a corps of teachers, more efficient, more faithful or more enthusiastic than those. in the schools to- day. Some with their years of labor are able to give to the schools the very best fruits of their experience; some with their years of preparation and professional study, have brought to them the very best that there is in modern educa- tional methods; still others whose love for the work has led
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them to make great sacrifice to obtain it, have already shown that they possess those qualities, so essential, that go to make up the really successful teacher.
The work in quality and quantity, which all have ac- complished during the last year, has probably never been surpassed in Scituate, certainly, not in the last ten years.
Your superintendent during the last year has spent an equal amount of time in the work of each of the three towns, and has made four hundred eighty-eight visits, as follows:
Outside the district, 4
To the schools of Duxbury. I39
To the schools of Marshfield, 147
To the schools of Scituate, 198
Total number of visits, 488
The greater number of visits in Scituate is due to the fact that all the schools are in four buildings, while in the two other towns they are in nine and ten buildings at long dis- tances from each other.
In concluding this report I will call attention to the re- ports of Mrs. Stoddard and Miss Ford, special teachers, al- so to that of Mr. Clarke, on the condition of the High School, to be found on the following pages.
I wish, also, to congratulate the Committee, and the town on the excellence of its schools, and the energy and efficiency of its teachers.
Respectfully submitted. EDGAR L. WILLARD. Superintendent of Schools.
December 31, 1903.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
The High School has been fortunate thus far this year in having had no serious interruptions from either the illness of students or from severe weather. The school has been closed but two days from the latter cause, and during bad storms the attendance has been gratifying, when the long distance from the school of the homes of the majority of members is considered.
Owing to the forming of a ninth grade last year, and its removal to the grammar schools, there are at present but three classes in the school, namely; the Senior class num- bering six members, the Junior class numbering seventeen, and the Freshman class numbering twenty-two. The fact that the graduating class numbers but six, is to be deplored. since many names have been dropped from the class roll dur- ing the four years of the course. It is to be earnestly de- sired that the youth of the town will more generally see the keen importance of entering upon and creditably completing a course at the High School. And that the parents, also, recognizing the importance of this will use every means pos- sible to keep their sons and daughters in regular attendance until the end of the course. A favored few having both " the means and the inclination, may take a course in some ad- vanced institution, but the majority will, and must, find the sum of their educational training in the town schools. Hence the great necessity of accepting the privilege freely offered by the town, and of making the most of them.
The course of study now in use has been arranged with the idea of giving the greatest good to the greatest number. the purpose being not only to prepare for college and nor- mal schools, but to provide practical and useful studies for
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those who will go no farther. Among such courses, as- tronomy, geology, botany and bookkeeping may be men- tioned. It is the wish of the teachers that the school may actually prepare for our leading colleges and scientific schools. And whether this wish is not fully realized at present. the indications are that such preparation will soon be possible.
Instruction in music and drawing is given regularly by special teachers in these branches, ably seconded by Miss Adams.
These has been a large number of new and valuable text books added to the schools this year, which are a great stim- ulus to intelligent and productive study. All things consid- ered, the High School is well equipped in books and appara- tus and the materials for useful work.
In the emergency of fire, the building and its valuable contents are not suitably protected. There is a hydrant on the opposite side of the street, but as there is no fire hose or hose cart within a mile of the building, this would be of no service. Two or three patent fire extinguishers placed in the building would remedy this obvious need.
The faithful care of the building by Wiley S. Damon, who · has had charge for nine years, deserves mention in this re- port.
The teachers of the High School are grateful for the co- operation of the parents of the town, and ask and expect that this co-operation will be shown them in a still larger measure. Much may be done by the parents in ensuring prompt and regular attendance at school, on the part of the pupils, and in seeing that a definite portion of the evening's at home be devoted to study.
Visits of the parents to the school would be heartily ap- preciated by the teachers.
Respectfully submitted. E. R. CLARKE,
January I, 1904.
Principal.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools-
In the report on Music there is so much to be said that is favorable, that we are glad of an opportunity to speak of it.
Almost without exception the work is earnest, capable and progressive: indeed, in some rooms, the special teacher is almost at her wits end, to provide enough work to keep the children busy. Owing to oral drill given them by the daily teachers, they are enabled to read promptly. so that a black-board or two, covered with exercises or songs, is not enough for a two weeks' lesson.
Since the first grade was placed in a room by itself. the work in the second and third grade rooms, has been more satisfactory. as the little first grade cannot do much more than learn simple songs, and a very little about the scale. The fourth and fifth grades are singing two part music. This has not been tried until this year, and already they are hav- ing great success. The sixth and seventh grades are also singing two part music, although of a more advanced grade; and the eighth and ninth grades have taken up three part music.
These grades are all limited to one song, or perhaps, two short ones, for each lesson; these songs embodying the prin- ciples to be taught. They are learned by reading the notes and singing them with their proper values; afterward ap- plying the words to them; all this is done without the aid of piano or leading voice, by the pupils themselves. The teachers are becoming proficient in teaching the lesson this way, giving the pupils originality and independence, rather than a parrot-like mimicry.
In the northern part of the town, two schools feeling
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their limitations, have provided themselves with singing books; and this example is to be followed by more, in the near future. This acquisition is too new to report any results, but if one has seen their great delight in the lesson, and the undivided attention they give to it, they can appre- ciate what these books mean to the children. In one room there is a good natured rivalry in finding which of two sides gives the most perfect renderings.
In the High School the chorus work has been going on much the same as usual, with occasional lessons in notation and the general knowledge of music. They have had one test, preparatory to an examination, which will follow later on.
The choruses are sufficiently well read, to admit of giving the time almost wholly, to improving the rendering. These instructions are well received by the pupils, and, in fact, all their work is intelligent, enthusiastic and commendable.
Respectfully submitted, LILLIE C. STODDARD,
December 31, 1903.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools-
The report on drawing in the public schools must neces- sarily be short, since my term of service dates from the be- ginning of the fall term.
Taking the schedule time of the supervisor of music I al- ternate weeks with her in iny visits to the schools on Fri- days, giving a lesson one week at the Jenkins and High Street Schools, and the next week at the Hatherly and High Schools.
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The work of the fall term was drawing and painting from nature, flowers and fruits, using these studies later as mo- tives for designs, and decorations of Thanksgiving, and Christmas gifts.
The winter term has just begun with mechanical drawing in most of the grades, the study of form, illustration with practical application in written work, ornamental letters, etc., combining the artistic and practical as much as possi- ble.
The pupils are much interested in the drawing, and as a whole are doing well. I have found the teachers very much interested, helpful and competent, desirous in every way to carry out my plans.
My aim is to correlate our work as much as possible, raising the standard in the execution of the written and number work, making it by its arrangement and ornament a more beautiful whole.
Respectfully submitted, HARRIET J. FORD, Supervisor of Drawing.
January 1, 1904.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICERS.
To the School Committee-
I have attended to all the cases of truancy that have come to my knowledge. Out of the number (twenty-five) I have found that the majority of them were not actually truants, but kept at home for various reasons by their pa- rents.
Respectfully, EVERETT L. BEARCE, Truant Officer.
December 31, 1903.
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Scituate. January 25, 1904.
To the School Committee-
Since my appointment as Truant Officer I have been called upon to investigate several cases of absent pupils from school sessions. In three cases I found actual truancy. The rest were kept at home on the plea of want of proper clothing, sickness, work, etc. I would suggest that the following extracts from the school laws be published in our annual Town Report for the benefit of parents and others having in their care children of school age.
Extracts from the Public Statues of Massachusetts relat- ing to Public Schools, Chapter 496 of June 2nd, 1898; Sec. · 24, 25 and 31.
Section 24. Every habitual truant, that is, every child between seven and fourteen years of age who wilfully and habitually absents himself from school contrary to the pro- visions of section twelve of this act. upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof. may be committed, if a boy, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, and if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
Section 25. Every habitual absentee, that is, every child between seven and sixteen years of age who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any town or city of the Commonwealth, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending school, and growing up in idleness and ignorance, upon complaint by a truant officer or any other person, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, at the discretion of the court, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, or to the Ly- man school for boys, and, if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
Section 31. Any person having under his control a child
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between seven and fourteen years of age who fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while school is in session any child absent unlawfully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER T. NEWCOMB,
Truant Officer for the Hatherly School.
To the School Committee-
Owing to the excellent work of the other truant officers there has been little work for me to attend to in that capac- ity. I have investigated six cases in all, three of which proved to be cases of genuine truancy.
Respectfully submitted,
E. L. WILLARD. Truant Officer.
Scituate
7
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TEACHERS FOR 1903-1904.
Name. School. Grades. Post Office Address. Edward R. Clarke, A. B., High. 10-13, Scituate Centre. Louise Adams, High, 10-13, North Scituate.
Grace B. Simmons, Hatherly, 8 and 9, North Scituate. Carrie W. Litchfield, Hatherly, 6 and 7, Scituate. Lilliette C. Jenkins, Hatherly, 4 and 5, Scituate. Sara M. Kane, Hatherly, 2 and 3, Greenbush.
Bertha Bryant, Hatherly, I, Scituate Centre.
Josephine G. Ward, High Street, I to 4, Scituate.
Robert W. Rice, Jenkins, 8 and 9, Scituate. Alice F. Clapp, Jenkins, 6 and 7, Greenbush. Josephine I. Barry, Jenkins, 4 and 5, Scituate. E. Gertrude Gardner, Jenkins, 2 and 3, Scituate. Mary E. Gillis, Jenkins, I, Greenbush.
Lillie C. Stoddard, teacher of music, North Scituate. Harriet J. Ford, teacher of drawing. Millbrook.
BEST RECORDS OF ATTENDANCE.
The following are names of pupils who have not been absent during the year :-
Ethel Bonney, Helen Collier, Allen Doherty, George Doherty, Lou Frost,
Harriette Gannett, Elizabeth J. Jackson, Ethel C. Litchfield, Parker Litchfield, Annie O'Connor,
Howard Young.
Not absent for tivo terms- Dorothy Barnes, John Bonney, Frank M. Brown, Robert Collier,
Maurice Noonan, Justin K. Nott, Agnes O'Connor, Alice M. O'Connor,
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Alden S. Cook, Bertha Cushman, Gertrude Gillis, Catherine Gillis,
Lawrence Hayward, Frank A. Litchfield, Mildred D. Litchfield, Leroy B. Litchfield, Joseph N. Murphy, Robert Murphy,
Charles Orcutt, Gertrude Prouty, Reed Prouty, Fred Stanley, Herbert Totman, Lola Totman, William Wade, Marie Ward, Delia Welch, Martin Welch,
Ethel Young.
Not absent for one term-
Edith Agnew,
William Anderson,
Dorothy F. Bailey, Grace M. Bailey,
Howard E. Bailey,
Philip Bailey, Wendell H. Bain, Katie Bender. Daniel Bonney, Bertha Brown. Gladys Burbank, Ralph Burbank, Agnes L. Bryant, Frank Clapp, Fred H. Clapp,
Ralph Clapp, Roland Collier, Thomas Connors, Walter F. Crane, Emma Cushman, Grace J. Damon, Mabel Litchfield, Paul T. Litchfield,
Samuel DeCosta, Henry G. Doherty, Mollie Doherty, Gladys Elliott, Andrew Finnie, James Finnie, Katie Flynn, Helen M. Ferguson, Harold K. Gannett, Edward Graham, Velma Henderson, Frank Jenkins, Eva F. Jenkins, Mary A. Kane, Charlotte King, Allan Litchfield, Bertram Litchfield, Elizabeth Litchfield, Erma F. Litchfield, Gertrude Litchfield, Lawrence Litchfield. Ruth Sampson, Ernest Smith,
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Clara G. Longfellow, Ruth B. McNeil, Roy Merrill,
Francis Murphy;
Annie Nichols,
Charles R. Nichols,
Bruce Northey,
Nellie O'Connor,
Walter O'Hern,
Harry O'Neil,
Annie Orcutt,
Elsie Orcutt, Claire Paige,
Ralph S. Pratt,
Elizabeth Prendergast, Margaret Prendergast, Allen Ransom,
Bessie B. Richardson,
Frances M. Roberts,
Fred L. Sylvester, Harold G. Sylvester, Erving Studley, Beatrice Turpin, Herbert Vickery, Xoa Vickery, Bertha Vinal, Ella L. Vinal, Walter Vinal, Lucy Walker, Edward Ward, James Ward, Isabel F. Webb, Bertha E. Whittaker, Bertha V. Whorf, Myrtis W. Wood, George Yenetchi, Ivan Yenetchi, Robert Young.
GRADUATING EXERCISES
of the
CLASS OF 1903,
SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL.
PROGRAM.
March. Prayer. Music.
Salutatory, Presentation of Gift,
Acceptance, Music.
Address,
Music, Valedictory, Conferring of Diplomas. Music. Benediction.
Mrs. Stoddard Sara Reeves Vesta Turner Howard Frye
Hon. Alfred S. Roe Bailey Ellis Ethel Turner
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CLASS OF 1903.
actrice William Otis Humphrey Barnes, Anna Elizabeth Doherty, Sara Gertrude Gillis, Gertrude May Litchfield, Ethel Marion Turner, George Herbert Otis.
Eleanor Eliza Curtis Lou Raymond Frost, Percival Gibby Pratt Sara Augusta Reeves Vesta Maria Turner Kindlugarten
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
HIGH SCHOOL.
MONTH ....
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TOTALS.
Whole number registered
47
46
42
42
42
44 43.2 37.6
44 43
44 43
43 42.3 38.1|
35.8
38.2
Number of absences
109
91
72
153
190
96
125
148
113
120
1217
Per cent. of attendance
93
88
96
84
92
88
93
85
90
90
90
Pupils over 15 years
28
31
32
32
32
33
35
38
40
40
40
Cases of tardiness
19
48
41
32
45
11
10
13
20
17
256
Dismissals
3
ti
+
20
18
18
20
20
20
20
190
+ None recorded in register after October 21, 1902.
GRADE NINE.
MONTH .. .
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
TOTALS.
Whole number registered Average membership Average attendance
27
28
28
28
26
26
26 26
27 26.8 23.3
26 23.5 21.5
18.2
23.5
29
69
44
149
159
68
106
66
50
38
778
Number of absences Per cent. of attendance Pupils over 15 years Cases of tardiness Days of School
97
93
97
85
92
82
93
87
91
91
91
6
7
8
8
9
9
11
11
11
12
12
29
69
44
149
17
10
3
11
4
1
337
18
18
18
20
18
18
20
20
20
20
190
40
47
Average membership
45.8
43.8
41.7
41.2
42
42.6
Average attendance
42.8
38.7
40
34.71
38.6
39.7
36.4
' 40
20
28
26.3
27.7
28
28 23.8
26
26
25.5
25.8
27.1
24
21.4
24.3
Number of visitors
2
4
6
Days of school
18
18
18
-
-
3
-
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,
20
25.8
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HATHERLY SCHOOL-GRADES 5 AND 6.
MONTH ....
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