USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 33
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31 Joseph F. Ward Baby Edelstein
1
4 21
Sept.
11 Dennis McCarthy Male child
79
About 4 wks
6.0
4
1 Colitis Premature birthi Old age Asphyxia Old age
Daniel E. and Elizabeth C. Sullivan Hyman and Ida Edelstein Jeremiah McCarthy and JJulia Parents Unknown Stephen Webb and Patience Wade James Ward and Katharine McDonald
George O. and - Merritt Jonathan and Jane Stevens Henry T. and Florence E. Turner
Jonathan and --
- Mann
Henry T. and Florence E. Turner
Albert S. and Cora E. Wood
Warren ard Helen Litchfield
McIntire -
Abel and Hannah Hunnewell
Bailey Merritt and- Hatch
Dec.
4 Aura Hatch Litehfield
11
23
Malaria
8
Colitis Acute nephritis
Oct.
13 Patience HI Taylor 12 5 8 Mary Rose Ellen Ward Nellie Burbank Sophia Jane Damon
12
8
84 5
3
Pauline E. Fitts
5
97
4
Disease of the heart Diphtheria Old age Diphtheria
12 Henry Wendell Fitts
6
Premature birtl
28
24 - Reddy Stephen Litchfield Hannah Hogan
58
1
Anemia Old age
82
26 Edwin Bowman
81
3
Old age
Nov. 11 John Brown
16
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BIRTHS REGISTERED IN THE YEAR 1905.
DATE.
NAME OF CHILD.
NAME OF PARENTS.
MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER.
Jan. 4
Dorothy Anna Pratt
Charles H. and Myrtle B.
Longfellow
Gladys Lonisa Bates
George H. and Mary E.
Fratus
11
Amy Cornelia Frye
Ralph B. and May
Davie
14
Mary Rose Ellen Ward
James and Kathryn
McDonald
15
Herman Carlton Litchfield
Wallace F. and Annie J.
Dunn
21
Kathryn Josephine O'Hara
Michael B. and Kathryn J.
Rooney
27
Annie Louise McCarthy
James L. and Mary
Barry
Feb 27 March 1-
Frances Elizabeth Lovering
Newton and Sarah M.
Spooner
14
Eugene Vincent Blanchard - Newcomb
Clifton C. and Florence G.
Roberta
10)
Joseph Francis Ward Alvah Gaston Turner Alphonse Stecke
Joseph and Apalonii
May 6
Frederick Erskine Cushman
Charles A. and Mabel A.
Curtis
10
Sybil Dunbar
Seth A. and Florence B.
Tilden
26
Mary Catherine Fuller
James I and Bridget M.
Dineen
27
William Lawrence Clapp Marion Elvira Swift
Fred T. and Margaret
May
7
Alberta Florence Jenkins
George M. and Florence
Ainslee
Martin J. and Julia
Sullivan
1
William Roger Scannell Ralph Agnew
Samuel A. and H. Meriam
Bailey
Edward and Mary
Stanley
July
6
Leonard Freeman Wolfe
Frederick W. and Alice J.
& MacDonald
8
Loyed Rowell Wolfe
17
Stella Lilia Whorf
George and Sarah
Briggs Berman
30
George Murphy
William H. and Ellen F.
Ward
Ang.
21
Mildred Howe Driscoll
James E. and Nina A.
Robblee
25
Nida Mabel Uphain
Charles E. and Salina
Plourder
28
Olive McNeil
Robert and Christina
MacMullen
Sept.
8
Helen Isabell Lee
Clifton B. and Edith A.
Weymouth
Lillian Idella Garland
Charles W. and Phoebe William W. and Flora C.
Mountain Nay
Oct.
21
Ernest Martin Damon
Alfred B. and Margaret F.
Litchfield
Nov. 3
Bertram Francis Cole
13
rrank Harlow Cole
Frank H. and Esther
Wroe
-IIO-
June
Josephine Margaret Hoar
Matthew and Bridget G.
O'Brien
Alvin W. and Nora
Reardon
April
7
Daniel E. and Elizabeth C.
Sullivan
11
Philip H. and Cora G.
Vinal Pafiiouiti
Elijah T. and Olive J.
Jenkins
8
30 Richard Stanley Tobin
21
David Berson
Samuel and Eva
Hyman Edelstein and Ida
Edelstein
--- Edelstein
19
Mildred Evelyn Brown Reddy
Dec. 3
Walter Flaherty Alfred Sargent Cleaves
Arthur Bailey Cleaves Marion Curran Harold Joseph Shield
Arthur Franklin Sylvester Martha Kathleen Lincoln
Gilbert Turner Bailey
19 19 26 Mary Catherine Cloran Samuel Reddy. Jr.
Dorthy Phyllis Gannett
Anne Roe
Ezra Stanwood Litchfield
Llewellyn W. and Jennie L. Albert S. and Cora E. Marcns J. and Hannah
- Rev. Arthur W. and Mary E. John and Marv William T. and Mary
Arthur F. and Jane
W. Irving and Edwina
Henry T. and Josephine W.
John M. and Ellen Samuel and Lydia W. Prescott and Edith
Thomas P. and Katherine Fred L. and Edith L.
Wade Wood Dinnean Nudd Ward Linehan Richardson
Seaverns Litchfield
Tobin Caldwell
29 Nov. 11, '03 April 9, '04
Stapler MeGonagle Whitcomb
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SUMMARY.
Number of births in Scituate for the year 1905, 50
Males, 26
Females, 24
Births in 1903 and 1904 not before re- corded, 2
Whole number recorded for the year, 52
Number of marriage licenses issued,
18
Number of marriages recorded,
19
Number of deaths for the year, Males, 23
53
Females, 30
Brought to town for interment,
21
Whole number recorded for the year,
74
Number of dogs licensed for the year,
150
Males, 128
Females, 2I
Breeders' license, I
Amount, less Town Clerk's fees, paid into the County Treasury, $381 00
ENROLLED MILITIA MAY 1, 1905.
Number of citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years liable to be called to perform mili- tary duty, 475
REGISTERED VOTERS IN THE TOWN OF SCITUATE, DECEMBER 31, 1905.
Males, Females, 39
756
JETSON WADE, Town Clerk.
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NOTE.
All persons are requested to report omissions or correc- tions in the Births, Marriages and Deaths.
Blanks for the return of births will be furnished to those applying therefor, by the Town Clerk.
JETSON WADE.
Scituate
8
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
Town of Scituate
FOR THE
Year Ending December 3 I
1905.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1906.
Winter Term.
High School opens January 2; closes March 30. Other schools open January 2; close March 30.
Spring Torm.
High School opens April 9; closes June 29. Other schools open April 9; close, June 15.
Fall Term.
High School opens September 10; closes December 21. Other schools open September 10, close December 21.
Holidays-January I, February 22, April 19, May 30, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1906.
Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15, 210
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15, 221
Total, 43I
Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14, 149 Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14. 159
1
Total, 308
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For the Year Ending Dec. 31, 1905.
The condition of our schools continues to be satisfactory. They now are equal or superior, in the estimation of many, to those in many of our larger towns and cities. Time and again pupils from our schools have moved away and have taken a commendable rank in the same or higher grades in other schools. They thus have been a credit to our schools and to our Town. This is a record to be proud of, and it is only because of our graded system and of the excellence of our teachers that this has been possible.
Our High School still maintains its previous high stand- ard. Several of the scholars are studying in preparation for college, and some of the class of '05 returned in Sep- tember and are now taking a fifth year. The greatest number of scholars enrolled in our High School during the year was sixty-three, thirty-one girls and thirty-two boys.
At the close of the school year Miss Carrie Litchfield resigned her position as teacher of the sixth and seventh grades in the Jenkins School. The Committee accepted her resignation with reluctance. Miss Litchfield has taught in our schools for many years and has always been a very successful teacher. Many a diffident child, under her skillful guidance, has been aroused from his lethargy and spurred on to do better work that he might merit her praise. Her loving nature and noble character inspired her pupils and made lasting impressions on their minds.
1
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She ruled firmly, but through love instead of through fear, and scholars, who gave other good teachers much trouble, rarely gave her occasion to censure them. Miss Marion Spaulding of North Scituate was appointed her successor. After teaching only a few days Miss Spaulding decided to resume her studies at Boston University, without losing the year, and Miss Helena Robertson, of Arlington, a graduate of Radcliff, was elected to the position. Miss Robertson is popular with both scholars and parents, and her work has been satisfactory to the Committee.
The installing of flush closets in the Hatherly School has put that building in the best sanitary condition. The plumbing was done by Messrs. E. J. Gutterson & Son, they having figured in competition with F. T. Bailey & Co. and put in a somewhat lower bid. The work was thoroughly inspected by two State inspectors and pronounced satisfac- tory before the job was accepted by the Committee.
The public having become alarmed because of the pres- ence of diphtheria in town, quite a number of scholars were kept away from school during a part of the fall term. Your Committee and the Board of Health fully realize how important it is to preserve the health of our children and have taken, and will take, all due precautions to prevent such diseases from spreading, by thoroughly fumigating school buildings and closing the schools when, in their opinion, it is advisable and necessary to do so.
We regret that there are in the lower grades so many children with defective vision. No scholar can make pro- per progress in his studies if he cannot see properly. There has been a case in our schools where a child could not distinguish a small a from e or o, because to him all three looked alike. These defects can be alleviated, and oftentimes permanently corrected, if attended to in time. We, therefore, advise parents who have children that are near-sighted to have their eyes examined by some reput- able occulist.
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The Committee recommend an appropriation of $9,500 for general school purposes. $500 for the salary of the Superintendent, and $3,300 for the conveyance of scholars.
Appended will be found the report of Superintendent Willard and the other special reports.
Respectfully submitted,
J. K. GANNETT, JR., JULIA E. WEBB. CLARA M. SKEELE.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee :
The eleventh annual report of the present Superintend- . ent is respectfully submitted.
There having been but one change in the teaching force since the last report, the work of the schools has not been interrupted from this cause. The severe weather of the last winter did, however, break into it quite seriously. A glance at the attendance tables will show this. While the total enrollment for the year is thirteen more than that of the preceeding year, the average membership, the average attendance and the per cent. of attendance are quite sub- stantially below the corresponding records of a year ago. In this respect the schools make the poorest showing in the last five years.
In the retirement of Miss Carrie W. Litchfield the schools lose a teacher whose influence has for many years been most potent for good. Some of the most difficult schools and grades have been under her guidance and tui- tion. A cheerful obedience, a strict adherence to the prin- ciples of truth, and a cultivation of studious habits she in- sisted upon-and obtained to a remarkable degrec. She is sadly missed from the ranks.
Some complaint has come to the writer regarding the system of grading and promotions now in vogue in town. A few words here, as to just what the system is, may not be amiss.
A grade represents a year of school work. There are now nine grades, or nine years of work necessary before entering the High School. In each of the two large
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schools, the Hatherly and Jenkins, grade one has devoted to it the entire time of the teacher. In all the other rooms of these buildings the teachers divide their time between the grades. Promotions, which by your vote some years ago were placed entirely in the hands of the Superintend- ent, are made in the following way: Examinations in the prinicpal studies are given to all grades, from the fourth up, three times a year. At the end of the year these exam- inations are averaged with the daily work. Should the average thus obtained be over sixty per cent. the pupil is allowed to advance without question. Should the average be nearly sixty per cent. in any particular case, an interview with the pupil, and later with the teacher, has always been sought. If the teacher's opinion was that such pupil should advance, and if it were evident that honest and persistent effort had been made by the pupil. he was promoted.
In general, if a pupil had evidently done as well as he was able he was promoted, whatever the average of his year's work might show. This has been done because of a belief that any child will get more good out of the school work in a class of pupils of about his own age. In no case has a pupil remained in one grade over two years. In the main, three things have always determined promotion, and in the following order of importance: First, The pupil's individual effort. Second. The results of his daily work. Third, The results of his terms' examinations. With the present system of grading I know of no better method than the one now in use. There are grave disadvantages, how- ever, in any system which allows only yearly promotions. It is an injury to any child who might do more than the required amount of work, not to have more work to do. The injury lies in the opportunity such a child has of culti- vating habits of indolence. The point is that every pupil should have something to do every minute of the school day.
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The experience of other towns has shown that promo- tions may take place oftener than once a year to the great advantage of all concerned without complicating the sys- tem if classes can be divided into two sections. One sec- tion should contain the brightest portion of the class. Pupils could then be changed from one section to another whenever it seems advisable.
I wish to submit for your consideration a modified form of the Batavia method, which might be further modified to suit the schools in our town.
The following regulations govern the standing and pro- motion of pupils in the elementary schools :
The Superintendent shall arrange for the proper classi- fication and promotion of pupils, with the sole object of placing each pupil where at any time he can do the most for himself.
I. Every class teacher shall determine and record, at the end of each month, on blanks furnished for the pur- pose, an estimate of the work of each pupil during the month. These estimates shall represent the judgment of the teacher upon the pupil's ability to take up advanced work as shown by the ability and industry he displayed in the various subjects studied. The estimates shall be re- corded by the use of the letters P and D, P being the pass- ing mark and D indicating deficient.
2. Teachers shall give such examinations or written re- views as will serve as a guide and critique of their own work, and as one means of determining the progress of the pupils. The questions, papers and record of results of at least one examination each term shall be kept on file by the teachers.
3. At the end of each term the teacher and principal to- gether shall examine the record of each doubtful pupil, tak- ing into consideration all the circumstances, so far as known, that affect the work of the pupil.
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4. Pupils whosc work, on the whole, has been satisfac- tory, and who have given evidence that they are qualified to do advanced work, shall be promoted. Those whose work in the main has been unsatisfactory, and who have not given sufficient evidence of ability to do the work in the succeeding grade, shall not be promoted. In exceptional cases, and for good reasons, conditional promotions may be made for a definite time.
5. Regular promotions shall be made whenever a class has satisfactorily done the work of a grade. Special pro- motions may be made whenever a pupil is found qualified to begin the work of the next higher grade.
I recommend that you consider the advisability of re- adjusting the grading along lines suggested above. I would recommend, also, that you consider the practicability of making sewing and cooking a part of the regular curri- culum of the schools.
Lastly, I would recommend that you authorize the estab- lishment in the schools of a system of penny savings.
The first recommendation I have already explained.
Perhaps it would not seem wise, as yet, to attempt any definite instruction in the art of cooking. In sewing, how- ever, the question is different and could, without a special supervisor, be attempted by the regular teachers, and useful results obtained.
The last recommendation is made in order that the chil- dren may have an opportunity to save the pennies that they would otherwise spend for candy, and at the same time cul- tivate habits of frugality and thrift.
Your attention is called to the report of special super -. visors of music and drawing and of the High School prin- cipal. Also to the attendance records for the year-to be found on succeeding pages.
In closing this report I desire to thank you for your sup-
-12.4-
port during the long term of my service and to express my appreciation of the cordial co-operation of the teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR L. WILLARD, Superintendent of Schools.
December 31, 1905.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools : -
In spite of the graduation of so large a class as that of 1905 the High School opened with a membership of 61, which taxed the main hall almost to its capacity, as there are but 63 regular desks. This being the case, with but three classes enrolled, the indications are that next year, when the full quota of four classes is restored, the present seating capacity will not be adequate. That the school needs more room is a fact which is becoming more and more apparent. With growing numbers and growing re- quirements for High Schools, and an increasing demand for laboratory and library work, our small building is con- siderably over-taxed.
The school membership at this date is as follows: Post graduates, 3; juniors, 15; sophomores, 16; freshmen, 21; total, 55. Of this number 28 are boys; 27, girls; an un- usual percentage. The mild winter has aided greatly in maintaining a regular attendance. The per cent. of at- tendance for the first four months has been 93.
As before stated, the blank in the number of classes will this year work out and next year there will again be four classes. This blank was created four years ago by form- ing a ninth grade instead of a freshman class, adding one more year to the course. That year there was no freshman class. consequently the next year no sophomore class, last year no junior class. and, finally, this year no senior class ; so there is no regular class to be graduated this year.
The school is making every effort to prepare for college those who desire such preparation. One member of the
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last class met the requirements of Boston University and is now pursuing her studies there. Whether or not wishing to enter college, every boy and girl in Scituate should be kept in school until he or she is graduated, if it is by any means possible. In this day a complete High School training is none too much to fit one for his work in the world. A High School diploma has its real value, not only for what it represents, but actually in assisting its owner to positions of value and opportunity.
The pupils of the school are grateful to the public for the interest shown in the athletic teams. The school has taken a good rank in the South Shore School League, both in baseball and basketball. Excess in athletics would be as injurious as excess in study. There is little danger of the latter and the effort is made to keep athletics within proper bounds, letting them assist in rounding out good moral and physical manhood.
There have been twenty-four visitors to the school dur- ing the present school year. These have been very wel- come and others will be equally so.
The call issued by the officers of the Alumni Association organized last June met with a hearty response from the Alumni, both at home and abroad. An enthusiastic rally was held, and this year the association plans for a more definite and more organized reunion than before.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD R. CLARKE, Principal.
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GRADUATING EXERCISES of the
CLASS OF 1905-FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 23. SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL.
PROGRAM.
Prayer, Rev. George A. Hathaway Salutatory and Essay, "Scituate in History,"
Marjorie May Mott
Tenor Solo, "My Dreams," Mr. Robert Martin Essay, "Mary, Queen of Scotts,"
Herberta Elizabeth Webb Oration, "Electricity vs. Steam as a Motive Power,"
William Prince Otis
Essay, "Village Improvement," Oration, "Subways,"
Alice Tower Lee Maurice Raymond Noonan Mr. Martin
Solo, "Songs of Araby."
"The Class in History," William Merrill Wade
Essay, "Scotch Writers," Helen Josephine Litchfield Essay, "Preservation of Natural Scenery."
Bertha Lovell Lincoln
Oration, "Russia and the Czar."
Henry James MacDonald
Chorus, "The New Hail Columbia," School
"The Class Bequests," Florence Elmer Damon Oration, "Athletics in High School Life,"
Ralph Carpenter Clapp Essay, "The Island Empire." Edna Franklin Litchfield Presentation of Class Picture, "Stratford-on-Avon,"
Acceptance. Solo, "Before the Dawn,"
Hazel Althea Reddy Waldo Francis Bates, Jr. Mr. Martin
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"The Class in the Future." Charles Ritter Richardson Valedictory and Essay, "The Warrior in Literature." Elizabeth Johnson Jackson Supt. E. L. Willard Rev. Ross W. Adair
Conferring of Diplomas, Benediction,
Class.
Ralph Carpenter Clapp. Elizabeth Johnson Jackson,
Bertha Lovell Lincoln,
Helen Josephine Litchfield,
Marjorie May Mott,
William Prince Otis,
Charles Ritter Richardson,
William Merrill Wade,
Florence Elmer Damon, Alice Tower Lee, Edna Franklin Litchfield, Henry James MacDonald, Maurice Raymond Noonan, Hazel Althea Reddy, Ruth Augusta Sampson, Herberta Elizabeth Webb.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES.
Hatherly.
Elizabeth Bailey.
Inez Litchfield.
Bertha Brown
Julia Litchfield.
Mary Belle Brown.
Marion Litchfield.
Stanley Dorr.
Edward Noonan.
Martin Gannett. Allan Litchfield.
Marjorie Pratt. Emma Vinal.
Viola Vinal.
Jenkins.
Helen Duffey. Lawrence Litchfield. Mary O'Hern. Ernest Smith.
Annie Turpin. Beatrice Turpin. Albert Whorf. Robert Young.
REPORT OF MUSIC TEACHER.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
As the music is a great interest in the children's school work, may it prove of interest to others. The work has been so earnest and thorough in nearly every case that the work of the present year is really a review of last year's work for those who remain in a room for the second year. The first grade can only make the smallest beginnings by learning simple songs, which may gradually grow more dif- ficult if they show musical ability. A great deal depends upon the natural gift in this grade. In some cases it would seem that the music had been neglected, but upon investi- gating one would find that the differences were with the children. It is well known that some children sing as early as they talk, while others do not acquire the ability to sing one song accurately until they are ten or twelve years old. The story is told of one of Boston's greatest musicians, Mrs. Beach, that she could sing forty songs when she was one year old; but we know of instances in our own schools of children who take a leading part who did not learn to strike the pitch until they had reached the fourth or fifth grade. So although any backwardness may be inconven- ient for awhile, it is not necessarily discouraging.
The fourth and fifth grades have won the approval of teachers and other visitors from outside the town, through their fearless determination to progress. We hope they will continue to carry on their work with equal care, in order to keep the good opinions already gained, if nothing more.
The higher grades have arrived at the place where they
Scituate 9
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must practice many uninteresting exercises in chromatic progressions, minor studies and uneven beats, which prove to be dull, but which are lightened by three-part songs. The teachers all feel the deep necessity of obtaining a thor- ough knowledge of the exercises, in order to bring the ren- dering of the songs to a high standard, and as a result even the exercises are pleasing to the listener.
The High School lacks material to sing. but not voices to sing with. There is a fair balancing of voices, and the work done on the lower parts exceeds anything accom- plished in recent years. This may sound like a vast com- pliment, but it is really a very small one-smaller than they merit. After a brief preparation the pupils of the High School joined in a test in musical notation. Too much cannot be said of the admirable spirit with which this test was met by nearly all, and the results were even greater than might have been expected.
The marking of per cents. was most unsatisfactory, be- cause of the advantages some have over others which were not gained in the singing lesson. Let us hope that all call- ers at the High School will ask to hear singing, as the full school finds so little opportunity to sing before the public, it being a well known fact that public singing has its own peculiar advantages.
We hope that everyone who hears a school sing and finds anything to commend will appreciate where the com- mendation belongs-with the teacher.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIE C. STODDARD.
December 31, 1905.
REPORT OF DRAWING TEACHER.
To the Superintendent of Schools-
The drawing in the public schools has gone on much the same as usual, and there is little that is new to be said in this line. We are using again this year Mr. Henry T. Bailey's outlines for our course of study, and the pupils are much interested in the competition for prizes offered in "The School Arts Book," the magazine of which Mr. Bailey is editor. One of our boys has had the honor to carry off the first prize, and others have taken some of the lower prizes. The interest is greater than last year, and the work much improved-the pencil drawing especially. Many who were poor workers before, are doing well now. For this improvement the credit is largely due to the class teach- ers, who have great influence on their pupils. Scituate is certainly to be congratulated on its fine teachers. The small children think the drawing and painting great fun. This is the age when they will not hesitate to attempt any- thing, and they really learn a good deal about handling the materials, using their hands very cleverly many times.
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