USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1898-1905 > Part 4
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I am also aware that some parents would read such a record with concern, while still others would no doubt read it with positive astonishment. It was this last class of parents that I desired to reach by such a feature of my re- port as this record would be.
At the outset I assume that every parent who has a child within the limits of the school age, as defined by the statutes, wishes that child to attend school, and to attend regularly.
But for various reasons I am lead to suspect that not a few parents in town are not always aware when their children are absent from school: that it often happens that children are sent to school who do not go, and it was to remedy this evil so far a's was possible by such a course, that I have wished to have the school registers, or rather the records taken from them, open to all.
The attendance is not what it should be, and I have found it necessary, as truant officer, to exercise my authority more often this year, than the sum total of the two previous years that I have served in this capacity.
In order that a copy of the latest law regarding school at- tendance may be in the hands of every voter and tax payer in town, I desire to append below Section 12. Chapter 496, of the Act, approved June 2, 1898 :
"Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the town or city in
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which he resides, during the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to child- ren, places of attendance and schools as are provided for in Sections three, seven, ten, and eleven of this Act : Provided, that the Superintendent of Schools, or where there is no Superintendent of Schools, the School Committee, or teach- ers acting under the authority of said Superintendent of Schools, or School Committee, may excuse cases of neces- sary absence; and provided, further, that the attendance of a child upon a public day school shall not be required if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such town or city in accordance with Section two of Chapter four hundred and ninety-eight, of the Acts of the year eighteen hundred and ninety-four, or if such child has been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already ac- quired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools. or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracti- cable. Every person having under his control a child as de- scribed in this section shall cause such child to attend school as required by this section."
The following are the changes from the old law :--
Section 12 makes attendance upon a public school com- pulsory for all children between the ages of seven (instead of eight, as heretofore) and fourteen years during the entire time (instead of thirty weeks, as heretofore, and without an allowance for two weeks of unexcused absence, as hereto- fore) the public schools are in session.
Excepted from these provisions are (a) children that are attending approved private day schools (old) ; (b) children that are compelled by necessity to be absent, including child- ren whose physical or mental condition renders their atten- dance inexpedient or impracticable (old).
A clause in this section requires parents or guardians to cause children under their control to attend school according to law.
THE TRAINING OF TEACHERS.
A year ago the training of teachers in our own schools was somewhat of an experiment. But at the present time
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it is safe to say that the preparation of young women in our own schools and by our own teachers, for the work of teach- ing, has progressed beyond the experimental stage. This feature of our school work has recently been severely criti- cised by an agent of the State Board of Education, who said in effect, that we had our normal schools. In them we give the whole time and attention to the training of teachers. There ought to be legislation which would forbid your doing this very thing, and compel you to secure only normal school graduates. But for us, the truth is just this: With the money at our disposal, we, here in Scituate, cannot have our pick of these graduates, while we can have our choice of the residents of our own town. It is my belief that these latter will more often make successful teachers than those whom we might be able to secure of the normal school graduates. For this reason I am much in favor of a continuance of the plan. I would suggest further that some arrangement be made with the teachers of the East Grammar and Brook Street Schools, whereby the trainers in these schools may take a more active part in the real work of teaching. To ob- serve is good as far as it goes, but to teach under the critical eye and direction of the regular teacher, is vastly better. During the past year five pupil teachers have been training in the schools of the town, four in the several rooms of the Hatherly School, and one in both the East Grammar and Brook Street Schools. The success of the plan has been demonstrated in the fact that two of the former trainers are now in schools of their own, and are giving entire satisfac- tion to all concerned. Miss Sara M. Kane, the first to ac- cept the opportunity to train in town, is now the teacher of grades one and two of the Hatherly School, while Miss Nel- lie F. Randall was engaged by the committee of Duxbury, for a month's trial, last fall, to take charge of the school at Island Creek, since which time she has been permanently engaged. The trainers now in the schools are Miss Grace Litchfield, Miss Lola Randall, Miss Blanche Gardner, and Miss Delano. All have shown a zeal in their work, which augurs well for their future success, both those who have finished their training, and those who are still training.
The plan followed at the Hatherly School is the most de- sirable. There they are taught to teach by real work in teaching. Experience is the best school as well as the best
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teacher. While it helps to lessen the work of the regular teacher, it also helps the pupil teacher far more than mere observation could ever help her.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
There have been seven regular teachers' meetings held in each one of the three towns. One union meeting was held last spring in the Marshfield High School, at which all the teachers in the district, except two, were present. This meeting was addressed by Dr. John T. Prince of the State Board of Education, on "School Government," and by Prin- cipal Thomas H. H. Knight of the Partridge Academy, Duxbury, on "A Business Course for High Schools."
These meetings have been, I believe, a source of much good to our teachers. In them the subjects have always been pre- sented in such a way that their suggestions might readily be applied to the regular work of the schools. There has been one of these meetings each year, and I think I can say with truth, that all the teachers consider the time in them as well spent.
It has always been my purpose to hold one of the regular meetings each month. But for three reasons it has been im- possible to adhere strictly to this plan. Vacations some- times break into the month so as to make a teachers' meeting not advisable. State institutes and county conventions, al- ways coming, as they do, during the fall term of school, cause meetings to be dropped. But the third and most im- portant reason is that on account of the many interruptions caused by the severity of the weather, it has sometimes been thought unwise to still further close the schools for these meetings. In large towns all these difficulties may be easily overcome by holding the meetings on some evening of the week, or on Saturdays. But in a sparsely settled commu- nity, like our own, either one of these plans will be seen to be next to an impossiblity. The best we can do is to get in a meeting, here and there; where we can. This has been done, and never has one been omitted except for one of the three reasons above mentioned.
TEXT BOOKS.
I earnestly hope that a careful revision of the text books may be made before another school year opens. Some of
.
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the books now in use are out of date, and many of them are. in such poor condition that it does not seem advisable to use them longer.
A short time ago I sent to the teachers a carefully pre- pared list of questions, concerning the authors, number and condition of the books now in use, and it is upon the infor- mation which I have received in answer to these questions, together with my own personal observation, that I base the opinion that the book list ought to be revised.
Some of the books now being used are excellent and in good condition. As an example, I would mention the Met- calf Language Series. These at the present time are only in the hands of the teachers. For successful work in this line, it seems to me that the seventh and eighth grades, at least, ought to be supplied with copies, and better still, it would be, if all four of the upper grades could possess them.
Another example of a satisfactory book is that of the Rand and McNally Geography. But this book is only in two or three of the schools. Either this or Frye's book, which is used in some schools, would be good to adopt throughout the town.
We have some good readers and some poor ones, both as to the matter contained, and condition. We have few good arithmetics. This is especially true in the primary grades.
Variety of text books is an excellent thing, but not that kind of a variety which exists in our schools at the present time. There should be. I believe, a certain amount of uni- formity for the best work. To secure the most satisfactory results there should be a certain text book, regularly adopted by the Committee, in the study of arithmetic, the subject matter of which should be covered in a given time. Then while that is being done, or after it is done, and for the ben- efit of a large amount of drill, as many other books as are convenient to the teacher ought to be called into service. The same argument is true in regard to the other subjects. Of course, the greater variety of reading books we can have at our disposal, the better, but we need one series as a stand- ard for all schools, with as much supplementary material grouped around that series as is possible. If this could be done the pupils of the several schools, so far as books were concerned, at least, would possess equal advantages. But as it is, there is a wide variety of books in the schools, and a
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consequent wide diversity in the attainments and preparation of the pupils as they step from grade to grade.
Alittleadvancein thelines that have been suggested in re- gard to text books will cost but little, but will be a wonderful help to both teachers and pupils, and will give to our school work that degree of uniformity, which all must admit is at least desirable, if not absolutely necessary.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The following is a program of a teachers' institute, held in Partridge Academy, Duxbury, Oct. 14th, 1898: 9.00 A. M.
Opening Exercises.
9.10 A. M. Conditions of Success in School Management, Grenville T. Fletcher
IO.IO A. M.
Drawing (Primary
Section ),
L. Walter Sargent
IO.IO A. M.
Arithmetic (Grammar Sec- George A. Walton tion), English Composition (High
IO.IO
A. M.
School Section), John T. Prince Reading (Primary Section), Mr. Fletcher Geography (Grammar Section),
Burt J. Tice
II .. IO
A. M.
Latin (High School Section),
James W. MacDonald
1.00
1.00
P. M.
1.00
P. M.
P. M. Numbers (Primary Section), Mr. Walton Grammar (Grammar Section), Mr. Prince Geometry (High School Sec- tion), Mr. MacDonald Elements of Geography (Pri- mary Section), Mr. Tice
2.00 P. M.
2.00
P. M.
Drawing (Grammar Section), Mr. Sargent Literature (High School Sec-
2.00
P. M.
tion), Miss Ellen Thompson, Brookline The American Voice,
3.00
P. M.
Miss Mary A. Currier, Cambridge
In general I believe the schools are prospering. Some features of the work have been considerably improved over that of last year. Perhaps the most marked improvement has been made in the writing. The success of the vertical system seems now to be assured. The reading also has made some good steps in the right direction. The advance
II .. IO
A. M.
II.IO
A. M.
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in this subject has been not only the power of oral expres- sion, but also what is better and a more lasting good, there has been a great amount of time and effort spent in arous- ing in the minds of the pupils a desire for good reading out- side the regular school work. This is especially true of the High and two Grammar schools.
Into one school library I myself placed seventy-five books as an experiment. The material in these books ranged all the way from fairy stories to selections from Emerson, Mil- ton and Shakespeare. The teacher of that school has con- ducted a circulating library, and at no time have I been able to find more than twenty of my books on the shelves. Near- ly all are in constant demand among the pupils.
The way in which some of the teachers have stimulated a desire for good reading in their pupils is worthy of special mention, and I, for one, feel like saying, let the good work go on. We cannot by any possible means, estimate how many temptations, nor how many evil habits way be warded off, by the single habit of good reading.
In conclusion, I wish to thank the Committee for their sup- port and confidence during the past year. I wish also to thank the teachers for the cordial co-operation with which they have aided me in carrying on my work. The remem- brance of many of them, wherever I may be, and in whatever occupation, I shall always carry with me as examples of earnestness and zeal in their work.
To citizens in general, also, I am grateful for the charita- ble manner in which they have always treated my many mis- takes and shortcomings.
The High School report, the reports of the music and drawing teachers, will be found on the following pages, to- gether with that of the truant officer, all of which are com- mended to your careful attention.
Respectfully submitted, EDGAR L. WILLARD, Superintendent of Schools.
December 31st, 1898.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
The year just closed has been a very prosperous one for the Scituate High School.
A class of fourteen, the largest in the history of the school, was graduated in June. Several of these entered the nor- mal schools, and our institution is now represented at Fra- mingham, Salem and Bridgewater.
Each year a larger number of our pupils are studying Latin and French. If physiology and bookkeeping could be finished in the Grammar schools, it would enable us to make the High School. course much more thorough and complete.
In very few of the High schools of the State are the teachers required to hear as many classes per day as in ours. In order to lessen this difficulty, the plan of doubling classes has been tried, that is, physics is not taught this year, but those who would take it are put with the chemistry class. while both classes will take physics next year. Latin classes are doubled in the same way, and the plan seems to work well.
The school is very fortunate in retaining the services of Miss Kellogg, who is a very capable and efficient teacher, always ready and willing to do even more than her part of the work. The most cordial relations exist between the teachers and pupils of the High School, and there has not been the least ripple of trouble or disturbance during the year.
Respectfully yours, J. N. MALLORY, Principal.
REPORT ON MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
The study of music in the schools has been carried on this year, as formerly. The result of the work, has, in many of the schools, been very satisfactory, while in others it is not
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so satisfactory. This is seen at the different school exhibi- tions and graduations.
In some schools the scholars sing their songs as naturally and easily as one could wish, and all seem to enjoy them, while in others the elements of music, rythm, melody and harmony are lacking. When I am asked in what class I ob- tain the best results, I can always truthfully say in just that class or school in which the regular teacher most carefully follows out the plan of music. That is, of course, when all other things are equal. When I have so much ground to cover, and only one half hour in each school, once in two weeks, my work becomes chiefly that of a supervisor, and nothing can make up for the lack of proper daily drill, which the regular teacher must have in charge. When the school is so large that the teacher can not give the twenty or thirty minutes as required, each day, to music, it seems to me something must be done, either some other study must be omitted, or the school session made a half-hour longer; otherwise the work of the special teacher is very unpleas- ant, for the scholars are expected to sing, and sing well, and they cannot without practice.
The scholars in all the schools with but few exceptions are very willing to do what is required of them in music, and as a class are musical and good singers. We hear it said so often that if a child is not musical and cannot sing a song in tune, it is useless to try to teach him music. In one of the small schools where I can give undivided work, I have been very interested to see if this was true. Three years ago, two of the scholars in that school could not sing the tones of the major scale, nor a song so that one could tell by the sound which they were trying to sing. The teacher has taught them to think, listen and imitate sound, and now they can sing either the scale or read by note a little song very acceptably. It is my belief that if they continue as they have begun, they will be able to sing far better than the average singer, when they reach the High School.
Music, in fact, is a language, and should be learned just as any other language is learned. I believe that the best and most systematic method by which we can learn this lan- guage, is found in the "Natural Music Course," prepared by Frederick H. Ripley and Thomas Tapper. If this course
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was adopted and used here, a great advance would be made in music.
Through the year I have given the pupils not only the season songs, but also more solid work by some of the best composers, as Mendelssohn, Haydn, Sullivan, Barnby, Francis Scott Key, and others, with words by S. F. Smith, Mrs. Hemans, Alfred Tennyson, Eugene Field and Charles Wesley.
As music is a part, and an important part, in our lives, and as it pervades everything, our school music work cannot be over-estimated.
Respectfully submitted, ESTELLA LITCHFIELD, Teacher of Music.
December 31st, 1898.
REPORT ON DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
By the vote of the Town, last March, the subject of draw- ing was given a definite place in the schools of Scituate. The Committee thought best to wait until September before employing a special teacher in all the schools, but arranged to have the work continued in the High and Hatherly Schools from March until June.
Since September each school has been visited bi-weekly, and outlines and suggestions given the teachers for the in- tervening lessons.
The results in drawing as yet reveal only a beginning in the right direction. Time alone will show the effect of the careful work which is being done by the teachers. Right here let me gratefully acknowledge the kind reception the supervisor has received at the hands of the teachers, and also thank them for their hearty co-operation in the work. The interest manifested by both teachers and pupils will do much to further its progress.
The course began in September, with drawing from na- ture; water colors, ink and colored pencils being used. The pupils tried not only to copy faithfully the color and char-
-
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acteristics of the flowers, but also to study them in refer- ence to their adaptability to design. Book covers and dec- orative calendars were made.
While we desire for our pupils a deeper appreciation of beautiful things, we also desire that they be able to draw common objects easily and accurately; so, much of the time has been spent in model drawing. Last winter problems in constructive geometry were given in the upper grades of the Hatherly School, and working drawing of the type forms made in the intermediate grades. The younger pupils were taught the use of the rule and the accurate construction of simple ornamental figures from colored paper.
Each departure from simple lead pencil drawing incurs of course, new expense, and while these expenses are not great, it seems hardly expedient to spend for the special sub- ject of drawing, the money appropriated and so much need- ed for the supplies of the general school work.
If I may be allowed a suggestion I would respectfully .ask you to consider the advisability of voting each year a sum of money outside the appropriation for general school sup- plies, to be employed in meeting the demands of the special teachers of music and drawing. Oftentimes necessity has been the mother of invention in procuring materials for the work in drawing, where the expenditure of a few dollars would have been the means of obtaining far better results with less trouble to both teachers and scholars.
We want our pupils to realize that by study of drawing, they are acquiring a new language which will be of inestim- able value to them. A little sketch quickly and accurately drawn is oftentimes more lurid and more expressive than the spoken or written words of description. Surely it is a great privilege to aid them in beginning this gift.
Respectfully submitted. SARAH TILDEN BAILEY, Special Teacher of Drawing.
December 31st, 1898.
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REPORT OF THE TRUANT OFFICER.
I have often hinted, more or less strongly, in my reports as Superintendent of Schools, that I believed parents were largely responsible for the unnecessary absences of their children. I do not suppose that I have investigated one- tenth part of the absences which have occurred during the past year : Neither do I presume that I have known of one- half of the cases of actual truancy, which have existed, but the facts below speak for themselves and go to show how far amiss my suppositions in regard to the attitude of parents have been.
The following is the report on truancy :-
Absent without sufficient reason, I5
Number of actual truants, I2
Number of cases investigated, 27
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR L. WILLARD,
Truant Officer.
December 31st, 1898.
1
GRADUATING EXERCISES of the CLASS OF '98, SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL, Friday Evening, June 24, 1898, at 8 o'clock.
CLASS MOTTO, "Beginning Not Ending." -
PROGRAMME.
Prayer, Salutatory,
Oration, "A Plea for Play,"
Rev. Joseph Cooper Blanche C. Gardner La John E. Prouty len
MUSIC.
Debate. Is Labor-saving Machinery of Advantage to the Laboring Man ? Aff., Richard Clapp Neg., Louis E. Cole.
Recitation, "The Drummer and Fifer of Scituate,"
Lucy M. Mitchell
MUSIC.
Essay, "A Vision of the Past," Mary A. Schenck
Scientific Essay. The Electro-Magnet, Class History,
Wm. R. Damon Clifton B. Lee
MUSIC.
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Teacher Class Author, "Harriet Beecher Stowe," Alice F. Manson
Presentation, Gustavus Pratt. stechnica
Acceptance, Sara L. Burleigh, '99. MUSIC.
Essay, The Metric System, Ella M. Seaverns am
Oration, "The American Navy,"
Percy B. Clapp
Recitation, "How the LaRue Stakes Were Lost,"
Velma W. Morris Lacelu
Music. Parting Song, "Hail and Farewell," by the School Valedictory, Elsie E. Turner
Presentation of Diplomas, Mr. Joy K. Gannett, Jr.
Music, "Good Night," Quartette
Music by the Apollo Quartette of Boston.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE.
FOR THE
Year Ending December 30, 1899
ATE
SCIT
INCOR
1633.
PLYMOUTH THE MEMORIAL PRESS 1900
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.
HELD IN SCITUATE, MARCH 6, 1899.
HENRY T. BAILEY, Moderator.
ARTICLE 3 .- Voted, That the report of the Selectmen and other Town Officers be accepted as printed.
ART. 2 .- Officers chosen for the year :
For Town Clerk-Charles Manson.
Voted, That the persons chosen for Selectmen shall serve as Assessors and Overseers of Poor.
For Selectmen-George H. Webb, John J. Ford, Azro Turner.
For Treasurer-Roland Turner.
For Collector-Roland Turner.
For School Committee for three years-Clara M. Skeele.
ART. 24 .- To see if the Town will revoke its vote of March 1, 1897, whereby it accepted Chapter 374, Acts of 1895, placing the repairs of roads and bridges under a single highway surveyor. Voted, To indefinitely postpone.
ART. 23 .- Voted, That the Town choose a surveyor of highways as provided in Chapter 374, Acts of 1895.
ART. 2 .- For Surveyor of Highways-John T. Fitts. For Auditor-Francis B. Lee.
For Pound Keeper-Stillman Litchfield.
For Field Driver-A. Judson Bates.
For Fence Viewers-John J. Ford, Hosea J. Stockbridge, Turner Litchfield, Wm. O. Clapp.
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