USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1906-1909 > Part 32
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This matter has been brought to the attention of the Super- intendent of Schools, and we take this method of requesting
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parents to see that their children are provided with individual cups, and that the danger that lurks in the common cup is impressed upon their minds.
Recent investigation has shown that innumerable troubles and epidemics may result from this source.
Owing to the possible contamination of the North River clam flats from typhoid fever in Marshfield, it was deemed advisable to prohibit the digging of clams in that locality for a time, but as the trouble has now been remedied the restric- tion has been removed.
The Board has endeavored to faithfully attend to and remedy all complaints brought to their attention.
We wish to thank all who have complied with our require- ments, and shall at all times be pleased to consider suggestions · tending to the common good.
THOS. H. FARMER, Chairman. FREDERIC COLE, Secretary. H. F. CLEVERLY, M.D.
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INSPECTOR OF MILK
SCITUATE, MASS., January 1, 1910.
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN: In appointing a Milk Inspector I feel that the Board has made decided progress, for the matter of pure milk of good quality is a subject largely in the public eye.
The first work was to send notices and application blanks to all milk dealers selling milk in this town, and as a result twenty-one licenses were issued.
As it was late in the year before this was accomplished, not as much work has been done as can be another year.
The policy has been to look into the quality of the milk , furnished, and about twenty-five samples have been analyzed, some obtained directly from the dealer and some from cus- tomers.
The average result has shown a favorable comparison with other localities, some samples being exceptionally good.
Ample time now having been given dealers to know that samples may be required at any time, it behooves them to take pride in the quality and cleanliness of their product.
Respectfully· submitted,
THOS. H. FARMER, PH.G., Milk Inspector.
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INSPECTOR OF MEAT
SCITUATE, MASS., January 1, 1910.
To the Board of Health:
GENTLEMEN : Upon accepting the position of Meat Inspector I have endeavored to inform myself of the requirements and have spent some time in the large slaughter houses in order to familiarize myself with the required duties.
There are two licenses for the slaughter of cattle granted by the Selectmen, and the holders of these have notified me and I have inspected the animals slaughtered.
Since my appointment in April I have inspected 34 calves, 1 bullock, 67 pigs, 20 sheep, and found them all in good con- dition.
Yours respectfully,
THOS. H. FARMER, PH.G., Meat Inspector.
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REPORT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF BURIAL GROUND, MEETING-HOUSE LANE
SCITUATE, MASS., January 1, 1910. To the Board of Selectmen:
The usual work has been done this year in keeping the yard mowed and free from briers and weeds. An unusual ex- pense has been incurred in relaying the northeast corner of the ancient wall, which fell into the street, and in repairing other parts of the wall which seemed likely to fall. The entire wall has been put in good shape and looks fairly well. A large tree which had been killed during the winter has been replaced, and several of the old headstones were reset. Much interest in the preservation of this ancient cemetery is felt by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston, where a record of these old headstones is kept. The oldest stone is 1690.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLA BATES, Custodian.
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REPORT OF THE SCITUATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES OF THE SCITUATE WATER COMPANY FOR THE YEAR 1909
Receipts
Jan. 2. Water rates. $44 85
Jan. 11. Water rates. 1,735 16
Jan. 14. Loan 450 00
Jan. 22. Water rates. 627 67
Feb. 1. Water rates.
286 32
Feb. 1. Service rates
37 35
Feb. 1. Interest
27 01
June 9. Water rates.
252 98
July 3. Water rates.
1,274 73
July 3. Service rates
60 60
July 7. Service rates
86 05
July 7. Water rates.
1,253 49
Jnly 12. Water rates. 1,055 74
July 12. Service rates
45 55
July
12. General maintenance, labor 28 00
2,510 40
July 16. Service rates
54 00
July
26. Water rates.
1,417 53
Aug. 3.
Water rates.
469 80
Aug.
3. Service rates
107 66
Aug. 12. Service rates
56 40
Aug. 12. Water rates.
740 62
Aug. 16. Water rates.
533 75
Aug. 16. Service rates
59 75
Aug. 26. Water rates.
455 95
Sept. 3. Water rates.
307 11
Sept.
3. Service rates 35 05
July
16.
Water rates.
129
Oct. 1. Service rates
$83 25
Oct. 1. Water rates
703 03
Oct. 12. Water rates
337 38
Oct. 12. Service rates
8 00
Oct. 20. Service rates
48 00
Oct. 20. Water rates
541 33
Oct. 31. Interest
13 84
Nov. 2. Water rates
112 09
Nov. 2. Service rates
37 05
Dec. 18. Service rates
101 10
Dec. 18. Water rates
204.42
Dec. 18. Rent
55 00
Dec. 28. Water rates 73 00
Dec. 28. Service rates 95 75
$16,426 76
Expenditures
Jan. 15.
Interest $2,250 00
Jan. 30. Salaries 91 66
Jan. 30. Pumping station, maintenance 8 05
Jan. 30. Service maintenance .
10 50
Jan. 30. General maintenance . 74 65
Jan. 30. Fuel .
3 50
Feb. 5. 62 50
Office expenses
Feb. 5. General maintenance. 70 83
Feb. 5. Fuel .
39 85
Feb. 5. Legal expenses
78 10
Feb. 27.
Salary .
91 66
Feb. 27 General maintenance. 30 78
Feb. 27. Pumping station, maintenance 11 72
Feb. 27 Pipe line, maintenance . 1 75
Feb. 27. Haines & Co., account construction 10,000 00
March 9. General maintenance. 15 39
March 9. Pumping station, maintenance 6 94
March 10. Interest 27 01
130
March 31. Salary . $91 66
March 31. General maintenance.
61 50
March 31. Pumping station maintenance 11 37
March 31. Service maintenance . 2 63
April 1. Pumping station maintenance. 48 95
April 1. General maintenance. 43 22
April 30. Salary 91 66
May 3. General maintenance. 3 29
May 3. Expense 5 00
June 18. General maintenance. 57 08
July 6. Salary
91 66
July 6.
General maintenance.
134 57
July 6. Service maintenance . 10 00
July 6.
Pumping station maintenance 12 00
July 6. Rebate water rates
6 00
July 12. General maintenance.
10 30
July 12. Pumping station maintenance
12 50
July 15. Interest
2,500 00
Aug. 2. Dividend
4,000 00
Aug. 3.
Salary . 91 66
133 38
Aug. 3. Pumping station maintenance
51 71
Aug. 3. Pipe line maintenance
1 00
Aug. 5. Salary 91 66
Aug. 5. General maintenance. 76 64
375 00
Aug. 5. Fuel .
336 51
Aug. 5. Legal expenses
15 00
Sept. 6. Salary
91 66
Sept. 6. General maintenance.
85 28
Sept. 16. Pumping station maintenance
12 75
Sept. 16. Fuel .
6 66
Sept. 30. Taxes
1,862 95
Sept. 30. General maintenance. 25 00
Oct. 1. Salary 91 66
Aug. 3,
General maintenance.
Aug. 5. Office expenses
131
Oct. 1. General maintenance. $49 20
Oct. 1. Pumping station maintenance 6 00
Oct. 7. General maintenance. 60 00
Oct. 27. General maintenance. 26 70
Nov. 1. General maintenance.
8 00
Nov. 1. Pumping station maintenance
2 75
Nov. 1.
Fuel .
174 93
Nov. 2. General maintenance. 81 65
2 00
Nov. 2.
Salary
91 66
Nov. 4.
Pumping station maintenance 12 50
Nov. 10. Interest 60 00
Dec. 17. Insurance
30 00
Dec. 17.
General maintenance.
160 65
Dec. 17. Pumping station maintenance 46 96
Dec. 17. Service maintenance . 8 00
Dec. 17. Salary 91 66
Dec. 17.
Return of loan
450 00
Dec. 17. Haines & Co. (on account)
403 78
Dec. 17. Office expenses
425 00
Dec. 21. General maintenance. 53 30
Dec. 28.
Salary
91 66
Dec. 28. General maintenance. 33 10
Dec. 28. Fuel . 2 00
Dec. 28.
Pumping station maintenance 16 00
Dec. 28.
Service maintenance 6 00
Dec. 28.
Rebate water rates
10 00
Dec. 29. Office expenses
137 50
Dec. 29. General maintenance. 39 35
Dec. 29. Pipe line maintenance
10 15
Dec. 29. Pumping station maintenance
13 00
Dec. 29. Fuel .
97 38
Dec. 29.
Interest 65 51
$26,183 19
Nov. 2. Fuel .
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1909
135
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1910
Winter Term
Commences January 3
Closes March 25
Spring Term
Commences April 4 Closes June 24
Fall Term
Commences September 6 Closes December 21
Holidays
Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
136
SCITUATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Julia E. Webb, Chairman, term expires 1910.
Clara M. Skeele, Secretary, term expires 1911.
Peter W. Sharp, term expires 1912.
SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN Residence, No. Scituate. P.O. address, Egypt
TEACHERS . NAME, SCHOOL, ADDRESS
W. J. B. MacDougald, A.B., principal, High School, Egypt. Louise Adams, A.B., assistant, High School, North Scituate. Helen L. Woodfin, A.B., Commercial Department, Scituate Center.
Georgina K. Fiske, A.B., English and History, Scituate Center. Grace B. Simmons, A.B., principal, Hatherly School, North Scituate.
Ella S. Knight, grades 6 and 7, Hatherly School, North Scituate.
Lilliette C. Jenkins, grades 4 and 5, Hatherly School, Scituate.
Sarah M. Kane, grades 2 and 3, Hatherly School, Greenbush.
Eleanor E. Curtis, grade 1, Hatherly School, Scituate.
Sarah L. Meigs, principal, Jenkins School, Scituate.
Nellie E. Adams, grades 6 and 7, Jenkins School, Scituate.
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Josephine I. Barry, grades 4 and 5, Jenkins School, Scituate. E. Gertrude Gardner, grades 2 and 3, Jenkins School, Scituate. Mary E. Gillis, grade 1, Jenkins School, Scituate. Josephine G. Ward, High Street School, North Scituate. Lillie C. Stoddard, music, North Scituate. Harriet J. Ford, drawing, Millbrook.
TRUANT OFFICERS John F. Turner, Caleb J. Prouty.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. William P. Grovestein.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
In presenting to you a brief retrospect of the work of the public schools of Scituate for the past year we desire to draw your attention to the fact that it does not differ very materially from those of former years, excepting that the past year has been one of progress, and not simply a year of marking time.
That our schools have reached perfection it would be folly to claim; with the trend and ideas of what constitutes an adequate education, changing more or less each year, it is out of the question. Centuries ago one named Seneca uttered this statement: "Now teach me what is necessary"; and Canon Farrar adds this comment:
"Considering the condition of much which in modern times passes under the name of 'Education,' we may possibly find that the hints of Seneca are not yet wholly obsolete."
We have refrained from introducing fads, and have en- deavored to confine our school curriculum to the fundamental studies, and in the grammar schools to a more thorough training of what constitutes the "spinal cord of education," known of old as the three R's.
New teachers coming to our town comment on the fact that our High School scholars cannot read as they ought. This shows a lack of thorough training in the grammar school. We are endeavoring to combat this weakness by devoting special efforts to this particular study. A student may lack a thorough knowledge of physiology, hygiene, botany and other studies, but there is no excuse for his not' being proficient in reading, writing and arithmetic.
139
While "short steps" to education may assist us a little, yet we cannot really obtain a thorough, comprehensive educa- tion unless we have the roots well grounded.
The evolution of education is now in process, and it behooves us to keep to the straight and narrow path, so well defined by Seneca, and not to try and pluck the fruit which is not yet ripe, even though it hangs so low and looks so tempting. When the present innovations have proved practical and successful, rest assured we will have them; until such time we must learn to labor and to wait.
We were unfortunate in losing the services of our Superin- tendent, John E. DeMeyer, who resigned in August to accept the superintendency of the Abington-Bridgewater district. During the time Mr. DeMeyer was with us our schools showed marked progress, and it was with reluctancy that we accepted his resignation.
The joint committee met at Duxbury and elected William E. Chaffin of Dennis as Superintendent, at a salary of $1,600, each town paying one-third of this amount, and receiving the same share of his services.
Mr. Chaffin is a man of long experience in school super- vision, and we hope that this experience will prove of value to us, and that the present high standard will be maintained, or even excelled, under his administration.
Principal Frank A. Scott resigned in July to accept a position as Junior Master in Physics at the Somerville English High. Mr. William J. B. MacDougald of Topsfield was recommended by Mr. DeMeyer to fill the vacancy, and was accordingly elected.
Miss Helen L. Woodfin of Cambridge was elected Com- mercial Teacher in place of Miss Florence Andrews. Miss Kellogg accepted a position in Newton, and Miss Georgina K. Fiske of Wellesley, '08, was elected teacher of English and History in her place.
Miss Lois Thompson resigned from the principalship of the
140
Jenkins School on account of ill health, and in her place was elected Miss Sarah L. Meigs. of Abington.
In regard to transportation, we have saved some money by extending the limit to one and one-half miles, which enabled us to eliminate several routes. By distributing the routes amongst different contractors, we have obtained very satisfactory results. In connection with our policy for the ensuing year, would say we have decided to leave this entirely with the town. We would simply suggest the ad- visability of putting on some supplementary winter routes.
The school buildings are in pretty good condition. The Jenkins has been repainted; the Hatherly will have to be next year. This year the High Street School will need renovating.
Through the efforts of pupils and citizens a telephone has been installed in the Jenkins; there ought to be one in each school building.
The High School problem still confronts and confuses us. We need a new building, but we need our town debt reduced first. What to suggest is a problem; something must be done, and now. Either lengthen the building out or raise it another story. It is out of the question to let it go for another year. If you will visit the school and see the present conditions for yourself, you will then be able to vote intelligently on the matter.
We wish we could feel that the parents were intensely in- terested in the education of their children; perhaps they are, . but refrain from showing it. Make a new resolution this year, and when you have a spare hour or even a few minutes drop in and see how things are going. We know the teachers will be pleased, even if your boy or your girl may not be.
It is with great regret that we announce that the senior member of this Board has declined, on account of ill health, to be a candidate for reelection. We invite your attention to the resolutions appended herewith.
We invite your attention to the reports submitted by the various officials; that part of the Superintendent's referring
141
to habits of punctuality is worthy of your particular notice. The High School principal's reveals the facts of the case, both in regard to the conditions of the High School building, as well as the need of proper application to studies.
In regard to the question of tardiness of scholars, we agree with our Superintendent that if conveyances are late, scholars should not be marked tardy. We purpose, if possible, arranging a system of signals for "no school," to be given at 8 A.M. on stormy days, to be rung at the Baptist and Methodist churches. In the event of its clearing before noon, afternoon session will be held unless roads are impassable.
We thank you, in closing, for your interest as manifested in the past, and which we hope will continue through this and many years to come.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER W. SHARP. JULIA E: WEBB. CLARA M. SKEELE.
SCITUATE, January 17, 1910.
Julia Elizabeth Webb was first elected to serve on the School Committee of this town in 1880, previous to which she taught at the Brook, Common and Willow Street Schools. For eight years she served as Secretary, and has for the last twenty-two been Chairman. In 1880 there were 406 pupils, today nearly 500.
The first year her associates were Rev. H. H. Hibben and I. Franklin Merritt. These gentlemen served only five months, and for the balance of the year Mrs. Webb was alone.
In 1880 the first complete High School course was adopted, and in 1882 the first graduation took place.
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It has been Mrs. Webb's privilege to serve with three other women, Mrs. A. F. E. Hammond, Miss Ella Bates, and the present member, Miss Clara M. Skeele.
During the time that Mrs. Webb has been in office the schools have undergone vast changes. For thirty long years Mrs. Webb has constantly and earnestly endeavored to keep up with the trend of modern educational development, and has been eminently successful; for today, while not perfect, still Scituate schools rank high in the county, and compare favorably with those of the entire State.
Such measure of progress could not have been brought about without some one at the helm to steer the ship along. Mrs. Webb, by her untiring perseverance, her readiness to listen patiently to complaint or advice, who has weathered the storm of district schools, consolidation and transportation; who was, and still is, beloved by scholars, teachers, parents and citizens, has now reached the conclusion that her health will not permit of her being a candidate for reelection next March.
In view of these facts, and considering their importance, it was therefore voted that the following resolutions be adopted and spread upon the records of this Committee, and a copy thereof be sent to Mrs. Webb.
PETER W. SHARP. CLARA M. SKEELE.
January 17, 1910.
For a perod of thirty years Julia Elizabeth Webb, having labored earnestly and faithfully, in season and out, in behalf of the public schools and the cause of education in the Town of Scituate, it is hereby
Resolved, That this Committee, as a token of deep appre- ciation and esteem, do extend to her our hearty thanks; and it is further
143
Resolved, That these resolutions be made a part of our permanent records, that a copy of same be sent to Mrs. Webb, and that at the annual town meeting to be held on March 7, 1910, the town be asked to adopt these, or other suitable resolutions, in order that they may become a part of the perma- nent town records, so that future generations may thereby become acquainted with these facts.
PETER W. SHARP. CLARA M. SKEELE.
1
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee:
In accordance with your regulations I herewith submit my first annual report. As I have been with you but a single term, this report will have to do with the statistics for the year ending in June, 1909, and the present condition of the schools, together with such suggestions as seem pertinent at this time, rather than with the work of the schools for the past year.
The consolidation of the schools at the Jenkins and Hatherly buildings some years ago has given to the Town of Scituate an excellently graded system of schools for a town of its size. At present neither of these buildings has any overcrowded rooms. The report this year shows that the largest number of pupils in any room in either of these buildings is 48. While this is some more than an ideal number for one teacher, it is not so many pupils as are frequently found in schoolrooms throughout the State, and should not prevent satisfactory progress. The High Street School has a reasonable number of pupils and is doing well. Of the High School I will speak later.
Some of the barges are so crowded that something should be done to improve the condition.
The register returns for the year indicate much chance for improvement. The percentage of attendance is materially below the average for the State. With the transportation furnished, this should not be the case. The registers also show that there has been much more tardiness than there should have been. The schools cannot do their best work until the attendance is improved. Tardiness can to a con- siderable extent be controlled by the teachers, but parents can do much to improve the schools by seeing to it that their
145
children start for school in ample time to arrive promptly; to allow no absences unless for sickness or other serious cause; and to see that when in the higher grades they have regular and undisturbed study periods at home.
It should be remembered that the habits formed during school life are more important than the facts learned from books. A pupil by his daily faithfulness to class work and study periods, and by his uniformly regular and punctual attendance, should have the habits of industry and faithful- ness wrought into his character.
It does not seem right that pupils be marked for tardiness when the barge is late, as the tardy mark is supposed to record unfaithfulness of the pupil, and a child's sense of justice will lead him to feel that a wrong is done if he is marked when it is the driver's fault. When parents delay their children until tardy, the child's record must suffer for the neglect of the parent, as school authorities cannot be held responsible. They are responsible for the barges being on time, and should not tolerate tardiness in drivers.
With the exception of some records kept by individual teachers, no records of class work, deportment or attendance of the pupils have been permanently kept. The High School principal informs me that there is no record even of last year's work of the pupils to be found. The pupil should feel that day by day he is making a record that is to stand for life. Business concerns frequently write for information concerning the school records of young people who apply for positions some years after leaving school. If no records are perma- nently kept on file, there is no means of giving one credit for his school work. This defect should be remedied at once. The upper grammar grade rooms and the High School should be furnished with record books suitable for keeping a full and permanent record of all pupils: as these books are filled they should be placed on file at the school office and other similar books furnished to the schools. This would form a system
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of permanent records of original entry; and as a system of original entry is the only system adapted to local conditions, it should be required, at least until some better system is feasible.
It seems that too many pupils have been "kept back," or in other words failed of promotion at the close of the year. This has not occurred through withholding promotion to de- serving pupils, but because too many pupils were not fitted for promotion. It seems that this condition has arisen largely from two causes: first, from children entering the first grade too young to do the work of the grade well, and consequently getting more or less hazy impressions of school work; second, from lack of thoroughness in some of the work of intermediate grades.
In general the work in the schools continues much the same as last year. Effort is being made to strengthen it at weak points, and some things have been deemed worthy of special attention. Endeavor is being made to increase the accuracy of pupils in the fundamental operations in arithmetic. Memory gems have been learned by all grades below the High, and story-telling in the lower grades is to receive more attention. Muscular movement penmanship has been introduced in the grammar grades, and the principals of the Hatherly and Jen- kins Schools have each taken up the work with an energy and ability that are worthy of the highest praise. Marked progress has already been made in this subject.
Through the efforts of the principal, the pupils and their parents, a telephone has been installed at the Jenkins School.
Industrial work is being tried at this school, and part of the lunch hour is being devoted to the work. Sewing and Sloyd -such as the making of paper-knives and book-racks- are being taken up in the sixth and seventh grades. Brass work is being done by the eighth and ninth grades. The principal and Miss Nellie Adams are deserving of credit for this work. We should do all we reasonably can to promote
147
industrial work in the schools. It is difficult to find a city, State or government annual school report that doesnot devote much attention to industrial work. At present all cities of 20,000 or more inhabitants are required by law to teach manual training. Some of the smaller towns are taking up the work, and the time will probably come when manual training will be required by law to be taught throughout the State. The following on this subject is quoted from the latest report of the United States Commissioner of Education: "What the school needs is, in addition to the purely intellectual field of work, a rich field of manual work. For in this by far the greater number of human beings find their fertile field of development and support. The school needs, furthermore, those kinds of work which as much as possible are connected with the economic or domestic activities of the parents, so that the threads which the school spins may not be broken daily when the child returns home."
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