USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1906-1909 > Part 33
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While each of the subjects of school work has its allotted time and attention, reading in all grades has received the most careful inspection. Most pupils and too many teachers fail to realize the importance of the reading lesson. This is particularly true of grammar schools. When it is remembered that the knowledge of the ages is locked up in reading, and that he who can read most intelligently is best fitted to ac- quire knowledge, the importance of the reading lesson should become apparent. There is much that makes for the best in character-building in the appreciative reading of English mas- terpieces. The reading lessons in the higher grammar grades and in the High School should be so conducted as to develop a taste for much that is best in literature. It is useless to select a list of good books for one to read if they are beyond his appreciation, for they will not be read.
There are some pupils in every school who are slow in learn- ing to read. Teachers and parents will do much to help these slow readers if they will consult the librarian of the most con-
148
venient library and select easy and interesting children's classics for their home reading, and require the books read.
With time schedules arranged so as to give reading its full share of time, the individual pupil gets on the average less than two minutes a day in which to read aloud in class. With this limited time it is necessary that the reading lesson receive the most careful preparation on the part of the pupil and the most skilful direction on the part of the teacher, in order that the average pupil may get what he should from it.
The backward reader will be sure to make more or less of a failure of his reading unless he does much outside reading which the library offers. If he fails to get the thought from the printed page in his reading lesson, he is foredoomed to failure in his history, geography and other lessons.
With a course of studies sufficiently broad to engage all the activities of the child, it is not so important what topics are taught, as how they are taught. In arithmetic it is not so important whether compound proportion and longitude and time are taught, as it is that the pupils acquire accuracy, self-reliance and reasoning power from their study of arithme- tic. In reading it is not so important that the pupils write out and bring into class the definitions of many of the words in the reading lesson, as it is that they get the inspiration and the mental uplift that come from appreciative contact with the great in literature.
Lastly, but of first importance, the discipline of the schools should be such that obedience is secured, not through fear of the consequences of disobedience, but through the pupils be- ing led to feel that the requirements of the school are just and fair and right. Years of dealings with the children of country communities have led me to the conviction that, with few exceptions, the children of such communities, when wisely di- rected, can be relied upon to do what is right, except in in- stances of thoughtlessness, where proper correction would be received without bitterness.
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The High School is sadly in need of more room. I trust that this will receive early consideration. Concerning the work of the High School, it must be remembered that there is no royal road to learning. It is what the pupil himself does, and not what he gets the teacher to show him, that edu- cates him.
For information concerning the High School, you are re- ferred to the report of the principal.
In conclusion -I have suggested the need of encouraging industrial work in the schools; I have not recommended in- creased appropriation for that purpose, as a careful study of former town reports shows that the Town of Scituate is already doing well in support of its schools, and it seems needful to devise ways and means of improving and broadening the work in them without further increasing their cost. This may seem difficult, but it can be done. The average annual cost per pupil in the public schools of the State as given in the latest report received from the Board of Education is $30.15. The average cost per pupil for Scituate is $38.41. For books and supplies, the average for the State is $1.66 per pupil. The average for Scituate is $3.36.
In closing this report I wish to express my appreciation of the kindly cooperation that has been extended me by all with whom my duties have brought me in contact. Especially do I wish to say a word expressive of my obligation to the worthy Chairman of this Board, whose wise counsels have been of great help to me in taking up my work among you.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN.
150
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
MR. WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my first report as principal of the Scituate High School.
School opened Tuesday, September 7, with an enrollment of eighty-six. Of this number, forty-two are girls and forty- four are boys. Since that time a few have left, so that our present enrollment is about eighty-two.
Throughout the year we have been greatly handicapped by lack of room. Although we have tried to make the most of the means at hand, we feel that first-class work cannot be carried on under the present conditions. The building con- sists of one main room, which accommodates seventy-seven pupils; three small recitation rooms, about fifteen by twelve; and two cloak rooms. One of these cloak rooms is now used as a typewriting room. One of the recitation rooms has been provided with desks for eleven pupils. The other two rooms are supplied with settees. These rooms cannot be provided with desks, because the pupils must file in and out through them. Conditions in the main room are also very bad. No matter how desirous a pupil may be to study, he cannot do so to good advantage in this room at the present time. Often there are fifty pupils at their desks studying, while another class of twenty is doing work in mathematics or languages at the boards. As these boards are on the four sides of the room, the work is going on on all sides of the pupils at the desks. The comments of the teacher, the explanations of the pupils, and the desire of the pupils to see what is going on cause them to use their time watching the board work instead of attending to their own lessons. The teacher's attention is divided between instructing those at the board and keeping
151
order in the room. Under such conditions he can do neither to advantage. The only way to remedy these conditions is to provide recitation rooms of considerable size, well fitted with blackboards, for the use of the different classes, espe- cially those in mathematics. This is the most pressing need of the school at the present time and demands the careful attention of all.
The ventilation of the school is very poor. In the smaller rooms the only way to ventilate is by the windows. If a window is opened, it blows directly on the pupils. As a consequence the windows are kept closed. The air becomes very impure, and the teachers and pupils have many colds that they would escape in a well-ventilated building. I think that if the people of Scituate realized the conditions under which we are working, they would not hesitate to remedy the matter at once.
In the Department of Science our needs are very urgent. Everywhere the sciences are now taught by the laboratory method or in connection with it. We cannot do any experi- mental work, because what was formerly a laboratory is now used by the Commercial Department. As we have only a small amount of apparatus for both Chemistry and Physics, I would recommend that the course in Chemistry be given up for the present and that the course in Physics be made as strong as in other schools. This could be done by fitting up a room with tables and sufficient apparatus for performing individual experiments. This laboratory could also be used for experimental work in Botany, Physiology and Physical Geography. I suggest this because it is more economical, and because it is better to teach one thing well than two things poorly.
The chief aim of the teachers has been to raise the standard of the school. Although progress has been rather slow, we feel that we are gaining all the time. There has been a marked improvement in the matter of home study. I hope
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and expect still further advance in this line. There is no reason why the Scituate High School should not be of a very high standard. We have a very fine class of pupils who come from the best of homes. Provide these pupils with proper equipment and keep them diligently at work, and I see no reason why the school standard cannot be raised. I feel that the cause of the low standard has been due largely to two things, namely, a lack of ambition on the part of some pupils, and a lack of application to their studies on the part of many more. There are a few pupils in our school who have a mistaken idea of what a high school course means. They seem to feel that it consists in attending somewhat regularly for four years, getting what lessons they can with- out much effort, and taking their chance of getting through at the end of that time. I can see neither sense nor justice in such a course. It is entirely unfair to the pupil who attends regularly and does his work faithfully, and is very harmful to the pupil himself. The High School should not be a place of rest and ease, but of earnest effort. Those who are not there for serious work should find such work elsewhere, both for their own good and the good of others. I say this largely for the sake of the pupils themselves. If they do not apply themselves with diligence, they will get into habits that will be fatal to them in after life. It will be a prepara- tion for continuing to waste time and opportunity, and for disappointment to themselves and to all who are interested in them. In the words of Superintendent Gifford of Marble- head, "Doing nothing prepares for doing nothing. Doing little prepares for doing less. The only ease is to wish for no ease, to throw one's self heart and soul into work. To help form this habit is one of the high aims of schools, and what- ever interferes with accomplishing it should be removed."
The spirit of the school has been greatly improved. We have tried to make each pupil feel that it is not only for his interest but his duty to make the school run smoothly. At
153
the present time the pupils are beginning to see the advantage of such a course. As a result the discipline has been made very easy and all the machinery of the school has run smoothly. I feel that the credit for this improved school spirit belongs to the pupils themselves, who have so willingly responded to my requests. I have never seen pupils more fair and honor- able in their dealings than those of the Scituate High School.
Although it is the aim of the High School to fit pupils for life by giving them a general culture, we are also able to give them a vocational training in our Commercial Department. It is possible for a pupil of industry and intelligence to acquire a fair degree of knowledge of Bookkeeping, Stenog- raphy, Typewriting, Commercial Arithmetic and Commercial Law. We are gradually raising the requirements in this department and requiring a higher standard of work. Ulti- mately we hope to give graduates of this course such a prepa- ration that they will be fully prepared to do office work. This is hardly possible at the present time, because we have not room enough to carry on the work and because there are a large number taking the course who should not be doing so. As a commercial course is very attractive and pleasant, the great danger is that many will take it to avoid the tedium of the other courses. I think that we should immediately take steps to put this course on such a footing that only those who are thoroughly in earnest and are willing to work hard can complete it. In this way the standard can be raised until our Commercial Department will be of the greatest value to our town.
I hope that the parents and citizens will take a greater interest in the High School, and will show that interest by visiting the school occasionally and observing its regular work. Both teachers and pupils would appreciate . these visits; the school would be benefited by the visitors, and at the same time these visitors would get into closer touch with the school, its aims, its methods and its difficulties.
154
We extend to all a most cordial invitation to visit the regular sessions of our school.
Graduates of the Scituate High School are creditably representing us in several higher institutions. We are glad to state that several pupils are now preparing for college or normal school. With improved conditions we feel that this number will be greatly increased.
I wish to commend to you my assistant teachers for their loyalty and faithfulness.
I desire to thank the Committee for the kindness they have shown me; especially do I thank you for your confidence and for the many valuable suggestions you have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. B. MACDOUGALD.
January 11, 1910.
155
"Semper Fideles"
THE GRADUATION EXERCISES OF THE
SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL at the
TOWN HALL, SCITUATE, MASS.
on Wednesday, June 23, 1909 At 8 o'clock
PROGRAM
MARCH Miss Cecelia Ainslie
INVOCATION Rev. Hartnell J. Bartlett
SALUTATORY Miss Ruth Bartlett
MUSIC, "Land of Freedom," from Donizetti, by
Stanley R. Avery. School
CLASS HISTORY Miss Mary Emma Vinal
WOMEN IN MODERN INDUSTRY . Miss Bertha Vinal Brown THE CONSERVATION OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES,
Miss Mildred Vose
MUSIC, "Thy Will Be Done," from Mendelssohn, by T. F. Bullard School
CLASS WILL Miss Elizabeth Bailey THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF BIRDS, Miss Marion Beatrice Given CLASS PROPHECY Miss Marjorie Imogen Pratt MUSIC, "In Bressilia's Forest Shade," from Hofmann's "Melusina," by W. C. Hofmann . School
PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT . Miss Mary Frances O'Hern
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ACCEPTANCE OF CLASS GIFT, Miss Velma Augusta Henderson VALEDICTORY Miss Gladys Weld Hyde School
A SLUMBER SONG, F. H. Lohr
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Mr. Peter W. Sharp BENEDICTION Rev. F. Brooks Noyes
GRADUATING CLASS OF 1909
ELISABETH BAILEY
RUTH BARTLETT
BERTHA VINAL BROWN
MARION BEATRICE GIVEN
GLADYS WELD HYDE
ALAN CLARENCE LITCHFIELD MARY FRANCES O'HERN
MARJORIE IMOGEN PRATT
MARY EMMA VINAL
MILDRED ROBERTA VOSE
157
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
MR. WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: It is perhaps a favorable omen that the report on music is short. The standard for all the schools last year was high, and the work this year is to keep to that standard.
The most notable advancement has been in paying more attention to the second grade. By making a little extra lesson possible, the whole course has been moved along a bit.
It is necessary in every room to keep a sharp watch on all the lessons, giving them the full amount of time allowed, and keeping the interest as keen as possible during the lesson. We have all been careful in the production of tone, and the result is quite noticeable.
We wish to urge the parents to visit the schools, and ask to hear a song, and then if they think the work is good, and that their boy is not doing his part, to counsel him earnestly to take advantage of his opportunities. It is impossible during childhood to judge of the easiest and most direct channel in life through which profit may come to us.
What if it should be music? And our boys idling away their time, because of a childish sentimentalism! We are having good help from the boys, generally speaking, but we want every one to help, not for our advantage, but for their own benefit.
The progress in the grades is evident in the High School. Pupils are not judged by their voices, but by their ability to use what they have, and by the things which they re- member from earlier lessons. The work of the teachers is sufficiently thorough to enable the supervisor to supervise
158
one lesson and start another, rather than try and teach a lesson in half an hour that it takes two weeks to learn.
Some of the work has been reviewed by the State Inspector, and was much enjoyed and wholly approved. As this is approval that counts, we should all be encouraged to take one little step more next year.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIE C. STODDARD, Supervisor.
December 31, 1909.
159
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
MR. WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: Scituate children are always up and doing. It is a pleasure to teach where there is so much enthusiasm. Both teachers and pupils have this quality, and naturally a good deal is accomplished. Time and practice are necessary to good results, and both of these many pupils in the higher grades put into their drawing and allied work, at home or at school, outside school hours. Last winter the mechanical drawing in the lower grades was so successful I shall repeat it this year, though in a new form. Children do enjoy mak- ing things, and measuring is very positive work, which most pupils like.
The drawing during the spring term will be taken up with nature study from flowers, sketching from the window, and decorative design.
Historic ornament has been made a special study at the High School this year by the advanced class, taking up Egyptian Art and Architecture, followed by Greek and Roman Ornament. These are to be made up into books containing the history of ornament, illustrated by copies of ornament and prints of architectural subjects, finished and bound with a suitable decorative cover.
We hope to make this our best year in drawing, and intend to exhibit the best results we have ever shown at our exhibi- tions in June.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRIET J. FORD
160
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN'S REPORT
To the Scituate School Committee:
I take pleasure in submitting to you my third annual report for your consideration. I have visited the various rooms from time to time and have examined all pupils who have shown signs of defects or disease, and they have been reported to their parents with advice for medical treatment under direction of their family physician.
There was quite an epidemic of whooping cough in all the schools during the first part of the year. It is impossible to stop the spread of this disease in schools, because the conta- gion has been spread before a diagnosis can be made. There have been no other contagious diseases during the year.
The condition at the High School grows worse each year with the larger number of incoming pupils. The various rooms are overcrowded, and with the present system of ventilation it is impossible to keep the air good, and at the same time have the rooms warm enough to teach in. In conclusion I wish to thank the Committee and teachers for their help and support.
WILLIAM P. GROVESTEIN, School Physician.
161
REPORT OF THE TRUANT OFFICER
SCITUATE, December 24, 1909.
To the School Committee:
Whole number of cases brought to my notice, six; two of sickness and four actual cases of truancy.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN F. TURNER, Truant Officer for the Town of Scituate, 1909.
162
APPENDIX
1
SCHOOL STATISTICS
Population of Scituate (Census of 1905) 2,597
Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15 years 214
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15 years 220 Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14 years 168 Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14 years 178
Total membership for the year ending June 30, 1909
514
Number attending school during the year under 5 years of age S
Number attending school during the year over 15 years of age .62
Number attending school during the year between the ages of 7 and 14 years 346
Number attending school during the year between 5 and 15 years 434
Average membership 468.77
Average attendance 423.83
Percentage of attendance 90.41
Number of schools 4
Number of teachers (regular) 14
Number of teachers who are college graduates 5
Number of teachers who have attended college without graduating 0
Number of teachers who are graduates of normal school 3
Number of teachers who have attended normal school without graduating 1
163
NUMBER OF PUPILS IN THE DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND GRADES, AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT
NUMBER IN GRADE
SCHOOLS
1 234567
8 9
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Room totals
High
24 23 22 17
86
Jenkins, Room 1. ... 27
Room II. . .
18 23
27 41 35
Room III. .
10 25
Room IV . .
24 22
46
Room V ..
18 17
35
Hatherly, Room I. . . 17
17
Room II. . .
17 20
37
Room III. .
19 29
48 42
Room IV ..
23 19
Room V
14 22
36
High Street
10
465
25
Enrollment by grades 54 39 49 34 54 47 41 32 39 24 23 22 17 475
HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BY COURSES
1910
1911
1912 1913
Mathematics
10
11
23
22
Physics .
11
8
English .
17
22
23
22
Commercial Law
4
14
History
15
18
23
22
164
Stenography .
13
15
Typewriting
13
14
Bookkeeping
1
19
13
Business Correspondence
3
19
Commercial Geography
1
3
13
Latin
3
4
5
9
French .
13
17
22
German
5
8
1
Drawing
5
9
23
22
ROLL OF HONOR 1908-1909
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING THE YEAR, TEN
Lawrence H. Bailey
Ruth Clapp
Myron P. Litchfield
Emma Cushman
Mildred Merritt
Edward A. Prendergast
Elsie Dorr
Mildred Litchfield
Norma Morris
Marion Nickles
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR TWO TERMS, TWENTY-TWO
Charlotte Young
Martin. J. Welch
Lawrence Kane
Elsie C. Merritt
Fred Waterman
Kenneth Merritt
Harold Gannett
Walter Crane
Myra E. Bates
Marion Bailey
Mabel E. W. Champion
Emma Litchfield
Frank Brown Lillian MacQuarrie
Madaline Murphy
Gordon L. Smith
Thomas L. Kelley
Beulah E. Staples
William O. Clapp
Alice Crane
Edwina L. Dalby
James V. Panetta
165
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR ONE TERM, EIGHTY-SIX
Ethel Bonney
Bessie Richardson
Adeline Roe
Lucy Walker
Mary Cushman
Warren Merritt
Edith Gaffney
Esther E. Damon
Mary Kane
Agnes Dwyer
George Doherty
Marcus Flaherty
Bessie Richardson
Willie Kane
Mildred L. Appleford
Helen I. Webster
Karle H. Stenbeck
John J. Wade
Grace D. Waterman
Walter Carson
Eleanora Finnie
Walter Foster
Catherine Dwyer
Mattie F. Damon
Eben E. Bearce
Herbert S. Swift Dorothy Flint
Louise Jellows
Louise Murphy
Isabella Ward
William Ward
Katherine Bender Ruth Curtis
Ivan H. Yenetchi
Paul T. Litchfield.
Byron Wood
Lawrence H. Bailey
Emma Vinal
William H. Bartlett
Grace M. Bailey
Lawrence Howard
Olive G. Elliott
Mildred R. Vose Helen S. Collier
Helen Ferguson Agnes V. Olson Paul S. Spaulding
Dorothy Bailey
Cecilia B. Ainslie
Amelia F. Dalby
Eva G. Whitaker
Matilda A. McLean
Olive Litchfield
Alma Hyland
Clara G. Longfellow Bertha E. Whitaker Lawrence Wade Theodore Bailey
Edith Mott
Chester McNutt
Fred Peirce
Vera Bates
Howard Bailey Elwood Damon Reed Prouty
Grant Doherty
Walter C. Elliott
Eudora F. Bailey
166
Wendell Bain
Helen Brown
,Irving Hyland Louise Hyland
Perez L. Young
Ella E. Ainslie
Louise W. Spooner
John Prendergast
Leona Seaverns
Paul Staples
Alvin W. Blanchard
Irlene Dalby
Harold Litchfield
Prescott Damon
Lionel O. Bush
Frederica Wade
Dorothy L. Bates
Hollis Whittemore
167
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES BY THE TRUSTEES OF FORE RIVER BRIDGE FOR THE YEAR 1909
Receipts
Cash on hand January 1, 1909 . $348 41
City of Quincy, three assessments . 495 00
Town of Weymouth, three assessments 150 00
Town of Hingham, three assessments
165 00
Town of Cohasset, three assessments
90 00
Town of Hull, three assessments
30 00
Town of Scituate, three assessments .
30 00
Town of Marshfield, three assessments
15 00
County of Norfolk, three assessments
300 00
Old Colony Street Railway, three assessments
225 00
$1,848 41
Expenses
Harry W. Pray, services of draw-tender and assistant $1,092 00
Harry W. Pray, oil, lanterns, etc .. 7 55
F. H. Miller, printing . 2 00
Fore River Ship Building Co., use of tug in opening draw
5 00
Charles Damon, labor in repairs
99 06
Johnson Lumber Co., lumber
83 84
A. C. Harvey Co., hardware
4 16
Sumner & Gerald, hardware
1 82
City of Quincy, labor and material for repairs
111 55
William T. Shea, services as trustee
50 00
Gordon Willis, services as trustee
50 00
W. W. Hersey, services as trustee
50 00
W. W. Hersey, services as secretary and treasurer
25 00
W. W. Hersey, postage and stationery 2 20
Balance on deposit in Hingham National Bank
264 23
$1,848 41
WILLIAM T. SHEA, GORDON WILLIS, WALTER W. HERSEY,
QUINCY, January 5, 1910.
. Trustees.
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