USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1913-1915 > Part 5
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There were three hydrants added this year, making a total of 139.
We recommend an appropriation of $1,300 for the support of the department the ensuing year.
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. SEAVERNS, Chief, F. W. LITCHFIELD, Clerk, D. P. SYLVESTER, H. T. COLE, C. G. EVERETT,
District Engineers.
NORTH SCITUATE, January 1, 1914.
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STONE ROADS
Your committee, after organizing, decided to expend the appropriation at the following places:
First: Beginning on Front Street at the end of macadam construction near residence of Mrs. J. E. O. Prouty, and extending along Front and Willow Streets to corner of Jericho Road and over Jericho Road to foot of hill.
Second: Ocean Avenue from Bailey's Causeway to Beach Street.
Third: Blossom Street, from State Highway to top of Booth Hill.
Fourth: South Main Street, from drinking fountain, as far as money would allow.
It was found that the cost of construction for Ocean Avenue was considerably in excess of the amount estimated for that purpose, and in order not to curtail the allotment at the other places chosen, the selectmen authorized the transfer of an unexpended balance from Lighthouse appro- priation to this department.
Your committee would suggest the desirability of com- pleting the missing sections in our present stone road system in preference to new locations.
The details of expenditures under this account may be found with the other financial accounts of the selectmen.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES W. TURNER, FREDERIC T. BAILEY, JONATHAN HATCH, HENRY T. COLE, Committee on Stone Roads.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1913
109
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Frederick B. Noyes, Chairman (resigned May 1, 1913). Clara M. Skeele, Secretary, term expires 1914.
Charles H. Waterman, Chairman, term expires 1915.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN T. Branch Alexander, M.D.
TEACHING AND SUPERVISION William E. Chaffin, Superintendent
HIGH SCHOOL
Guy W. Vail, Principal. Jennie E. Pierce, Commercial Department. Marion Stetson, English.
M. Marguerite Coydevant, Languages.
JENKINS SCHOOL
Nellie L. Kelly, Principal. Blanche Hinds, Grades 6 and 7. Josephine I. Barry, Grades 4 and 5. E. Gertrude Gardner, Grades 2 and 3. Mary E. Gillis, Grade 1.
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HATHERLY SCHOOL
Maud E. Adlington, Principal. May B. Clutterbuck, Grades 6 and 7. Josephine G. Ward, Grades 4 and 5. Sarah M. Kane, Grades 2 and 3. Irma J. Cole, Grade 1.
HIGH STREET SCHOOL
Marion Hammond.
Lillie C. Stoddard, Instructor in Music. Bertha G. Tilden, Instructor in Drawing and Manual Work.
111
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Inhabitants of Scituate:
A vacancy on the School Board occurring on May 1, through the resignation of Frederick B. Noyes, it became the duty of the remaining members to notify the Select- men of such vacancy, which was done.
As the Selectmen took no action as to filling the vacancy the remaining members have endeavored to fulfill their duties to the best of their ability, awaiting the choice of a third member by the voters at some future time.
The duties of the School Committee are many, and re- quire much time, patience, diplomacy and common sense.
Vacancies occurring in the corps of teachers, your Com- mittee and Superintendent have endeavored to fill them with talent equal at least to what we lost, and believe we have succeeded.
We believe that teachers should be engaged at a minimum salary and advanced if they show good results; and that it is for the best interests of the scholars and teachers to employ in grade schools graduates with Normal training. Graduates wishing to take up teaching as a vocation should have the experience of larger schools, as they become better equipped and competent to command larger salaries than if, after training, they take a position in their own town.
We find our teachers in every instance conscientious, hard-working and devoted to their work and willing to co-operate with the Committee and Superintendent in raising the standard of scholarship in our schools.
Few people not directly interested in the schools realize the patience, tact and perseverance required to deal with a room of forty or fifty children.
We find lack of encouragement through lack of interest
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on the part of the parents, and know that if the parents and townspeople would visit the schools once in a while the Committee, Superintendent and teachers, as well as the scholars, would be encouraged in their work and the townspeople better able to offer suggestions or criticize the schools.
We realize that improvements can be made along some lines but changes can only be brought about gradually without involving the town in great expense.
We believe that the fundamental principles of an educa- tion are accuracy in penmanship, English and common arithmetic.
In the lower schools a uniform method of penmanship is bringing good results in the advanced grades. Industrial work is being tried in the lower schools; with what success, time will tell.
Since September, speaking by the pupils has been required in the schools and as the scholars gain in confidence, correct expression and ability to put their thoughts into words, we believe that while it may sound a bit old-fashioned, the teachers will be able to show good results before next year.
While the town appears generous in its school appro- priation and while your Committee and Superintendent have endeavored to be economical in the purchase of books and supplies, we find it hard to keep within reasonable limits, as books will wear out.
Parents should see that their children cover their books in a neat manner, as many books have to be discarded on account of their soiled condition.
The transportation problem furnishes food for serious thought.
While we have endeavored to keep within our appro- priation, we see little chance of lessening that expense under present conditions.
The small children must be transported. Beginning January 1 last we put on a barge from the Sand Hills to the Jenkins School. It was discontinued in April.
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Our school records show that the average attendance was higher during that period and it was considered advis- able to begin December 1 this winter, hoping to keep up the average and give better service to that section of the town. Scholars should realize, and parents should impress upon them, that they are in the care of the town while being transported and help by their good conduct in the barges to raise the standard of deportment.
The school buildings require constant attention.
The Jenkins School is an expensive building and the expense of keeping it in repair is in proportion to its cost.
A new ceiling was needed in the first grade room. In fact it was dangerous to delay longer, and it was thought advisable to replace the plaster with one of metal, which was done by contract. Other rooms will need attention in the near future, as nothing has been done to the ceilings since the building was built, and as they crack and vibrate there is danger of falling plaster.
Some of the walls have been painted but others need it badly. All sashes on the inside have been painted and repairs made only when absolutely necessary. Constant leaks in the roof of the Hatherly building necessitated the shingling of same, which was done by contract.
Repairs were made to the High Street building but considerable will have to be done another year.
The floors in the different buildings have been constantly oiled with a disinfectant preparation which tends to pre- serve the floors and keep the rooms in a more sanitary condition.
The shrubbery at the entrance of the Jenkins School grounds was a serious menace to the children, and while the shrubs in themselves are beautiful, the Selectmen and School Committee were aware that because of automobiles, an accident was liable to happen at any time.
We believe the present arrangement of the shrubbery around the school building will remove all danger, and in a year or so be as ornamental as on the street.
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The building is located on a beautiful spot and we hope the scholars will take pride in trying to preserve the out- line of walks and beds around the building.
The financial report is included in the Selectmen's report. Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. WATERMAN, CLARA M. SKEELE.
SCITUATE, December 31, 1913.
115
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee:
In accordance with your requirements I herewith submit my fifth annual report.
At present the schools of Scituate are well organized for work along the traditional lines. No room of the grade schools is overcrowded and there is adequate teach- ing force at the High School. Aside from the fact that the High School building is not all that could be desired, no teacher in town is confronted by conditions unfavorable to good teaching. Harmony prevails in every depart- ment of school work.
Since the time of the last report there have been some changes in the course of study. A course in elementary physics has been added at the High School. English History has been introduced in the ninth grade, more is being done in oral arithmetic and exercises in declamation are now required of pupils throughout the grades and in the High School.
The average age of grammar graduates at graduation is fourteen years, ten and one-half months. This is about ten months above the state average and indicates that more special promotions of bright pupils should be made.
Through the efforts of some of the teachers at the Hatherly School a Victrola has been purchased for the school. The records purchased with it are of quite a wide range including musical selections, memory gems and selections for declama- tion executed in the highest standards of excellence. This is resulting in improvement in the memorized English of the pupils and in raising their standards of appreciation.
Since the report of last year there has been some change in school attendance laws. Attention is called to the following brief quotation from the Acts of 1913.
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"Children under sixteen years of age must attend day school regularly unless they hold employment certificates and work six hours per day regularly, or have the written permission of the superintendent of schools to engage in profitable employment at home; or unless otherwise receiv- ing instruction in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent of schools or the school committee."
THE BARGES
Information has been received of offensive talk and misconduct on the part of some of the pupils while going to or from school on the barges. All pupils entitled to ride clearly have the right to ride without being molested or being obliged to listen to offensive language. Any case reported of wrong talk or action on the barges will receive immediate investigation.
TEACHERS
Again at the close of the school year in June we lost some of our most able and experienced teachers. Mr. W. R. Brown and Miss Annie S. Marston resigned from the High School. Miss Sarah L. Meigs, principal of the Jenkins School, resigned her position. Miss Marion G. Staples also resigned from the Jenkins School and Miss Lilliette Jenkins resigned her position at the Hatherly School. Mr. Guy W. Vail, assistant in the Attleboro High School, was elected principal of the High School and Miss Marion Stetson, a graduate of Wellesley College, was chosen for the English department at the High School. Miss Nellie Kelley, a graduate of the Gorham Normal School, was elected principal of the Jenkins School, and Miss E. Blanche Hinds, a graduate of the Boston Normal School, was placed in charge of grades six and seven at this school. Miss Josephine Ward was transferred from the High Street School to fill the vacancy in the Hatherly caused by the resignation of Miss Jenkins, and Miss Marion Hammond, a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School, was elected to the High Street School. We have been fortunate in the.
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above selection of teachers and in consequence the work of these schools continues without serious break.
It is needless, however, to deny that no school can do its best work with an annual change of fifty per cent or more in the teaching force. This has been the condition for several years at least with our High School. It is serving as a training school for high schools that pay higher salaries than we are paying. It is hardly fair to expect college graduates to come to us well equipped for teaching and work for a salary so low that more than half of it is taken for the one item of board, as is the case at present.
Much has been said about a new High School building. It is true the High School needs better building accom- modations, but it is in greater need of salaries for its teachers sufficient to retain their services. But can the town of Scituate afford to pay more for salaries? The following figures from the latest State report will be helpful in con- sidering this matter:
Average salary of teachers for the State, $1,022.00
Average salary of teachers for Cohasset, 1,081.72
Average salary of teachers for Scituate, 778.79
Average annual cost per child in the public schools for the state, 36.19
Average annual cost per child in the public schools for Cohasset, 50.06
Average annual cost per child in the public schools for Scituate, 38.73
Amount expended for schools per $1000, valua- tion for the state, 4.37
Amount expended for schools per $1000, valua- tion for Cohasset, 2.34
Amount expended for schools per $1000, valua- tion for Scituate, 3.59
While our average for teachers' salaries is far below the average for the state and it is costing us less for schools in tax rate than the average for the state, we are slightly
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above the state average in cost per pupil. This is caused by the fact that the population of Scituate is so widely scattered as to necessitate transportation for a much larger part of the pupils than is required in most towns and cities.
The High School in particular is now in better condition than at any previous time since the writer has been in office.
Teachers' salaries are increasing throughout the country, and if we are to avoid the frequent change of instructors that in the past has prevented the High School from doing its best work, it will be necessary to increase salaries at the High School.
MANUAL WORK
Manual work and industrial training are in the air. It would be difficult to find an annual town, city, state or government school report that did not devote space to these subjects. It is now generally believed that the school should offer opportunity for manual work to those motor-minded pupils who do not show aptitude for aca- demic work and for others who wish to take it.
Some two years ago wood-working was taken up at the Jenkins School but with lack of proper equipment and with- out a teacher who understood the subject. The result was work so poorly done as to be of doubtful educational value. Last year endeavor was made to establish a state-aided agricultural department at the High School. The matter was dropped as it was found that there were not a sufficient number of boys wishing to take the course to meet the requirements of the state.
At present we have an instructor in the Manual Arts for the grammar schools, and both boys and girls are afforded an opportunity for this work. The instructor gives one day a week to drawing and one day to the Manual Arts. For information concerning this work you are referred to the special report of the instructor.
The writer has devoted considerable time to study and investigation concerning manual and industrial educa- tion, and has found that there are comparatively few
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teachers who are well equipped to teach the industrial branches and that these teachers when competent command relatively high salaries; that most towns that have taken up this work report favorably concerning its value; that some towns that have taken up wood-work have dis- continued it and sold the equipment purchased to intro- duce it.
Many cities have well organized courses in industrial work and some offer to give instruction in practically any branch of industry when twenty-five pupils wish to take it.
Our High School is not large enough to furnish twenty boys who wish to take any one industrial subject with the possible exception of wood-working. To take up this will necessitate the furnishing of room and equipment at the High School and also at the Jenkins and Hatherly Schools. It will also practically necessitate an instructor in household economics to take charge of the girls while the boys are with the instructor in wood-work. Whatever is taught should be well taught, and to take up these branches with equipment and instructors to insure success would materially add to our school appropriations. Rather than attempt more than we can do and do well, I would recom- mend that we first pay such salaries in the High School as to retain competent teachers in the branches now taken up.
I would recommend that a teacher for manual work in the grades be continued and for the High School I would suggest a plan that has been tried in various places in the West, notably in Oregon, with reported success.
It is to give High School credit for a specific amount of household, farm or other work regularly done at home and certified to by the parent. Such work to count towards a diploma in place of some of the regular school work which may be dropped. At present the indications are that many mothers who do their own housework have an idea that their daughters should be above housework. If the High School were to give diploma credits for housework it is believed that these mothers would take a different attitude and that their daughters in the High School would have
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added respect for housework and for those who do manual work.
Some cities in this state are giving boys High School credit for working in factories and in shops. With us the home, the farm and the store might each afford opportunity for the boys to earn High School credits.
At present many motor-minded children drop out of school or remain with little profit to themselves or credit to the school. For these pupils regular work required in the home would at least have a tendency to form valuable habits and dignify home work, while the work dropped at school would be of practically no loss to them.
In closing, attention is called to the school calendar, statistics and special reports.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN, Superintendent of Schools.
121
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
January 5, 1914.
MR. W. E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: Beginning my work in the High School as I did last September, it would be a rash presumption for me to try to give a report of the last half year's work of my predecessor. Suffice it to say that in June nine graduated from the school and of that number three entered college, one entered normal school, another entered Burdett's Business College.
Last June the Principal and one of his assistants resigned, having secured better positions elsewhere. Mr. Guy W. Vail, Colby 1911, was elected by your committee as Prin- cipal, while Miss Marston's place was filled by Miss Marion Stetson, Wellesley 1913.
School opened the second of September, 1913, with a total enrollment of seventy-six, of that number twenty-four being freshmen. Since that time, a few have entered, others for one reason or another have left. The present enrollment is seventy-six.
Through the untiring efforts of my predecessor, the school was granted a certificate, entitling any pupil who graduates from the school the privilege of entering without examina- tion any college in New England, with the exception of Harvard, Yale, or Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At the present time, we are maintaining such standards of scholarship as will retain that certificate privilege.
While we are preparing for college those who desire a college education, we are by no means neglecting our com- mercial course. I believe that this department is stronger and more thorough than ever before. Of the total enroll- ment of the two upper classes, thirty per cent are doing commercial work and will in all probability graduate from
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that department. This goes to show how practical and nec- essary such a course is in the curriculum of any well equipped school.
From an academic standpoint, the High School meets the demands of educational authorities, but upon close inspection, the higher academic studies do not attract the large majority of the children of the town. There are many who do not intend to continue their education after grad- uating from the school. Our problem, then, should be to provide adequate education for those who do not intend to continue their education elsewhere. This idea could be carried out by giving a course in agriculture for the boys, and a course in domestic science for the girls.
A town maintaining an agricultural course in the High School, if approved by the State Board of Education, may receive from the treasury of the state two-thirds of the salary paid the agricultural instructor. Agricultural educa- tion in a rural community like this is what the High School needs in order to prepare the majority of our boys for work in the community. Likewise domestic science should be taught for the benefit of the girls, to fit them for lives in homes.
Respectfully submitted,
GUY W. VAIL, Principal Scituate High School.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
MR. WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: You have asked for my annual report con- cerning the manual arts in the schools of Scituate.
The time for the manual arts was increased, making two days a week; one day to be devoted to the Hatherly School, the other to the Jenkins School, with an occasional visit to the High Street School.
Sewing for the girls was introduced into the four upper grades this year for the first time. The stitches are very similar in all grades, although the materials and problems vary.
The first stitches employed were overcasting, running, backstitching, and even basting. Some of the pupils found the work difficult at first, but great improvement has been seen as they have progressed.
The making of a bag introduced the hemming and gave the girls further practice in basting, backstitching, and overcasting. Patching has also been taught. The making of an apron gave them more practice in hemming. Before the end of the year the use of paper patterns, stocking darn- ing, and simple buttonholes will be studied.
The aim of the work is to increase the usefulness of the girls in the homes and to teach economy, accuracy, and neatness.
Cardboard construction was introduced into the sixth and seventh grades as the only industrial work that could be carried on by boys of that age without a sloyd room. Leather work was introduced into the eighth and ninth grades for the same reason.
The boys in the sixth and seventh grades have made
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office clocks, grocery lists, boxes which close without pasting, and are now working on a calendar which can be used any year.
The boys in the upper grades are going to re-cover books and re-polish desks which have become disfigured, together with the designing and making of card cases, pocketbooks, and penwipers.
The lower grades make boxes with and without covers, paper furniture, envelopes, portfolios, and booklets. They also make rugs, iron and kettle holders with string, yarn, and raffia.
This kind of work takes a great deal of time, but it gives a child a wider knowledge of the value of the things about him.
The work in drawing is very much the same as last year. With more time for industrial work, more time can be given to drawing and more work can be accomplished.
The fall and spring terms are devoted to nature studies in pencil outline, pencil shading, and color.
During the winter months object drawing, designing, picture study and reproduction, and working or plan draw- ings are studied.
This gives only a brief outline of what is being done in the manual arts to make the children neat, accurate, and observant.
Respectfully,
BERTHA M. TILDEN, Supervisor of Drawing.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
MR. WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: There is nothing new to be said about the singing lessons in the schools. The fifteen-minute lesson for the separate grade has proved itself a success, and if no objection is brought forward, will become an established custom.
At the graduation of each ninth grade last June, a cantata was given by a chorus made up of the eighth and ninth grades and soloists selected from the chorus. The cantata, "The Legend of Bregenz," was given by the Hatherly chorus; and "The Village Blacksmith," by the Jenkins class. The final rendering was very satisfactory to teachers and supervisor, and must have been enjoyed by all who heard them.
The supervisor feels that an apology should be made for the High School choruses at the graduation of their senior class. If their singing did not come up to our expectations, it was through the fault of unforeseen difficulties rather than the singers. At the final rehearsal the choruses were very creditably rendered, one or two numbers being really finished performances. The members of the chorus were arranged in three lines, with the voices of different parts massed. But on the night of graduation the settees were pushed so much farther forward than we expected, that only room for one line was left, the main part of the chorus being grouped at either end. Owing to this unfortunate placing, the sing- ers could not hear each other, and were seriously handi- capped. After this, we will only feel safe when placed on a platform large enough to comfortably seat the full chorus.
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