USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1916-1918 > Part 15
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Through the efforts of the Trustees and members of the Society there has already been sufficient money pledged to warrant the assertion that what remains to be done by way of interior improvements will be taken care of by the Society. The roof and walls of the house need shingling badly, and the Trustees recommend that a sum not in excess of five hundred dollars be appropriated this year for that purpose.
Sufficient furniture of the kind which was used in the house for two hundred years following its erection in 1723 has been offered as a "loan collection" to furnish this historical structure in a manner fitting to the uses to which it has now been dedicated. Much of these furnishings and furniture is of great value. It will be readily seen that in order to prop- erly care for these furnishings the roof and walls of the house should be in such a condition as to insure its safety and preservation.
Whatever action may be taken by the Town with reference to the plan for laying out the grounds about the new High School and Town Hall, the part of it which relates to this
137
Trustees of the Scituate Historical Society
structure will be done by the Society and its members with- out expense to the Town. Already the well has been pre- served and a stone curb placed about it. A well sweep will be added, when the proper opportunity presents itself, in connection with the other landscape features.
Respectfully submitted,
HARVEY H. PRATT.
138
Resolutions of Advisory Board
RESOLUTIONS OF ADVISORY BOARD UPON THE DEATH OF FREDERIC COLE
At a meeting of the Advisory Board, held December 12, 1917, the following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS: Providence has seen fit in His wisdom to re- move from our midst our esteemed associate and friend, Mr. Frederic Cole, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole was one of the original members of the Board, who for many years, by his wise counsel and timely advice made manifest his desire to be of service to his fellow townsmen, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That we extend to his family our sincere sympathy on the loss that they have sustained through his decease, and be it further
RESOLVED: That these resolutions be spread upon the records of this Board, and that a copy of same be sent to his family, also to the Selectmen, and the Scituate papers.
PETER W. SHARP, Secretary.
139
Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
REPORT OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
TREASURER'S REPORT For the year ending May 11, 1917 RECEIPTS
Cash on hand .
$34 13
From members.
.35 00
From rent and fines
17 50
From Garden Club .
4 50
From Town of Scituate
500 00
Collected by Mrs. W. B. Ellis
83 10
$674 23
PAYMENTS
Librarian
$135 00
Janitor
66 25
Fuel .
79 50
Electric lights
25 72
Insurance
6 20
Repairs.
16 25
Painting
102 60
Periodicals
48 79
Printing
13 15
Water
6 00
$599 46
Cash on hand May 11, 1917
74 77
Permanent fund in Cohasset Savings Bank
$674 23
319 42
FRANCIS B. LEE, Treasurer.
100 00
Books .
140
Report of the Allen Memorial Library
REPORT OF ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year Ending May 1, 1917 RECEIPTS
Cash on hand May 1, 1916
$45 00
From Town of Scituate.
500 00
From bank
400 00
From fines .
30 00
From rent .
44 00
From members
10 00
$1,029 00
PAYMENTS
Janitor .
$234 00
Librarian
160 00
Insurance.
87 15
Electric lights
19 45
Books .
107 69
Fuel.
185 25
Rebinding books
26 92
Water Company
16 00
Periodicals .
17 25
Repairs .
12 08
Incidentals
9 99
Cash on hand May 1
153 22
$1,029 00
AMY F. FRYE, Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1917
143
School Department
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Hamilton W. Welch, term expires 1918.
Mrs. Rena M. Cole, term expires 1920.
Edward I. Wilson, appointed in place of Joy K. Gannett, resigned.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE
First Friday in the month at 7.30 P.M., at office of High School.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
William E. Chaffin Telephone 118
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN T. Branch Alexander, M.D.
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
John F. Turner
Elmer F. Burrows
TEACHERS
HIGH SCHOOL
Guy W. Vail, Principal.
Jennie E. Pierce, Commercial Department.
M. Marguerite Coydevant, Languages.
Pauline Murray, English.
A. Ruth Crandall, Mathematics.
JENKINS SCHOOL
Nellie L. Kelley, Principal. Stella Devine, Grades 6 and 7.
144
School Department - Organization
Dora R. Mussells, Grades 4 and 5. E. Gertrude Gardner, Grades 2 and 3. Anastasia McCarthy, Grade 1.
HATHERLY SCHOOL
Maude Adlington, Principal. Marion Hammond, Grades 6 and 7. Josephine G. Ward, Grades 4 and 5. Sara M. Kane, Grades 2 and 3. Maud F. Damon, Grade 1.
HIGH STREET SCHOOL Marie Ward, Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Angie M. Faunce, Instructor in Music. Samuel Warner, Instructor in Drawing. Mrs. George Doherty, Substitute Teacher. Josephine Barry, Substitute Teacher.
145
Report of School Committee
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 4, 1918.
In School Committee,
Voted: To accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools and adopt the same as the annual report of the School Committee for the year 1917.
146
Report of School Superintendent
REPORT OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee:
Herewith is submitted my ninth annual report of the schools of Scituate.
At a recent meeting of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents there was a discussion as to the form and content of annual reports. It was decided that these reports should properly contain statistics; that they should deal with the questions and needs of the local situa- tion, but could not properly offer any opportunity to the Superintendent to expound his educational theories or practices. With the above in view, this report has been written.
The usual statistics are to be found appended. The per capita cost of schooling in this Town as compared with other towns and the average for the State was given in the report of last year, since which time there has been but slight comparative change. Hence this report will deal with the changes that have occurred and with some other matters pertinent to local conditions.
TEACHERS
During the summer vacation Miss Josephine I. Barry resigned her position in the Jenkins School. She had been in this position for quite a period of years and her marked ability, both as an instructor and as a disciplinarian, had proved an element of strength to this school.
Also during the summer Miss Helen Eustis resigned from the Hatherly School and Miss Marion Stetson resigned from the High School.
Miss Dora R. Mussells was elected to fill the vacancy at the Jenkins. Miss Hammond was transferred from the Jenkins to the Hatherly to fill the vacancy caused by the
147
Report of School Superintendent
esignation of Miss Eustis, and Miss Stella Devine, principal of the grammar school at Bryantville, was chosen. to fill the position formerly occupied by Miss Hammond.
Miss Pauline Murray was elected to the vacancy in the High School. Miss A. Ruth Crandall was also added to the teaching force at the High School at this time.
Among the changes to record for the year is the death of Wiley Damon, janitor at the High School, who had faith- fully served the Town of Scituate in this capacity for a period of twenty-two years.
COURSES OF STUDY
For some years past but a few minor changes have been made in our courses of study, and those are such as to con- form to the State courses.
The Superintendent has felt that the schools should be protected from the frequent changes in textbooks and in systems of work that are so liable to result in serious harm; as, for instance, the change in penmanship, from the Spencer- ian to vertical, from vertical to medial and from medial to · the Palmer system, all within the time one class is moving from the first to the eighth grade. There are instances in this State of towns passing through the above changes.
It is, however, sometimes necessary to make changes in order to keep abreast of the best in modern education.
The system of primary reading that has for a long time been in use in the schools of Scituate has of late been fall- ing into disfavor with the leaders of educational thought in Massachusetts. New systems of reading based upon nursery rhymes have largely taken its place. Feeling that Scituate is entitled to the best system of reading, no effort has been spared to find the best. Schools having the new system in use have been visited and the work noted. Distant cities noted for the advanced standard of their schools have been consulted. The advice of the State Board of Educa- tion has been obtained. As a result, last year the "Story Hour Readers" were tried out in the Jenkins School, and this year this system of reading has been regularly adopted for the Town.
148
Report of School Superintendent
Manuals for drill in physical exercises have been pur- chased for all of the schools and time on the daily program will be given to these exercises.
A law requiring all schools to give training in the duties of citizenship went into effect August 1, 1917. It is a wise law and should be carried out both in letter and in spirit. I would recommend that more suitable textbooks be provided for our grammar schools and that the other necessary steps be taken to inaugurate this course without delay.
ATTENDANCE
The percentage of attendance is lower than for some years past. This is partially owing to the severity of the weather last winter and to epidemic disease which, to a considerable extent, interfered with the work of the schools. Also there have been instances of pupils staying out of school to work, without asking permission, and other in- stances of those kept out to do errands and for other reasons even less laudable.
The law regarding school attendance in substance is this: A child of school age must attend school the entire time the schools are in session. The parent or guardian of any child not so attending is subject to a fine of not more than twenty dollars, and any one employing a child of school age during school session is subject to a fine of not less than ten dollars nor more than fifty dollars. State officers expect us to enforce this law.
Recently, several boys were absent from school. Investi- gation proved that they had been employed harvesting ice, without a permit. It is felt that the parents and employers in this instance were thoughtless rather than wilful law- breakers. It is realized that "these are war times," that help is not plentiful and that the schools may be doing a service releasing pupils to work. No pupil over fourteen years of age will be refused permission to work without reasonable cause. If parents and employers will co-operate with school authorities by taking the trouble to require pupils who wish temporary employment to get permits,
149
Report of School Superintendent
their efforts will be duly appreciated and will save much unnecessary annoyance. Many parents feel they have a right to excuse their children from school. None of us has a right to break the law.
NON-RESIDENT PUPILS
By non-resident pupils is meant the children of the sum- mer population remaining with us into the autumn who at- tend our schools for a few weeks before returning to their city homes. Of these, there have been during the past fall 15 pupils at the Jenkins School who attended a total of 87 weeks; and 17 pupils at the Hatherly School, who attended a total of 105 weeks, making in all a total of 32 pupils and an attendance of 192 weeks. This is an average attendance of 6 weeks per pupil. The shortest period of attendance was 3 weeks and the longest 10 weeks.
THE HIGH STREET SCHOOL
The primary school at High Street has gradually decreased in numbers until at the beginning of the fall term it was decided to add the sixth grade, retaining the fifth grade of last year instead of sending them to the Hatherly School. With this change, the school is so small that the work can be done well by one teacher.
This arrangement results in relieving the barge to some extent and relieving the teacher of grades 6 and 7 at the Hatherly to a greater extent, as there are now 45 pupils in that room. The good work done at the High Street School since the grade has been added proves the wisdom of the change.
EXPENSES
The sharp advance in the price of service and of materials of practically all kinds has made the struggle to keep school expenses within appropriations a dubious one. Owing largely to the care taken by the teachers to prevent waste, the supply account is less than usual. This is about the only item in the school budget that could well be kept within bounds.
150
Report of School Superintendent
We have had much cold weather and coal has been neces- sary, notwithstanding present prices. Our janitors, how- ever, have exercised much good judgment in its use.
We have paid for the tuition of Scituate pupils in a voca- tional school in Boston under the law quoted in the report of last year. No provision had been made for this in the appropriations.
· Some of the teachers have had a slight raise in salary, but not enough to offset the increased cost of living. When measured by what a dollar will buy, our salaries are lower than in the past, and in making out our budget for next year provision should be made for an advance in the salaries of some of the teachers.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
At last our High School is abundantly well housed. For the courses of study now pursued the new building seems adequate, hygienic and convenient in every particular.
It might be wise to retain the old building for future use as a gymnasium or for industrial work.
In the report of the Principal five reasons are given for the State's non-approval of our High School. Of these reasons the first is the only essential reason. Complying with the first, which we have done, enables us to satisfy the second and third conditions. The fourth and fifth are sug- gestions from the State's representative rather than reasons for disapproval of the school.
We now have a High School with building and equipment, courses of study and staff of teachers that fully meets the requirements of the State.
Let us continue to strive that it not only meets State re- quirements, but that it measures up to our ideals of the best a High School should stand for. In closing, attention is called to the school calendar, roll of honor and school statistics. The opening of the winter term of the schools was postponed in compliance with the request of J. J. Storrow on account of the shortage of coal.
January 4, 1918.
WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
151
Report o! High School
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Scituate, December 21, 1917. MR. W. E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: It is my privilege, at this time, to report the p ogress of the High School for the past year, and to inform you and the inhabitants of the Town with the conditions therein.
Early last spring it was found that our privilege of certify- ing graduates to State Normal Schools had been withdrawn. Upon going to the Board of Education, I learned that the reasons for the withdrawal of that privilege had been stated in a letter to the Superintendent. The causes were as follows:
First: We did not have a sufficient number of teachers for the number of pupils.
Second: The teachers were conducting too many classes.
Third: Our commercial teacher was instructing a class in Latin in addition to the regular commercial subjects.
Fourth: There was not a sufficient number of typewriters.
Fifth: Household arts and manual or physical training were not included in our course.
Soon after school began in September, I recommended certain changes in our course. Mr. Clarence D. Kingsley of the State Board of Education visited the school at my re- quest and approved of these changes. In October I received a letter from Mr. Kingsley stating that the courses as out- lined together with the other improvements made, would insure the approval of the Scituate High School for the year of 1918, for the privilege of certification to State Normal Schools.
Fourteen were graduated from the High School in June. The graduation exercises were interesting and appropriate,
152
Report of High School
consisting of patriotic songs and war themes. The class gift, a Liberty Bond, was a generous one. It spoke well for the patriotism of the class.
In September, our enrollment of 104 was the largest in the history of the school. The seniors numbered 22, juniors 19, sophomores 23, and freshmen 40.
We were sorry to lose Miss Marion Stetson from our teaching force. She had been in the school for four years and had given faithful and efficient work.
Miss Pauline Murray, a graduate of Wellesley College, was secured to fill her place. Miss A. Ruth Crandall, a graduate of Smith College, was added to the teaching staff last fall.
The new school building was not completely furnished at the beginning of school in September. Settees were obtained from the Town Hall and these were used until the desks, which had been delayed on the way from the manufacturers, had arrived and were put into place. In a very short time the program was arranged, and the school rapidly became accustomed to the new conditions, and at the same time the pupils showed a greater enthusiasm for their work than had been manifested in the old building.
Both teachers and pupils find it a great pleasure and privi- lege to do their work in a more commodious building. The rooms are amply large, well lighted and properly ventilated.
The office is of great value, for here the Principal may consult privately with parents and pupils. It is also used as a place for teachers' meetings and for conferences with the Superintendent or School Committee.
The School Committee has found this room very con- venient as a place for holding its meetings.
In each room there is a secondary clock which is controlled by the master-clock in the office. At regular intervals this master-clock, which is run by batteries, rings a bell in each corridor. This arrangement does away with the necessity o a teacher having to ring the bells at the end of each perio In this way, we have a great saving of time, and the com-
153
Report of High School
mittee could not have spent money to a better advantage for the efficiency of the school.
The bookkeeping and typewriting rooms are particularly well adapted for work in these subjects. The commercial teacher while conducting a class in bookkeeping has charge of pupils in the typewriting room. This is done with very little effort because of the glass windows between the two rooms.
The laboratory is used for both physics and chemistry. Each pupil in chemistry works by himself, and is supplied with materials for which he is held responsible. Space for the storage of such materials is provided each pupil. Experi- ments in which poisonous gases are generated are performed in a hood, from which gases pass from the building. In this way pupils are not required to breathe injurious gases.
We have a school of which we are proud. It does not, however, meet all of the requirements of a modern school because our curriculum is not broad enough. It is hoped that in the near future some of the rooms may be used for courses in cooking and sewing for the girls, and that manual training may be introduced for the boys.
To those who have made such a building possible, we extend our appreciation.
Very truly yours,
GUY W. VAIL, Principal, Scituate High School.
154
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
MR. W. E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: Three exhibits of school drawing done in the Scituate public schools and held at North Scituate Public Library, the Jenkins School and at Marshfield Fair, proved to be the best work done thus far under my supervision.
One of the most proficient workers at the High School, who had taken a teachers' course in addition to the regular one, proved her ability and industry by securing a position as drawing teacher in a near-by town, where she is securing good results, as the work put through amply attests.
For lettering diplomas in Old English, one High School worker secured $31, while $12 was also awarded to High and grammar school workers at the Marshfield Fair, making a total of $43 received by scholars in Scituate schools for drawing alone.
The proved ability to handle all kinds of work in form and color by the upper grades in high and grammar schools makes the teaching of drawing in this Town very interesting, and the large class at the High School this year, where drawing is elective, demonstrates the interest taken in this branch by the many workers, whose work promises better than ever before.
Thanking the officials and teachers for their excellent help and backing, I remain,
Respectfully yours,
SAMUEL WARNER.
155
Reports of Attendance Officers
REPORTS OF ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
To the School Committee:
I wish to report that I have attended to all cases of truancy which have been called to my attention during the year.
ELMER F. BURROWS, Attendance Officer.
To the School Committee:
I wish to report that I have attended to all cases of truancy which have been called to my attention during the year.
JOHN F. TURNER, . Attendance Officer.
December 31, 1917.
156
Report of the Supervisor of Music
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
MR. W. E. CHAFFIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: I submit to you my second annual report of the work in music in the public schools of Scituate.
I was much gratified when the schools opened in Septem- ber to see how well the work was taken up everywhere. In almost every instance I find that we are considerably in advance of what was done in the same grade last year. This is encouraging and we hope and expect to keep up the good progress. In some of the grades we are introducing the singing of the "good old songs," used so much now-a-days in community singing.
I am anxious to do this same thing at the High School some time in the near future. The song books used there, while excellent, have been in use for a number of years and we wish, as soon as possible, to lay them aside for a time and use a new one, which will stimulate interest in singing and also allow the pupils to become familiar with a greater number of songs, which is always advisable if the songs are worth while. We are singing under so much pleasanter conditions this year, in the big assembly hall at the new High School building, that I am sure the students, as well as my- self, enjoy it more than usual.
I wish to thank the teachers for so heartily and pleasantly co-operating with me in my work. Without their aid the work of the supervisor would bring comparatively small results.
Yours truly,
ANGIE M. FAUNCE.
157
Report of School Physician
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Scituate School Committee:
In performing my duty as School Physician of the Town of Scituate, I have frequently visited the schools. The pupils have all been examined individually. The basements, closets and plumbing have been inspected and found sani- tary. I would, however, suggest the more frequent white- washing of cellars.
There have been several calls of sudden illness in the schools, to which I have responded, but the general condition * of the pupils is excellent and we have been hampered with no contagious disease this year.
The school authorities of Scituate, backed by the State Board, are enforcing the law of compulsory vaccination, as it is their desire to bring the health standard of the Town up to the State requirements. The vaccine is more reliable during the winter months and the wound less liable to contamination.
In the Hatherly School "setting-up" exercises have been introduced and it is expected before the school year closes all grades will be using them as they are beneficial.
It is very satisfactory to feel the co-operation expressed by School Committee, teachers and parents, for we are all working together for the best protection and common good of the children.
Respectfully submitted,
T. B. ALEXANDER, M.D., School Physician.
158
Graduating Exercises
"No VICTORY WITHOUT LABOR"
. GRADUATING EXERCISES
OF THE
CLASS OF 1917
SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL
TOWN HALL
Thursday Evening, June 21 At 8 o'clock
PROGRAM
MUSIC .
Orchestra
INVOCATION . Rev. Lester R. Norton
SALUTATORY Lois Harriet Clapp
MUSIC, "March of the Men of Columbia" Welsh
CLASS HISTORY
Edith Marion Jenkins
OUR MOTTO Helena Xavia Murphy
MUSIC, "Awake, Ye Bards" . Smieton
CLASS PROPHECY
Edwina Livingstone Dalby
WHAT IS PATRIOTISM ? Marion West Brown
MUSIC, "The Marseillaise" Rouget de L'Isle
PRESENTATION OF CLASS GIFT President of Class
FOR HUMANITY
Annie Elizabeth Wilder
MUSIC, "Thy Will Be Done"
Mendelssohn
AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS
Mrs. Rena M. Cole
Secretary of the School Committee
VALEDICTORY Helen Frances Gaffney MUSIC. "The Star-Spangled Banner" BENEDICTION Rev. J. West Thompson
159
Graduating Class
CLASS OFFICERS
President, Henry Bartlett. Merritt Vice-President, Helen Frances Gaffney Secretary, Edwina Livingstone Dalby Treasurer, Lois Harriet Clapp
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