USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1919-1921 > Part 6
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Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. TILDEN. For the Trustees.
130
Report of Committee on Street Nomenclature
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STREET NOMENCLATURE
To the Inhabitants of Scituate:
The action taken by the Town four years ago which has resulted in placing the attractive signs upon the highways in Town appropriately renamed for those who founded it, has borne fruit outside of the Town limits. Following the change of the name of Main Street to the County Way the latter thoroughfare as it passes through Hingham, Marsh- field and Duxbury has been so renamed in each of these towns. This beginning has found favor in other towns of both the ancient colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. The Tercentenary Committee of the Town of Plym- outh, its selectmen, the Pilgrim Highway Committee, the Quincy Planning Board and special committees appointed for the purpose from other towns, have already organized to mark with the same type of sign board used in Scituate and old granite milestones, the four highways used in both governments in the early colonial days, viz .; the Plymouth and Bay Road from Boston through Dorchester, Milton, Quincy and Weymouth to Hingham; the County Way from the latter town through Cohasset, Scituate, Marsh- field and Duxbury to Plymouth; the Massachusetts Path, also from Hingham through Norwell, Hanover, Pembroke, Duxbury and Kingston to Plymouth, and the King's High- way from thence through the Cape towns to Provincetown. A bill putting the work directly under the supervision of the Massachusetts Tercentenary Commission and approved by it is already before the legislature for enactment.
During the last year subscriptions have been received from private sources which have enabled your committee to put new signs on many of the streets in different parts of the Town. To meet the many demands which have been pre-
131
Report of Committee on Street Nomenclature
sented to it an appropriation larger than those which have been made in recent years of only $25 should be awarded to this work. One more County Way sign should be added to those already erected. New boards should be placed on Booth Hill and Mann Lot Roads. Kent Street, Otis Place, and the Beaver Dam Road ought all to be marked and the pre-war appropriation of $250 for "sign boards and street boards" should again be made. At so insignificant a cost the Town should see to it that its example, already followed, should be maintained.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. FORD, For the Committee.
132
Report of Allen Memorial Library
REPORT OF THE ALLEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
RECEIPTS
Received from Town. $500 00
PAID
For Librarian
$150 00
For Janitor
150 00
For fuel .
125 00 .
For books
75 00
$500 00
AMY ALLEN FRYE, Treasurer.
Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
133
REPORT OF THE PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year ending May 9, 1919
RECEIPTS
Cash on hand May 10, 1918.
$90 50
Received from Town of Scituate.
500 00
Received from members
47 00
Received from fines
9 06
$646 56
PAYMENTS
Librarian
$146 20
Janitor
83 80
Cleaning Library
15 00
Fuel. .
103 20
New Books .
70 94
Binding books
22 70
Periodicals
60 75
Insurance .
20 00
Electric lights
18 00
Repairs
35 50
Water
8 40
$584 49
Cash on hand May 9, 1919
62 07
$646 56
Permanent fund in Cohasset Savings Bank.
$349 08
FRANCIS B. LEE, Treasurer.
/
INDEX OF ACCOUNTS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Salaries and Expenses
5
Town Survey . 8
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department. 9
Fire Department. 11
Hydrant Rental.
35
Sealer of Weights and Measures 23
Moth Work . 18
Elm Tree Beetle 20
Tree Warden 20
Bounties . 46
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health.
21
HIGHWAYS
Roads, General 35
Sidewalks . 39
Snow and Ice . 40
Preservation of Macadam 40
Street Lighting 24
CHARITIES
Support of Poor 14
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid .
24
Soldiers' Relief 24
EDUCATION
Support of Schools 25
LIBRARIES . 32
RECREATION
Park Commission 22
UNCLASSIFIED . 33
REDUCTION OF DEBT 55
STATE AND COUNTY TAXES 34
REFUNDS . 34
INDEX OF REPORTS
ANIMAL INSPECTOR 113
ASSESSORS .
62
AUDITOR .
73
BOARD OF HEALTH .
110
CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE
127
COLLECTOR .
66
FIRE DEPARTMENT
117
LIBRARIES .
132
MILK INSPECTOR
112
OVERSEERS OF POOR
65
PARK COMMISSION
108
PLUMBING INSPECTOR
111
POLICE DEPARTMENT .
115
SCITUATE WATER COMPANY
103
SELECTMEN .
5
STREET NAMING COMMITTEE
130
TREASURER .
68
TREE WARDEN
109
TOWN CLERK .
74
WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE
119
SCHOOL REPORT Appendix
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1919
PRINTED BY THE BOUNDBROOK PRESS, NORTH SCITUATE, MASS.
INDEX
ORGANIZATION
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 4
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 6
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL 18
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING . 21
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC 23
REPORT OF TEACHER OF DRAWING 25
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN 26
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
28
TEACHING FORCE 30
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES . 32
MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE, TARDINESS 33
GRADUATING EXERCISES . 34
3
School Department
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION
Mrs. Rena M. Cole, Chairman. Address, Greenbush. Term expires in 1919.
Mrs. Marion Collier Alexander, Secretary. Address, Scit- uate. Term expires in 1920.
Phillip S. Bailey. Address, North Scituate. Term expires in 1921.
The regular meetings of the Committee are held at the High School building at 8 P.M. on the first Tuesday of the month.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Frederick E. Bragdon. Address, Egypt, Mass. Telephone Scituate 306-13.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN T. Branch Alexander, M.D. Scituate, Mass.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER John Burke Scituate
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1920
The Winter term begins January 5 and closes March 26.
The Spring term begins April 5 and closes June 25.
Summer vacation, ten weeks.
The Fall term opens September 8 and closes December 17. The Winter term opens January 3, 1921.
HOLIDAYS
February 22, April 19, May 31, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
4
Report of School Committee
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
It is with pleasure that the School Committee submits the report of the School Department for your perusal.
This year shows many improvements, and careful exam- ination of these reports will show a steady upward growth in ideals and practical methods. We feel sure you will be more lenient with the committee after you have studied the report and diagram of the Transportation System. It has been the greatest problem occupying a large part of the meetings in trying to equalize the service for fairness to the people of all parts of the town. The territory is so large and the children are so peculiarly scattered that this was difficult, having of course to bear in mind the limited amount to expend.
The committee felt it an important matter to insure busses against accident and this precaution has been taken.
In making up the budget for the year allowance has been made for increasing the teachers' salaries, that they may receive amounts adequate to the times and corresponding to the payments of other towns. If we wish to keep up the standard and hold our good teachers, this is an absolute necessity.
The School Committee endorses the idea of the District Nurse; is planning to use her in the school work as suggested.
Our meetings are held the first Tuesday evening of every month in the High School Building at eight o'clock, and are open for interviews with persons who care to give either suggestions or criticisms. This plan is much more satis- factory to all, than by doing it through the local papers or other methods where wrong impressions may be given.
Through the efforts of our Superintendent, Mr. Bragdon, the Public School Association appeared this year, proving
5
Report of School Committee
itself a very helpful organization. Through its efforts lunches are being tried in High School, and much in the way of lectures and community sings, which tend to unite all the villagers in a common interest at the High School Build- ing.
The War Canning Committee donated its two oil stoves to the High School - these are in use every day at the Lunch Department which is proof of its being appreciated.
We take this opportunity to thank you for the generous support which has always been given to the Educational work, and this without doubt expresses the desire of the people for efficient schools.
We have given careful thought to the probable cost of maintaining the schools for the year 1920, and recommend that appropriations be made as follows:
For the Support of Schools, $33,500.00
For State-aided Vocational Department 2000.00
For School Committee, 250.00
$35,750.00
Reimbursements from the State treasury will amount to $3266.66, leaving the net amount to be assessed, $32,483.34. We ask, therefore, for an appropriation of $32,500 and the reimbursements received from the State on account of Schools.
(MRS.) RENA M. COLE, (MRS.) MARION COLLIER ALEXANDER, PHILIP S. BAILEY,
Committee.
6
Report of Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Scituate:
I have the pleasure of submitting herewith statistics, financial statement and reports of several officers in your employ, for the year ending December 31, 1919, and other matter which should be put on record because of future historical value, and at the same time invite consideration of some recommendations for the ensuing year, and the reasons for the same.
The enrolment up to December 19, 1919, is reported as follows: High School 88, Junior Department 44, Hatherly School 162, Jenkins School 206. Total 500.
The enrolment list has been checked off with the school census to determine how many pupils between the ages of 14 and 16 are unlawfully out of school. Twenty-two names were found of those apparently evading the law. This list has been investigated by the attendance officer, and each pupil is accounted for.
There is another large group of minors between the ages of 16 and 18 who have not secured the educational certifi- cate required by the statute, and who therefore should be in school. Many of these are regularly employed, but by employers who do not comply with the law. Much of this illegal practice is due to ignorance of the law. As a part of the required course in civics, a series of lessons on the labor laws of the state might well be given to pupils of 13 years and over. Some means of informing employers of child labor should also be found, so that a wholesome respect for law and order may be taught to the next generation. As a step in this direction I have ordered a supply of the pam- phlet issued by the Child Labor Committee of Massachu- setts, entitled: "When You Go to Work."
7
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Scholarship
The special task in the forward movement this year, in Scituate, is the elimination of the ninth grade and the raising of the standard of scholarship in each grade proportionately. Seventeen pupils were certified from the Grammar schools to the High School in June. These constitute a class which gives promise of high attainments as High School pupils. The most serious criticism of our High School is that of low standards of scholarship. The ideals of the students are altogether too low. The pupils are too easily satisfied. Possibly a too indulgent administration has encouraged this indifference to scholarship. At any rate, a vigorous policy has been inaugurated by Principal Andrews to secure a more thorough preparation of assigned lessons. It is held that it is more just to the pupil, and better for the school, to eliminate from the several classes those who are mani- festly either unable or unwilling to perform the assigned work, early in the year, rather than to allow those few to be a drag on the class until the end of the year and then drop out. A marked improvement in daily work is already reported. The pupils are feeling more keenly the impera- tive need of daily attendance.
Junior Department
The attempt to prepare the forty-three pupils who in June were neither eighth graders nor High School freshmen, to take up High School work next year as sophomores is succeeding even better than we anticipated. Though handi- capped by physical conditions of the building, the class has on the whole manifested commendable interest in the work assigned, and there is reason to believe that a large number of them will succeed in overtaking those who entered High School as freshmen this year.
The same means of enforcing preparation of assigned work is used as in the High School. After repeated warnings and a period of probation those who do not do the work are to be reclassified, so as not to prevent the others from gain- ing the desired promotion in June. Numerous expressions
8
Report of Superintendent of Schools
of approval of parents and very few criticisms of our plans and methods indicate that the parents of these children are co-operating splendidly.
The Grammar Grades
The removal of the ninth grade from the grade schools makes it necessary to revise upward the course of study in the other grades. It happens that for some reason both at the Jenkins and Hatherly schools the present seventh and eighth grades have not been brought up to even the former requirements, so that they start this year with a deficiency to make up and an added requirement because of the remo- val of the ninth grade. Excellent progress is being made but it hardly seems probable that in the space of one year the deficiencies can be entirely removed. Some simple tests designed to harmonize the work of corresponding grades shows that much is yet to be done before the eighth grade plan will be fairly in effect. All of our teachers are co-oper- ating in the work and there seems to be no reason why the readjustment may not be completed by the end of this year.
Discipline
We notice a very marked change from one year ago in the matter of complaints concerning school discipline. Not only are complaints very few, but when made, they are made in a courteous and helpful manner. With very few exceptions, our teachers have the same ideal of so govern- ing a school that the pupils shall learn the art of self-control and self-direction. Supervision and punishment for viola- tion of rules there must be, and is, but the idea, "It is all right if I am not caught," should be supplemented by a more wholesome maxim of conduct, if we are to train up a strong moral, law-abiding generation of Americans.
Physical Training
Mention should be made of the Physical Training that is being given at the High School under the direction of Mr. Soles and Mr. Locke. I wonder, by the way, if the people
1
9
Report of Superintendent of Schools
of Scituate properly appreciate the strength of our High School faculty. For a town of this size it is not often one finds so strong a teaching force. It is well worth a trip to the High School on physical training days to see what is being done to strengthen body and morals. Oh! for a building equipped for use in winter weather. Why can not the floor of the town hall be used for this purpose?
We have had for some years a limited physical inspection of each pupil once each year. With the inspection and a notice sent to the parents of pupils found suffering from certain conditions, this work has stopped. The revelations of the draft has awakened interest and anxiety for the relief of conditions responsible for so discreditable a showing in physical manhood. The advent of a district nurse and popular interest in physical health suggests that this is an opportune time for beginning the practice of a more thorough- going examination of pupils, and some follow-up work with those in need of medical care. A more carefully planned and faithfully followed course of instruction should be required in each school, under direction of the physician, nurse or other competent instructor.
I recommend also that pupils be admitted for the first time to Grade I, only after examination by the physician, and approval based on physical development and maturity, as well as on age.
Music
A forward movement in Music was contemplated in hiring a music teacher for two days per week, and has been realized to some extent. An elective girls' chorus has been started at the High School, and a boys' chorus is being developed under the leadership of Mr. Soles, and Mrs. Bessie Prouty who, as chairman of the Music Department of the Public School Association, renders timely and valued assistance. The operetta, Little Red Riding Hood, was presented in December, with credit to pupils and leaders. The program and cast is printed herewith. Occasional productions of this sort are very helpful, both as inspiration and motive
10
Report of Superintendent of Schools
for the pupils and as revelations to the people of the ability and achievement of the pupils.
Because of ill health, Miss Faunce offered her resignation as Supervisor of Music, to take effect at the close of the fall term. Fortunately for us, in these times of "scarcity," Mrs. Linnie E. Davis, who holds a similar position in Marsh- field and Duxbury, is able to give Scituate two days per week. Knowing her work for the past year in these towns we are confident she will be able to carry on the work in Scituate without serious interruption.
There should be in a town like Scituate a greater interest in the study of the piano and other musical instruments. To encourage such study, I recommend that before the opening of another school year, a definite proposition be formulated and incorporated in the course of study, where- by credit shall be given toward a High School diploma for specified attainments upon any of several musical instru- ments.
Vocational Training
We were visited in October by a representative of the State Board of Education who made a survey of our schools with reference to establishing here a state-aided school of Domestic Arts. This visit was a sequel to the visit of Deputy Commissioner Small to the Public School Associa- tion. Both the deputy and the inspector manifest real interest in the project. It seems easily feasible to add this most practical and much needed course to our High School program.
This course is designed to be vocational and so thorough and complete in itself as to really prepare the graduates to perform efficiently the work contemplated, in their homes.
The scope of the instruction to be offered is indicated by the following general outline:
Five-hour school day, one-half devoted to Household Arts.
First Year
Garment making and textiles (including laundry).
Food study and cooking.
11
Report of Superintendent of Schools
General science as applied to the household. Design as applied to garment making.
Second Year
Garment making and textiles (including laundry).
Food study and cooking (including meal planning).
Household management (including accounting).
Applied physiology, hygiene, home care of the sick and care of children.
Design as applied to the home.
Third Year
Garment making and textiles (including laundry).
House planning and furnishing.
Bacteriology and biology as applied to homemaking.
Design as applied to garment making.
Fourth Year
Advanced food study and cookery.
Home management, including budget-making and ac- counting.
Home care of the sick.
Care and nurture of children.
Physics and chemistry as applied to the home.
We are interested in securing this department for Scituate because of a conviction that our High School courses, as now constituted, are planned for the small percentage of pupils who are looking forward to college or other higher courses, and are very poorly adapted to give valuable prep- aration for living to those who either by nature or force of circumstances cannot profit by the so-called "higher courses."
Under the conditions attached to this course one-half the pupil's time is to be devoted to practical studies in some of several lines of homemaking industries, the other half of the time will be given to liberal studies as heretofore.
12
Report of Superintendent of Schools
We have in the old High School building a suite of three small rooms, which are admirably adapted to serve as the headquarters for this department, as kitchen, dining room and sewing room. The instruction contemplated includes class instruction and demonstration at the school, and practice work in the pupils' homes under direction of the instructor.
Nor is the instruction limited to day pupils only. Pro- vision is made for short unit courses which may be taken by any girl or woman, in day or evening classes, whenever there is a demand for such instruction. That there is some demand for such a school, is shown by the formation of classes in home nursing and cooking and sewing during the past year, under various school organizations. The State, through the department of vocational schools, comes to us with a proposition to reimburse the town for one-half of the expense of support of such a course, conducted in accord- ance with their standards.
I commend this project to your thoughtful consideration and urge that it be presented to the voters at the forth- coming town meeting, for their sanction. The ennobling vote should read as follows:
VOTED: That the town authorize the School Committee to establish and maintain state-aided vocational education in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 471, Acts of 1911, and acts amendatory thereto, or dependent thereon, and further authorize the School Committee to spend a sum not exceeding for the purpose.
Note. The first part of the vote is permanent. The appropriation must be renewed each year.
The Public School Association
The value of live organization of citizens as a factor in the educational program of a town is shown by the work already accomplished by our Public School Association. Without doubt much of the success of the schools is made possible by the interest and spirit of co-operation aroused through this organization. The Home Economics Department fur-
13
Report of Supintendent of Schools
nishes an illustration. While there are many parents who are interested in providing something warm for the lunch of their children, very few have come forward with assurance of support. The Economics department have made it possible to give it a trial. A limited outfit has been provided, and the patronage is already increasing. Should the Home- making Course, referred to above, be started, the lunch question would be made much simpler in operation.
Sewing Classes Started
To try out the feeling of parents toward vocational studies for girls we have begun to give instruction in elementary sewing in the upper grammar grades. The young girls manifest genuine delight and interest in the lessons, which are eminently practical and will become increasingly educa- tional as they progress. No expression of approval or of disapproval has come to me from parents as yet. We are wondering what the sentiment of mothers is.
Visual Instruction
On November 20 the Public School Association gave a demonstration of the value of pictures as instruments of instruction. This is a very pertinent subject for considera- tion in view of the necessity of utilizing every best means of quickly accomplishing the great variety of work pre- scribed for the schools. Pictures are the quickest means of conveying information of certain sorts. Modern invention has made it possible with the camera and accessory instru- ments to obtain through the eye in a short time a great mass of information which the child of today is expected to have and use. And knowledge gained in this way sticks.
A boy walking home from the "movie," expressed in action and language with excellent effect the ideas suggested by the pictures he had seen. This same boy in school seems to have no ability to express ideas. Why so?
It is said, "To travel, is to become educated." Many of our pupils will never travel. The only way they will see the world is by means of the camera. By the use of the stere-
14
Report of Superintendent of Schools
ographs it is possible for the teacher to make the pupil for the moment think he is actually in a foreign land. A five minute lesson with a stereograph will teach a child more geography than a half hour lesson with a printed page, and the facts will be retained longer.
For class instruction, the stereopticon slide, which enables the instructor to direct the attention of the whole class to the same detail, is both efficient, attractive and a saver of time.
We have all needed conveniences at the High School for the utilization of this aid to instruction, except the lantern and some dark curtains for the auditorium and laboratory. We may well include in our scientific equipment a piece of projection apparatus.
This same outfit could be used at the Jenkins and Hatherly schools if electric current could be provided, which really should be provided, for several other good reasons.
Salaries
We are face to face with a situation unparalleled in school administration. Teachers' salaries have always been pitifully small. Now, they are absolutely impossible. Few people realize the meaning of the alarming shortage of teachers, caused by the withdrawal of thousands in favor of better paying employment. Rural communities suffer first and most severely since centers of wealth secure our best teachers. Justice to efficient teachers, as well as the preservation of our schools, requires large increases in salaries at once. As you well know, flat increases have already been granted in many towns, varying in amount from 25 per cent to 50 per cent of previous salaries. If Scituate does less, we shall lose every able and self-respecting teacher. I present herewith a revised salary schedule compiled from various sources and representing a conservative position.
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