USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1922-1924 > Part 7
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AMY ALLEN FRYE, Treasurer.
160
Report of the Peirce Memorial Library
PEIRCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
THE TREASURER'S REPORT For the Year Ending May 12, 1922
Cash on hand May 13, 1921.
$51 95
Received from Town of Scituate
600 00
Received from Members.
51 00
Received from Fines and Dues
17 00
Received from Rent.
4 00
May 12, 1922, Deficit
7 90
$731 85
Payments
Librarian
$171 00
Janitor
77 10
Fuel.
115 00
Light
27 84
Books
155 05
Periodicals .
67 75
Binding Books
20 56
Repairs on Building
42 71
New Electric Lights
18 72
Insurance.
17 50
Water
8 40
Printing .
9 00
Postage and Express
1 22
$731 85
May 12, 1922, Deficit.
$7 90
Permanent Fund in Cohasset Savings Bank. . $398 87
Konihasset Boat Club Fund . $467 20
FRANCIS B. LEE,
Treasurer.
-
$723 95
161
Report of the Welcome Home Committee
REPORT OF WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE
Receipts
July, 1922. Received from Town of Scituate. $500 00
Interest . 1 49
$501 49
Expenditures
July 26, 1922. George F. Welch Com-
pany, Lawn Mower. $15 00
July 26, 1922. Dreamwold, Labor .. 136 00
September 16, 1922. J. Edward Harney, Labor on Pool. 7 60
September 22, 1922. Charles T. Fish, work on Lawn Mowers and Painting Flag Pole . 50 00
November 7, 1922. William H. Watson,
Labor. 180 00
November 13, 1922. Horace T. Fogg and
William A. Burton, Trustees, labor ... 112 71
December 27, 1922. Harvey E. Door, Postage. 18
$501 49
HARVEY E. DORR, Treasurer.
162
List of Jurors for 1922
LIST OF JURORS FOR 1922
PREPARED AS PROVIDED IN CHAPTER 348, ACTS OF 1907
Abbott, Augustus L., Central Street, clerk Ainslie, Albert W., Grove Street, shoemaker Barnes, Franklin P., Maple Street, mason Bates, Burleigh E., Blossom Street, laborer Bates, Frank L., High Street, painter Bearce, George E., Allen Street, carpenter Bingham, Richmond F., Tilden Road, draughtsman Breen, Edward P., Pond View Avenue, mechanic · Briggs, Horace C., Common Street, broker Brown, Eugene T., Blossom Street, laborer Bush, Edward, High Street, painter Carpenter, Charles B., Country Way, laborer Clapp, William O., Summer Street, farmer Cobbett, Irving B., Otis Road, teamster Cole, Frank H., Stockbridge Road, carpenter Damon, Frank B., Maple Street, laborer Damon, J. Bryant, Glades Road, agent Darrow, Franklin M., Ocean Avenue, retired Doherty, Allan G., Meeting House Lane, laborer Dowse, Francis H., Tichnor Court, retired Dunbar, Seth A., Studley Royal, painter Ellis, Walter, Tichnor Court, retired Gardner, Walter C., Central Street, laborer Hamblen, Samuel, Gannett Road, retired Harris, Thomas H., Front Street, fisherman Hyland, Charles E., Blossom Street, shoemaker Hoar, Matthew, Third Cliff, retired Jenkins, Thomas Otis, Pond Street, gardener Litchfield, Arthur E., Summer Street, farmer Litchfield, Elisha, Central Street, painter
163
List of Jurors for 1922
Litchfield, Joseph H., Central Street, laborer Litchfield, Waldo, Cedar Street, farmer Marston, Samuel A., Blossom Street, laborer Megathlin, Robert B., Hollett Street, retired Prouty, Henry R., off Willow Street, retired Sargent, Willard A., Blossom Street, painter Vinal, Ezra, Tilden Road, watchman Webb, Herbert, Ford Place, retired Welch, George F., Otis Street, real estate Wherity, Richard, Brook Street, fisherman
JAMES W. TURNER, CHARLES W. PEARE, ERNEST R. SEAVERNS, Selectmen of Scituate.
INDEX OF ACCOUNTS
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Salaries and Expenses . 7
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department. 12
Fire Department.
14
Hydrant Rental . 20
Sealer of Weights and Measures .
Moth Work. 76
30
Tree Warden . 32
Bounties . 77
HEALTH AND SANITATION
Board of Health
24
HIGHWAYS
Roads, General 32
Sidewalks. 40
Snow and Ice . 41
Preservation of Macadam 36
Street Lighting 76
CHARITIES
Support of Poor . 20
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid.
24
Soldiers' Relief 24
EDUCATION
Support of Schools 12
LIBRARIES . 12
RECREATION
Park Commission 27
UNCLASSIFIED 77
REDUCTION OF DEBT . 74
STATE AND COUNTY TAX 74
REFUNDS 77
INDEX OF REPORTS
ANIMAL INSPECTOR 146
ASSESSORS
89
AUDITOR . 103
BOARD OF HEALTH
143
CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE.
155
COLLECTOR .
94
FIRE DEPARTMENT
152
LIBRARIES .
159
MILK INSPECTOR .
145
OVERSEERS OF POOR
93
PARK COMMISSION .
141
PLUMBING INSPECTOR .
144
SCITUATE WATER COMPANY
138
SELECTMEN .
5
STREET NAMING COMMITTEE
158
TREASURER .
98
TREE WARDEN 142
TOWN CLERK. 104
PUBLIC NURSING SERVICE
147
WELCOME HOME COMMITTEE
161
SCHOOL REPORT Appendix
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF SCITUATE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1922
TOW
USETTS
INCO
3
SATUIT
RPOR
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PRINTED BY THE BOUNDBROOK PRESS, NORTH SCITUATE, MASS.
INDEX
ORGANIZATION . 3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 5
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. 7
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL 14
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING 17
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC 21
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN 25
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
26
REPORT OF SCHOOL DENTIST 27 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 29
CHANGES IN TEACHERS 39
TEACHING FORCE. 40
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES 41
MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE, TARDINESS 42
3
School Department
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ORGANIZATION
Philip S. Bailey, Chairman. Address, North Scituate. Term expires in 1925.
Mrs. Marion Collier Alexander, Secretary. Address, Scituate. Term expires in 1924.
Cleveland Cogswell. Address, North Scituate. Term expires in 1923.
The regular meetings of the Committee are held at the office of the Superintendent, Old 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 289-2.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN T. Branch Alexander, M.D. Scituate, Mass.
SCHOOL NURSE Alice M. Gaffney, R.N.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER Mrs. Waldo Litchfield Cohasset, R. F. D.
4
School Department
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1923
Schools open January 2.
Schools close February 16 - seven weeks.
Schools open February 26.
Schools close April 13 - seven weeks.
Schools open April 23.
Schools close June 29 - ten weeks.
Schools open September 5.
Schools close December 21 - sixteen weeks.
School year - forty weeks.
HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
-
5
Report of School Committee
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Scituate:
The year 1922 has passed most harmoniously. Our aims are high, so that if we are not entirely satisfied with the year's accomplishments we are very much gratified by the results as shown in the reports.
In January, Mrs. Doris Ward was appointed to teach in the Vocational Department, as well as the general art work of the schools. She is full of enthusiasm and inspires all who are in her classes.
Last year the Dental Clinic was held at the Jenkins School; and, as there is only one set of equipment at present, this year it was moved to Hatherly as soon as a suitable room could be arranged for it. Its success will be noted in other reports. A small space under the eaves and a large closet in front of the second floor of the Hatherly School were thrown together and, with the addition of a group of windows, a very good room was made for dentistry. Electric lights and plumbing completed the requirements. Mr. Ernest Seaverns did the work according to the plans and specifications of F. T. Bailey & Co.
There was also space enough in this room for preparing cocoa, which may be served from a slide opening into the hall. We are very much pleased with the work of Mrs. Louis Madore of the Jenkins School and Mrs. Percy Merritt of the Hatherly School in handling the luncheon cocoa. At the Vocational School luncheons are supplemented by at least one hot dish, which may be purchased by the pupils at cost.
We are pleased to have the same janitors this year, who keep the buildings very orderly.
The community is fortunate in having one of Miss
6
Report of School Committee
Jeanne Bradford's spirit in its midst. The interest in music which she has developed and the talent which she has unearthed is quite remarkable. Not only the cultivation of the voice but orchestral work is progressing.
In July it was voted to build a more protected entrance to the driveway of the Jenkins School. Mr. Charles Wagner - Road Surveyor of the Town - under the direction of our Chairman, Mr. Philip S. Bailey, put his force at work and by the opening of school in September a tarvia-bound drive was finished and near the street a half circle was completed large enough for the busses to stand to unload without nearly as much danger to the children from passing auto- mobiles. This sort of work is very expensive but it is hoped that by another year a similar protective plan may be undertaken at Hatherly.
Complaints have been few, so that we feel we must have a very satisfactory corps of teachers. It is interesting to visit the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools the same day - and find practically the same progress in each corresponding room. It does not just happen, of course, but is the plan of the Superintendent, so that when the classes come together at High School they will have had the same foundation.
Transportation seems to be the trial of all of us - school officers, pupils and taxpayers. It is the hardest prob- lem of this department - even of the State. A great deal of money is spent for the purpose and yet no plan seems to fit every one's need. Our Town is spread over so much territory that it is just about impossible to satisfy every family; yet the Committee has spent much time on the subject, with road maps and measures, to make as fair a' plan as possible.
We recommend appropriations for 1923 as follows:
Support of Schools $46,730 00
Transportation 11,000 00
MARION COLLIER ALEXANDER,
Secretary.
7
Report of Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Scituate:
Following custom and conforming with the statutes of the Commonwealth, I have the pleasure of presenting here- with such statistics and information concerning the adminis- tration of the schools of Scituate for the year 1922, as seem to me to be of interest now, or of value in future years as matter of historical record. The reports of the several officers set forth from the point of view of each, the under- takings and the achievements of the year. I am glad to add my approval to these reports, and to endorse in a general way the principles and projects set forth by each.
As foreshadowed in the report of last year, no marked change in policy or undertaking has been attempted during this year. As we review the year we are conscious of no conspicuous events, and just as sure that there has been a steady progress toward sane and progressive training in fundamental knowledge.
We have been very fortunate in the personnel of our teachers, and in freedom from epidemics and interruption because of storms. For these blessings we are indebted in part at least to devoted teachers, efficient health service of School Physician and Nurse and Dentist. These, with the increasingly helpful cooperation of the parents of the pupils and the splendid interest of many public-spirited citizens, creates an atmosphere conducive to progress.
My own activities have been directed toward the elimi- nation of obsolete and useless matter and methods, and to strengthening those points which show weakness or neglect. We have during the past four years undertaken the elimi- nation of the ninth grade, the gradual revision and exten- sion of the course of study, the dental clinic, a health program
8
Report of Superintendent of Schools
with a School Nurse in service, school lunches, a more efficient commercial department at the High School, and a vocational household arts school for girls.
Our work in music has been greatly extended under the enthusiastic leadership of our Supervisor of Music, and varied and practical courses in art provided for pupils of all ages by the efforts of our Supervisor of Art Instruction. A gratifying advance toward higher ideals of high school scholarship and spirit is evident despite some apparent failures. The task of establishing worthy ideals that shall prevail has of late been stupendous. The achievements of our teachers are, therefore, the more to be commended.
There are yet weak spots that need attention. Results in penmanship are very unsatisfactory. Penmanship is an art. Skill is acquired, first, by learning correct principles; and, second, by faithful practice under wise guidance. It is generally recognized that the art of writing is quite dis- tinct from any other art, and demands of the teacher a peculiar gift and concentration of effort. It has been our practice to require the several teachers to give this instruc- tion. The pupil has, therefore, been subject every year or two to a change in method of instruction and a variation in quality, with the unsatisfactory results which are in evidence. Given a competent teacher of penmanship. in charge of this work throughout the whole school program, I believe the results would be seen not alone in the formation of a better handwriting, but also in a better attitude toward accuracy and carefulness in all activities into which writing enters. A Supervisor of Penmanship would require that written work in every department of instruction be main- tained at the highest level of the pupil's ability. Her approval of the penmanship of the daily work of the pupil will be a tonic both to the pupil and to the teachers. Given as a minimum attainment for the sixth grade, ability to read and speak fluently, to use figures rapidly and accurately, to spell correctly, and to write beautifully, what may we not expect in the development of reasoning power and acquisition of information in the years following!
MISS CLARA M. SKEELE
Miss Clara M. Skeele was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and died in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on May 25, 1922, at the age of sixty years. She was a graduate of Wellesley College, and was a tutor and music teacher for many years. She served continuously on the School Com- mittee of Scituate from 1891 to 1913 inclusive, a period of twenty-three years, being chairman most of the time.
9
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Our physical education program is barely under way. It should be greatly enlarged and more carefully organized into the daily program of each school. Fortunately, we have some available space for outdoor activities in the fall and spring. These grounds should be put in condition for the drills and games which are to be used for purposes of instruc- tion. The athletic field at the high school should be com- pleted as rapidly as possible, and generous support given to organized athletics just as rapidly as the progress of our pupils toward worthy ideals of sportsmanship, and business- like administration of these activities will permit. An inter- school meet was held last spring to test out the possibilities in this line. There is every reason to believe that under proper restriction the competitive element of physical training may be permitted with good results in social and moral training, as well as in the purely physical.
A field day is contemplated in May which we hope to make a red letter day in the school calendar. May I here express the hope that parents and citizens generally will give us the support of their presence on that occasion and enter into the project as one of Scituate's community activi- ties - Scituate's Field Day. In many places this has become a fixed event and is highly prized by all. Why not so in Scituate?
Forward is the call of our Supervisor of Music. I think we should respond enthusiastically. A perusal of her report shows the way. To her vision, enthusiasm and per- severance we owe the beginnings of what may soon be a thing of joy and pride - a school orchestra. One of the objectives of education so persistently presented to the teachers is "the worthy use of leisure." What more valu- able education can we give our children than that of the love of music as a means of recreation and delight all through the years of toil that are sure to follow. I believe that the study of music and the acquisition of ability to play a musical instrument is quite as true and valuable an aspect of edu- cation as any of the branches for which credit is now given in our schools, and that such study should be encouraged
10
Report of Superintendent of Schools
by a greater recognition toward graduation. Miss Brad- ford's work, for the most part gratuitous, has been to dis- cover talent and arouse interest in individual pupils. We have been interested to supplement her work by inducing a violinist to form a class at the high school for those who wish to take up the study of the violin. The response has been good. Are we ready to admit music to its rightful place in an educational scheme and assign credits toward a diploma for attainments in musical theory or for vocal or instrumental proficiency, and provide a place for study and practice in our school programs? I believe the details of such recognition can be worked out very easily and that it will help to lift the nervous strain felt by those ambitious youths and their parents who now feel that musical education must be added to an already full day as an extra activity, even though it threatens the physical well-being of the child.
The Household Arts School met with even greater success than we anticipated the first year and won a very high approval from the State inspectors. The second year opens with a small enrollment, but with a degree of interest that gives promise of good results. The greatest hindrance to a larger use of this superior (for a country town) equip- ment seems to be the half time requirements imposed by the Department of Vocational Instruction. The pupils who ought to profit by these courses have not yet completed enough of their academic studies so that they can afford to give half time to vocational work. I am inclined to the opinion that unless that requirement can be modified we may think it wise to abandon the vocational element of this course for a time and continue the instruction in home economics as integral courses of the high school program with credits the equivalent of any other study. We have already felt the demand for certain of the shorter units of study but could not permit the arrangements desired under the present organization. I present this suggestion for consideration at the end of the school year. Sewing classes have been started again this fall in the upper grades. These
CAPTAIN JOHN L. MANSON
Born in Scituate, February 25, 1887 Died in Dorchester, October 11, 1922
Captain Manson came of old Pilgrim stock and his forbears were of the earliest of the Scituate settlers. He served his native town as a member of the School Board in 1884-5 and as Auditor in 1889-90.
He was one of the old school of shipmasters and commanded the first full rigged iron ship (the Mariposa) sailing under the American flag.
11
Report of Superintendent of Schools
may be made more effective and become an integral part of the home economics course and come under the immediate supervision of the Head of the Economics Department of the High School.
A start in practical arts has been made with some of the girls and a very elementary beginning of manual train- ing with the boys in the High School who have elected mechanical drawing, and with the boys of the Grammar Schools. This has been largely a labor of love by Mrs. Ward. Mrs. Ward is an enthusiast in her work and con- templates an extension of this craft work with your approval. See her report. Undoubtedly Scituate will some day establish a manual training department in connection with the High School. Mrs. Ward's proposal looks forward towards that event from beginnings made in the grades. If our people could see the enthusiasm of some of our pupils who are frequently called "dull" when craft instruction is offered and actually see manual skill and mental activity develop- ing under such instruction, there would be no hesitation because of the expense involved for equipment and instruc- tion. Mrs. Ward's project for this year does not require a special room. The regular school desks can be made to serve her purpose by the addition of special equipment designed for the purpose. I commend this to your favorable consideration in making estimates for 1923.
It seems paradoxical that in institutions for learning the chief instrument of knowledge should be inconspicuous. A lover of books, a believer in the cultural value of the atmos- phere induced by books attractively and accessibly arranged and the incentive to reading and study of being in their presence, is disturbed by the barrenness of our school rooms in this respect. We have traveled a long way in the develop- ment of the modern school from the memoriter methods of instruction of fifty years ago. The quantity of information the youth of today is required to gain is many times that required of our forefathers in their school days. It behooves us, therefore, to make the mere getting of information as easy and rapid as possible for our children, and this can be
12
Report of Superintendent of Schools
done through handy access to good books and magazines in great variety and through pictures, which often are the quickest and most permanent way of imparting information. The equipment of the High School and Grammar Schools does not measure up to this ideal. If we can find a way to organize our teaching force so as to employ at least one teacher in each building who shall be required to give enough time to the supervision of a library room and assistance to pupils in learning how to get from the library the information they are sent there to seek, I believe one very fertile source of dissatisfaction with the results of our schools will be removed. We have a considerable number of books scattered about in closets here and there which, if kept in an orderly manner in a convenient location and cared for by a person who loves books and knows how to teach others to love them, can be made productive of great good. At present they are un- used chiefly because they are not quickly available. The disciplinary value of the library reading room is also very great, and such training is much needed today. With your approval in principle, this problem can be worked out for each of our buildings at no great additional expense by adjusting the school programs to this end and selecting teachers and assigning work accordingly.
· As soon as funds for 1923 are available, I hope to be able to get several new series of supplementary readers for the elementary grades. These will strengthen weak spots in two lines at least. They will make more systematic and thorough the instruction given in physiology and hygiene, and furnish material for instruction in our national history and community life in the lower grades. Several lists of books already in use or to be procured soon are presented herewith.
There are some general repairs needed, which I know you will attend to. Some larger outlays that seem desirable are the completion of the athletic field at the High School, a driveway at Hatherly to lessen danger to children from passing automobiles, the re-finishing of three rooms at Jenkins School.
13
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Recognition should be made at this time of the gift of a cabinet of minerals by Mrs. Edith Gannett and of her valuable service to the High School in writing the inter- esting and informing articles that appear so frequently in the Scituate Herald, the generous consideration of our schools given by Mr. Frank S. Alger, editor of the Scituate Herald, and the scholarship offered by the Woman's Club to the young ladies of the High School.
Work in the Scituate schools is a delight. Your con- fidence and cooperation do much to make it so. I often wish I could give full time instead of one-third time to promoting a greater variety of educational projects in Scituate.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. BRAGDON, Superintendent.
14
Report of High School
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT F. E. BRAGDON,
Dear Sir:
Our session opened in September with one change in the teaching staff, Miss Murray taking up the work in the science department which the resignation of Mr. Locke left without an instructor. I am impressed with the fact that in this report it is most fitting for me to express for both teachers and pupils a unanimous and heartfelt appreciation of Mr. Locke's valuable and unstinted service to this school as a teacher and as a citizen.
A new schedule which had been prepared in June went into operation at our first session in September and our work was well under way the second day. During the past two years our aim had been to establish a deeper sense of the responsibility of citizenship and a higher standard of scholar- ship in the broadest sense of scholarly attainments. There is some evidence that we have moved toward our goal, but there is still quite a journey before us.
A recent issue of one of our great weekly periodicals in an editorial upon the purpose of our schools makes the following statement: "When the child comes to his final June in school is not the equipment which he should have something like this?
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