USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1900 > Part 3
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breadth of elementary training that all avenues of research or occupation may be open to him. Dr. Lyman Abbott in a notable address on "Educational Democracy " says : "This education is to be in all subjects. As the whole material world is given to man to control, to master, to rule, so the whole intellectual world is given to man, to control, to master. to rule. There is nothing man may not inquire into. The whole world is open before him, the whole world of thought : but it is not enough that he enters all fields and examines all subjects, he must have power, must be able to exercise judgment and will. He must be a man in possession of power, not a mere vessel in the possession of information."
A prospective resident of a town first inquires if the schools are in good condition. Nothing advertises a town like good schools. The estimate that the public puts on the schools of a community is shown by the fact that parents constantly deny themselves in all ways to provide the edu- cation for their children, which perchance they have been forced to do without.
There is sometimes a misapprehension of the true func- tion of a school and the duties of a teacher. There are some things a school can do. There are other things a school cannot do. First, a school cannot entirely correct nd ad- just all the errors and misfortunes which heredity and en- vironment fasten upon a child. It cannot in all cases suc- cessfully operate in the tive school hours against the influ- ences which too frequently militate against school influences, during the rest of the day. The teacher cannot take the place of the parent, assume his responsibilities, exert his authority. He cannot teach religion ; in but a minor and incidental way, morals, deportment, and manners.
The school can open the mind of the child to the wonder-
5
ful world of letters, can give an elementary training of the impulses, the will, the intellect. It can direct in right ways the head and the hand, can influence for good, can steer for a few short years, but motive power must always be within the child, and soon even the guidance must be left to his will. How necessary then that the young will be properly trained ; not broken, but developed along right lines.
Right here comes in the necessity for high character on the part of the teacher. Scholarship is good, but noble character, a refined nature is worth more. It is worth more even than elegant surroundings, choice books and appli- ances, valuable as these are. These are but the educational tools, but the man or woman "behind the guns" is most im- portant in teaching infant ideas to shoot. The first test of a teacher is-is he a man? Is she a true woman? Next in- quire about scholarship, training, &c. The unconscious influence of a good teacher is incalculable. President Gar- field once said that a youth could get a liberal education sit- ting on one end of a wooden bench if Mark Hopkins was on the other end.
In Fairhaven we are fortunate in having a very superior corps of teachers. On the whole, our teachers compare very favorably with other towns of similar circumstances. They are women of high character, enthusiastic in their work. Several have been offered in other places higher salaries than they are receiving here. The salaries they receive are small compared with the pay of teachers in similar grades of schools in other places. Teachers in corresponding grades in New Bedford receive fifteen or twenty dollars more per month.
It is our good fortune that we are able to retain them. The teachers like Fairhaven, the well appointed school build- ing, the library facilities, the congenial social surroundings. But teachers are the poorest paid of any professional class.
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Their expenses are heavy ; they must undergo the expense of a long training, must buy books, subscribe to educational journals ; they must dress well to keep the respect of their pupils and the community ; they must provide for old age. The reason why some communities are burdened with super- annuated teachers is that they never feel that they can let go, while the committees in their humanity feel indisposed to drop them. President Eliot once said that next to Su- premie Court judges, no class was more deserving of pen- sions.
During the past year bookkeeping, typewriting, and sten- ography have been introduced into the High school course, which have proved popular studies and the introduction of these studies was wise, and in response to a public demand : but there is another need more important Good mechanics are more in demand than bookkeepers, demand better wages. The schools, outside the large cities which have already re- sponded to this demand, need more attention to be paid to the education of the hand, not in technical schools, which are outside the province of elementary education, but a system of manual training, which will help to give the all- round education the youth are in need of. The head is all the better for intelligent use of the hands. The time is coming and coming fast when all schools will give instruc- tion in sewing, cooking, and other useful handiwork for the girls, while the boys will have manual training in wood and iron, and mechanical drawing. Then the development of the child will not be one-sided, or top-heavy. Then head and hand will respond one to the other in happy consola- tion. This is no Utopian scheme. Germany, France, and Austria are far beyond us in this respect, though much good work is already done in some of the large cities of our country.
A course of drawing has been instituted during the past
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year, and has been well started. It should be continued and encouraged.
The work in music has continued up to the standard set by the able and energetic Supervisor, Miss Trowbridge.
The thanks of the town are due for the work done in the schools by the Educational Art Club which has already ex- pended $500 in decorating the walls of the school rooms in the last three years. They have put into every school room in town at least one good picture or cast, and have tinted the walls of three of the rooms.
The Committee would also thank the Pleiades, a group of seven girls who meet for outside study, and who have pre- sented the lower grade room at the Rogers school with several art reproductions.
The prizes generously offered by Mrs. Edmund Anthony, Jr., to pupils in the High School who should excel in Eng- lish composition were awarded to Miss Susie Jackson and Miss Eva May Sherman-the subjects in both cases being "The Advantages of the Millicent Library to the Youth of Fairhaven."
The High School Alumni Association has kindly offered three prizes of ten, five, and three dollars respectively for a competition during the present school year.
The Committee would record their appreciation of the faithful and efficient work of the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Edward B. Gray.
Realizing that the schools are not perfect, yet we can confidently say that they are doing good work, and the citizens of Fairhaven need not feel ashamed of theni. Parents should visit them more frequently and see for them- selves ; see how their children are being fitted for life-and fitted to enter upon the true heritage of every American youth-opportunity.
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The Committee asks as an appropriation for all school purposes for the ensuing year the sum of $11,200.
EDMUND ANTHONY, JR., JOB C. TRIPP, GEORGE W. STEVENS, JOSEPH PETTEE, JR., THOMAS A. TRIPP, GEORGE H. TRIPP.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Fairhaven :
GENTLEMEN :- In compliance with your rules and regula- tions, I herewith submit the following as my report of the schools under your charge for the year 1900.
The statistics of school attendance required to be made each year, by the various cities and towns, to the State Board of Education must be for a uniform school year, ending September 1. Therefore in this report the statistics are given for the full year ending September 1, 1900, and also for the term ending December 21.
The financial report is for the year beginning February 15, 1900, and ending February 15, 1901.
10
CALENDAR 1901 -- 1902.
Friday, March 22-Schools close for Spring vacation.
Monday, April 1-All schools re-open.
Friday, April 19-Patriots' Day ; no school.
Thursday, May 30-Memorial Day ; no school.
Thursday, June 20-Graduating exercises of High School. Friday, June 21-Graduating exercises of Grammar School. All schools close.
Tuesday, Sept. 3-All schools open.
Wednesday, Nov. 27-Schools close for Thanksgiving.
Monday, Dec. 2-Schools re-open.
Friday, Dec. 20-All schools close.
Monday, Dec. 30-High school re-opens.
Monday, Jan. 6-All other schools re-open.
Friday, March 21-Schools close for Spring vacation.
11
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Cr.
Balauce on hand, Appropriation,
$346 27 10,800 00
Expenditures for : Teachers' pay roll as per schedule A nexed.
an-
$8,363 00
Appropriation for Su- perintendent's salary, Appropriat'u for grad- ing Oxford lawn, Tuition (Acushnet),
100 00
per schedule B.
1.264 20
140 00
Books and supplies as per schedule C, Repairs as per sched- ule D,
650 50
750 00
Fuel as per schedule E,
752 69
455 24
Incidentals as per schedule F, Superintendent's sala- ry,
826 37
900:00
$13,046 11
Balance on hand.
273.98
$13,320 09
$13,320 09
450:00
Janitors' pay roll as
State Treasurer for ac- count of Superinten- dent,
289 35
State School fund, County fund.
278 58
12
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr.
PEASE FUND. Cr.
Balance on hand, Dividen's from trustee.
$257 82
Expenditures as per
253 43
following bills :
Rand. McNally & Co.,
$13.40
A. S. Rounseville & Co ..
90
James E. Blake,
27 SS
Silver Burdette & Co.,
14 34
Smith Premier Type- writer Co ..
280 00
Prang Education'l Co ..
68 26
Oliver Ditson,
2 84
University Publishing Co.,
2 40
J. L. Hammett & Co.,
56 63
American Book Co ..
31 40
Bausch & Lomb Opti- cal Co ..
4 08
$502 13
Balance unexpended.
9 12
$511 25
$511 25
13
SCHEDULE A TEACHERS' SALARIES.
Will A. Charles, A. B., at High School Building, $1,000.00
Ruby L. Rich, A. B. 550.00 .6
Madeline L. Kyle, 191.25
Anna H. Bradford, ..
258.75
Anna B. Trowbridge,
and music, 450.00
Grace Covell, drawing,
247.50
Sarah B. Clarke,
at Rogers School,
550.00
Frances B. Mason, A. B.
348.00
Addie G. Bunker,
160.00
Bertha M. Loheed, A. B.
63.00
Geneva L. Morse,
90.00
Anna M. Rochefort,
60.00
Mattie L. Norris,
380.00
Mary Kyle,
144.00
Lillian C Burbank,
220.00
Idella M. Libby,
380.00
Elizabeth Jones,
320.00
Alice B. Landers,
60.00
Estelle Jackson,
..
342.00
Hannah J. Ardill,
.6
365.00
Edith E. Ball, ..
43.00
Allie E. Cole.
176.00
Kate Drew,
at Oxford School, 427.50
Elsie G. Reid,
66
10.00
Jennie Welton,
106.00
Grace M. Nickerson,
342.00
Bertha M. Hamblin,
355.00
Ella D. Harlow,
at New Boston.
351.00
Nellie A. Kinsman,
at Naskatucket,
327.00
Mary Bumpus,
substitute,
3.00
Mrs. W. A. Charles,
7.50
Mrs. E. Manchester, Jr.,
66
29.50
Mary E. Haney,
6.00
$8,363.00
14
SCHEDULE B JJANITORS' SALARIES.
J. H. Hanna, at Rogers school, $540.00
A. J. Jenney. at Oxford school, 480.00
W. P. Macomber, at High school.
162.00
Wm. Hammond, at New Boston school.
17.00
Frank Ferra, at . . . .
15.00
Rufus A. Spooner, at
6.45
Tra Austin, at . .
..
.50
Alfred Peterson, at Naskatucket.
22.25
Geo. W. Stevens, at
8.00
Frank Vohnoutka, at
13.00
$1,264.20
SCHEDULE C BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
D. C. Heath & Co.,
$15.63
Ginn & Co .. 146.38
E. E. Babh & Co.,
75.85
J. L. Hammett & Co., 62.48
American Book Co.,
64.84
Thorp & Martin.
9.00
Robert W. Taber,
.65
Sago Matseemento,
5.25
Sibley & Ducker.
4.17
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co.,
10.81
Thomas R. Shewell & Co.,
51.98
Silver, Burdette & Co.,
38.27
H. S. Hutchinson & Co ..
2.10
Prang Educational Co.,
24.91
Mary A. Chandler,
45.25
Houghton, MitHin & Co ..
4.59
Allyn & Bacon.
18.34
Edward F. Jones,
70.00
$650.50
1.5
SCHEDULE D REPAIRS.
N. P. Hayes, $3.40
N. B. Boiler & Machine Co., 16.62
C. F. Delano, 27.19
Samuel Whitlow.
6.80
Geo. R. Valentine,
14.40
E. G. Watson,
1.00
W. H. Rogers,
9.90
W. L. Kelley,
1.75
Packard Hardware Co.,
8.30
H. H. Hathaway,
36.58
Babbitt, Wood & Co.,
.75
C. F. Wing,
6.25
B. F. Beetle,
18.93
Nutter & Seabury,
10.80
Chas. S. Paisler,
1.85
B. Taber,
.65
Blossom Bros.,
1.25
M. P. Whitfield,
50.48
F. A. Blossom,
1.50
Boston Belting Co.,
16.93
Forrest & Long,
6.91
L. (). Pardee,
31.97
Perry Ventilator Co.,
5.50
B. F. Waddington,
2.00
B. F. Nickerson,
.54
P. S. Aikin, 7.10
$289.35
16
SCHEDULE E FUEL.
Geo. T. Lloyd,
$6.25
F. T. Akin & Co.,
719.08
Rufus Spooner,
6.15
Chas. F. Howard,
7.50
Henry T. Howard,
3.50
J. Bumpus,
4.85
M. S. Douglass,
4.25
Ada F. Macomber.
1.11
$752.69
SCHEDULE F INCIDENTALS.
Bliss & Nye.
$3.57
A. J. Jenney.
3.15
C. F. Wing,
1.80
Haskell & Tripp,
2.77
C. J. Becker,
5.25
C. D. Waldron,
14 00
Allen Smith, Jr.,
.50
H. F. Wilde.
9.29
Fairhaven Water Co ..
177.36
Grace Covell,
5.00
N. B. Dry Goods Co.,
2.26
Union St. Railway Co.,
56.25
J. H. Hanna,
6.90
Louis Nickerson.
.45
J. Goodnow.
1 50
Thomas M. Hart,
2.70
De Wolf & Vincent,
5.00
Packard Hardware Co.,
20.10
W. P. Macomber.
20.00
Southern Mass. Tel. Co ..
14.39
E. B. Gray,
24.40
17
Alfred Nye.
7.71
s. S. Bumpus,
2.05
Slocum & Kilburn,
1.40
J. B. Peck,
8.50
E. Manchester, Jr.,
227.83
Hatch & Co.,
20.40
Western Union Tel. Co.,
3.66
Atlas Tack Co.,
3.60
James McFarlin,
4.00
W. C. Stoddard,
11.13
Thomas Hersom & Co.,
6.00
C. S. & B. Cummings,
2.50
(. F. Brownell,
17.50
Fairhaven Street Department,
105.00
E. Anthony & Sons,
18.25
N. B. Co-operative Express,
2.05
L. M. Snow,
.30
Mortimer Searles,
5.85
Geo. A. Mathewson,
.60
Burke & Baker,
1.40
$826.37
18
FALL TERM, 1899.
SEPTEMBER 5 TO DECEMBER 22.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average Daily
Attendance.
Per cent.
Attendance.
Cases of
'Tardiness.
Cases of
Dismissal.
No. of Weeks.
High School Building :
Eloise A. Hafford.
High
880
68
64.62
62.20
96.26
102
65
16
Ruby L. Rich. A. B.,
Grade
55
Madeline L. Kyle,
9
45
31
30.42
28.23
92.80
30
24
16
Anna B. Trowbridge.
45
Royers School :
Sara B. Clarke,
1 7 and
55
57
55.30
52.22
94.43
1
24
15
Frances B. Mason, A. B. )
32
Addie G. Bunker.
6
40
44
40.94
37.35
91.23
31
15
Mattie L. Norris.
5
40
36
33.93
32.43
95.58
4
30
15
Mary Kyle.
1
36
45
41.92
39.00
93 04
10
18
15
Idella M. Libby.
4
40
42
36.07
32.58
90.32
10
6
15
Elizabeth Jones,
3
40
47
41.54
39.84
95.91
5
4
15
Estelle Jackson.
2
36
3S
37.40
34.34
91.82
14
15
15
Hannah J. Ardill.
1
40
59
51.38
46.90
91.28
10
15
Oxford School :
Kate Drew.
6. 7 and 8
45
25
22.84
20.32
88.97
39
6
15
Edith E. Ball.
5
8
12
9.79
8.39
85.70
36
10
15
Grace M. Nickerson.
3 and 4
36
3S
36.04
33.75
93.64
35
0
15
Bertha M. Hamblin.
1 and 2
36
35
33.73
26.20
77.67
70
15
Ver Boston :
Caroline B. Jonsen.
36
31
27.01
24.91
92.22
37
4
15
Vaskatucket :
Nellie A. Kinsman.
36
25
19.74
18.30
93.21
19
9
15
Totals. 1899.
$781
633
582.67
536.66
92.09
431
258
242
Totals. 1898.
8735
620 577.17 527.61|
91.41
420
203
243
Will A. Charles. A. B ..
19
WINTER TERM, 1900. JANUARY 1 TO MARCH 23.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average Daily
AAttendance.
Per cent.
Attendance.
Cases of
Tardiness
Cases of
Dismissal.
No. of Weeks.
High School Building :
Will A. Charles, A. B ..
High $100
65
63.60
59.33
93.29
133
61
12
Ruby L. Rich, A. B.,
55
Madeline L. Kyle,
(irade
45
32
31.19
27.79
89.10
28
29
12
Anna B. Trowbridge,
9
45
Rogers School :
Sara B. Clarke,
-
S
55
25
24.00
21.76
90.67
1
11
12
Frances B. Mason, A. B., ý
7
32
33
30.26
27.71
91.57
0)
6
12
Addie G. Bunker.
6
40
43
41.54
38.06
91.62
3
20
12
Mattie L. Norris,
5
40
37
34.76
31.50
90.91
13
12
Mary Kyle,
4
36
42
41.45
37.22
89.80
8
25
12
Idella M. Libby,
4
40
41
37.69
33.47
S8.80
13
6
12
Elizabeth Jones,
3
40
42
38.86
35.23
90.66
1
1
12
Estelle JJackson,
2
36
40
38.06
33.63
88.36
15
8
12
Hannah J. AArdill.
1
40
54
49.72
41.81
84.10.
1
6
Edith E. Ball. ass't.
1
8
Oxford School :
Kate Drew.
6, 7 and 8
45
25
22.63
21.25
93.90
33
4
5
20
11
9.88
7.75
78.44
28
5
Grace M. Nickerson.
3 and 4
36
35
34.25
31.68
92.50
31
2
12
Bertha M. Hamblin.
1 and 2
36
29
26.63
22.22
83.44
36
2
12
Ver Boston :
Ella D. Harlow,
36
28
24.59
21.91
89.10
2
11
Vaskatucket :
Nellie A. Kinsman.
36
19
18.11
16.95
93.59
34
3
12
Totals, 1900.
$821
601
567.22
509.27
89.78
419
204
203
Totals, 1899,
$735
584
550.84
475.41
86.31
402
244
i
Elsie G. Reid,
20
SPRING TERM, 1900.
APRIL 2 TO JUNE 22.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average Daily
Attendance.
Per cent.
Attendance.
C'ases of
Tardiness.
('ases of
Dismissal.
No. of Weeks.
High School Building :
Will A. Charles, A. B ..
Iligh $100
62
60.22
56.36
93.59
88
91
12
Ruby L. Rich, 1. B ..
Grade
55
Madeline L. Kyle.
9
45
31
29.33
26.41
90.04
20'
44
12
Anna B. Trowbridge.
45
Rogers School :
Sara B. Clarke.
1
S
55
23.30
21.43
91.98
0
16
11
Frances B. Mason. A. B .. .
-1
32
30
29.19
27.03
92.60
1
11
11
Addie G. Bunker.
6
40
43
40.48
35.85
88.56
6
12
11
Mattie L. Norris,
5
40
35
31.55
27.54
87.61
1
37
11
Idella M. Libby.
4
40
43
38.32
34.02
84.03
1
11
11
Elizabeth Jones,
3
40
40
37.92
36.08
95.15
3
0
11
Estelle Jackson,
2
36
43
40.02
36.35
90.83
13
14
11
Hannah J. Ardill.
1
40
59
51.75
47.20
91.21
18
11
Edith E. Ball. ass't.
8
Oxford School :
Kate Drew.
6. 7 and
45
21
19.85
18.65
93.95
16
13
11
Jennie Welton.
5
32
10
8.62
7.09
82.25
18
11
11
Grace M. Nickerson.
3 and 4
36
37
36.67
33.98
92.66
42
6
11
Bertha M. Hamblin.
1 and 2
36
37
33.88
30.02
88.61
53
0
11
New Boston :
Ella D. Harlow.
36
27
25.42
21.95
86.35
42
14
12
Vaskatucket :
Nellie A. Kinsman,
36
19
17.88
17.14
95.86
16
7
11
Grace Covell, drawing.
30
Totals, 1900.
$863
605
565.19
513.71
92.53
343
311
187
Totals, 1899,
$743
584 558.97 513.09
91.79
393
319
16 11
Mary Kyle.
1
36
43
40.7
36.61
89.75
2
-
21
SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR. SEPTEMBER 5, 1899, TO JUNE 22, 1900.
SCHOOLS.
Whole num-
ber enrolled.
Average
membership.
Average daily
attendance.
Per cent.
attendance.
C'ases of
tardiness.
C'ases of
dismissal.
No. of weeks.
High.
68
62.99
59.56
94.55
323
217
40
Grade 9.
33
30.32
27.55
90.86
78
97
40
Rogers School Grade 8.
28
24.43
22.37
91.57
3
45
38
33
29.66
27.63
93.16
3
25
38
48
41.00
37.13
90.56
17
63
38
6.
٩٠
..
46
41.44
37.74
91.07
20
80
38
50
37.23
33.33
89.52
27
23
38
..
..
2.
43
38.43
34.70
90.27
42
37
38
Oxford School Room 4.
26
21.90
20.12
91.87
88
23
38
..
..
3.
13
9.48
7.81
82.38
82
26
38
2.
43
35.66
33.17
93.02
108,
81
38
1.
39
31.55
26.06
82.60
159
4
38
New Boston.
35
25.84
23.14
89.55
123
20
37
Naskatucket,
28
18.69
17 54
93.85
69
19
38
Totals 1900.
692
572 73
521.26
91.15
1,193
775
649
Totals 1899.
647
563.85
507.66
90.04
1.215
766
Totals 1898.
569.18
514.02
90.31
1.117.
519
Totals 1897.
553.12
492.33
89.01
1,223
Totals 1896.
473.60
419.60
88.70|
. .
..
6,
41
33.50
30.72
91.40
12
59
38
3.
49
39.64
37.30
94.10
9
5
38
1.
69
50.97
45.39
89.05
30
24
38
. .
4.
22
FALL TERM, 1900. SEPTEMBER 4 TO DECEMBER 21.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
Month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average daily
Attendance.
Per cent.
Attendance.
Cases of
Tardiness.
C'ases of
Dismissal.
No. of weeks.
High School :
Will A. Charles. A. B ..
$100
Ruby L. Rich. A. B.,
55
89
82.59
76.83
91.82
123
60
16
Anna H. Bradford,
45
Anna B. Trowbridge,
45
Rogers School:
Grade
Sara B. Clarke.
9
60
25
24.82
23.38
94.20
5
20
16
Frances B. Mason. A. B .. j
S
40
34
31.78
30.17
94.93
6
20
16
Bertha M. Loheed.
-
-
40
37
33.07
29.49
89.17
17
37
16
Mattie L. Norris.
6
40
51
44.73
40.29
90.08
5
24
16
Lillian C. Burbank.
5
40
50
45.09
40.82
90.53
23
20
16
Idella M. Libby.
1
40
47
39.86
35.86
89.96
14
16
Elizabeth JJones.
3
40
50
42.51
40.59
95.48
5
3
16
Estelle Jackson.
)
36
48
44.62
40.15
89.98
22
S
16
Allie A. Cole. asst ..
32
Hannah JJ. Ardill.
1
40
57
47.87
43.01
89.85
15
10
. 16
Oxford School :
Kate Drew.
5. 6 and 7
45
36
33.29
31.77
95.45
29
. 1
16
Grace M. Nickerson. ·
3 and 4
36
37
34.74
31.61
90.99
56
5
16
Bertha M. Hamblin,
1 and 2
40
47
35.54
29.03
$1.68
60
9
16
Ver Boston :
Ella D. Harlow.
36
26
24.35
20.97
86.12
27
25
16
Vaskatucket :
Nellie .A. Kinsman.
36
301
24.82
22.55
90.85
39
13
16
Grace C'ovell. drawing.
30
Totals. 1900,
$884
664 589.68
536.52
90.99
439
272
240
Totals. 1899.
$781
633 582.67
536.66
92.09
431
258
242
S
Mrs. E. Manchester, Jr ..
Geneva L. Morse.
23
The attendance in most of the schools during the past year was good and the average was better than it has been for some years. In several of the schools, however, and in many individual cases, the amount of absence has interfered greatly with the school work.
No matter how efficient a school teacher may be, or how hard she may work, it is impossible for her to secure satis- factory results in any school where the pupils average to be absent about one day in every five throughout the year-as has been the case in one or two of our schools during the past year.
It is safe to say that in a great many cases if the children were working for wages, instead of attending school, it would not be found necessary for them to remain at home so often. And yet it is just as important that there should be a regular attendance at school as at any other work. Many parents seem to lose sight of the fact that in addi- tion to all the other benefits to be derived from a good education, the child will receive an ample financial return for all the time and effort spent in school work. Dr. Harris, the United States Commissioner of Education, in a recent report called attention to the relation between education and wealth producing power. "Each child in Massachusetts," he said, "receives on an average seven years of schooling, cov- ering the primary and grammar school periods ; each child in the nation at large, only four and three-tenths years. The ratio is 70 to 43. The average daily wealth producing power of each man, woman and child was, for the year taken for a comparison, 73 cents in Massachusetts, while for the nation at large it was only 40 cents. The ratio is nearly the same as in the matter of school attendance."
At the Rogers School, where there was an enrollment of more than 400 pupils for the year, the tardiness averaged less than one case per day. This is in marked contrast with the
24
record of the other schools, and it is to be hoped that they will show a decided improvement in this matter during the coming year.
The following pupils were not absent or tardy during the school year ending June 22, 1900 :
Fred Braley,
Audell Monk,
Ellsworth Burgess,
Alfred Nye,
Helen Bushnell,
Paul Sheehan,
Earl Craig,
Rena Tinkham,
John Hagen,
Norman Tilton,
Stanley Kendrick,
Helen L. Thrasher,
Annie Lincoln,
Florence Williams.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
The heating apparatus at the Oxford School has caused considerable trouble for the past two or three years. On several occasions it has been necessary to send the pupils home because the rooms were too cold for them to remain with safety. Storm windows were put on and every effort was made to improve the heating, but with little success until the Committee recently devised a plan which it is thought will remedy the defect.
The firm of Nutter & Seabury, of Boston, who originally put in the plant, have very honorably made the necessary changes, costing about $100, without expense to the town, although they could not now be held responsible for any defects.
The apparatus is now working satisfactorily and we trust it will give no further trouble. It will, however, always be difficult to heat the building in very windy weather on ac- count of the exposed location.
25
The Street Department gave the Committee the curbing which has been placed along the front of the Oxford school grounds and set it for them. This department also filled the lot, graded and seeded it, and planted the trees for the Committee at a cost but slightly in excess of the special ap- propriation of $100 made by the town for this purpose. This sum was considerably less than would have been re- quired if the same work had been done by anyone else.
The interior of the New Boston school has been renovated and the walls tinted. The teacher and pupils have assisted in improving the appearance of the room and they now have an attractive school room.
The Art club has continued in its effort to beautify the school rooms of the town and during the past year has tinted the walls of room 7 at the Rogers school and room 4 at the Oxford school and given several pictures and casts to the other schools.
TRANSPORTATION.
The number of pupils in the upper grades at the Oxford school is very small therefore the pupils in grades 8 and 9 from that district are now being transported on the street cars to the Rogers school. In this way it is possible to dis- pense with the services of one teacher at the Oxford school and thereby effect a considerable saving. The cost of trans- portation is only about one-fourth the salary of a teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The number of pupils in the High school continues to in- crease and is now twice what it was five years ago. The absence of the 9th grade, which is now at the Rogers school, gives the teachers more time to devote to the High school pupils and better work is being done.
26
The course of study for this school has been revised and a three years' commercial course has been added.
In revising the course the principal changes were made with a view to strengthening the work in English, History and Literature.
The aim of the commercial course will be to give the pu- pils as broad an education as possible with some knowledge of other subjects besides the strictly commercial branches. Special attention will be given to English composition and the mechanics of language, spelling, punctuation and para- graphing, details in which pupils must become proficient be- fore they can expect to do any satisfactory work in stenog- raphy and typewriting.
The three courses of study will be given below for the benefit of the parents.
27
COURSES OF STUDY.
FRESHMAN YEAR.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
ENGLISH COURSE.
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
Algebra (5)
Algebra (5)
Algebra (5)
English (3)
English (5)
English (5)
Botany (3)
Botany (3)
Botany (3)
Latin (5)
Zoology (2)
Zoology (2)
Greek and Roman History (3) Literature (1)
English History (3)
Literature (1)
English History (3) Literature (1)
SOPHOMORE YEAR.
Geometry (5)
Geometry (5)
Arithmetic (3)
Physical Geography (3)
Physical Geography (3) General History (3)
Gen. Hist. (3) or French (4)
English (3)
English (3)
French (4)
French (4)
Literature (1)
Literature (1)
JUNIOR YEAR.
American Literature (5) Cicero (5)
American Literature (5) French (4)
Physics (5)
Astronomy and Geology (5)
English (5) Book-keeping (4) Commercial Arith. (2) Typewriting (2) Stenography (4) Civil Government (2) or Political Economy (2)
SENIOR YEAR.
Review Mathematics (5) Chemistry (5) or Greek (5) or German (5) English Literature (5) Virgil (5)
Review Mathematics (5) Chemistry 5 or German (5)
English Literature (5) Civil Gov. (2) and Political Econ. (2) or German (5)
Essays and Declamations at stated intervals for all classes.
NOTE .- The figure after each subject denotes the number of recitations per week.
Book-keeping (2)
Cæsar (5)
English (3)
Commercial Geog. (3)
Literature (1) Typewriting (2) Stenography (4)
Physics (5) Astronomy and Geology (5) or Greek (5) or French (4)
28
DRAWING.
Drawing is one of the subjects we are required to have taught in our schools. To teach the subject well requires a special gift for drawing in addition to training. Few of our teachers have had any preparation for teaching drawing, and although in many cases good results were obtained, in others they were not so satisfactory. Therefore the Committee decided to employ a special teacher, and all the schools are now receiving systematic instruction in this subject.
MUSIC.
For a detailed account of the work in music I take pleas- ure in referring you to the report of the special teacher of this subject, which follows :
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC, 1901.
Mr. E. B. Gray, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- I take pleasure in reporting to you the progress made in music the past year in the schools of Fairhaven.
The following outline will best show the work of the various grades :
First Year .- Presentation of the major scale as a unit of thought and tune.
Name and drill by syllables, tone names and pitch names.
Interval Work .- 1st, by dictation ; 2d, pointing from the ladder; 3d, pointing from staff.
Presentation of the measure as a unit of thought in time. Name and drill in different kinds of measure.
Representation upon blackboard.
Unite time and tune and proceed to the simple exercises on First Series of Charts.
29
Rote songs throughout the year.
Second Year .- Complete exercises and songs in the First Chart and First Reader, Part I.
Continuation of rote songs,
Third Year .- Complete one-part exercises and songs, First Reader, Part II. Teach more definitely the names of the keys, their signatures, etc.
Practice in writing simple exercises in various keys.
Fourth Year .- Review of the more difficult exercises and songs in Book 1, Part II.
Second Series of Charts.
Study of Time .- Divided pulsation. 1st, the half pulsa- tion ; 2d, the dotted note (one and a half pulsations.) De- velopment of the ascending chromatic scale.
Fifth Year .- Study of time continued. 1st, four sounds to the pulsation ; 2d, three sounds to the pulsation ; 3d, syncopation.
Continued drill in chromatics.
Second Reader, Part I.
Sixth Year .- Complete Second Reader, Part I.
Continued drill in chromatics, ascending and descending.
Seventh Year .- Complete the Second Reader, Part II
Continuation of the three-part work and more difficult chromatic progressions.
Eighth and Ninth Years .- Introductory Third Reader.
Modulation exercises, and minor scales studied.
High School .- Chorus work.
The introduction of the Silver Song Series in two of the grades has infused enthusiasm into the work. These are inexpensive little books, arranged with care and taste, con- taining songs by the best writers of music for children. We hope that in time every grade may be fitted out with these books for supplementary work.
In the Naskatucket and New Boston schools two classes
30
have been maintained and received their usual attention. Good results are being obtained in both districts.
At the Oxford School, also, it was advisable to make an- other division this year in Miss Drew's room, owing to the disparity in ages between the fifth and seventh grades ; this will bring about better results the coming year.
As much time as possible is devoted to written work in various grades ; this strengthens the pupil's knowledge of time and keys.
I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers of Fairhaven for their earnest work and hearty co-operation.
Very respectfully yours,
ANNA BAILEY TROWBRIDGE,
Supervisor of Music
February 17, 1901.
TEACHERS.
Several changes have occurred in our teaching force dur- ing the past year but in most cases the teachers who have been secured to fill the vacancies have had training and also successful experience elsewhere. Three of the present corps of teachers are college graduates and eight are normal grad- uates.
EXHIBITION OF SCHOOL WORK.
There will be an exhibition of school work about the mid- dle of May, due notice of which will be given.
The object of the exhibition will be to afford parents and friends a good opportunity to judge of the work which is being done in our schools and also to furnish an incentive for all pupils to do their best. work; therefore the papers
31
will be exhibited in full sets, in all cases representing the work of every member of the class.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to the teach- ers for their untiring efforts and loyal support ; to the Com- mittee for their encouragement and counsel ; and to the pa- rents and the public for their appreciation of the work of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
E. B. GRAY,
Feb. 15, 1901. Superintendent of Schools.
32
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
Whole number of cases investigated between Feb. 15, 1900, and Feb. 15, 1901, 38 : reasonable excuses, 14; un- reasonable, 19 ; truants, 5.
Respectfully submitted, J. HERBERT HANNA. Truant Officer.
The number of cases attended to between Feb. 15, 1900, and Feb. 15, 1901, were 40. Out of this number four were for truancy, one of which in connection with theft was sent away. I would also say that the teachers have been very considerate, and the parents also, in most cases.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPH B. PECK,
Truant Officer.
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