USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1901 > Part 3
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LIBRARY ROTATION
The rotation of the library by the exhibition of a small all- round selection, was begun in December on the arrival of the book case ordered for the purpose. 200 volumes on all subjects, whose backs and covers were as attractive in ap- pearance as their contents, were interesting and trustworthy, were placed in the case, a comfortable cushioned chair put before it, and a strong light above the chair; a notice was posted and also printed in the Star, explaining the idea.
The chair has seldom been without an occupant during af- ternoon and evening, and sufficient interest has been roused for 64 of the 200 volumes to be carried home ; all works that would hardly have been found in the stacks. The degree however to which the main purpose of this rotation case is realized, is to be gauged, not so much by the number of vol- umes circulated from it, as by the intangible suggestions and impulses received by those who spend half an hour brows-
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ing among the pages of some heretofore unknown and un- discovered book.
SCHOOLS AND THE CHILDREN
In 1899, John Cotton Dana of Springfield, now of Newark, as chairman of a joint committee of educators and librarians, reported to the National education association, " That the time when the habit of reading is most likely to be formed is in the years from 11-16. That in the years from 6-16, and especially during the first part of the period, the influence of the teacher in determining the choice of books read may be very great. From these facts and from the like generally admitted fact that this period from 6-16 is one in which tastes and habits in general are most easily and most commonly formed and the general trend of life most seriously affected, we conclude further that books can have, and do have a greater influence for good or ill, on the lives of most people, by affecting them when they are young than we had supposed, and this influence, through the teacher's guidance, can be made to work for good even more strongly than we have dared to hope. This con- clusion, vague and general as it seems at first to be, is of the greatest moment to the librarian."
Mr. Dana further reaches the conclusion that, "It is far better to purchase a large number of duplicates of each of 15 to 20 standard books that children read than it is to scatter the money they would cost over the whole field of children's literature and buy a large amount of inferior stuff." "That in the children's corner in the public library, or in the school-room library, or in the library in the school-room building, or in any collection of books anywhere, to which children are to have access, low grade books, no matter how popular they may have proved themselves to be, are
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not needed in order to attract children to a collection of good books in an attractive library."
Finding the number of juvenile readers large, and most of their reading in outgrown books of not the best class, the librarian has made a selection based on approved lists, and put them in a special children's corner. The use of these books by the children has steadily increased. The corner is, however, small, and time for all the thought and attention necessary to discover and develop cach child's bent and taste for good reading cannot be given by the librarian, who has not, morcover, as no man has, the sympathy and intuition of a cultured woman.
CATALOGUE REVISION
The chief work since November 21 has been the prepara- tion of a complete card catalogue on the dictionary plan, by which a reader looks as in a dictionary for the person or thing wanted. The services of Miss Lucy W. Perry, of Sa- lem, a trained cataloguer from the Pratt Institute library school, were obtained to assist the librarian and his staff in the work of examining the contents of every book in the li- brary and preparing cards (at least two) for each.
GENERAL THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY
A contract has just been made with the General theologi- cal library of Boston by which local clergymen may borrow from that library religious works too special for the scope or too voluminous for the shelves of The Millicent library, the latter guaranteeing carriage charges and safe return of loans.
Better books and more reading by all people, especially with continued interest in definite subjects, are the two ends
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to be sought by this library whose functions " as an institu- tion of society is the development and enrichment of human life in the entire community by bringing to all the peo- ple the books that belong to them." The circulation has, it seems to me, almost reached its limit, and progress must be along the lines here suggested. That some beginning has been made in this direction appears from the fact that the per cent. of fiction circulated in the five months, August to December 1900 was 74, while in the corresponding months of 1901 it was 68. Such progress, however, cannot be measured by figures alone, but more surely if at all by the intelligence and morality of the locality as a whole, and the contentment visible on its faces and courtesy in its manner.
DREW B. HALL, Librarian
.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN.
1902.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
-
. * EDMUND ANTHONY, JR., Chairman. GEORGE H. TRIPP. Term expires 1904. Term expires 1903.
JOB C. TRIPP, JOSEPH PETTEE, JR., Term expires 1903.
THOMAS A. TRIPP. Term expires 1902.
GEORGE W. STEVENS, Term expires 1902.
Secretary and Superintendent : FRANK M. MARSH.
*Deceased February 10, 1902.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
If the value of a privilege is gauged by the use and the demand for its extension, the value of our public schools cannot be over estimated. In every part of the country the increasing demand for school accommodations is a sign of the times.
In the neighboring city three new schoolhouses in one year have barely sufficed to meet the urgent need.
In our own town the lower grades have been uncomfort- ably crowded, as the accompanying report of the Superin- tendent of Schools will show.
Great credit is due the teachers in these grades for the patience and skill with which their large classes have been managed.
To one who has not visited a modern school, it would be a great surprise to see the wide range of instruction, and the skillful methods employed in the schools as compared with the instruction and methods of twenty or forty years ago. Nowhere is this so evident as in the lower grades and in the so-called elementary schools.
. While uniformity of excellence is not to be expected, and perfection of method and results is not attainable, the schools are in good condition and the teachers are doing faithful and satisfactory work.
In May an exhibition of school work, showing the actual processes and results of the work of the schools, was dis- played in the Town Hall, and attracted a large attendance of appreciative witnesses to the value of the Fairhaven
4
schools. The exhibit was large, comprehensive, and thoroughly representative of the work done there.
It was very gratifying to the citizens and certainly re- flected credit upon the intelligent co-operation of superin- tendent, teachers, and pupils.
At the beginning of the school year in September, Mr. E. B. Gray, who had occupied the position of Superintend- ent for five years, resigned to accept a position in the School Department of New Bedford.' The committee would record their sincere appreciation of the faithfulness and untiring zeal with which Mr. Gray labored in helping to bring the schools up to a high standard of efficiency. His work in the schools was very valuable and bore good fruit.
To succeed Mr. Gray, choice was made of Mr. Frank M. Marsh, a graduate of Harvard University, who came to us with several years of valuable experience gained in the school- room. Mr. Marsh has entered upon his duties with enthu- siasm. He possesses the entire confidence of the School Committee, and we look forward with assurance to a suc- cessful administration of the affairs of his department.
Through the liberality of a friend of the schools, the monthly pay of the teachers was continued through the sum- mer months, an act which was highly appreciated by the teachers, and indirectly helped the schools.
At the High School, the prizes offered for excellence in English Composition were awarded, first, to Miss Alice Marra, who wrote upon the subject: "The Influence of Queen Victoria." Second, to Miss Bessie Ellis, who wrote upon : "The Advantages of' a High School Education." Third, to Miss Grace Dillingham : subject : "Through the Forest."
The High School building will need repairs on the lower floors. While the exterior is in fairly good condition, the
lower class rooms are drafty, the floors are cold, and there should be some suitable provisions made for the chemistry classes.
A very pleasant feature of the school year was the cele- bration of the fiftieth anniversary of the Fairhaven High School. By the generosity of one of the original members of the school, an elaborate celebration, covering two days of reunion and delightful reminiscences, was carried out suc- cessfully, and very many out-of-town graduates and former members of the school were welcomed and renewed their youth. .
The schools of Fairhaven have lost a good friend in the death of Edmund Anthony, Jr., chairman of the School Committee for the past four years.
Faithful to his duty and enthusiastic in everything per- taining to the welfare of the schools, he retained his kindly interest to the last, and is sincerely mourned by all con- nected with the schools of Fairhaven.
An adopted citizen of the town. yet nothing of a public nature, which called for true public spirit, appealed to him in vain. He was ever ready to bear more than his share of the burdens which the weal of the community sought to place upon him.
We deplore his loss, but trust the example of his sunny nature and model citizenship will prove an inspiration to the youth of our town.
The committee asks as an appropriation for all school purposes for the ensuing year the sum of $12,000.
JOB C. TRIPP, GEORGE H. TRIPP, JOSEPH PETTEE, JR., GEORGE W. STEVENS. THOMAS A. TRIPP.
1
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Fairhaven :
In accordance with your regulations, I have the honor of submitting to you my first report as superintendent of the schools under your direction.
Although my term of service began when the official year was half gone, the financial report which follows will cover the full financial year.
The statistics appended to this report are given for the year ending June 21, 1901, as well as for the term ending December 20, 1901.
7
CALENDAR 1902 -- 1903.
Friday, March 21-Schools close for Spring vacation.
Monday, March 31 -All schools re-open.
Friday, May 30-Memorial Day ; no school.
Thursday, June 19-Graduating exercises of High School. Friday, June 20-Graduating exercises of Grammar School. All schools close.
Tuesday, September 2-All schools open. Wednesday, November 26-Schools close for Thanksgiving. Monday, December 1-Schools re-open. Friday, December 19-All schools close.
Monday, December 29-High School re-opens.
Monday, January 5-All other schools re-open.
Friday, March 20-Schools close for Spring vacation.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr.
PEASE FUND. Cr.
Balance on hand.
Dividends from Trustee.
253 43
89 12 Expenditures as per follow- ing bills :-
Houghton. Mifflin & Co., $9 52
Smith Premier Typewriter Company,
80 32
James E. Blake.
8 97
Rand, MeNally Co ..
3 84
R. L. Rich.
4 45
American Book Co ..
5.60
Ziegler Electric Co ..
633
Silver. Burdett & Co ..
21.84
Morse Company,
6.00
J. L. Hammett & Co ..
68 38
Ginn & Co., 22 92
Clifton .1. Hacker,
8 00
$246 17
Balance unexpended.
16 38
$262 55
$262 55
9
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Cr.
Balance on hand Feb. 15, 1901.
$273 98
Appropriation,
11,200 00
$8,823 90
Appropriation for Supt's salary,
450 00
Tuition (Acushnet),
135 50
Tuition (Boston),
73 00
Repairs, as per sched- ule (D), 703 70
State Treasurer on ac- count of Superinten- dent,
750 00
Fuel, as per schedule (E),
728 44
489 80
Incidentals, as per
schedule (F)
SS3 82
Superintendent's sal y,
900 00
$13,892 43
Balance on hand.
67.93
$13,960 36
$13,960 36
Expenditures for : -
Teachers' pay roll, as per schedule (A). Janitor's pay roll, as per schedule (B), 1,295 50 Books and supplies, as per schedule (C), 557 07
State school fund,
588 08
County fund,
10
SCHEDULE A TEACHERS' SALARIES.
W. A. Charles, A. B.,
High School (Prin.) $1,000.00
Ruby L. Rich, A. B.,
€ 6 567.25
Anna H. Bradford, 66 507.50
Anna B. Trowbridge,
and music, 467.25
Ethel R. Browne, drawing,
255.00
Grace Covell, 37.50
Sara B. Clarke;
Rogers School (Prin.) 583.50
Frances B. Mason,
170.00
Bertha M. Meserve,
220.00
Anna M. Rochefort,
385.50
M. Louise Norris,
390.00
Lillian C. Burbank,
329.25
Jennie M. Chandler,
60.00
Idella M. Libby, 66
385.50
Alice B. Landers,
390.00
Estelle Jackson,
...
371.50
Hannah J. Ardill,
70.00
Allie A. Cole, 66
355.00
Annie N. Fuller,
224.00
Kate Drew, Oxford School, (Prin.) 66
189.75
Adelaide L. Wardwell,
247.50
Grace M. Nickerson,
369.25
Bertha M. Hamblin, 66
388.50
Gertrude L. Snow,
48.00
Ella D. Harlow,
New Boston School,
300.50
Jennie M. McDonald,
57.00
Nellie A. Kinsman,
Naskatucket School,
347.40
Mrs. W. A. Charles,
substitute,
9.75
Mrs. Bertha Maxfield,
6.75
Jane Alden,
9.00
Mary Lawrence,
66
1.50
Mrs. E. Manchester, Jr.,
and care at noon, 80.25
$8,823.90
11
SCHEDULE B JANITORS' SALARIES.
J. H. Hanna, $567.50
A. J. Jenney,
180.00
William P. Macomber, 162.00
Frank Ferra,
25.00
Frank Vohnoutka,
39.00
Elmer Howard,
14.00
Herbert Chandler, 8.00
. $1,295 50
SCHEDULE C BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
R. W. Taber, $1.28
J. L. Hammett & Co.,
196.76
Silver, Burdett & Co.,
2.61
The Pairpoint Corporation,
2.50
American Book Co.,
35.20
E. E. Babb & Co.,
83.29
Bertha M. Hamblin,
2.40
Ginn & Co.,
91.18
Thomas R. Shewell,
8.90
Holden Patent Book Cover Co.,
13.55
Thorp & Martin,
2.07
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,
7.12
James E. Blake,
3.02
. D. C. Heath & Co.,
6.14
Moynan & Co.,
1.79
New Bedford Dry Goods Co.,
16.09
Oliver Ditson & Co.,
2 97
Haskell & Tripp,
3.12
H. S. Hutchinson,
.30
Allyn & Bacon,
2.38
Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict,
74.40
$557.07
12
SCHEDULE D REPAIRS.
C. F. Delano,
$50.26
H. H. Hathaway,
226.07
Frank Ferra,
2.12
Thomas M. Hart & Co.,
4.15
The Pairpoint Corporation,
121.66
William H. Gelder,
10.00
C. F. Wing,
59.80
W. L. Kelley,
5.25
Babbitt, Wood & Co.,
2.93
John Mellor,
1.50
L. O. Pardec,
6.38
Clifton A. Hacker,
4.35
W. P. Whitfield,
39.76
Chandler Chair & Desk Co.,
34.20
New Bedford Foundry & Machine Co.,
116.25
B. F. Nickerson,
2.02
B. F. Waddington,
9.75
George W. King.
3.65
G. R. Valentine,
3.60
$703.70
SCHEDULE E FUEL.
F. T. Akin & Co.,
$102.00
Charles F. Howard,
22.25
G. T. Lloyd,
1.75
Job C. Tripp,
9.00
M. S. Douglass,
9.00
Denison Bros. & Co.,
584.44
$728.44
13
SCHEDULE F INCIDENTALS.
E. Manchester, Jr.,
$255.83
C. B. Shaw,
.98
W. H. Dunham, 7.75
Hatch & Co.,
19.95
Alfred Nye,
12.15
Union Street Railway Company,
135.25
William Gardner,
1.05
Sylvanus Wilcox,
4.20
J. H. Hanna,
11.35
Sidney Peck,
6.00
G. W. Valentine, 1.65
R. Sherman, 8.00
D. W. Deane,
10.00
Packard Hardware Co ..
12.30
Louis Nickerson,
2.65
Bliss & Nye,
10.00
Red Cross Chemical Co.,
4.20
New Bedford Product Co.,
3.00
Ellen D. Howard,
20.00
C. F. Wing,
1.10
Manuel Sears,
.90
Ethel R. Browne,
5.60
Anna B. Trowbridge,
4.00
Allen's Boston & New Bedford Express,
.35
G. A. Matthewson's cash markets,
.60
Mrs. Sylvia, 1.80
H. S. Hutchinson,
.25
G. A. Matthewson,
2.15
C. S. & B. Cummings,
2 50
Thibodeau's Literary College,
3.25
Briggs & Lawrence,
23.10
James E. Blake,
1.40
14
C. F. Spooner,
2.00
J. B. Peck,
2.75
C. F. Brownell,
50.75
F. M. Marsh,
4.05
W. C. Stoddard,
21.98
C. D. Waldron,
24.17
Ruggles & Ellison,
9.50
E. B. Gray,
13.50
Southern Mass. Tel. Co.,
7.10
New Bedford Cordage Co.,
.77
Fairhaven Water Co.,
167.70
H. F. Wilde,
3.24
$883.82
15
INTRODUCTION. Before proceeding with this report, I de- sire to express to you as a committee and as individuals, my sincere thanks for the cordial welcome with which I have been received, and for the valuable coun- sel and intelligent assistance which has been accorded me.
As you know, my term of service did not begin until September, consequently my report must be limited. I can do little more than make mention of the conditions as I found them and indicate some of the needs and future possi- bilities of your schools.
Generally, a change in administration means a temporary check to progress ; but since, with two exceptions, you re- tained your former teachers, and by reason of the fact that, at the beginning of the term, my predecessor was able to render valuable information as to details of organization, the work of the schools has gone on, I think, without any perceptible break.
Coming to Fairhaven, so short a time be- GENERAL fore the beginning of school activities, it CONDITIONS. would have been unwise to introduce any radical changes, even had there been such a necessity ; but believing that your schools had been working along right lines, my first duty seemed to be to become fami- liar with your educational system, to observe closely the ex- isting conditions, and to plan for as many improvements as might seem feasible.
As a whole, your schools were found in a condition of progress ; but that some should have attained a higher stand- ard than others was inevitable. To even the casual observer it must be apparent that much has been accomplished, yet it would be unjust to say that for those who have to do with organization, equipment and instruction, there does not still remain a large field for effort. . It is fortunate that the work
16
of supervision can be directed along constructive lines- forming rather than reforming.
The schools opened with an unusually LARGE large enrollment, especially in the lower ENROLLMENT. grades, at both the Oxford and the Rog- ers schools. The problem at Oxford was solved by employing, in Room I., an assistant, at a nominal salary, thus postponing the opening of the fourth room. It probably will be impossible to do this another year.
At the Rogers School, Room I. was entirely reseated in order to make room for extra seats. Here there has been an enrollment of over seventy (70) pupils. It was arranged to have Miss Fuller give the larger portion of her time to this room and the remainder to Room HI. In Room III., with an enrollment of sixty-three (63), it has been necessary to spare Miss Meserve from the 8th and 9th grades, for several classes each day.
Room VIII. has been crowded, and when the large 7th grade is promoted in September, it will probably be neces- sary to separate the 8th and 9th grades.
Your teachers have carried on their work under these con- ditions with a commendable spirit, but when the enrollment in the lower grades goes beyond a certain limit, there can be little if any individual instruction just where it is most needed : nor can there be "That close personal relation be- tween pupil and teacher which is the secret of the uncon- scious influence that touches character."
Provided there is only a normal increase in numbers in September, it will be advisable to maintain two first grades, both for the sake of better instruction and better grading.
A glance at the schedule of repairs will show REPAIRS. that the amount here is larger than usual, so large, in fact, that unwise economies have had to be practised in other lines.
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At the Rogers school, the weather vane which for several years had been out of repair, has been practically rebuilt and properly adjusted. In September, the drain pipes at both the Oxford and Rogers schools became clogged. At- tention to these, together with necessary repairs on the sani- tary apparatus at both these schools, involved considerable labor and expense.
The heating apparatus at the Rogers school has begun to show the results of long service, and unexpected expendi- tures have already been necessary. In addition to minor re- pairs, the High School building and the building at Naska- tucket will probably need reshingling.
In respect to equipment of another sort, I BOOKS AND desire to call your attention to an honest de- SUPPLIES. mand for additional text books. In the com- ing year there will be an urgent necessity for increased expenditure in this line.
Irregular attendance and tardiness ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS. are most serious barriers to progress. Children, by their absence, not only bring down the standing of the schools, but entail upon themselves and the regular pupils an irreparable loss. An absent day here and there means more than the loss of that particular day. It means that the boy or girl gets out of joint with the class and consequently out of harmony with the work.
To be sure there are rare cases of justifiable absence, but the vital question is to reduce unnecessary cases.
It is hoped that when the state and county reports are made up. Fairhaven, which can boast of the superior circu- lation of her library and of the general culture of her people, may be able to note, with equal pride, that the schools have a place near the front.
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In proportion to the number of pupils in all HIGH SCHOOL. the schools, the enrollment at the High school should be larger, and the indications are that more and more pupils will take advantage of the excellent opportunities that are being offered. The growth of the public high school has in late years been one of the most remarkable features in the public school system of this . country. As the years go by there are stronger and more urgent reasons why the majority of the boys and girls of any town should complete one of the school courses.
I believe that the work at the Fairhaven High school is becoming increasingly efficient. The commercial course is still an attractive course. Seven typewriters are now in daily use, and there has been introduced the Budget system of book-keeping, in which the actual handling of business paper not only gives practice, but also a clearer insight into business transactions. The interest in the other courses has not lessened, but rather increased ; several pupils are prepar- ing for college.
For detailed statements concerning the MUSIC AND DRAWING. work in music and drawing, I am pleased to refer you to the appended reports of the su- pervisors of these branches. The value of both these subjects is coming to be more and more realized. As a disciplinary study, music has become generally recog- nized. Moreover it calls into play the powers of attention and concentration as few other subjects can.
The object of drawing in public schools is not to make artists, but to develop the power of observation, and to train the youth to see and appreciate the world of beauty, both in nature and art. The training received in the drawing classes, supplemented by the very successful efforts of the Art Club, in providing an artistic environment, is having a marked effect upon the work and attitude of the pupils.
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The library bears such a close relation to the LIBRARY. public school system that it seems fitting to recognize the important assistance which the library authorities are rendering. Every effort will be put forth to train the pupils in the art of reading, but another important duty is to impart a love for good literature, and it is just here that the active co-operation of teachers and li- brarian will count for largest results.
Never before in the history of education CONCLUSION. has so much attention been given to im- provement in teaching, improvement in the course of study and improvement in organization. With an undivided purpose to secure such improvements, I believe the Fairhaven schools may be raised to higher and higher stages of efficiency.
I have been impressed with the invariable courtesy and zeal of your teachers, and the unusual interest which the citizens manifest in the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK M. MARSH,
Superintendent of Schools. Feb. 15, 1902.
20
APPENDIX A.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. F. M. Marsh, Superintendent of Schools. .
DEAR SIR :- I take pleasure in presenting to you a re- port of the work done in music, in the schools of Fairhaven. the past year.
The graded outline given in the last report has been fol- lowed, with the exception of a few changes which the progress of some classes demanded.
This year the First Reader will be completed in the Third Grade.
The Fourth Grade, at the beginning of last September. began the study of the divided beat, applying the same to the chart, and at present are at work in the Second Reader, Part I. This book presents the half pulsations, the dotted note or one and one-half pulsations, and the common chromatic tones of sharp four and flat seven.
The class in Room V hope to complete Part I of the Second Reader this year. This grade is now studying four sounds to the pulsation with the fractional division of the beat, applying these time-difficulties to all the major keys.
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