USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1905 > Part 4
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20
8
4
1
41
4.7
1
692
114
80G
1.7
Fine arts
27
52
11
5
95 .
11.2
2
1040
435
1475
3.2
Music scores
8
Literature
22
8
13
Travel
32
28
6
1
67
7.8
1318
1596
2944
6.3
History
11
5
G
1
2
37
4.3
2
410
272
682
1.4
Totals
344
315
104
78
10
851
1208
34711
11690
46401
659 v.
182 v.
75 p. c. 25 р. с.
This form is as far as possible for the The Millicent Library a combination of the figures called for in the two parts of Form III proposed by the A. L. A. committee on library admin- istration 1904-5, and printed in v. 30, p. 106 of the Library Journal, Sept. 1905 (Portland con- ference). For our own convenience, the additions of adult and juvenile books have been divid- ed into New titles, and Additional copies and vol., and totals, per centages, and withdrawals added.
13
3.8
1
382
488
870
1.9
Useful arts
8
1.
49
5.8
1137
1072
2209
4.7
28
3.3
Biography
24
7
3
Philosophy
G
6
.7
1
Reference Total cent
33
14
APPENDIX IV.
Library Staff
Librarian
DREW B. HALL July, 1901-
Assistants (alphabetical order)
FLORA H. LEIGHTON January, 1903-
EDA M. PERRY February, 1905-
ANNIE THOMPSON December, 1891-
Janitor
HORATIO JENNEY March, 1894-
Page EDWARD G. SPOONER, JR., January 1902, JJuly, 1905 DANA H. GILLINGHAM August, 1903-
OLD HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
airbavER School Report 906₺
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
THOMAS A. TRIPP, JOSEPH PETTEE, Jr ..
GEORGE H. TRIPP,
JOSEPH K. NYE, GEORGE W. STEVENS,
DANIEL W. KENDRICK,
Term expires 1906 Term expires 1906 Term expires 1907
Term expires 1907
Term expires 1908 Term expires 1908
Chairman. THOMAS A. TRIPP.
Secretary and Superintendent : FRANK M. MARSH, A. M.
Superintendent's Office Hours : Monday, 8.30 -- 9.30 A. M. Wednesday, 8.30-9.30 A. M. Wednesday, 4.00-5.00 P. M. Wednesday, 6.30-7.30 P. M.
OLD HIGH SCHOOL ROOM
-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
Following a worthy custom of many years, we present our report of the Fairhaven School Department ; referring you as usual to the report of our Superintendent for cer- tain interesting and instructive data concerning its magni- tude and its management.
It may not seem out of place to note that new difficul- ties and new problems of a constantly increasing enroll- ment have necessitated new methods adapted to the changed conditions of social and industrial development.
As the industrial world demands and recognizes its captains of industry, so in school affairs we must recog- nize our captains of education ; school superintendents and principals responsible to the citizens through their committee for the efficiency of the school department ; co- operating with committee, with teachers, perhaps we may say with parents and pupils for the wisest expenditure of money, careful selection of a teaching force, to the end that the whole may be a harmonious, economical, practical and effective organization for the public good.
We feel positive progress has been the reward of har- monious management combined with faithful teaching in the year that has passed.
We believe there are two essential hindrances to more definite progress of pupils in general. First, the passive interest on the part of most parents in the actual working
1
life of the schools. The earnest teacher welcomes the visit of the interested parent, recognizes the value of the resulting personal acquaintance : the pupil is stimulated by the attention. The parent may see from a new view point the necessity for diligent attendance and earnest application on the part of the child, and may unexpectedly discover that personal acquaintance with teacher, with school methods and school room difficulties cause most hearsay criticisms to fall flat, and point the way for more effective co-operation of home with school.
A second hindrance is the lack of appreciation on the part of many pupils of the fact that it is the business of the pupil to learn just as much as it is the business of the teacher to teach. While the life and noble character of the instructor may exert its valuable and unconscious influence, and modern educational methods may present facts in attractive forms, the easy acceptance of the prof- fered knowledge will not replace the necessity for the over-coming of obstacles or gaining of knowledge by the activity of accomplishment.
An increased interest in High School education is manifest in the present enrollment. the largest for several years. This is gratifying to your committee, indicating as it does the appreciation on the part of parent and pupil of the value of a High School education; not necessarily as a preparation for college, but as a preparation for use- ful and effective life work : not for the purpose of making experts in literature, science or mathematics, but as train- ing for good citizenship at perhaps the most important formative period of a child's mind.
The High School age is the time for pupils to work along the lines of their taste, and it should be the aim of the teacher to discover this taste, to encourage and de- velop its growth.
5
We gratefully acknowledge the additional favors from the Educational Art Club-gifts to Fairhaven schools which in their influence and impressions go far toward an education. The management of the Millicent Library has continued its intimate and excellent co- operation with the work of the schools, assisting teachers and pupils how best to discover and utilize its resources of information.
It has been said that the school reflects the teacher, no doubt it is equally true that the teacher and the school reflect the public. The present condition of Fairhaven schools certainly reflects a healthy growth of right public sentiment toward all that is best for the education of Fair- haven children.
A publie sentiment stimulated by the observation of the practical benefits of cooking, manual training and a commercial high school course, will, we believe, cause to be appreciated and utilized to their utmost the unsur- passed opportunities which will soon come to the High School pupils of Fairhaven.
We have carefully estimated the financial needs of the school department for the coming year, and recom- mend an appropriation of $16,750 for all school purposes.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS A. TRIPP. JOSEPH PETTER, Jr. . GEORGE H. TRIPP. JOSEPH K. NYE. GEORGE W. STEVENS. DANIEL W. KENDRICK.
-
6
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1906
Tuesday, January 2-All schools re-open. Thursday, February 22-Washington's Birthday. Friday, March 30-All schools close.
SPRING VACATION
Monday, April 9 -- All schools re-open.
Thursday, April 19-Patriots Day. Wednesday, May 30 -- Memorial Day. Thursday, June 28-High School graduation.
Friday, June 22-Grammar School graduation.
SUMMER VACATION
Monday, September 10 -- All schools open. Thursday, November 29 and 30 -- Thanksgiving holidays. Friday, December 21 -- All schools close.
CHRISTMAS VACATION
Monday, December 31 -- All schools re-open.
1907
Friday, February 22-Washington's Birthday.
ART AND INDUSTRIAL WORK
·
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Fairhaven :
GENTLEMEN :- I have the honor of submitting to you my fifth annual report concerning the progress and condi- tion of the schools under your management.
As Secretary of your Board, I also include a detailed financial statement of the receipts and disbursements in the various departments, together with the usual statistics re- lating to enrollment, attendance, etc. Appended to this report will be found the special reports of the Super- visors of Music, Drawing and Sewing, as well as reports from the instructors in Mannal Training and Cooking.
Having discussed, in the somewhat extended report of last year, the general school situation, as well as giving rather detailed attention to various phases of the school problem it seems mimecessary at this time to render more than a brief account of the present organization of the schools which have been conducted in accordance with plans and policies established in previous years.
The town has been especially fortunate in that so many of the efficient teachers have been retained not only during the year -- but have been induced to return for con- tinned service. The special arrangement by which teachers have a substantial sum added to their regular salary,
8
enables them to accept a yearly contract and render in- creasingly good service to the town instead of being fre- quently tempted to go to the many places that pay more than the regular town salary of $10.00 per week for grade teachers. The small towns about us, where living ex- penses are less than in Fairhaven, are now paying in many cases $11.00 and $12.00 per week. The schools of Fairhaven are kept up to their present standard only by the fact that the department can employ and retain teachers who can readily command one-fourth more salary than comes out of the public treasury.
Beside the excellence of the regular schools the chil- dren of Fairhaven continue to receive the special advan- tages of the manual training, and cooking departments, both of which are filling an increasingly important place in the school system.
The branches of musie, drawing and sewing are being conducted so as to form an effective and distinct part of the educational scheme. The school garden movement has not decreased in popularity or general excellence. As many pupils as could be accommodated carried on the work during the spring and summer with better and more independent results than in previous years.
The prize money awarded by the Massachusetts Hor- ticultural Association was used to pay for a portion of the seeds, and for prizes for the individuals who maintained the bestsgardens. Less attention was paid to the general garden, and the two or three individuals who neglected their plots took the responsibility and blame for their ap- pearance.
We are glad to note our appreciation of the co- operation of the Improvement Association which not only contributed to the support of the school gardens, but inaugurated and successfully carried through a plan for children's home gardens.
9
The statistical tables on later pages, if studied with a little serutiny, will indicate very much in regard to the general school situation that is interesting and hopeful. The number of pupils cared for in 1905 was 860 or 200 more than were enrolled four years previous in 1901. From 1901 to 1905 there was a similar increase in average membership and average attendance. That which is more indicative of the attitude of pupils toward the school is shown in the gain in the per cent of attendance from 90 per cent to. 94 per cent and a corresponding decrease in absent marks from 11,068 to 8,734; also a reduction of tardy marks from 1169 in 1902 to 682 in 1905. This is all the more striking because the number of pupils is much larger in the year when absent and tardy marks are the fewest.
It should be noted that outside of the High School the average member of pupils to a teacher was (44) forty-four. A number which signifies a test upon the abil- ity of the best teachers.
The statistics for the fall term ending December 21, 1905, show that 831 pupils were enrolled and cared for as follows:
89 at the High School. 400 at the Rogers School. 153 at the Rogers School Annex. 157 at the Oxford School. 22 at the New Boston School,
During this term the percentage of attendance reaches the high mark of 96 in contrast with 92 in years before- the absent marks having been reduced nearly one-half in three years.
These figures show that the Oxford School is full, and also is sending grades 7, 8, 9, to the Rogers. The Annex can care for no more children. The Rogers
10
School is now caring for eight (8) grades in the eight class rooms, and in addition is attempting to get on this year with 75 or more pupils, with two teachers, in the Assembly Hall on the third floor. Your committee will have to face the question in September of making provisions for at least one room outside the Rogers School, since the 400 pupils and 10 teachers use all the available room. Only one class passes out and there are 75 or 80 to be sent along from the Annex in June.
It has been possible to arrange for these two fifth grades of 78 pupils in the Assembly Hall with only a small expense for fittings. Instead of buying new desks at an expense of $350, we were able to pick up second hand desks to use temporarily for only a few dollars ($15).
The financial situation is always an important one. Public schools cost a large sum, which seems larger to those who do not keep in mind the fact that the school population has doubled in ten years, and that materials and services of all kinds cost more than ever before.
If one takes the trouble to think or investigate, one will discover that much has to be paid for, now, out of the public treasury, which was once paid by the individual parent. It is not long since boys took turns building fires, and girls likewise did the sweeping gratis -pupils once could walk a mile and a half or two and sometimes more, while now a mile is an apparent hardship. Books and all supplies were paid for out of the parents' pocket directly, instead of from the tax levy.
However the school department has by the most care- ful economy in all cases, and of neglect in the matter of necessary books, been , able to keep the expenses of 1905 . even with extra demands in some directions (more pupils and an additional teacher) within $56.00 of the expendi- tures of 1904.
11
It would be difficult to point out where any saving could be made without crippling the service. The cost of all the books for the year was only about 65 cents per child ; while all other supplies, paper, pens, pencils, ink, crayon, erasers, etc., etc., cost less than 40 cents per pupil.
The schools of Fairhaven are getting good returns for all that is expended in the department. The character of the schools is recognized beyond the limits of Fairhaven. The office is frequently called upon for school reports, pictures, and statistics, in regard to the various phases of your school system by people who are studying these lines of work. Visiting school officials have within the year asked if all your schools are as pleasant and well conducted as thos . they had observed.
We live tried to point out from time to time, that our public schools of today were making faithful efforts to teach the so-called essentials of the elementary curriculum, and have affirmed that these common branches are as well taught, and the average results are better than in the " good old days." Such assertions have been looked upon with some doubt, as well as denial. Newspaper and magazine articles abound which state that wonderful accuracy and skill prevailed in our youth.
It is a question which is difficult to prove, but we all can l'e-call the fact that, in our school days, all the pupils did not stand at the head of the line in spelling-match, and not every pupil was able to grasp the problems of arithmetic. In making comparisons between the children of today and the pupils of twenty-five years ago, we are prone to see the poor work of the present and measure it with the work of the few who always were conspicuous in the spelling classes, and forgot that then as now there were some pupils who were at the wrong end of the class. The same conditions prevail in respect to number work for, in our adult years, we remember with admiration the genius in
12
arithmetic, rather than the many who could do only fair or poor work in any subject.
We have all kinds of results now as then, but, on the whole, I believe a larger proportion of the pupils of today are doing satisfactory work in the common branches, and in addition are receiving the unquestioned advantages of the broader and richer treatment of history and geography, language and literature as well as an elementary insight into nature studies, music and drawing.
I should not again recall these assertions which have hitherto been made without any available proof, were it not for the fact that I have before me the results of a very fair and scientific investigation which shows that by actual comparison of facts the standards of the present day are much higher.
In 1846, in one of our best Massachusetts cities, the principal of the high school gave examinations to his pupils in various subjects. These test questions, together with the answers given by the pupils, have been re- cently discovered in a bound volume, and the same ex- amples in arithmetic, and the same spelling test given to ninth grade pupils, and the results carefully compared. The figures given below indicate plainly the superiority of the work of the grammar pupils of today even over the high school pupils of 1846.
In 1846 In 1905 Per cent having spelling correct 40.6 51.2 Per cent having arithmetic correct 29.4 65.5
In the class in 1846 only 16 out of 85 stood as high as 70 per cent, the present " passing " mark in our schools. Thirty-one pupils mispelled " baptism," spelling it fifteen different ways, and " heiress " was spelled twenty-two dif- ferent ways. Equally striking failures were noted in
13
arithmetic. One simple example could be solved correct- ly by only seven boys out of eighty-five, while in one our grammar grades, as many obtained the correct answer mentally. Also, in a sixth and seventh grade of thirty- eight pupils, seventeen gave correct results. In one ninth grade all gave right answers.
The work in geography was equally poor. Twelve pupils thought the St. Lawrence flowed north, nine south, seven east, four west, twenty-two northeast, eleven south- west, etc. One-third of the class could not name a single county in Massachusetts, another third named less than one half of them, while two pupils wrote " Worcester," " Providence," " Lowell," and " Hartford," as the only counties they could remember. To the question, " What is the largest river in the eastern part of Massachusetts ?" twenty-three pupils gave no answer, twenty-four named the Merrimac, twenty-two, or one-fourth of the class, wrote Connecticut, and among the other answers were St. Law- rence, Hudson, Mississippi, and Fall River.
I do not present these sad failures in the days of our worthy grandfathers as any excuse for the poor work and failures in schools of today, but merely to indicate that from our adult point of view we may need to be a little more charitable in our criticism of the boys and girls who often fail, and at least be a little more cheerful and opti- mistic about the work of the public schools of our day. however much we may see need for improvement.
The most serious problem which has presented itself during the year was caused by the unexpected resignation of Mr. Charles, principal of the High School, who after six years of faithful service in Fairhaven, retired to accept a more promising business position.
Since Mr. Charles was wanted immediately in his new position, it seemed best to employ a substitute to
14
carry on the work in order that ample time could be taken to find the best available man for this position. Your committee was fortunate in securing the services of Mr. A. M. Rollins as acting principal, since after some neces- sary adjustments, the regular work was taken up withont serious break.
Realizing how much depended upon the selection of the man for this important position, much time, corre- spondence, and travel was required to enable us under your direction to find the candidates, who seemed to be nearest the peculiar demands of Fairhaven.
The splendid record and experience of Mr. A. B. Kimball, whom you have appointed to this position, give promise of a first-class administration of High School affairs.
In this connection it may be proper though unneces- sary to mention the fact, which is already very evident, that the Fairhaven High School, which has in the past fifty years made such an illustrious record as evidenced by her notable list of graduates, is about to enter upon a new and larger career.
Since about a year and a half ago when, the commis- sion was given for a new high school building, every effort has been made, by the school department and architects to meet the desire of the projector to provide the youth of Fairhaven with a building, which with its equipment and provisions will be second to none in New England. The building itself is so far planned and completed, that it now requires less thought and attention than docs the larger and more vital question of the best organization, equipment and educational economy. For the next few years, the greatest problem and opportunity of your department will be to wisely plan ways and means to make this magnificent plant meet the highest intellectual and moral needs of the youth in the community.
15
The best guage of the character of a community is the character of its schools. It has been our purpose and constant aim not only to make the schools of Fairhaven excell, but to have the opportunities they offer seized and appreciated. We believe and urge that every child in Fairhaven, with rare exceptions, should not be satisfied until he has found or made a way to go to the High School. A large and increasing proportion of the grammar pupils are continuing their training in one or another of the High School courses.
On another page a list of recent graduates with the brief data as to their activities, in college, Normal Schools, or in the remunerative positions, of real life, indicates that the Fairhaven High School has done good work in start- ing so many on the way to useful and happy lives.
It is a noble task to aid in making good citizens. Fairhaven is unusually fortunate in having so many influ- ences which contribute toward good citizenship : churches, schools, and public institutions, together with a whole- some local pride. I appeal to the parents to help their children to a full appreciation of the great opportunities which are theirs, not to be idly received as gifts, but to be seized and mastered ; to be reacted upon and made into stepping stones to character and achievement.
It has been a source of great satisfaction to have worked with your committee upon whom has falled the duty of directing one of Fairhaven's most powerful influ- onces.
Respectfully, FRANK M. MARSH,
Superintendent of Schools. Feb. 15. 1906.
16
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
1906
Dr. PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Receipts :
Expenditures :
Balance. Feb. 6. 1905.
$48 75 Teachers,
$10,850 25
Appropriation, 1905,
16,750 00 Janitors,
1,640 15
State acet. Supt.,
750 00 Superintendent,
1,080 00
County, dog tax.
521 60 Transportation, 1 Fuel,
1,326 00
Town of Acushnet,
1,016 41
High school tuition.
220 00
Books.
559 82
J. B. Tasker. High
Supplies,
337 22
school tuition,
50 00
Repairs.
606 85
Miscellaneous,
643 02
$18,059 72
Balance. Feb. 7. 1996.
280 63
1
$18,340 35
$18.340 35
17
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
1906
Dr.
PEASE FUND Cr.
Receipts : Balance Feb. 6, 1905. Dividends from 'Trustees,
$48:49;
Expenditures : E. E. Babb & Co., J. I. Hammett Co., Ginn & Co., Thompson, Brown & C'o.,
$135 96
94 26
301 59
43 04
17 50
$290 76
Balance Feb. 7, 1906,
59|32
$350|08
$350 08
18
TEACHERS' SALARIES
Will A. Charles, A. B., High School (Prin.) $725.00
A. M. Rollins, A. B. 66
300.00
Ruby L. Rich, A. B., .6
565.50
Jessie M. Barbour, A. B .. ..
536.25
Margery C. Bruce,
511.25
Anna B. Trowbridge, music, 393.00
Ethel R. Browne, drawing,
344.25
Sara B. Clarke,
Rogers School (Prin.) 639.75
Marjorie I. Baker,
379.25
Tryphena M. Butterfield,
66
$80.00
Mattie L. Morris, ..
378.50
Grace M. Ricker, ..
190.00
Harriet E. Mitchell,
.6
70.00
Maud B. Priest, 6 6
190.00
Effie B. Wallace,
190.00
HIelen E. Howe,
66
190.00
Barbara C. Dow,
359.50
Florence B. Fitz,
380.00
Mary P. Story,
380.00
Grace D. Wixon
Rogers Annex, 190.00
Lucie A. Metcalf,
. .
412.00
Florence. M. Moore,
66
380.00
Mary A. S. Sale,
..
380.00
Myra D. Crowell,
Oxford School (Prin.) 6.
504.25
Inez E. Ilowes,
.6
190.00
Ilda T. Pope,
66
373.25
Clara E? Wellman,
378.50
Ethel Faulkner,
..
190.00
Elsie M. Pope, New Boston School, 190.00
Grace S. Dixon, 66
152.00
Gertrude M. Snow. Substitute, 171.00
4.50
Mrs. Mary E. Peters,
26.25
Mrs. Alice T. Paull, ٠٠
135.75
Mrs. Elsie M. Coombs,
4.50
Bertha M. Lloyd, care at noon
76.00
Susan Jackson, 66
$10,850.25
19
JANITORS
j. H. Hanna,
$600.00
A. J. Jenney.
480.00
H. F. Chandler,
300.00
J. B. Alton,
220.00
E. C. Howard,
40.15
$1640.15
TRANSPORTATION
Union Street Railway Co ..
$666.00
George L .. Ililler, Jr.,
500.00
Mrs. A. L. Mackie,
160.00
$1,326.00
FUEL.
City Coal Co.,
$365.71
Job C. Tripp, agent,
598.51
George P. Randal,
12.44
Michael Regan,
2.00
Henry T. Howard,
37.75
$1,016.41
BOOKS
Charles Scribners' Sons,
$96.48
D. C. Heath Co.,
76.41
American Book Co.,
69.08
E. E. Babb & Co,
59.17
Ginn & Co.,
55.54
Rand, McNally Co.,
39.36
Houghton, Mifflin Co.,
31.87
Silver, Burdett Co.,
27.25
Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover,
21.79
Benj. H. Sanborn & Co ..
18.00
C. D. Waldron,
11.55
Thompson, Brown & Co,
10.80
F. S. Brightman,
8.91
D. Appleton Co.,
7.46
20
E. G. Spooner, 6.18
Remington Typewriter Co.,
4.90
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