USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1899 > Part 2
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In supplying new books, the trustees have tried to be fair to all classes. taking great care to buy only such books as are well worth reading. General literature, fiction, poetry, history biography, travel. seience, and religion have been represented in fair proportion. so that the different parts of the library are well balanced.
.August twenty-second, Frank V. Wright. Esq., leaving town, tendered his resignation as a member of the board of trus- tees. His associates recognizing the expert knowledge which
32
HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
he has displayed since the founding of the Library, in purchas- ing books, classifying and arranging them on the shelves, and in the catalogue, so that the Library is in the first rank. wish to express their appreciation of his efforts, and their regret that his change of residence compels him to withdraw from the board of trustees.
The trustees desire to express their thanks to Marshall K. Abbott, Esq .. Charles T. Garland, Esq .. and Miss H. Meyer for their gifts of valuable books and magazines; to Hon. Geo. Von L. Meyer for a government military map of Cuba for the reading room ; and to Miss H. A. Dodge for ten valuable vol- umes, including " Descriptive Sociology, or Groups of Sociolo- gical Facts classified and arranged by Herbert Spencer." and .. Egypt Exploration Fund Publications " given " In Memory of Mary Abby Dodge."
There is immediate necessity of a supplement to the finding list. which will probably appear at the beginning of the new vear.
The trustees would recommend that one of their number act as treasurer of the Library fund. and hereby ask of the Town permission to elect a treasurer.
They recommend the appropriation of four hundred dollars for the year 1899-1900.
STATISTICAL TABLE.
Number of books in the Library. March 1, 1898. 2,312
Number of books added during the year, 202
Total bound volumes, March 1, 1899,
2,514
Number bound volumes issued during the year. 1.627
Cards issued during the year. 104
Cards issued since Library opened.
763
Number of magazines issued during the year. 235
Amount collected for fines. $14 83
33
HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY.
Bound Volumes
Pamphlets and un-bound Volumes
M. K. Abbott, Esq ..
19
Miss H. A. Dodge,
IO
Miss H. Meyer. -
C. T. Garland, Esq ..
Farm Journal, one year,
The Great Round World, one year, Parcel of miscellaneous magazines. IIon. G. V. L. Meyer,
Government military map of Cuba.
Food. Home and Garden, one year.
Miscellaneous pamphlets,
20
State Library Report.
2
City of Chelsea.
Lake Mohawk Conference.
Public Library Commission,
I
Massachusetts Agricultural Society,
F
Perry Mason & Co.,
-
The Century Atlas,
I
Salem Public Library Report,
Atlas of Mass. Topographical Survey Commission, IS84-1890,
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Balance, March 1, 1898, $180 80
Appropriation, 1898-99, 300 00
$480 So
Trustees Soldiers' Home,
34
HAMILTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
EXPENDITURES.
Mrs. Grace C. Stone, Librarian, $100 00
. . . . ..
extra. 3 94
Little, Brown & Co., books. 45 97
Cong. S. S. & Publishing Society. 71 05
D. Appleton & Co., Cyclopedias. 56 00
L. B. Moody, magazines,
25 75
E. L. Perley, binding books,
26 65
C. H. Odell, insuranse.
21 73
A. N. Webb & Co .. supplies,
12 25
I. A. Daniels, transportation,
13 25
.1. E. Woodbury. account stock and P. O. rent. 10 40
J. G. Nichols, cash paid for inciden- tals. 1 98
Paine & Co .. chair.
4 50
.A. N. Ward, books.
+ 00
O. D. Leonard, book. 1 75
Sylvester Dane, team and labor. 3 00
American Express Co.,
2 45
Almy. Bigelow & Washburn, supplies. I 90
D. B. Gardner. basket. 75
F. C. Norton. supplies. 55
Balance. March 1, 1899.
$410 87 $69 93
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE G. NICHOLS, ? Trustees of AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER, ) Public Library.
Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting.
Essex, ss, To either of the Constables of the Town of Hamilton.
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Hamilton, qualified to vote in the elections and in Town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall, in said Town, on Tuesday, the four- teenth day of March, 1899, at ro o'clock A. M., in the fore- noon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz. :
Art. r. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Art. 2. To choose all necessary Town officers for year ensuing.
Art. 3. To hear the report of the Town Officers and act thereon.
Art. 4. Shall licenses be granted in the Town of Hamil- ton for the sale of intoxicating liquors for the year ensuing.
Art. 5. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money, not to exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00). for the purpose of observing Decoration Day by the soldiers of the Rebellion.
Art. 6. To see if the Town will accept the street known as Hamilton Avenue, as laid out by the Selectmen, and appro- priate money to grade the same, as petitioned for by S. E. Thayer and others.
Art. 7. To see if the Town will accept the street known as Pine Street, commencing on Walnut Street and running to Plumb Street (so called), as laid out by the Selectmen ; and to appropriate money to grade the same. as petitioned for by Emery Lawrence and others.
36
TOWN WARRANT.
Art. S. To see what action the Town will take in regard to building a sidewalk from Daniel D. Stone's house to the railroad crossing, on the easterly side of the street : appropriate money for the same, and keeping the same in condition for pedestrians at all seasons of the year, as petitioned for by An- drew Haraden and others.
Art. 9. To see what action the Town will take toward appropriating a sum of money to grade and otherwise improve the Green (so called), near the Meeting House, as petitioned for by Geo. T. L. Litchfield and others.
Art. 10. To see what action the Town will take towards building a catch basin, laying drain pipe and grading in front of the estate of Chas. G. Rice. as petitioned for by F. C. Norton and others.
Art. It. To see what action the Town will take toward paying the bill of Penn Varney, and appropriate money for the same. as petitioned for by George K. Knowlton and others.
Art. 12. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the sale or removal of the Old South school house. and make provision for the same, as applied for by George K. Knowlton and others.
Art. 13. To see what action the Town will take in regard to opening the Polls at an earlier hour on the day of the Annual State election, as petitioned for by Geo. K. Knowlton and others.
AArt. 14. To see what action the town will take towards the re-valuation of the property in said Town, and have printed copies of the same. and to appropriate money for the same, as petitioned for by A. B. Towle and others.
AArt. 15. To see if the Town will permit the Trustees of the Public Library to elect one of their number as treasurer.
Art. 16. To see what action the Town will take toward the purchase of a Road Machine, and appropriate money for the same.
37
TOWN WARRANT.
Art. 17. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer to hire money under the direction of the Selectmen, in anticipa- tion of taxes.
Art. IS. To raise such sums of money as may be neces- sary to defray Town charges for the ensuing year.
Art. 19. To appropriate money for the repairs of high- ways, townways and bridges, and determine the manner of ex- pending the same.
Art. 20. To see if the Town will authorize its Collector to use all means of collecting taxes, which a town treasurer, when appointed a collector, may use agreeable to Chapter IS, Section 73, of the Public Statutes.
Art. 21. To determine what time tax bills shall be issued and taxes become due.
Art. 22. To see if the Town will accept the list of Jurors as proposed and posted by the Selectmen.
Art. 23. To act on any other matter that may come legal- ly before said meeting.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by post- ing attested copies thereof, one at the Meeting House and one at the Town Hall and one at the store of L. E. Libby, in said Town, seven days at least before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon. to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of holding said meeting.
Given under our hands this twenty-eighth day of February. 1899, A. D.
ISAAC F. KNOWLTON, Selectmen GEO. H. GIBNEY, of
GEO. E. SAFFORD, Hamilton.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
1898-99
BEVERLY FROST & WOOD, PRINTERS, 147 CABOT STREET 1899
School Committee's Report.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Geo. K. Knowlton, Chairman, term expires 1901
Rev. Jesse G. Nichols, Secretary, term expires 1900
Dr. Albert L. Whipple, Purchasing Agent, term expires 1899
TRUANT OFFICERS.
George T. Litchfield, Stephen A. Gwinn.
To the Citizens of the Town of Hamilton :
Your Committee submits the following report :
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
(Closed Feb. 24, 1899 )
Amount appropriated by the town for schools, $3,400 00
Text books and school supplies, 600 00
Small repairs and miscellaneous. 500 00
Introduction of vocal music. 200 00
Insurance, 150 00
Painting West School-house. 40 00
Tuition, High School Pupils.
580 00
Town appropriation. $5,470 00
Dog licenses, 226 92
Mass. School Fund,
294 43
Balance Mass. School Fund from IS98.
12 02
$6,003 37
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Paid for teachers, $2.497 05
Fuel. 266 10
Care of houses. 403 78
Text books and school supplies, 563 92
Miscellaneous. 409 80
$4,140 65
ACCOUNT MASS. SCHOOL FUND.
Amount Mass, school fund,
$294 43
Balance from 1897-8, 12 02
Paid teachers.
$306 45 306 45
PAID TEACHERS.
Miss Adelaide A. Keith. $468 00
" Grace A. Smith.
399 00
Lizzie A. Hadley. 409 50
.. Harriet M. Cutler. 109 50
.. Mary E. Batchelder. 390 00
.. Kate B. Symonds, 399 00
" Jessie M. Doty,
157 50
. Frances A. Jackson,
99 00
.. Eliza H. Cushing. 90 00
$2,803 50
PAID FOR FUEL.
1. C. Underhill & Son, $116 II
John C. Sauer. 76 49
Joseph P. Levering. 14 50
Isaac D. Patch, 28 50
Jonathan Lamson,
24 50
Isaac F. Knowlton,
6 00
$266 10
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
PAID FOR CARE OF SCHOOL HOUSES
Fred C. Shaller, South School,
$333 33
Burton M. Gwinn, Center
12 95
Margaret Fisher. 66
5 00
Frank McGregor, North
8 00
Hiram Pitman. 66
9 50
Henry T. Rogers,
West
12 50
Albert T. Hart.
6 6
5 00
Sylvester Day.
East
12 50
E. A. Day.
66
5 00
$403 78
PAID FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
J. L. Hammett Co., $282 26
Ginn & Company,
89 07
Geo. F. King & Co., 72 35
The American Book Co.,
15 75
Leach, Shewell & Co.,
43 05
D. C. Heath & Co., 24 50
Boston School Supply Co.,
11 44
Massachusetts Bible Society.
9 60
Silver Burdett & Co .. 6 00
E. W. Babb & Co.,
5 00
Greenongh, Adams & Cushing.
4 00
W. D. Brown. 90
$563 92
MISCELLANEOUS.
A. B. Towle, repairing school house. stock and labor, $31 23
J. F. Porter, repairs, 16 20
Geo. C. Ryerson, painting West school
house and repairs,
51 00
Amount carried forward 98 43
6
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward $98 43
James F. Dean, school room supplies. 19 44
B. & M. R. R. Co., scholars' tickets, 52 50
A. C. Cummings, expressage, IO IS
American Express Co., expressage . .
5 95
C. E. Day,
4 05
H. P. Moulton, legal services.
10 00
Almy. Bigelow & Washburn, school room supplies. 10 20
Irving W. Wheeler, flags, 16 22
W. H. Hutchinson. school room supplies, 27 55
Gideon Marshman, locks. 3 15
Magee Furnace Co., boiler supplics. 71
Daniel Pratt's Son, clock,
3 00
Waters & Brown, school room supplies
2 50
S. C. Gould,
5 96
Olvin H. Lufkin, printing.
12 25
Mrs. Lucy Channel, cleaning school houses, 5 00
Mrs. E. A Day, cleaning school houses, 8 00
Mrs. J. Hart,
2 50
F. A. Wendell, sanitary, 2 84
M. W. Cain & Son, school furniture.
II 50
W. C. Packard, . . 2 25 50
W. T. Rogers, Sanitary,
Burton M. Gwinn, sanitary, 50
Sylvester Day, 3 00
E. A. Lane. setting glass. 70
F. C. Shaller, boiler supplies, 5 45
F. C. Norton, school room supplies, 13 89
S. A. Waitt, .. 30
C. A. Peterson, labor and stock repairing school house. 3 75
Frank P. Tenssell, flag-cord and pulley, 1 55
O. F. Whipple, labor on school yard. 2 50
Amount carried forward,
$346 32
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $346 32
J. W. Hayes, cleaning clock, 75
Theodore S. Coombs. cleaning funnel, etc .. 1 50
C. S. Gwinn, removing snow from school vard. 50
Geo. T. Litchfield. Truant Officer. HI 90
Albert L. Whipple, expense on account
of teachers and expressage, 5 00
AAlbert L. Whipple, Purchasing Agent. 15 00
Jesse G. Nichols, expense on account of teachers and supplies, 2 90
Geo. K. Knowlton, Repairs and cash paid out. 16 93
Geo. K. Knowlton. expense on account of teachers and books, oo t
Geo. K. Knowlton, taking school census,
5 00
$409 So
MUSIC.
Appropriation, '$200 00
Paid Arthur E. French, teacher, $128 52
" American Book Co., charts and books, 5º 40
". A. C. Cummings, transportation teacher, 21 00
$199 92
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOUNT.
Appropriation for tuition of High School pupils, $560 00
Paid City of Salem. " ". Beverly, 300 00
$225 00
Amount carried. forward, $525 00
S'
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward, $525 00
Paid Trustees Manning High School,
Ipswich,
25 00
Paid John L. Woodbury, 40 00
. Charles S. Gwinn. 40 00
. Ephraim A. Dane.
60 00
.. Arthur C. Dane.
40 00
$730 00
Excess of appropriation,
$170 00
INSURANCE.
Appropriation. $150 00
Paid Geo. W. Breed. Agent. on New South School House, 120 00
Paid W. F. Trowt. Agent, on four school houses. IS 90
Paid W. F. Trowt. Agent. on Old South
school house. 17 50
$156 40
Excess of appropriation, $6 40
By reference to . Insurance Policies," it will be seen that $204 00 was paid on the New South school house. The insur- ance had been placed before the annual town meeting, for $120, subject to possible additional rates which might be made by the New England Insurance Exchange. The above amount only was asked to be appropriated. as the committee was given to understand that probably no more would be needed.
Soon after town meeting the committee were informed by the insurance agent that the rates on our policies had been ad- vanced, and another payment of $8.4 00 must be made. As the committee had no funds to pay this amount, the bill was turned over to the selectmen and paid by them.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
SUMMARY.
GROSS RECEIPTS FOR ALL SCHOOL PURPORES.
AAppropriation for schools.
Tuition, high school pupils,
$4,500 00 580 00
Music, 200 00
Insurance, 150 00
Painting West school house, 40 00
Dog licenses.
226 92
Mass. School Fund,
294 43
Balance Mass. School Fund, 1897-8,
12 02
$6,003 37
GROSS EXPENSE FOR ALL SCHOOL PURPOSES.
Paid for teachers, ,
$2.803 50
6. ·· fuel, 266 10
" care of houses, 403 78
.. "' school supplies, 563 92
" miscellaneous, including paint- ing West school house,
409 So
Paid for music.
199 92
.. " tuition, high school scholars, 730 00
·· insurance, 156 40
$5.533 42
Balance unexpended,
169 95
$6, 003 37
PUPILS ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL. BEVERLY.
Albert L. Smith. entered Sept., 1895, tuition one year to June, 1899, $40 00 Amount carried forward, $10 00
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Amount brought forward $40 00 Alice McGlauflin, entered Sept., 1896,
tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Percy Dodge. entered Sept., 1896. tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Groves Smith, entered Sept., 1897, tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Samuel Robinson, entered Sept., 1897, tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Mary A. Southwick, entered Sept., 1898. tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Annie McGlauflin, entered Sept .. 1898. tuition one year to June, 1899, 10 00
Clarence Day, entered Sept., 1898.
tuition one year to June, 1899, 40 00
Chester P. Striley, entered Sept .. 1898.
tuition one year to June. 1899, 40 00
$360 00
SALEM.
Tuition for the following pupils has been paid directly to their parents, for the school year ending June, 1899.
Arthur H. Dane, entered Sept., 1897, $40 00
Hallett S. Gwinn, “ I 898, 40 00
Frank B. Woodbury, entered Sept .. 1898. 40 00
$120 00
IPSWICH.
Ethel 8. Adams, entered Sept., 1898. $25 00
$25 00
ESTIMATE FOR SCHOOLS.
The committee presents the following estimate of the amount of money which should be appropriated to carry on the
-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
public schools for the year 1899-1900.
Amount for teachers, janitors and fuel, $3.400 00 " text books and school sup- plies, 600 00 Amount for small repairs and miscel- laneous. 500 00
$4,500 00
FOR HIGH SCHOOL TUITION.
Beverly. Salem, Ipswich,
$360 00 1 20 00 25 00
$505 00
In addition to the above the following appropriations are recommended.
For new desks and a new floor in Centre school house, or to seat school room in Town Hall. $200 00
Insurance on Old South school house, 15 00
$215 00
INSURANCE POLICIES.
The several school houses are insured as follows :
NEW SOUTH SCHOOL HOUSE.
The Northwestern National Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wis., $4.000 00 102 00
Premium,
Expires Feb. 3. 1903.
1 2
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The Cambridge Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Cam-
bridge. Mass.
Centre school house.
$900 00
North ..
700 00
East . .
700 00
West .. ..
700 00
$3,000 00
Premium,
75 00
Dividend allowed. 56 10 IS 90
Cash paid. Expires May 12, 1901.
Old South school house.
$1.000 00
Premium. 17 50
Expires June 23. 1899.
Full amount of insurance, $12,000 00
Net cost, of which $84 00 was paid by selectmen, 239 40
STATISTICAL TABLE.
From March 28, IS98, to February 24. 1899, 35 weeks. Length of term is given to March 10, 1899. 38 weeks.
SOUTHI GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Adelaide A. Keith.
Spring term $48 00
Fall term
Winter term
Wages of teacher per month,
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils,
31
34
35
Average membership,
27
32
33
Average attendance,
25
31
29
No. of pupils over 15 years of age,
14
I I
16
No. between 7.and 14 years of age.
17
23
19
$48 00
$48 00
13
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
SOUTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Grace A. Smith.
Spring term $40 00
Fall term
Winter term
Wages of teacher per month,
$40 00
$40 00
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils.
29
33
32
Average membership.
25
27
27
Average attendance,
21
23
22
No. of pupils over 15 years of age,
0
I
O
No. between 7 and 14 years of age,
29
32
32
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Teacher, Miss Lizzie E. Hadley.
Spring term
Fall term
Winter term
Wages of teacher per month,
$42 00
$42 00
$42 00
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils,
15
53
51
Average membership,
91
40
Average attendance,
43
37
No. of pupils between 7 and 14 years,
33
29
26
No. of pupils under 7 years of age,
15
24
24
No. of pupils over 14 years of age,
O
O
I
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Harriet M. Cutler.
Spring term
Fall term
Winter term
Wages of teacher per month,
$42 00
$42 00
$42 00
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1 - 2
Whole number of pupils,
34
36
32
Average membership,
33
33
31
Average attendance,
23
30
27
No. of pupils over 15 years of age.
O
O
O
No. between 7 and 14 years of age.
28
31
29
No. of pupils under 7 years of age,
6
5
3
14
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
EAST SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Mary E. Batchelder.
Spring term $40 00
Fall term $40 00
Winter term $40 00
Wages of teacher per month,
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils,
37
26
25
Average membership,
34
25
24
Average attendance,
31
2.4
21
Number of pupils over 15 years of age.
3
O
I
No. between 7 and 14 years of age,
28
2I
20
No. of pupils under 7 years of age,
6
5
4
WEST SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Kate B. Symonds.
Spring term $40 00
Fall tern $40 00
Winter term $40 00
Wages of teacher per month,
Length of term in months,
3
3
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils,
34
33
26
Average membership,
30
27
23
Average attendance,
28
25
20
No. of pupils over 15 years of age,
2
O
I
No. between 7 and 14 years of age.
26
28
22
No. of pupils under 7 years of age.
6
5
3
NORTH SCHOOL.
Teacher. Miss Jessie M. Doty, Spring term.
. .
.. Frances A. Jackson, Fall term.
.. Eliza H. Cushing. Winter term.
Spring term $42 00
Fall term $36 00
Winter term $36 00
Wages of teachers per month,
Length of term in months,
3
2 3-4
3 1-2
Whole number of pupils.
28
23
22
Average membership,
25
20
20
Average attendance,
21
16
17
No. of pupils over 15 years of age,
I
I
I
No. between 7 and 14 years of age,
21
IS
IS
No. of pupils under 7 years of age.
6
1
3
15
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
ROLL OF HONOR.
PERFECT IN ATTENDANCE FOR ONE YEAR.
South Grammar School, Mary E. Moon. South Intermediate School. Florence M. Goodridge.
PERFECT IN ATTENDANCE NOT LESS THAN ONE NOR MORE THAN TWO TERMS.
South Grammar School-Granville C. Gibney, Ralph W. Porter, George T. Copp, Gertrude K. Weston, Sadie A. Dodge, Myra A. Sawyer, Charita W. Vernard, Rachel M. Hollings- head.
South Intermediate School-Chester B. Gibney, Lawrence HI. Striley. Frank H. Tuck, Shannon Vernard. William R. Chandler, J. Lyle Roberts, Ella W. Chandler, Grace G. Blake, Elsie M. Peterson, Nellie C. Goodridge, Hepsey G. Roberts.
South P.imary School-Justin A. Fitz, Frank J. Burton, Percy W. Burton, F. Arthur Rackliffe, Vernon Crossthwaite, Charles Hollingshead, Florence R. Shaller, Louise M. Rack- liffe.
Center School-Frank H. Poole, P. Gordon Green, David Fisher, Cornelius Buckley, John Buckley, Maurice Buckley. Clara D. Haraden, Mary Buckley, Margaret Fisher, Jane Fisher. Bernice J. Andrews.
East School-Lester M. Whipple. Helen H. Dodge. Gert- rude K. Weston.
North School-Leverett L. Durkee.
West School-Robert L. Dodge, John Beaulier, Elizabeth W. Carroll. Nellie Hart. Annie H. Hart.
As our school year is not coincident with the fiscal year. we have to consider the closing term of the several schools first.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
This term began March 28 and closed June 17. On the closing week the committee visited all the schools, finishing the work Thursday in order that the closing day might be used as a visit- ing day by parents and others who might wish to attend.
". Examination Day," at the close of our school year, re- plete with its recitations, songs, dialogues, and other interesting matter for the purpose of showing the work of the year, has be- come a thing of the past. Written examinations at stated times, covering the entire school year. together with a general know- ledge of the consecutive work of each school, afford a better means by which to decide as to the value of the work which has been done.
Fortunately the work of the term was not interrupted by any change of teachers, and all the schools closed with fairly good records.
During the summer vacation the committee was busy pre- paring for the next school year which was to open in Septem- ber.
Miss Doty, who had done splendid work three years in the North school, had informed the committee that she would not return.
As soon as it was known that there was a vacancy in one of our schools, many teachers applied for the situation. After meeting quite a number of applicants, Miss Frances A. Jackson was engaged for one trial term. She entered upon her work at the opening of the term in good earnest, and gave promise of doing fairly well. But after a few weeks the school was broken up by whooping cough. The school was closed at the end of the eleventh week. and Miss Jackson resigned.
The committee decided not to open the school again until the subsidence of the contagious disease. In the meantime Miss Eliza II. Cushing, who had six years' experience in un-graded work, was engaged for one trial term. The school was opened December 13 : most of the scholars being able to return.
Miss Cushing is an efficient teacher and is doing good work.
The teachers of all the other schools were re-elected and entered upon their work at the opening of the school year.
.
17
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The schools have been under constant supervision by the committee, and material improvement in several directions has been effected.
The new text books in history and geography, which were introduced last year, have met our fullest expectations and have given added interest to these studies.
The teachers have been faithful to their duties and merit the praise of all who are interested in the welfare of our schools. The year has been a successful one and much good work has been done. Impossibilities have not been attempted : no teacher can make bright talent where it does not exist; she must take the child as he is, take him as he has been endowed by nature, and give him the light of knowledge as he is able to receive it. No one has a better knowledge of the mental power of each pupil in the school than does a faithful teacher.
The committee, also, in various ways come into possession of this knowleege, and have to take it into account in making up the work of the year.
We are trying to give our children as good facilities as are possible in a country town to improve whatever talents they have.
One problem confronts the committee that is difficult to solve. How shall we prepare our pupils for entrance to High School? It is extremely difficult to do it in the un-graded schools where there are so many different grades and classes.
If we had pupils enough to open a school for ninth grade work in the school room at the Town Hall, and still leave the several schools with a sufficient number of scholars. it might be well to do so. But it was not a practical thing to do at the opening of the present school year.
Then there is the question of transportation. Shall pupils be conveyed from the several school districts, a distance of from one to four miles, to the centre of the town. An experiment is being tried this year, and five scholars from the East school have been sent to the South grammar school to take ninth grade work. This attendance being compulsory, transportation was furnished by the committee, having in this case the benefit of
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
scholars' tickets over the B. & M. Railroad, the rate being very low ; costing only about six cents a day for each pupil. But when the transportation would have to be by carriage, at a cost of twenty-five or fifty cents a day for each scholar, the commit- tee feels that the matter must be given careful consideration.
Of the value of a school for ninth grade work, whether a pupil ever goes beyond that or not, the committee are fully sat- isfied, and believe that one should be established at the earliest practical time. Last year a few scholars from the West district were given permission to attend the South grammar school and several are attending the present year.
This year has been the initial one for the systematic intro- duction of music into all our schools. Two hundred dollars having been appropriated for this purpose, the committee eu- gaged Mr. Arthur E. French as teacher of music, and arranged with him to visit all the schools once each week, occupying about one-half hour in each school. Mr. French has been faithful to his work, and in view of the progress which has been made the committee desires its continuance next year.
In our report last year, attention was called to the probable alteration and strengthening of some of the school laws by the legislature at the request of the State Board of Education. This has been done, and material improvement has been made in several sections, and went into effect September 1, 1898. In order to work in perfect harmony with these laws the commit- tee revised the rules and regulations for the government of our schools. These rules are printed on the report cards, so that every teacher, scholar and parent may know what they are and can in no case plead ignorance of them.
The committee earnestly recommend the removal of the Old South school house, and that an appropriation be made to place a fence around the entire school lot. There should also be some trees set out, and the grounds be put in good order. This cannot be well done while the old house remains on the lot.
The Centre school house is very much in need of new desks. and should have a new floor. An appropriation of two
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
hundred dollars is recommended for this purpose, or to take any part of it to seat the school room in the Town Hall and re- move the Center school to that room.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. K. KNOWLTON, A. L. WHIPPLE, School Committee. JESSE G. NICHOLS,
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the School Committee of Hamilton :
Gentlemen :- I have visited several schools and otherwise investigated forty-six cases calling for my official attention. I wish to say that I have been kindly received by all parents and others on whom I have been obliged to call.
GEORGE T. LITCHFIELD.
Hamilton. Feb. 18, 1899.
To the School Committee of Hamilton :
Gentlemen :- I have not been called on as truant officer, and therefore have no cases to report.
STEPHEN A. GWINN. Hamilton, Feb. 20. 1899.
CALENDAR FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1898-9.
Fall Term, 12 weeks-Opens September 6, 1898. closes Nov- ember 23. 1898. Winter Term, 14 weeks-Opens November 28. 1898. closes March 10, 1899. Spring Term, 12 weeks-Opens March 27. 1899, closes June 16, 1899.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
SCHOOL CENSUS.
May 1, 1898. Number of children between the ages of 5 and 15, 212
May 1, 1897, Number of children between the ages of 5 and 15. 240
Increase in one year.
2
TOWN HALL, HAMILTON, MASSACHUSETTS.
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