USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1901 > Part 2
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By courtesy of the Trustees of the General Theological Library in Boston, arrangements have been made, so that the Hamilton Public Library, in common with many other libraries of New Eng- land, has become a distributing branch. Any local clergyman may now receive for home study a limited number of volumes from the General Theological Library.
Before his death, the late Marshall K. Abbott made provision for a clock to be placed in the Town Hall. This substantial and beautiful gift has arrived, and is in its place in the reading-room of the Public Library. The Trustees are grateful to Mr. Thomas who has carried out the desire of his uncle, Mr. Abbott. A large book-case has also been received from the same source.
The Trustees are indebted to the following individuals for special gifts of books and magazines to the Library: Mrs. G. v. L. Meyer, Miss H. Meyer, Miss Sara R. Safford, The Knowlton Family through Mr. G. K. Knowlton, and Mr. C. O. Story of Essex.
The Trustees recommend the appropriation by the Town of three hundred dollars for the year 1901-1902.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
GIFTS. Bound volumes Pamphlets and unbound volumes 27
Mrs. G. v. L. Meyer 82
Miss H. Meyer, parcel magazines S. R. Safford, parcel magazines The Knowlton family, through Mr. G. K. Knowlton 1
28
LIBRARY REPORT
Bound volumes.
1
Pamphlets
C. O. Story
M. L. Underwood
1
E. C. Scranton
1
Hon. J. H. Choate
1
Proofs of Theosophy, anon. 1
6th. Mass. U. S. V. 1
1 st. Reg. Mass. H. A. 1
Public documents
12
3
Mass. Audobon Society Agricultural Society
1
Tabor Academy
1
Town of Topsfield
1
Chelsea Soldiers' Home
1
"Salvation," one year
12
Miscellaneous magazines and pamphlets
30
STATISTICS.
Total number of volumes March 1, 1900
2,501
added
189
March 1, 1901
2,690
Number volumes of fiction issued
4,903
history and travel
147
biography
51
miscellaneous
243
Total number of bound volumes issued
5,344
magazines issued
689
bound volumes and magazines
6,033
Number of cards issued during year
81
since Library opened
944
Fines
$4 70
GRACE C. STONE, Librarian.
TREASURER'S REPORT. AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER, TREAS.,
In account with the Trustees of the Public Library of the Town of Hamilton.
DR.
1900.
March 1, balance on hand
$164 26
Dec. 22, appropriation for Library
400 00
$564 26
29
LIBRARY REPORT
CR.
1900.
June 23, Cong. S. S. & Pub. Society, books $35 66
Mrs. Grace C. Stone, Librarian 25 00
J. A. Wilson, magazines 27 05
American Book Co., books 6 72
.. Charles A. King, printing, etc. 2 25
. . American Exp. Co., expressage 40
L. B. Moody, magazines 36
Sept. 20, Mrs. Grace C. Stone, Librarian 25 00
Edward L. Perley, binding books 19 70
Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, books 9 52
Dec. 11, Mrs. Grace C. Stone, librarian 25 00
Cong. S. S. & Pub. Society, books 24 50
American Exp. Co., expressage 55
1901.
March 1, Mrs. Grace C. Stone, Librarian 25 00
Asa A. Jewett, transportation 20 80
Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, books 6 83
Jesse G. Nichols, cash paid out 6 19
Cong. S. S. & Pub. Society, bal. on books 5 55
66 Treas. Am. Forestry Asso., "The Forester" 80
The MacMillan Co., "Bird Lore" 1 00
Balance in hands of Treas. 296 39
$564 26
E. & O. E.
AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER, Treas. of Trustees Public Library of the Town of Hamilton. Hamilton, Mass., March 1, 1901.
JESSE G. NICHOLS, Trustees
AUGUSTUS P. GARDNER of
GEORGE v. L. MEYER, - Public Library.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF HAMILTON
1900-1901
BEVERLY THE FROST & WOOD PRESS 1901
School Committee's Report.
Annual report of the School Committee of the Town of Hamil- ton, 1900-1901:
ORGANIZATION.
Geo. K. Knowlton, chairman, Term expires 1901
Rev. Jesse G. Nichols, secretary, 1903
Dr. Albert L. Whipple, purchasing agent,
1902
Truant Officers-Alden J. Chandler. Daniel D. Stone.
REPORT. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
(Closed Feb. 22, 1901.)
Amount appropriated by the town for schools $3,500 00
school supplies
500 00
Miscellaneous
500 00
Tuition, High School pupils
480 00
Transportation of scholars
350 00
Desks for South schoolhouse
150 00
Two basement porches, South schoolhouse
50 00
Trees and grading, South School yard 50 00
Sanitary improvements for ungraded schools
100 00
Town appropriation
$5,680 00
Dog licenses
238 74
Mass. school fund
328 58
$6,247 32
Paid for teachers
$2,827 63
fuel
226 05
care of houses
417 50
text books and supplies
400 77
miscellaneous
244 59
$4,116 54
4
SCHOOL REPORT
ACCOUNT MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL FUND.
Amount received
$328 58
Paid teachers
$304 83
Paid for case of maps
23 75
$328 58
PAID TEACHERS.
Miss Eliza H. Cushing
$140 00
" Adelaide A. Keith
456 00
" Mary E. Batchelder
402 00
" Lizzie E. Hadley .
421 CO
" Nelly G. Cutting
370 00
" Carrie E. Robie
370 00
Mrs. Grace C. Stone
370 00
Miss Effie M. Cheney
301 00
" Eva C. Sanborn
81 00
" Klara J. Olesson
66 60
" Grace A. Knowlton
9 00
Mrs. Bessie H. Dane
14 40
Miss Annie J. Chase
10 00 .
" Alice R. Power
26 00
Mr. Arthur E. French
49 98
Mrs. M. Eva Robinson
45 48
$3,132 46
PAID FOR FUEL.
The Pickett Coal Co.
$102 80
J. C. Underhill
71 75
Isaac D. Patch
22 50
Isaac F. Knowlton
20 00
Jonathan Lamson
9 00
$226 05
SCHOOL REPORT
5
PAID FOR CARE OF SCHOOLHOUSES.
Fred C. Shaller, South School
$330 00
Sylvester Day, East
13 00
E. A. Day. 66
6 50
Albert T. Hart
28 25
J. F. McGregor
18 75
C. E. Gwinn 21 00
$417 50
PAID FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
J. L. Hammett Co. $292 79
Edward E. Babb & Co.
48 63
Thomas R. Shewell & Co. 26 80
Ginn & Co. 13 43
American Book Co.
9 92
Silver, Burdette & Co.
9 20
$400 77
MISCELLANEOUS.
C. A. Peterson, repairs, stock and labor $45 80
J. F. Porter, 16 14 20
Frost & Wood, printing
1 50
Robert Robertson, sanitary repairs
4 25
Holmes & Sawyer,
1 75
O. F. Whipple, labor on school yard
1 30
S. Day, sanitary 3 50
Waters & Brown, hardware
18 55
B. F. Hill,
2 00
F. C. Shaller, boiler room supplies
4 03
Paul B. Patten, “ "
5 50
A. C. Cummings, freight, carriage, etc. 28 81
American Express Co. 4 05
Amount carried forward
$135 24
6
SCHOOL REPORT
Amount brought forward $135 24
C. E. Day, expressage, school supplies
1 75
A. H. Jewett, 6 15
C. E. Dame, printing
2 00
O. F. Brown, writing diplomas
1 00
A. A. Keith, graduation supplies
3 15
Daniel Pratt's Sons, clock
3 00
J. W. Hayes, cleaning clocks
4 80
A. C. Lunt, school room furniture
2 50
W. Crosby, school room supplies
75
Mrs. Lucy Channel, cleaning Centre schoolhouse
5 50
Geo. C. Ryerson, setting glass
5 00
S. C. Gould, school room supplies
7 09
M. E. Robinson, school room supplies
30
A. L. Whipple, purchasing agent 15 00
J. G. Nichols, extra expense on account of teachers 6 54
Geo. K. Knowlton, extra expense, on account of teachers, repairs, cash paid out 29 82
Geo. K. Knowlton, taking school census 10 00
Alden J. Chandler, services as truant officer 5 00
$244 59
HIGH SCHOOL ACCOUNT.
Appropriation for tuition of High School pupils
$480 CO
Paid City of Beverly $440 00
Trustees Manning High School, Ipswich 40 00
Albert S. Whipple, for pupil in Salem High School 20 00
John McCaughn
20 00
Fannie S. Preston
20 00
Arthur C. Dane
20 00
Arthur W. Chandler
20 00
$580 00
Amount overdrawn
$100 00
SCHOOL REPORT
7
The above amount of $100.00 overdrawn, to pay six months tuition to Feb. 1, 1901 for scholars attending Salem High school should not have been paid till after the appropriation is made at the next Annual Town Meeting.
TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOLARS.
Paid B. & M. R. R. Co. $232 70
Lynn & Boston R. R. Co.
136 00
Jonathan Lamson
1 80
Henry T. Rogers
1 50
John J. Hinckley
2 12
George A. Dodge
68
Albert L. Whipple
11 00
John McCaughn
11 00
Fannie S. Preston
11 00
Arthur C. Dane
11 00
Arthur W. Chandler 9 00
Geo. K. Knowlton, paid for scholars
8 28
$436 08
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION.
Appropriation
$350 00
Paid Chandler Desk Co., desks for South school $153 80
W. B. Badger, teachers desk, South school 14 85
C. A. Peterson, 2 basement porches, 8 sanitary porches, un- graded schools 44 00
90 00
C. E. Whipple, grading South school yard 20 00
B. W. Adams, setting and care of trees, South school 20 10
$342 75
$7 25
Balance unexpended
8
SCHOOL REPORT
GROSS RECEIPTS FOR ALL SCHOOL PURPOSES.
Appropriation for schools
$4,500 00
Special appropriation
350 00
Tuition, High School pupils
480 00
Transportation of scholars
350 00
Dog licenses
238 74
Mass. School fund
328 58
$6,247 32
GROSS EXPENSE FOR ALL SCHOOL PURPOSES.
Paid for teachers
$3,132 46
fuel
226 05
care of houses
417 50
school supplies
400 77
miscellaneous
244 59
tuition, High school scholars
580 00
transportation of scholars
436 08
special appropriation work
342 75
$5,780 20
Balance unexpended
$467 12
PUPILS ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL.
The committee arranged with the City of Beverly to take our pupils for the High School course, at forty dollars a year, payable at the close of the school year in June.
This arrangement enables the committee to know just how much money it will be necessary to appropriate at the Annual Town Meeting for tuition.
The Town of Ipswich is willing to take our pupils on the same terms and in some cases, for sufficient reason, they are allowed to attend that school.
We have no account with any other city or town, and those who wish to attend elsewhere are allowed the same amount for tui- tion and transportation that it costs us for pupils to Beverly; the
9
SCHOOL REPORT
amount to be paid directly to the parent or guardian on the same conditions that we pay Beverly. The amount for tuition may be paid any time after the appropriation has been made at the Annual Town Meeting, providing all requirements for sending pupils to High School have been complied with.
BEVERLY.
Samuel Robinson, entered Sept. 1897, tuition one year, to July 1, 1901 $40 00
S. Groves Smith, entered Sept. 1897, tuition one year to July 1. 1901 40 00
Annie McGlauflin, entered Sept. 1898, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Mary A. Southwick, entered Sept. 1898,
tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Gertrude K. Weston, entered Sept. 1899,
tuition one year to July 1, 1900 40 CO
Laura Dodge, entered Sept. 1899, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Sarah A. Dodge, entered Sept. 1899, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 CO
Sarah J. Hinckley, entered Sept 1899, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Judson S. Bradstreet, entered Sept. 1899,
tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Paul R. Smith, entered Sept. 1899, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Bernice J. Andrews, entered Sept. 1900,
tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Hazel E. Weston, entered Sept. 1900, tuition one year to 1901 40 00
Helen H. Dodge, entered Sept. 1900, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Clara E. Chandler, entered Sept. 1900, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Blanche C. Ferguson, entered Sept. 1900 tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
10
SCHOOL REPORT
Lillian A. McGlauflin, entered Sept. 1900 tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Sylvia Robinson, entered Sept. 1900, tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Douglas H. Knowlton, entered Sept. 1900 tuition one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Clarence P. Day, entered Sept. 1898, tuition one-half year to Feb. 1, 1901, 20.00
Mary A. Bradstreet, entered Sept. 1900 tui-
tion one-half year to Feb. 1, 1901 20 00
Mary A. Merrill, entered Sept. 1900, tuition one-half year to Feb. 1, 1901 20 00
$780 00
IPSWICH.
Maud L. Smith, entered Sept. 1899, [tuition
one year to July 1, 1901 40 00
Catherine B. Hinckley, entered Sept. 1900 tuition cne year to July 1, 1901 40 00
SALEM. $80 00
Gertrude G. Chandler, Mattie W. Dane,
Olive L. Whipple, Louisa S. Preston,
Henrietta F. Andrews.
ALLOWED FOR PUPILS ATTENDING SALEM HIGH
SCHOOL.
Albert L. Whipple, one- half year to July 1, 1901 $20 00
John McCaughn, one-half year to July 1, 1901 20 00
Fannie S. Preston, one-half year to July 1, 1901 20 00 Arthur C. Dane, one-half year to July 1, 1901 20 00
Arthur W. Chandler, one-half year to July
1,1901 20 00
$100 00
11
SCHOOL REPORT
ESTIMATE FOR SCHOOLS.
Following is an estimate of the amount of money that will be needed for all public school purposes for the year 1901-2.
Amount for teachers, janitors and fuel $4,000 00
text books and school supplies 500 00
miscellaneous 300 00
tuition High School pupils 960 00
transportation of scholars 600 00
$6,360 00
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION.
The committee recommend an appropriation
for a thorough repair of the East school- room $300 00
For painting North schoolhouse 50 00
$350 CO
INSURANCE.
The insurance on four ungraded schoolhouses expires May 12. 1901.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICERS.
To the school committee of Hamilton :
Gentlemen :- I have attended to my duty as truant officer, having been called to notify parents several times in regard to send- ing their children to school, and have looked after some scholars in the matter of attendance,
Respectfully yours, ALDEN J. CHANDLER.
Hamilton, Feb. 18, 1901.
To the school committee of Hamilton :
Gentlemen :- I have not had any occasion to exercise any material official duty as truant officer.
Respectfully yours, DANIEL D. STONE. Hamilton, Feb. 18, 1901.
12
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CENSUS.
Whole number of children in town between
5 and 15 years of age, September 1,
1900, Boys 124
Girls
130
254
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1900-1901.
FALL TERM, 1900 WINTER TERM SPRING TERM 1901
1900-1901
Opens Sept. 4
Opens Dec. 3
Cpens March 25
Closes Nov. 23
Closes March 15
Closes June 14
12 Weeks
14 Weeks
12 Weeks
STATISTICS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE 15, 1900,
Length of the School Year 38 Weeks
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Annual Salaries.
Pupils Enrolled.
Total Membership.
Average Membership.
Average attendance.
Percentage of attendance.
Between ages of 5 and 15.
Between ages of 7 and 14.
Over 15 years of age.
Under 5 years of age,
South Grammar
Adelaide A. Keith
$456
43
38
38
35
92
26
26
17
00 0 0
Intermediate
Mary E. Batchelder
380
42
43
41
40
94
42
42
1
:
Second Primary
Lizzie E. Hadley
399
44
44
39
35
90
44
43
0
0
Opened April 16, 1900
Lizzie E. Hadley
399
70
61
47
41
87
70
31
0
Effie M. Cheney
380
Harriet M. Cutler
399
26
28
22
20
90
25
20
1
East,
Nelly G. Cutting
380
20
19
18
17
93
20
17
0
West,
Carrie E. Robie
380
41
28
27
26
92
41
30
0
North
Eliza H. Cushing
380
29
20
18
16
88
28
20
1
A. E. French, Music
135
0 0 000 0 0 0 0 0
South First Primary
Centre, ungraded
Grace C. Stone
380
14
SCHOOL REPORT
ROLL OF HONOR.
Perfect in attendance one term.
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL ..
Pauline Chandler, Annie F. Cummings, Vesta A. Emerson,. Viola L. Striley, Christie M. Hall, Justin A. Fitz, Thomas S. Jones,. Charles J. Wright, George R. Clarke.
SOUTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL ..
Ella W. Chandler, Mary E. Shaller, Florence R. Shaller, Grace G. Blake, Chester B. Gibney, William R. Chandler, Arthur M. Cummings.
CENTRE SCHOOL-Rudolph H. . Haraden. EAST SCHOOL.
Elizabeth M. Babcock, Martha W. Dodge,, Hattie L. Doucett,. Ernest S. Berry, Frank P. Day.
WEST SCHOOL ..
Albert T. Hart, Annie M. Hart,. Nellie Hart, Kate K. Hart,. Francis Hart, Elizabeth W. Carroll, Alden L. Southwick, James A. Young.
The school year of 1899-1900 closed. June 15, the table shows, statistical conditions of the several schools :
The progress made in all the schools during the year was quite satisfactory although it is impossible for any teacher to obtain quite as good results from her work in an ungraded as in a graded school,. and the committee has to take this into account in making up the work of the year.
Of our four ungraded schools, the East school has been in charge of Miss Nelly G. Cutting the entire year.
Miss Cutting came to her school with several years' experience in teaching, she has been very successful, working with unceasing interest for the advancement of all her pupils.
In the West school Miss Carrie E. Robie succeeded Miss Symonds. Miss Robie has worked faithfully during the year, and although sometimes under adverse conditions as to the make up of her school, she has succeeded well in her work and the committee: has only words of commendation for her and her school.
15
:SCHOOL REPORT
Miss Eliza H. Cushing was teacher of the North school during "the year. The school made fairly good progress under the very anxious administration of the teacher. But it did not come quite up to her reasonable expectations.
The committee knew it was no fault of hers and understood about what the school was able to accomplish in the year. Unfor- tunately in the closing term a fire occurred in the school room mak- ing it necessary to remove the school to a private house. This seriously interfered with the best showing of the school at its close.
The Centre schooi was in the care of Miss Harriet M. Cutler during the first term at the close of which a change was made and Mrs. Grace C. Stone was placed in charge for the rest of the year. Mrs. Stone had previously taught several years in one of our schools and was able to take up the work in a satisfactory manner, so that the school did not suffer as much from a change of teachers at this ttime as it otherwise might have done.
The South school opened wtth the following teachers: grammar, Miss A. A. Keith; intermediate, Miss M. E. Batchelder, transferred from the East school; primary, Miss L. E. Hadley.
These teachers had done excellent work the previous year and it was expected that they would be fully as successful the present year. But it was found during the early part of the year that in order to obtain the best results it would be necessary to open a fourth school, especially as the primary department was full to over- flowing. At the Annual Town Meeting in March the committee asked for an appropriation of $150 to seat the unoccupied room in the South school building.
The appropriation was granted and the room was made ready as soon as possible.
On Monday, April 16, the intermediate school was removed to the new room up stairs; the second primary was opened in the room vacated by the intermediate school, and was made up of grade 4 of the intermediate and grade 3 of the primary, Miss Hadley being placed in charge of the second primary and Miss Effie M. Cheney was engaged to take the first primary.
16
SCHOOL REPORT
The subsequent progress made in the schools has proved the. wisdom of opening a fourth school.
The committee was well satisfied with the condition of all the South schools at their closing in June, and congratulate both. teachers and scholars in their successful work.
It is always a pleasure to speak of the work of the grammar school which has been in charge of Miss Keith several years. Not only does the committee appreciate her valuable services, but those who come in contact with her pupils that pass on to higher studies. recognize her superior teaching qualities.
The past year has shown no diminuation of her success, and in. order that the work of our highest grade school might be shown to. the best advantage the committee decided to have the graduation exercises in Town Hall. A chorus was selected from the several schools to assist in the exercises.
Following is the programme :
Programme.
March,
Invocation,
Miss Effie M. Cheney Rev. J. G. Nichols. School
Salute to the Flag,
Chorus, "Old Glory"
Recitation, "The Petrified Fern"
Chorus, "O Spirit of the Summer Time"
Recitation, "Union and Liberty"
Duet, "The Golden Star Galop"
School Elsie Peterson Mildred Gwinn
Essay, "Daniel Webster"
Bernice J. Andrews ..
Chorus, "The Bees and the Flowers"
Recitation, "The Launching of the Ship"
Graduating Class.
Song, "A New American Hymn"
Essay, "Great Moments in Our History" Sylvia Robinson
Address, "Economy in the Management of Schools"
Presentation of Diplomas, Chorus, "America"
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford. Chairman School Committee:
Benediction.
17
SCHOOL REPORT
NAMES OF GRADUATES.
Bernice Josephine Andrews
Clara Elizabeth Chandler
Helen Hamilton Dodge
Blanche Cynthia Ferguson
Mildred Helen Gwinn
Catherine Belle Hinckley
Douglas Holland Knowlton
Lillian Audrey McGlauflin
Mary Alice Merrill
Sylvia Robinson
Hazel Elizabeth Weston
ROLL OF HONOR.
Bernice Josephine Andrews Mary Alice Bradstreet
Sylvia Robinson
Hazel Elizabeth Weston
Mary Alice Merrill Lillian Audrey McGlauflin
In the musical department of our schools, the teacher Mr. Arthur E. French, has done excellent work during the year. In all the schools there are some pupils who have more or less talent for music, and these have made marked progress, then there are those who at first looked unfavorably on any proposition for them to learn to sing, but whonow find themselves doing fairly well.
The elevating and refining power of music in the school room is one of the best accessories that can be introduced as it there always inspires to the highest good.
The record for the school year of 1899-1900 has been written for all time. All our teachers have shown commendable enthusiasm in their work; the scholars have applied themselves in varying degrees of faithfulness, but all has been done under environment from which there is no escape in this life. When we come to the close of the school year we say we wish more had been accomplish- ed than is apparent. But after all, we know not what the fruitage may be of the young lives that we have been moulding during all the precious moments that we have had them in our care. The respon- sibility is great; we can only strive to do our best and rest the matter there.
During the summer vacation the work provided for by special appropriation was completed; two basement porches were put on the South school house, some grading of the schoof yard was done, and thirty maple trees were set out.
Mary Alice Bradstreet
18
SCHOOL REPORT
Eight storm porches were put on the closets of the four un- graded schoolhouses and are a valuable addition.
The schools of the present year which begun the 4th of last September and will close the 14th of next June, were opened with the following teachers : South school-grammar, Miss Adelaide A. Keith; intermediate, Miss Mary E. Batchelder: second primary, Miss Lizzie E. Hadley; first primary, Miss Effie M. Cheney.
Centre school-Miss Eva C. Sanborn. East-Miss Nelly G. Cutting. West-Miss Carrie E. Robie. North-Mrs. Grace C. Stone, transferred from Centre school.
Mr. Arthur E. French, teacher of music, having secured a po- sition in Auburndale decided not to return to us another year. At the close of the fall term Mrs. M. Eva Robinson was engaged as teacher of music and entered upon her work at the opening of the winter term.
Mr. Fred C. Shaller, who has been so faithful in all his work as janitor of the South schoolhouse since it was built, was engaged for the school year.
The schools at the present time are all doing good work, and a satisfactory showing should be made in the next school report when it is presented to the citizens in 1902.
Our Town enters the twentieth century in a transition period. Within the last decade its population and consequently its schools have nearly doubled. We are increasing in wealth and have suffi- 'cient means for the education of our children.
But as in all business, constant care and good judgment are required for the successful management of the schools and for a wise expenditure of the school appropriation.
It is not enough to run the schools a certain number of weeks in the year; there must be a careful and wise selection of teachers adapted to the grades of work for which they are needed and this is often a difficult thing to do.
Good teachers are not idly walking the streets waiting for some chance situation, but poor ones may be obtained at any time. Then wide-awake superintendents of the larger cities and towns are con-
19
SCHOOL REPORT
stantly on the lookout for good teachers, and being able to pay a larger salary, and to offer better opportunity for promotion they frequently succeed in taking the best ones away from the smaller towns.
The committee believes in paying our teachers the maximum market price for the services which they are expected to render, and we do not want any teacher who is not fully worth the price that we pay.
We furnish the schools with everything necessary for use, so that if in any case there is inefficient work done it cannot be ex- cused on account of deficient educational material.
.
On the other hand, in these days of rapid educational advance- mem1, it requires wise discrimination to know what to admit and what to exclude from the schoolroom. A multitude of educational publishers are crying their wares, and new fads are constantly being placed on the market. Not only committee but superintendent and teachers are importuned to try this, that and the other new thing.
The continuance of a good teacher who has knowledge of the varying intellectual power of her pupils; of their environments, and also of the methods required by the superintendent or committee in teaching, is of more value than is generally recognized.
While much is to be excluded from the public schools those in charge should keep well up with educational progress and endeavor to select for all departments of school work only that which has in- trinsic merit.
In order to promote the best interests of our schools collectively, teachers' meetings are frequently held.
Here the interchange of thought in the daily experiences of the school room has a practical value to every teacher. A certain por- tion of time the present year is also given to the study of "Psychol- agy in the School-Room."
By reference to the amount of the appropriation called for to pay the tuition of High School pupils that will be due for the present year ending next June, it will be seen that the amount is rapidly in- creasing.
Under a State law,every high High School is compelled to give at least an English course of four years, so that at present a larger
20
SCHOOL REPORT
number of scholars are entering than are being graduated each year. ana this will probably continue yet a few years.
But unless we shall continue to increase materially in population we shall in a few years come to an approximate equilibrium.
The school buildings are all in good condition except the east school house, which needs material change inside, and the north. school house should be painted outside.
GEO. K. KNOWLTON, School . JESSE G. NICHOLS,
ALBERT L. WHIPPLE, Committee ..
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