USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1911 > Part 3
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I believe our grade schools may be brought together within the walls of our fine South building and, there, a better system be wrought out and money saved. It is up to you, parents, and friends of the school, to grasp this opportunity.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
This will lead us naturally to the consideration of a new High School building. I sincerely hope that these matters may be brought up at the town meeting in 1913 so that the citizens may see every aspect of the subject and act as seems best.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
Schools were inspected as required by law and all children have either been vaccinated or have received physi- cians' certificates to the effect that they were not fit subjects for vaccination. There has been very little contagious dis- ease manifest in the schools, for which we feel duly thankful.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
At the close of our last school year Miss Harriet Boyn- ton, instructor in the High School, Miss Eloise Pitcher of the West School and Miss Harriette Wetherbee of the South School sent in resignations. Miss Flora Lipson was trans- ferred to the West School, Miss Anna Mellen was elected to fill the vacancy in the East School, Miss Mildred Skerry in the High School, and Miss Susan Knapp in the seventh grade of the South School.
A COMPARISON.
According to the report of the State Board of Education for the year 1909-1910 (the latest report available) Hamil- ton stands on the list of towns and cities Number 143 in the amount of money raised per pupil. Leaving out of consid- eration the cities of the Commonwealth, Hamilton, stands
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SCHOOL REPORT.
as Number 119, among the towns, with an appropriation of $26.75 for each child in the public schools. In Essex County Hamilton stands Number 9 in the same report, where there are thirty-three cities and towns. Manchester stands first with an expenditure of $46.83 per pupil. In 1908-1909 Hamilton stood 70th on the list, in 1909-1910, 143rd on the list. In amount of money per pupil we dropped 73 places in a single year. I should estimate, however, that our standing in our next report would be about 40th on the list of towns and cities. This would be a decided gain over the previous year.
GENERAL PROGRESS.
Attendance has been good during this school year and considerable increase of interest in school work is to be noted in the grades because of it. However, our district schools cannot compete with the South School. The best teacher in a district school cannot prepare a pupil so well for the eighth grade as he may be prepared at the South school. The brightest pupils who come to this building are nearly always lacking in many details. We ought to seriously think of this question.
PENMANSHIP.
Considerable progress has been made in the Palmer Penmanship System. Many pupils have received the Pal- mer button, pin and diploma for merit in the work. This subject is being faithfully pursued and we confidently expect to see progress in this most essential branch.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
ARITHMETIC.
We are endeavoring to make this subject of practical interest. Emphasis is laid on the elementary processes of addition, subtraction, division and multiplication. Oral work forms an important part of the daily work of the pupil. Problems relating to carpentry, the household, millinery, etc., are worked out by the children. This feature had proven very interesting to them.
HISTORY.
In this study pupils are taught to think as well as to commit to memory. It is the purpose to teach a child to understand the institutions of this country, give him an appreciation of our great statesman, that he may think and vote intelligently as an American citizen. Questions relating to government are much resorted to, to gain this end.
GEOGRAPHY.
Geography should teach a pupil (1) his relation to his fellow beings as a producer; (2) from what sources the necessities of his life come, and (3) give him a knowledge of Mother Earth and her people. To subserve these ends the pupil, in fancy, journeys from country to country, gets familiar with modes of travel, sees strange peoples, learns about their products. To familiarize him with the structure of the earth, local rivers, valleys, hills, lakes, etc., are taken up and studied in detail. This brings the subject of geography close to his life and keeps out dull thoughts.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
READING.
Special attention is given to phonics in the lower grades. On the sounds of letters and letter combinations the pupil builds his knowledge of reading. In this way a child may recognize and pronounce a word that he has never pre- viously seen. In later grades emphasis is laid on correct position, clear pronunciation, and expression. We do not obtain all of these from pupils, it is true, but we have a high aim. Reading is important because by means of it the pupil is supplied with an inexhaustible source of pleasure and thought. Men have often educated themselves through thoughtful reading of good books. So we insist on good reading in our schools.
ENGLISH.
The proper use of idiomatic English, ability to write simple composition, a knowledge of the structure of the lan- guage are the chief ends sought in teaching. Considerable difficulty is encountered in securing properly spoken Eng- lish, but much improvement is to be found in the ability to write. I attribute this to a more conscious effort on the part of the pupil when writing than when speaking and to the special emphasis laid on it by teachers.
PHYSIOLOGY AND HYGIENE.
The schools are fortunate in having Guelick's series of hygiene and physiology. They are interesting, instructive, and emphasize the care of the body in detail. Much inter- est is taken in this subject and the influence for good health and cleanliness is strong.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
MANUAL TRAINING.
We need a course of instruction in manual training. This would stimulate the interest of some pupils who are not inclined toward study. Men testify that this is a phys- ical necessity for numbers of boys and that when interest is aroused in this work it begins in other lines. I should ap- preciate an expression of opinion from parents on this matter.
HIGH SCHOOL.
In June, 1911, the High School hield its first graduation. Two young ladies received their diplomas. Six more pupils will probably be graduated this coming June.
Much improvement may be noted in several grades of the High School. Considerable progress has been made in scientific work. It is made very practical and demonstrations in physics and chemistry have been possible through the generosity of the citizens who have so cheerfully voted money to buy apparatus and equipment. The High School is being conducted on as feconomical a basis as is consistent with a broad course of study and good work. Bear in mind that our school has only made a start. In a few years the amount needed for such things will be much less.
There is a great need of a new High School Building. In the fall of 1912 our enrolment will have reached 65-70 pupils. It will hardly be possible to assemble them in any single room of our building and this is a very essential matter. The problem of music cannot well be handled in so crowded a room and the whole school cannot be assembled for any exercises on necessary occasions. Disturbances of grade schools is unavoidable on account of difference in
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SCHOOL REPORT.
recesses. Problems of discipline are more difficult. There is not a properly ventilated chemical labratory and as a result the air in the building, while work is being done, is more or less contaminated. The valuation of Hamilton is continually increasing, the building is necessary, the tax rate is low. Let us take a proper businesslike method of raising the money that is financially sound and erect this structure.
Your attention is called to the report of the Commercial Instructor of the Grade Principal, of the Supervisor of Music and Truant Officer.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The aim of the Commercial Department is to fit the pupils for regular office work of all kinds, and this it does in so far as the present equipment furnishes opportunity to prepare for such work. "Accuracy first, and then speed " is the standard set in all branches in which instruction is given, and an earnest effort is made to correlate these branches. Special attention is given to penmanship, that the student may not be handicapped in the bookkeeping work, and emphasis is given to two facts: that a competent stenographer must have a good knowledge of English, and that a broad general education is the best preparation for success in commercial life.
Two years' instruction is given in stenography, includ- ing theory, a broad reading course from books written in shorthand, theme writing, phrasing and dictation ; all lead- ing to the attainment of a speed of ninety words a minute.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Two years' instruction is also given in typewriting. Accu- racy in punctuation as well as in mechanical work is insisted upon, and the pupil is impressed with the fact that the bus- iness man judges the efficiency of his stenographer by her ability to produce a perfect transcription of her shorthand notes in the shortest possible time. A thorough study of debit and credit, which will enable the student to analyze each transaction and thus make such a complete and yet concise record of every business transaction as would prove facts if such records were to be taken into court, is the aim of the bookkeeping work. A great deal of attention is given to business forms and practice, and to the use of different kinds of books of record. Instruction in commercial arith- metic is given in the ninth grade, and a short course in commercial law will be given this year. It is to be regretted that, on account of the teaching periods of the commercial instructor being fully occupied at the present time, it was found necessary to drop commercial geography from the course of study.
The necessity for having a commercial department in the High School is created by the demand for such instruc- tion on the part of so many boys and girls who wish to enter the business world. The High School can give a better preparation than most so-called commercial colleges, because the commercial instruction in it is preceded by a foundation of broader general knowledge. There is a demand for such instruction in this town. Eight pupils are now taking the commercial course, three of whom will graduate this year. All seem much interested in the work. Two pupils were graduated from the course last year, and one has obtained a good position with the Beverly Y. M. C. A.
21
SCHOOL REPORT.
There are two ways in which to judge of the work done by the pupils in this department; to visit the department and see the pupils at work, and to follow the career of such pupils after they have been graduated from the school and have taken positions.
Respectfully submitted, LILLIAN E. EATON, Instructor in Commercial Branches.
Mr. H. G. Blount, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir: -
Having the opportunity, we wish to say that the conditions of the South School have been much improved by more regular attendance on the part of most of the pupils, due largely to the aid given by our Truant Officer.
At your suggestion pupils coming late to school have been required to obtain a card of admission from the Prin- cipal before entering their own rooms. This has greatly raised our per cent. of punctuality. We should like to ask the continued co-operation of the parents along these lines that still better work may be accomplished.
During the year, hoping to improve the language work, we followed an outline including letter-writing reproduction, stories of imagination and of experience.
Through dramatization the little folks have acquired good expression in reading and developed imagination. Forming mental pictures helps all branches. An effort was
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SCHOOL REPORT.
made in all reading to have the child grasp the idea and lifting the eyes from the book read it naturally.
We feel that special attention paid to syllabication has greatly improved our reading, spelling and written language.
The new Gulick Hygiene Series has proved both inter- esting and helpful.
In Arithmetic special stress has been laid on oral work with marked improvement in all the grades.
The new curriculum has given zest and enthusiasm in the subjects of History and Geography.
Under the Palmer Method of Penmanship we can report slow but steady progress.
Much difficulty has been found in sight reading of music in the upper grades but as more individual instruction is being given along this line in the lower grades, this trouble will eventually disappear.
There is need of a systematic course in drawing with a Supervisor, although each teacher has given some instruction in this subject.
In every grade there are always a few pupils who need individual help and could we have a special teacher assigned to assist such, it would in many cases promote a child who otherwise would spend two years in one grade and the others would be vastly better fitted for the work of the following grade.
We wish that some arrangement might be made where- by the chapel bell be rung to announce no school in case of unsuitable weather.
Respectfully submitted,
Principal and Teachers of the South School.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
Only a few changes have been made this year in teach- ing music in the grades. More stress, perhaps, has been put on the reading of music, but no less attention has been given to the ear training, both tonal and rhythmical, and to the production of a good quality of tone in the singing. In the higher grades a musicianty interpretation of the songs has always been insisted upon.
In the district schools the old plan of dividing the pupils into two divisions for their music lesson still seems to be the most feasible. For a time three divisions were made at the North School; but this arrangement, even though better because of so many pupils, had to be given up and the old one resumed,-the time allowed this school being no greater than the time allowed the smaller schools.
In the High School the students do not enter into the singing so heartily as is desired; neither do they generally evince the joy in the work that is so absolutely necessary for good results. Since, however, they sing some of their songs with good spirit and seem to take pleasure in so doing, it would seem that a great part of the indifference is due to the old music books, which, on the whole, con- tain but few attractive numbers. As soon as these books are discarded and replaced by new ones-and it is gratify- ing to note that this is being contemplated-a decided im- provement is expected in the singing in this school.
The kindly and hearty cooperation of the teachers is most gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY L. STONE.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Pupils neither tardy nor absent for the year.
CENTER SCHOOL. Theodore Nutter.
ยท EAST SCHOOL.
Agnes Choate,
Norman Day.
SOUTH SCHOOL. Grade VIII. Sydney Dufton.
Grade VI.
Walter Ramsdell, Gladys Mann.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1910-1911.
.
TEACHERS
SCHOOLS
GRADES
SALARY PER YEAR
Henry G. Blount.
High School
IX-XIII
$1500
Lillian E. Eaton .
High School
735
Laura D. Blount .
High School
600
Mildred B. Skerry
High School
600
Mattie P. Buell .
South School
VIII
735
Susan Knapp . .
South School
V-VI
575
Ada E. Moulton . .
South School
IV-V
550
Edith L. Fletcher .
South School
II-III
550
Marcia A. Gordon.
South School
I-II
570
Nelly G. Cutting .
Center School
I-VI
450
Grace L. Stone .
North School
I-VII
450
Flora G. Lipson
East School
I-VII
450
Anna Mellen .
West School
I-VII
450
Henry L. Stone ..
Music
200
Months
Days
Number
Enrolled
Boys
Girls
Enrolled
Average
Average
Per Cent.
Attendance
Number between
Number between
Number
Over 15
Number
under 5
Enrollment September, 1911
Grade I.
9-23
30
9
21
22.95
20.19
83.9
30
4
0
0
30
Grade II
9-21
28
18
10
27.21
25.34
91.59
28
14
0
0
23
Grades III and IV .
9-21
43
27
16
40.38
37.87
93.91
43
43
0
0
ii, 26 iv, 24
Grades V and VI . .
9-51
42
22
20
40 1
38.7
95.9
41
42
1
0
v. 23 vi, 30
Grades VI and VII
9-21
46
24
22
38.4
34.9
90.6
41
46
0
viii, 28
Grade VIII .
9-21
26
11
15
23.4
22.
94.
19
7
7
0
27
West School
9-6
19
12
7
14.45
13.37
91.26
18
14
0
1
13
East School. ..
9-6
27
15
12
24.1
22.3
92.3
27
24
0
0
21
North School
9-7
26
12
14
20.6
19.6
93.0
26
16
0
0
25
Centre School.
9-9
33
21
12
32.6
31.
95.0
33
25
0
0
28
High School .. .
9-23
43
14
29
36.
34.
93.0
9
35
34
0
55
Average or Total
9-6
363
185
178
321 09
299 27
92.23
315
270
47
1
353
.
.
.
.
. ...
......
.....
.
. .
. .
. .
..
..
..
.
.
.
. .
. .
South School
VII
550
Louise Dearing .
. ... .
.
.
Enrolled
Membership
Attendance
5 and 15
7 and 17
26
SCHOOL REPORT.
SCHOOL CENSUS. SEPTEMBER, 1911.
Number of boys between the ages
of 5 and 15. 191
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15, 165
Total, 356
Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14, 129
Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14, 104
Total, 233
Respectfully submitted,
H. G. BLOUNT,
Superintendent of Schools.
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