USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1914 > Part 5
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In my last report I suggested to you the advisability of building a new Elementary School. At that time I tried to show that it would be a great advantage to gather all the elementary school children under one roof. Of all the un- grade schools the West School on account of the distance is the only one which should be kept open; yet it was closed last September without any trouble and certainly much to the advantage of the children. By transporting them we are broadening their opportunities to get an education.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
The fact that it is more economical is of little consequence ; the thing of greatest importance is the fact that these child- ren living on the outskirts of the town are receiving their share of the educational advantages offered by the town. Pupils will come to the eighth grade and the High School better prepared and will not be compelled to spend an extra year in mastering work which should have been learned earlier.
In the spring of 1914 I sent circular letters to all the parents having children in the schools in which I asked for their opinions on the matter of centralizing all the Elemen- tary schools. Fully ninety per cent of the answers returned showed that the parents were strongly in favor of the idea of centralizing. I am sure that public opinion would be more favorable today than a year ago. Extracts from some of the letters read as follows :
" I consider it a good idea to do away with the small schools."
" I certainly think the school ought to be centralized as it would give both children and teachers a better chance with their studies."
"In regard to the centralization of schools the principal objection raised is the matter of conveyance. This in my opinion is more than offset by the fact that during the school session, in all the various grades, all the pupils may be kept busy all the time. In an ungraded school no teacher can do herself or scholars justice when she must divide her time in such a way as to teach from the alphabet to the pupil pre- paring to enter the high school. Because a family may
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SCHOOL REPORT.
reside in a sparsely settled neighborhood is no good reason why the children should be hindered from receiving the best education that can be provided-even if at times it may be an inconvenience."
" My opinion of the little school is that it is not fit for the little children."
" We heartily concur with your opinion on the school question provided a modern fire-proof structure is erected."
"Answering your circular letter -I wish to go on record as favoring centralized Grammar Grades.
As you say the only objection is the transportation problem and that amounts to nothing in reality.
I rode in a school (i. e. a team used to transport school children) for four years and never experienced discomfort or heard any expressed by the children. Our transportation distance was two and one half miles. Blankets were pro- vided. It furnished a delightful ride. We carried children when the temperature was below zero, as young as six years. With a proper driver, demanding and obtaining good disci- pline it gives the children a chance to talk over the work which is very beneficial."
When parents take the trouble to write letters like these there is not the slightest doubt about how they feel. Again and again they have expressed the same idea in con- versation. I believe that active measures should be taken at once to secure a first-class building which will accommodate all the elementary school children in the town. I can assure you that the efficiency of the High School cannot be greatly improved until better accommodations have been provided.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
The most radical change made in your system during the past year is the re-organization of the high school. The course has been shortened from five years to four years. This is in keeping with the scheme used in most high schools. The course has also been modified in subjects taught. Some subjects have been dropped while others have been added. The aim has been to bring all of the high school work into such a shape as to gain the approval of the State Board of Education. In order to do this it was not only necessary to revise the course of study but also to add another teacher to the High School staff. We are looking forward to the time when we can send pupils to the State Normal Schools upon certificate.
I wish to call your special attention to the penmanship of your schools. I believe that we are second to none in this work. I have visited a large number of schools during the last four years and I have never found penmanship that can equal ours. Teachers and pupils take a deep interest in this subject with the result that we are getting superior work. Upon the invitation of the Palmer Company we are sending specimens to be exhibited at the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco.
During the coming year something should be done in drawing. While Miss Chase was with us she did more or less work in this subject along with her primary classes but the work was very unsatisfactory to her because of the limi- ted amount of time that could be given to it. No argument is necessary to show the great value of this subject. All courses in technical schools call for special training in draw- ing. I quote from Miss Chase's report of last year :
" Drawing properly taught, develops the child's power to see, to think, to construct, to express, to invent-powers
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SCHOOL REPORT.
we all know are essential to success whether the possessor is to become an artist, farmer, mechanic, or man-of-all-work."
In conclusion I wish to thank you for your co-operation. Respectfully submitted,
ELDRIDGE SMITH.
Report of the High School Principal.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I hereby submit my first annual report of Hamilton High School.
The fall term opened September 9, 1914 with an almost new corps of teachers ; only one previously having taught here. There appears to be hearty co-operation in all the subjects between teacher and pupil.
The school offers courses in all the branches usually taken by High Schools throughout the state. Certification privileges have been granted, whereby our graduates may enter the New England Colleges. Three boys entered col- lege last year from this school, and it is hoped that some more may enter each year and make good, in order that the privilege may be continued.
The necessary requirements issued by the State Board of Education have been followed, and we have made appli- cation for their approval, in order that pupils may enter the State Normal Schools upon certificate.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
When the school was first organized it was arranged for a five year course, and that plan has been the custom until now; but it is the intention to raise the standard of the requirements of admission and thereby establish a four year course. The passing mark has been raised this year from 65 to 70% .
Owing to the size of the school and the State require- ments, another teacher was added to the faculty, thus mak- ing five in all; under this management each teacher has less subjects to teach and more time for personal help.
Last summer the commercial department was equipped with new desks and a partition between the typewriters and the main part of the room; thus lessing the noise consider- ably. In view of the number in this course it seems to be quite popular. Much interest is being taken in the Palmer method of penmanship, a number of the pupils already hav- ing received diplomas.
A full elective course is offered in the languages, Latin, French and German. English is required of all pupils.
The laboratory is supplied with a sufficient quantity of chemicals and physical apparatus for teaching Chemistry and Physics equal to many of the approved schools in the state. For a long time there has been a great need of a hood to take up the foul gases that arise in doing some of the experiments. This apparatus is now being installed and without doubt will prove beneficial to the department of science.
The school building is well furnished with instruments for wireless telegraphy. Several of the students are in- terested in this subject.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
There is also an Opaque Projector, for illustrated lec- tures, which has been used this year with good success.
The present senior class is enthusiastically preparing for a trip to Washington. This should give them a larger and broader view of the life and history of our country ; as a trip to the nation's capital is really an education in itself.
On December 11, a drama was presented at the Town hall, the proceeds of which goes toward defraying the ex- penses of the Washington trip. The affair was not only a literary but a financial success, $78 having been cleared.
Much interest is being manifested this year in Basket Ball. Five games already have been played of which the High School has won three.
I take this opportunity to thank the teachers who have faithfully labored with me during the year. I also wish to express appreciation for the hearty co-operation of the Sup- erintendent, School Board, parents and citizens, whose com- bined efforts have helped to raise the standard of the school.
Respectfully submitted,
NELSON S. MITCHELL, Principal.
Report of the Music Supervisor.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
The closing of the West School has made it possible for the Supervisor of Music to give more time to the South School, where the need of time has been apparent for the
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SCHOOL REPORT.
past two or three years. More individual work can now be done, and consequently the collective work will show improvement.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
In the first grade a little interval drill is given, but nothing of a technical nature is taught. Rote songs form the basis of the work. An effort is made to select songs of light and bright character which are appropriate to the sea- son and which impart definite musical concepts. Much time is given to the study of each child's voice, and various methods are employed to bring out the natural beauty of the head tones.
In the second grade singing by rote is continued and a beginning is made in the rudiments and reading of music. The reading for the most part is individual, and note is made of the children needing special attention.
In the third and fourth grades the singing is both individual and collective. Graded tonal and rhythmical exercises are given for the training of the ear.
Since the nature of the work from the fifth grade on requires collective singing, far less individual work can be done; however, when such work is deemed necessary, time is taken for it. In these grades attention is given to part- singing, interpretation, analysis and the various technical problems incident to the work.
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
At the North School three divisions are made for the work in music. The first division receives training similar to that given the first grade in the South School. In the other two divisions the singing is both individual and col- lective.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
At the East School the work is done similarly to that at the North. There are several monotones in the first division in this school, and considerable work will be required to make singers of these little children.
HIGH SCHOOL.
There is a pretty good chorus in the High School this year, the parts being fairly well balanced. The singing would be better still, no doubt if new books could be had. All the available songs in the book now in use have been sung over and over again, and it is only a matter of time when the interest in them will cease.
The hearty co-operation of the principles and teachers is acknowledged with deep appreciation.
Respectfully submitted
HENRY L. STONE.
Report of the School Physician.
Superintendent of Schools of Hamilton : -
The plan which has been followed for the past years has proven very satisfactory, there have been fewer pupils absent because of sickness, and it has proven in every way to be a great improvement of the old way.
Under this plan weekly visits are made to the South School and the district schools are visited every two weeks, the physician is also on call at any other time, vaccinations
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SCHOOL REPORT.
are now done at the individual schools on or before a certain date, and by this method doing away with the long-drawn out affair that we have had in previous years.
We had only one epidemic which seriously thinned out our schools for any length of time, that being the mumps, which at the time was very great in surrounding towns.
JOHN G. CORCORAN, M. D.
School Physician.
Report of the Attendance Officer.
To the Superintendent of Schools: -
I hereby submit my report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1914.
During the past year I have made 29 calls. In most cases I have found reasonable excuse for absence as there was much sickness at the beginning of the year. The school physician aided me in regard to doubtful cases of illness.
As there is a new Attendance Officer for 1915, let us try to assist him in the performance of his duties by detect- ing the faults in our children and correcting them as far as possible.
OSCAR A. WOOD,
Attendance Officer.
COURSE OF STUDY-HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL
PREPARATORY COURSE
COMMERCIAL COURSE
FIRST YEAR
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
English Algebra Introductory Science
English Introductory Science
English Arithmetic
Community Civics
ELECTIVE
Introductory Science Community Civics
ELECTIVE Latin or French Community Civics
Algebra or Arithmetic Latin or French
SECOND YEAR
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
English Introductory Business
English Introductory Business Typewriting
ELECTIVE
Typewriting Stenography
Bookkeeping or
English History Biology Latin or French
Bookkeeping
One course from pre-
Stenography
paratory list
THIRD YEAR
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
English Geometry
ELECTIVE
Chemistry
Typewriting Stenography
French or German Latin
Bookkeeping
One course from pre-
Penmanship
paratory list
FOURTH YEAR
REQUIRED
English U. S. History and Civics
ELECTIVE
Chemistry
French
German
Latin Solid Geometry and Math. Reviews
Typewriting Stenography Bookkeeping One course from pre- paratory list
In the diploma course at least two units must be taken in Bookkeeping and two units in consec- utive years in both Type- writing and Stenography. No credit for a modern language will be given unless it has been pur- sued for two years. A general course may be laid out from this pro- gram in which Algebra and Geometry are not re- quired.
FIFTH YEAR
REQUIRED
REQUIRED
English
English
ELECTIVE Any courses listed above not already credited which may be needed for diploma or college entrance, three to be elected.
English Introductory Business ELECTIVE
English U. S. History and Civics Typewriting ELECTIVE
Bookkeeping (cont.) Stenography (cont.)
REQUIRED
English U. S. History and Civics Com. Arithmetic and Commercial Law ELECTIVE
ELECTIVE
English Algebra
ELECTIVE
For Diploma in four or five years.
For Certificate in three years
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Teachers and Year of Appointment.
HIGH SCHOOL.
N. S. Mitchel, (Bates) Principal, 1914; Marion L. Russell, (Boston University), 1913 ; Katherine Paul, (Wel- lesley), 1914 ; Marion E. Hart, (Simmons), 1914; Tilla Mc- Carten, (Wellesley), 1914.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Margaret P. Buell, (Hyde Park High) Principal, 1907 ; Eva L. Stearns, (Townsend High), 1914; Ellen E. Bennet, (Fitchburg Normal), 1913; Mildred F. Wildes, (Salem Normal), 1913; Edith L. Fletcher, (Salem Normal), 1906 ; Margaret Sibley, (Quincy High), 1914; Julia E. McLaren, (Nashua High), 1913.
CENTER SCHOOL.
Nelly G. Cutting, (Vermont Academy), 1899.
NORTH SCHOOL.
Grace C. Stone, (Ipswich High), 1885.
EAST SCHOOL.
Julia E. Connolly, (Framingham), 1913.
SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Henry L. Stone, (Harvard), 1909.
In Memoriam
ANNIE CHASE Teacher in South School
September 1912-September 1914
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SCHOOL REPORT.
School Census, 1914.
Boys 5 to 7 years of age
38
Girls 5 to 7 years of age 34
72
Boys 7 to 14 years of age
118
Girls 7 to 14 years of age
116
234
Boys 14 to 16 years of age 28
Girls 14 to 16 years of age 36
64
Total
370
Educational Certificates issued
5
Employment Certificates issued
3
ATTENDANCE DATA SEPTEMBER, 1913 TO JUNE, 1914
SCHOOL
TOTAL MEMBERSHIP
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
PER CENT. ATTENDANCE
West
15.1
15.1
13
.858
Center
28
24.6
21.9
.89
North
30.5
29.71
26.93
.91
East
38
29.46
26.08
.9056
South Grade I
37
35
27
.86
South Grade II and III
36.9
36.27
33.18
.915
South Grade III and IV
44
43.9
40.3
.93
South Grade V and VI
41
38.2
35.1
.918
South Grade VII
35.4
34.99
32.18
.918
South Grade VIII
25.4
26.1
23.7
9.44
High
71
64.3
57.9
.90
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Roll of Honor.
The following pupils were neither absent, tardy nor dismissed during the terms indicated in the year beginning September 1913, and ending June 1914.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Edith Fitz
1 Bertha M. Johnson 1
Harold R. Merry
1 Annie M. Saulnier 1
Furber M. Libby
2 Scott D. Libby
2
Walter T. Ramsdell
2 William R. Williams 2
Gertrude L. Ball
3 Jesse B. Sanborn
3
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Willie Dixon
1
2
Samuel Malone
1
Wilbur Daley
1 Robinson Mason
1
Ernest Day
1
2 Carrie Perkins
1
Melissa Elder
1
3 Eleanor Sculley
2
Thornton Frederick
1 Franklin Holland
3
Marion Gibney
1 Dorothy Smerage
3
Theodore Holland
1
Louise Day
1
Marie Kinsella
1
2
Catherine Donlon
1
Anna Koloski
1 Pearl Foss
1
Gladys Mann
1
3
Earl Gobeille
1
Myrtle Meggett
1
Alice Hatt
1
William Poole
1 Harry Holmes
1
Helen Perkins
1 John Hennedy
1
Marion Randlett
1
Alice Koloski
1
Dan Curran
3 Bella Koloski
1
Lillian Cross
1 Catherine Mc Vey
1
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SCHOOL REPORT.
Dixon
1 Mary McVey
1
2
Mary Hennedy
1 Maude Burrows
3
William Kinsella
1 Helen Gorman 3
Arthur Morrow
1
2
Hilda M. Fitzgerald Leslie I. Hatt
1
Lawrence Miller
1
1
Albert Pepin
1
Benj. D. LeTarte
1
Mary Belle Randlett
1
Mary F. Lightbody
1
Willard Smith
1
Katherine A. Malone
1
Henry Gobeille
2
3
Margaret McVey
1
James McGinley
2 Dorothy L. Morrow
1
Charles Peterson
2
Andrew Nelson
1
Robert Dukette 1
Caleb J. Sculley
1
Richard McGinley 1
2
Stasia Wronkowski
1
Alexina Morrow
1
2 Peter Burns
2
Charles Fitzgerald
1 James Nelson 2
3
Sara Hill
1
2 Thelma M. Smerage 3
Anna Kinsella
1 Stanley Anderson 1
3
EAST SCHOOL.
Agnes Choate
1 Stanley Berry 2
RECENT SCHOOL LEGISLATION.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS.
Compulsory School Attendance.
Every child between seven and fourteen years of age, every child under sixteen years of age who does not possess such ability to read, write and spell in the English language as is required for the completion of the fourth grade of the public schools of the city or town in which he resides, and every child under sixteen years of age who has not received an employment certificate as provided in this act and is not engaged in some regular employment or business for at least six hours per day or has not the written permission of the Superintendent of Schools of the city or town in which he resides to engage in profitable employment at home, shall attend a public day school in said city or town or some other day school approved by the School Committee, during the entire time the public schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as are provided for in sections four, five and six of this chapter and in section three of chapter forty-two of the Revised Laws, as amended by chapter four hundred and thirty-three of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and two, and by chapter five hundred and thirty-seven of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and eleven; but such attendance shall not be required of a child whose physical
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SCHOOL REPORT.
or mental condition is such as to render attendance inex- pedient or impracticable, or who is being otherwise instructed in a manner approved in advance by the Superintendent of Schools or the School Committee. The Superintendent of Schools, or teachers in so far as authorized by said Super- intendent or by the School Committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence for other causes not exceeding five day sessions or ten half-day sessions in any period of six months. For the purposes of this section, School Committees shall approve a private school only when the instruction in all the studies required by law is in the English language, and when they are satisfied that such instruction equals in throrough- ness and efficiency and in the progress made therein, the instruction in the public schools in the same city or town; but they shall not refuse to approve a private school on account of the religious teaching therein.
Obligations of Parents and Guardians.
Every person having under his control a child as des- cribed in section one shall cause him to attend school as therein required, and, if he fails for five day sessions or ten half-day sessions within any period of six months while such control obtains, to cause such child so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint by an attendance officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars, and no physical or mental condition which is capable of correction, or which renders the child a fit subject for special instruction at public charge in institutions other than public day schools, shall avail as a defence under the provisions of this or the preceding section, unless it shall be made to appear that the defendant has employed all
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SCHOOL REPORT.
reasonable measures for the correction and the suitable instruction of the child.
Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child while school is in session, shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars.
Habitual Truants.
A child between seven and sixteen years of age who wilfully and habitually absents himself from school contrary to the provisions of section one of chapter forty-four of the Revised Laws, as amended, shall be deemed an habitual truant, and, unless placed on probation as provided in section seven of this chapter, may, upon complaint by an attendance officer and conviction thereof, be committed to a county training school.
Habitual Absentees.
A child between seven and sixteen years of age who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any city or town, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending school and growing up in idleness and ignorance, shall be deemed to be an habitual absentee, and, unless placed on probation as provided in section seven of said chapter forty-six, may, upon complaint by an attendance officer or any other person, and conviction thereof, be committed to a county training school.
Habitual School Offenders.
A child under sixteen years of age who persistently violates the reasonable regulations of the school which he
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SCHOOL REPORT.
attends, or otherwise persistently misbehaves therein, so as to render himself a fit subject for exclusion therefrom, shall be deemed to be an habitual school offender, and, unless placed on probation as provided in section seven of said chapter forty-six, may, upon complaint by an attendance officer and conviction thereof, be committed to a county training school.
Employment of Minors under Fourteen.
No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in, about or in connection with any factory, workshop, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed at work performed for wages or other compen- sation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or be employed at work before seven o'clock in the morning or after six o'clock in the evening.
Employment of Minors under Sixteen.
No child between fourteen and sixteen years of age shall be employed or be permitted to work in, about or in connection with any factory, workshop, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment unless the person, firm or corporation employing such child procures and keeps on file accessible to the attendance officers of the city or town, to agents of the board of education, and to the state board of labor and industries or its authorized agents or inspectors, the employment certificate as hereinafter provided issued to such child, and keeps a complete list of the names and ages of all such children employed therein conspicuously posted
27
SCHOOL REPORT.
near the principal entrance of the building in which such children are employed : provided, however, that children who are over fourteen, but under sixteen years of age, shall be permitted to work in mercantile establishments on Saturdays between the hours of seven in the morning and six in the evening, without such certificate. On termination of the employment of a child whose employment certificate is on file, said certificate shall be returned by the employer within two days after said termination to the office of the Superin- tendent of Schools from which it was issued.
Employment of Minors Between Sixteen and Twenty-one.
No child who is over sixteen and under twenty-one years of age shall be employed in a factory, workshop, manu- facturing, mechanical or mercantile establishment unless his employer procures and keeps on file an educational certifi- cate showing the age of the child and his ability or inability to read and write as hereinafter provided. Such certificates shall be issued by the person authorized by this act to issue employment certificates.
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