USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1923 > Part 5
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The question is often asked, "Can we afford to spend so much for education ?" Mr. H. G. Wells in "The Outline of History" says, "The essential factor in the organization of a living state, the world is coming to realize, is the organization of an education." The question then naturally arises, "Can we afford not to spend so much for education ?"
Massachusetts is dependent upon its educational system to en- able her industries to prosper in competition with states having greater natural resources. Therefore, the educational systems throughout the commonwealth should be supported in carrying out an educational program worthy of the state which was a pioneer in providing free public schools.
May I at this time express to the School Committee, the teaching force and patrons of the schools my appreciation for the hearty co-operation in carrying out the educational program for the Town.
Respectfuly submitted, JOHN D. WHITTIER, Union Superintendent of Schools.
South Hamilton, Mass.
January 23, 1924.
122
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT ON SCHOOL SAVINGS
Balance in Salem Savings Bank on January 1, 1923 Deposits, during year 1923
$174 34 553 94
Total
$728 28
Withdrawn during year for deposit to individual accounts 435 82
Balance in bank to credit of school, January 1, 1924 $292 46
Total number of depositors as of January, 1924 240
AGE OF ADMISSION
No child will be admitted to the first grade at the opening of school in September who will not be five years of age by the first day of October.
Pupils are admitted to this grade only during the first two weeks of school in September, unless they have attended school in some other town.
VACCINATION
Children who have not been vaccinated will not be admitted to school in September unless they present certificates from a regular practicing physician stating that they are not fit subjects for vaccination. Parents are requested to attend to this matter during the summer vacation, as certificates of exemption must be presented at the opening of school to entitle children to admission.
SCHOOL CENSUS As of April, 1923
Boys
Girls
Number between five and seven years of age
31
46
Number between seven and fourteen years of age
104
142
Number between fourteen and sixteen years of age
44
26
Totals 179 214
Total census
393
123
TEACHERS' DIRECTORY, JANUARY, 1924
Name
School
Subject or Grade
Salary
Appoint- ment
Education Last School Attended
Howard W. Watson
High Prin.
Sci. & Math.
$2500
1923
Middlebury College
Florence B. Davey
Eng. & Hist.
1200
1922
Trinity College
Catherine Cary
66
French & Latin
1200
1923
Univ. of Maine
Grace E. McGinley
Commercial
1350
1921
Salem Normal
Elizabeth C. Horan
66
Commercial
1350
1921
Salem Normal
Daniel W. Lowe
Man. Arts
1300
1923
Gorham Normal
Janet L. Spencer
House'd Arts
1400
1921
Columbia Univ.
Edna F. Hurlburt, Mrs.
Junior High
Lit. & Hist.
600
1915
Ed. Little High
Hazel E. Ramer, Mrs.
Sci. & Geo.
900
1921
Salem Normal
Beatrice W. Holmes, Mrs.
South
Grade 6
1200
1923
Essex High
Margaret M. Batchelder
South
Grade 5
1050
1920
Salem Normal
Marian C. Joseph
South
Grade 4
1050
1921
Salem Normal
Edith L. Fletcher
South
Grade 3
1250
1906
Salem Normal
Marion A. Smith
South
Grade 2
1200
1922
Hamilton High
Nellie G. Cutting
South
Grade 1
1350
1915
Salem Normal
Edith M. Anderson
Center
Grades 1-4
1100
1915
Salem Normal
Clyde J. Potter
East
Grades 4-6
1100
1923
Farmington Normal
Sarah Stevens
East
Grades 1-3
1100
1922
Salem Normal
Blanche E. Leighton, Mrs.
North
Grades 1-6
1100
1922
Salem Normal
Margaret W. Brown
West
Grades 1-6
1000
1923
Lowell Normal
Maude L. Thomas
All
Music
540
1923
Boston University
Madeleine S. Hopkins
All
Drawing
600
1923
Normal Arts
Helen E. Purdy
All
Nurse
600
1923
Mary Fletcher Hosp.
SCHOOL REPORT
..
Math. & Eng.
1200
1923
Salem Normal
Martha M. Murray, Mrs.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools, John D. Whittier,
South Hamilton. Mass.
I respectfully submit to you my report of the Junior-Senior High School for the period ending December 31, 1923.
The school has enrolled 164 pupils, distributed as follows :
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
Losses
Junior I
14
19
33
1
Junior II
9
23
32
2
Junior III
20
15
35
1
Senior I
11
15
26
2
Senior II
9
16
25
0
Senior III
6
13
0
Totals
69
95
164
6
Losses since September were for the following reasons : moved out of Town, 5; illness, 1.
Retention of pupils during the school year, therefore, is high and to some degree may be considered to measure the success a school attains in supplying the educational needs of a community. A slight re-arrangement of a number of individual programs soon after school started prevented, in part, probable failures which too often result in withdrawal from school.
I have been pleased to note a constantly growing interest on the part of the pupils, as a body, in their school work. It is always a great help to have the student body take an interest in the real work of the school. This would not have been possible
124
125
SCHOOL REPORT
were it not for the fine spirit of loyalty and co-operation which the teachers have shown in their work and in the development of a pleasing, and I hope constantly growing, harmony between the teachers and pupils. The pupils have noted and spoken of a new school spirit and seem vitally interested in the progress of the school as a whole as well as in their individual programs. That their scholastic achievement is improving is proved by the fact that the number of pupils on the first honor roll was nearly doubled when the next ranks were given out.
Investigation has shown that failures have been due to two principal reasons-insufficient home study and excessive absence. Even with three study periods a day it is rarely possible, in either the senior or junior high school, to prepare for the next day's work without study at home. If parents will co-operate in the matter of home study, I am sure that half of our failures can be avoided. Absence in the junior high school, more than any other one factor, is responsible for failures. I am certain that much absence is unnecessary. This being so, the effect is felt not only by the pupils themselves but in the progress of the school as a whole. It is absolutely impossible to properly "make-up" time lost through absence. The class room work, once missed, is for- ever lost.
There has been a feeling that the junior high pupils have had too many study periods during the day. To remedy this, more time has been assigned to the fundamental subjects, arithmetic and English composition and grammar. The remaining study periods, it should be understood, are, when possible, spent in directed study under the supervision of the teacher. Individual differences are thus recognized and time is spent to better advantage than if the pupils were permitted to study without help or suggestion. It is difficult, however, to make supervised study periods of maximum value, inasmuch as recitations have to be held, in many cases, in
126
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
study rooms. This not only makes directed study impossible, but hinders the recitation group as well.
The chief administrative difficulties are due to the necessity of using rooms poorly adapted to some of the vocational studies, and to the fact that the grades are in the same building.
Work in physical education is greatly handicapped by the lack of a gymnasium. but regular work is carried on in the rooms. There is still much to be accomplished in the way of corrective exercises and better posture. Beginning this year diploma credit for satisfactory work in physical education will be required.
The work of the School Nurse has been thorough. Organiza- tion was begun at the bottom and the program to be carried out will be of the greatest benefit to the children, though its success is largely dependent on home co-operation. The nurse has regu- lar classes in the Junior High School on hygiene and nutrition. I hope that it will be possible to introduce, in the second semester, a course in home nursing for high school girls.
I am glad to record a growing interest in the work of the college preparatory curriculum. Pupils in the upper classes of this group are attacking their work with seriousness and faithful- ness. Every member of the junior and senior classes is assigned to some teacher or to the principal for a discussion of, and, if possible, the early determination of post high school study. By this means we hope to steer pupils toward goals suited to them and to so arrange individual schedules that entrance to college and normal school will be easy.
The distribution of subjects among teachers is with a few exceptions according to their major subjects. the exceptions being in the Junior High School. The teachers are all heavily loaded and even free periods are spent in supervised study work. An extra teacher would help greatly in a better division of work and efficiency in teaching. Heretofore, the drawing teacher has taken a few classes, but this year the arrangement was impossible and
.
127
SCHOOL REPORT
the work had to be distributed among several teachers.
The interest in the schools of many parents and townspeople was manifested when a number of them attended the evening session of the Junior-Senior High School. Classes were held just as they would have been held on any day and parents were thus enabled to see the school in actual operation. Parents who visit the schools on no other day in the year should, I feel, make a special effort to attend the annual evening session. By this means we hope to bring closer to the realization of the public the needs and the purposes of our schools. It is inevitable too that from them will come more helpful criticism, yet greater support.
The social and extra-curriculum activities of the school have been limited and carefully supervised. The apparent decrease of home responsibility today makes it incumbent upon the school to furnish means by which the boys and girls may have proper recre- ation and thus be discouraged from spending time on the streets.
The Glee Club, under the direction of the Supervisor of Music is making progress and there has been a great interest in, and good work accomplished by the school orchestra, organized a few months ago. The Junior High paper is being issued in newspaper form. It is printed in the school by the pupils themselves. The Senior High magazine has been started after a lapse of five years. Basketball is especially popular, though handicapped for financial
reasons. In the spring time will be given to track activities and to baseball. Debates for the winter have been arranged with Tops- field, Essex and Wenham. It is unfortunate that more time in the regular schedule cannot be given to debating. I look forward to the formation of an alumni association before the end of the year. I cannot but commend those teachers who have put much extra time and hard work on extra-curriculum activities.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent and the School Committee for their assistance and support.
HOWARD W. WATSON,
Principal.
REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir: The drawing course this year has been carried out along definite lines with a definite aim in view, namely :
Objective : My aim in teaching art in the schools is to stimu- late a keen sense of observation for beauty by appreciating the forms and color in nature and art; to improve house furnishings, furniture, and dress, and to teach pupils to appreciate the beau- tiful things of life as well as to use art as a means of expressing themselves freely. This may be accomplished by the following outline :
Representation : Making pictures, general shapes, perspective and position of the parts of the body. (Nature drawing included.) Design :
A To recognize the laws of order in nature and art.
B Lettering.
C Color.
Construction : To develop the habits of-
A Creating in material.
B Accuracy.
C Hand skill.
D Following directions.
The work has so far gone along very successfully. It is a great pleasure to deal with pupils who manifest such an interest in their work. In the first and second grades the pupils like it so much that it is certainly encouraging to work with them. The third and fourth grades as a rule are extremely interested and they are willing to try anything. If the problem is of interest to the fifth and sixth grades they will co-operate in the work.
In closing, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to teachers, pupils and school officials for their co-operation in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
MADELEINE S. HOPKINS,
Supervisor of Drawing.
128
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my annual report for the Town of Hamilton.
Number of children examined 403
Number of children with defective teeth 170
Number found having defective tonsils 24
Number found having defective eyes 19
Number found having defective ears 4
Number of notices sent to parents or guardians 249
Children's visits to dentist 80.
Children's visits to hospital
9
The Hamilton-Wenham Red Cross has again made possible the dental clinic and as in the past the accomplishment has been creditable.
Many defects of a correctible nature are yet evident and par- ents are urged to consult the School Nurse with the idea of having the defects remedied.
Hygiene talks have been given in all rooms, stressing those things neecssary to the prevention of disease.
A severe epidemic of pediculosis has existed this fall. About thirty cases exist in the Town. Much time has been given by the nurse in inspecting infected heads. Parents are urged to watch their children's heads, whether infected or not. Parents naving children with infected heads are requested to aid in eliminating this trouble from the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN E. PURDY, R. N. School Nurse.
129
.
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. John D. Whittier, Superintendent of Schools:
. South Hamilton, Mass.
Dear Sir: The aim of music in our schools is to train the boys and girls first of all to love music and want to sing, second to sing at sight with good tone and interpretation. When they have fin- ished the eighth grade they can go out into the world and take an active part in church work, concerts, and glee clubs and do com- mendable work.
I believe this training should be accomplished before the end of the eighth grade, as a large percentage of boys and girls do not go through High School.
The first grade work has consisted chiefly of the elimination of monotones, the teaching of rote songs and the first technical steps in music.
In the second and third grades many rote songs are taught and the child has his first lesson in reading from the music book. This work is continued up through the grades where each year new technical steps are introduced. In the fifth grade some two- part work is done; in the sixth grade, three-part work and in the seventh and eighth grades, four-part singing is introduced if basses appear.
I feel that in almost every class there has been a definite advancement since the first of the school year.
Some folk dances and singing games have been taughtt in the lower grades, but in this we have been handicapped for time and suitable space in which to conduct the dances.
The Victrola is a very great help in teaching these games and
130
131
SCHOOL REPORT
dances and I do wish each rural school might be supplied with one.
Because music is elective in High School I find very few boys and girls taking advantage of this study, but the few that are in the Glee Club are enjoying it and doing good work.
The schol orchestra which was organized this year has done excellent work during the short time it has been in practice. This consists of 4 violins, 1 saxophone, 1 cornet, drums and piano. These boys and girls are practicing from two to four hours a week outside of school.
I find the orchestra has created a great deal of enthusiasm among the boys and girls in the school and a number have con- sulted me as to studying various instruments that they might be- , come members of this orchestra.
I want to thank you for the co-operation and help you have given me in all my work during this year, and also the teachers who have supported and worked with me so earnestly.
Yours truly, MAUDE L. THOMAS, Supervisor of Music.
THIRTEENTH ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT
THE SENIOR CLASS OF THE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL
REQUESTS YOUR PRESENCE AT THE COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES Thursday evening, June 28, 1923, at 8 o'clock TOWN HALL
PROGRAM
MUSIC
Invocation
DR. HENRY SMART
MUSIC
Address of Welcome MARGARET FULLER
"The Breakfast Table" HELEN PERKINS
"Civic Improvement" ESTHER KNOWLTON
MUSIC
"The Value of Shorthand and Typewriting" DOROTHY MORROW
"The Importance of Air". LESLIE HATT
History and Prophecy of 1923 ....... MARION PERLEY
MUSIC
Presentation of Diplomas. ROBERT ROBERTSON, JR. Awarding of Washington and Franklin Medal Benediction
MUSIC 132
133
SCHOOL REPORT
CLASS ROLL
*Dorothy Lorraine Morrow Lottie Hazel Berry
*Esther Appleton Knowlton
Harry Fraser Holmes
* Margaret Brickett Fuller
Ada Marion Hathaway
*Leslie Irving Hatt
Florence Veronica Fraser
*Helen Cleveland Perkins
Lawrence Chester Foster
* Marion Elizabeth Perley Catherine Elizabeth Donlon
Anna Josephine McCarthy
Henry Norman Pfaff
*Honor Pupil.
CLASS MOTTO "Wisdom crowns those who seek her."
CLASS COLORS Blue and Gold
CLASS FLOWER American Beauty Rose
CLASS OFFICERS
MARGARET B. FULLER, President
ESTHER A. KNOWLTON, Vice-President DOROTHY L. MORROW, Secretary ANNA J. MCCARTHY, Treasurer
JOHN D. WHITTIER, Superintendent LEON M. ORCUTT, Principal of the High School
The following pupils were perfect in their attendance during. the year 1922-1923:
South School: Irene Pope, Gale Robinson, Philip Berry, Ivy Gibson, Roger Humphrey, Stanley Anderson.
· West School : Lawrence Lamson, Virginia Adams. North School: Douglas Gibson. East School: Isabelle Caverly.
ENROLLMENT BY AGES AND GRADES, APRIL 1, 1923
AGES
Grades
5 6 7 8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 16
17
18
Re- tarded
1
23
16 2
41
0
2
26 16 5
2
49
04
3
11 |16 6 4 0 1
38
13
4
1 14 16 9 0 0 1 1
42
.047
5
1 7 |13 9 |1 0 1
32
.06
6
4 17 11 4 0 0 1
37
.13
7
2 7 |21 6 4
40
10
8
7 |17 9 2
35
.057
9
4 12 9 3
28
10
10
8 |14 4 |
26
0
11
18 61 1
17
05
12
1 8 32|
14
0)
Total for Grades 1 - 6 -
-
-
-
-
-
239
.06
Total for Grades 7 - 8
75
.08
Total for Grades 9 - 12
85
.04
Total for Grades 1 - 12
-
-
-
-
-
-
399
.065
1
-
1
1
1
-
-
I
-
-
-
1 -
Totals
135
SCHOOL REPORT
The following pupils from Hamilton were registered in the Beverly Industrial School during 1922-1923 :
Full time-Everett Hurd.
Part time-Roland Berry, Anthony Ryan, Norman Hurd.
CALENDAR YEAR 1924-1925
1924
January 2. Schools open
February 21
Schools close
March 3. Schools open
April 25 Schools close
May 5
Schools open
May 30
Holiday
June 27
Schools close
Summer Vacation
September 2
Teachers' Meeting
September 3 Schools open
November 26 Close at noon
December 1 Schools open
December 19
Schools close
December 29
Schools open
1925
January 1
Holiday
Schools close February 20
March 2 Schools open
April 24. Schools close
May 4 .......... Schools open
June 26 .. Schools close
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF HAMILTON SCHOOLS
RESOURCES
Appropriation of Town Dog tax Remington refund
$45,480 00
331 94
53 00
Total
$45,864 94
EXPENDITURES
GENERAL EXPENSE
Superintendence and Enforcement of Law :
Expense of School Committee $237 50
Superintendent of Schools :
Salary 1,102 50
Traveling expense
298 88
Clerk and office expense
.216 01
Census
30 00
Attendance officer
100 00
Total
$1,984 89
136
137
SCHOOL REPORT
EXPENSE OF INSTRUCTION
Teachers' Salaries :
Principal
$2,500 00
H. S. assistants
6,834 00
Elementary " 16,466 00
Supervisor of Music
540 00
Total
26,340 00
Textbooks :
High School
$591 44
Elementary school 604 07
Total
1,195 51
Supplies :
High School
$732 92
Elementary school 981 89
Total 1,714 81
29,250 32
EXPENSE OF OPERATION
Fuel :
High School
$1,257 32
Elementary school 2,376 32
Total
$3,633 64
Janitors' Salaries :
High School $756 00
Elementary School :
South
1,156 00
East
400 00
North
100 00
West
100 00
Center
100 00
Total
2,612 00
Janitors' supplies
206 42
Miscellaneous expense
325 32
Total
6,777 38
138
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
MAINTENANCE
Repairs :
High School
$457 39
Elementary school 691 36
Total
-$1.148 75
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
Health
$910 36
Transportation
3,850 00
Miscellaneous expenses 61 32 Total
4,821 68
OUTLAYS
New equipment
$788 05
Cesspool (new) 130 00
Total
918 05
6,888 48
Total expenditures from above appropri-
ation
$44,901 07
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS
Appropriation Lawrence Training School : Beverly Industrial School : Payments for tuition $527 27
$700 00
INSURANCE
· Appropriation : Payments on policies 1,827 19
$1,830 00
139
SCHOOL REPORT
REMODELING CENTER SCHOOL
Appropriation 1,500 00
Payments on advertising bids 8 00
Cost of schools $47,263 53
Reimbursement from State on teachers'
salaries received from in- come tax $3,530 00
Received from sale of books and supplies 10 45
Reimbursement from State for
tuition for Industrial Schools 41 63
Received from State for tuition of State wards 81 91
Total
3,663 99
Entire cost of schools
$43,599 54
Respectfully submitted,
ADELAIDE D. WALSH.
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