USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1890 > Part 24
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Hyde school house, furniture, and land, . 24,500 00
Mason school house, furniture; and land, 49,100 00
Rice school house, furniture, and land, .
20,000 00
Thompsonville school house, furniture, and land, . 5,000 00
Oak Hill school house, furniture, and land, 12,000 00
Total. $581,600 00
Schools.
High School,
1
Grammar schools,
48
Primary schools,
38
Mixed school,
1
Total,
88
Teachers.
Number of teachers in high school. 12
Male teachers. 5 : female teachers, 7.
Special teachers in high school, 1
Male teachers, 1 : female teachers, 3.
Number of teachers in grammar school, 48
Male teachers, 10: female teachers, 38. 38
Number of teachers in primary schools. .
Number of teachers in mixed school.
1
Special teachers of sewing, 3
Special teachers of music, 1
Whole number of teachers,
107
Male teachers, 17 ; female teachers, 90.
12
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Enrolment and Attendance.
Whole number of pupils enrolled, 1889-90. 1,363
Whole number of pupils enrolled, 1888-89. 4,283
Increase, 80
Average whole number of pupils enrolled,
1889-90, 3,729.4
Average whole number of pupils enrolled, 1888-89. 3,738.7
9.3
Decrease,
Average number of pupils in daily attendance,
1889-90,
3,406.5
Average number of pupils in daily attendance, 1888-89,
3,570
Decrease,
163.5
Average per cent. of daily attendance, 1889-90,
91.3
Average per cent. of daily attendance, 1888-89.
92.4
Decrease,
1.1
Whole number of tardinesses, 1889-90, . 2,931
Whole number of tardinesses, 1888-89. . 3,797
Decrease, 866
Whole number of pupils enrolled in evening schools, 1889 (males, 81 ; females, 42), 181 Whole number of pupils enrolled in evening schools, 1888, 191
Decrease,
10
schools, 1889, 95
Average number in attendance in evening schools. 1888, 115
Decrease,
20
Average number in attendance in evening
The following table shows the total enrolment, average whole number, average attendance, and per cent. of attend- ance in the schools from 1881 to 1890, a period of ten years.
13
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The increase in the total enrolment during this period was 686 ; in the average whole number, 884.7; in the average attendance, 818.2 :
YEARS.
Total Enrolment.
Average Whole Number.
Average Attendance.
Per cent. of Attendance.
1881
3,677
2,814.7
2,588.3
91
1882
3,759
3,092.7
2,796.7
90.4
1883
4,002
3,170.3
2,903.8
91.6
1884
3,963
3,275 9
2,992.9
91.4
1885
4,029
3,356.5
3,047.2
90.8
1886
4,106
3,527.7
3,238.8
91.8
1887
4,237
3,665.7
3,357.1
91.3
1888
4,213
3,650
3,384
92
1889
4,283
3,738.7
3,570
92.4
1890
4,363
3,729.4
3,406.5
91.3
A more detailed exhibit of the statistics of the schools will be found in the tables appended to this report.
Table I shows the number of persons in the city be- tween five and fifteen years of age, May 1, 1881-90.
Table II shows the number of rooms, halls, sittings, pupils, teachers, and number of pupils to a teacher in each school, May 1, 1890.
Table III shows the number of pupils of different ages in each school, May 1, 1890.
Table IV shows the semi-quarterly attendance, by schools, for the year ending June 30, 1890.
Table V shows the total enrolment, attendance, etc., by schools, for the year ending June 30, 1890.
Table VI shows the number of pupils, and their average age, by grades, in September, 1889.
Table VII shows the annual enrolment in each grade in September, 1880-89.
Table VIII shows the percentage of the total annual enrolment in each grade, in September, 1880-89.
Table IX shows the distribution of the pupils in the
14
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
High School, by grades and courses of studies, for the year ending June 30, 1890.
Remarks on the Census.
In conformity to the requirements of the Public Stat- utes, an enumeration of the school population of the city was made in May last, and a record of the same has been deposited in this office.
The school population of the City on the first day of May, 1890, was 4,241, an increase of 39 compared with the year 1889. By reference to table I in the appendix to this report, it will be seen that there is an increase in each of the wards except the fourth and fifth.
The number of pupils between five and fifteen years of age attending the public schools, on the first day of May, 1890, was 3,362; the number in private schools was 237; making the total number of pupils between five and fifteen years of age in the public schools of the city, and in private schools, on the first day of May, 1890, 3,599. Deducting this sum from 4,241, the total school population of the city, we have 642, which is the number of persons in the city, between five and fifteen years of age, not attending any school, public or private, on the first day of May, 1890. Of this number 65 were at work in mills or elsewhere, and 577, most of whom were under eight years of age, were at home.
School Houses.
The number of school houses is twenty-two. The num- ber in use during the past year was twenty-one. The whole number of sittings is 4,705.
A new school house of six rooms is now in process of erection in Newtonville and is rapidly approaching comple- tion. It is expected to be ready for occupancy at the opening of the schools in September. It will be occupied by
.
15
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
the higher grammar grades of ward two, and will accommo- date 288 pupils. No pains have been spared to make this a model school building.
The City Council has also contracted for the erection of a new school house of four rooms at Waban. Work will be begun on this building at an early day, and it will probably be ready for occupancy in September of next year.
Permanent improvements have been made in several of the school buildings during the past year. The most impor- tant of these is the furnishing of better means of ventilation in the Jackson. Davis, Franklin, Hamilton, Prospect, and Mason school houses. In these buildings the air in the ven- tilating ducts is heated, and the results are quite satisfactory. Although the air in the school rooms is constantly changing, fresh air being admitted in large volumes to take the place of the vitiated air that passes off through the ventilating ducts, neither the difficulty nor the cost of heating has been increased. When this system of ventilation is thoroughly understood by teachers and janitors, it will, in my judgment, secure a larger supply of good air and a more uniform tem- perature, and at the same time the difficulty and cost of heating will be materially diminished.
The air in the ventilating ducts of the Lincoln, Eliot, Adams, Pierce, and Hyde school houses is not heated, and in some of these buildings the inlets for the fresh air are of in- sufficient capacity. As a consequence the attempts to secure thorough ventilation have been only partially successful. When these defects are remedied the ventilation of our school buildings will be complete and effective. The atten- tion of the committee on public property has been called to this matter, and the importance of prompt action has been urged.
The basement walls of the school buildings have been whitewashed during the past year. This work is of great importance in that it concerns the health of pupils and
16
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
teachers. It should be repeated at intervals of not more than two years.
The blackboards of the Eliot, Jackson, Claflin, Barnard. Prospect, and Mason school houses have been repaired during the past year. Those of the Bigelow, Adams, Davis, Frank- lin, Williams, Hamilton, and Hyde should be repaired during the coming year. The furniture of most of the buildings is also in need of repairs. In some buildings it needs only to be cleaned and varnished, while in others, in which the re- pairs have been neglected for a good many years. it should be scraped, shellaced, and varnished. Cleanliness and economy require that all the school furniture should be cleaned every year, and varnished every second or third year.
The walls and ceilings of some of the school houses should receive the attention of the City Council during the coming year. This is especially true of the Bigelow, Jack- son, Adams, Claflin, Davis, Mason, and High school buildings. The outside of some of the buildings should be painted.
Cost of the Schools.
The amount expended for school purposes, exclusive of evening schools and new school buildings, under the direc- tion of the School Board, during the past school year was $118,408.06, being an average of $31.74 per pupil. The slight advance in the cost per pupil compared with that of last year, is due, not to any unusual expenditures, but to the decrease in the average whole number of pupils enrolled. This decrease was caused by the prevalence of "la grippe " which compelled the prolonged absence of many pupils and the withdrawal of not a few. The amount expended under the direction of the City Council, chiefly for improved sani- tation, was $8.882.73. The aggregate amount expended was $127,290.79, being an average of $34.13 per pupil. and
17
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
an increase of 99 cents per pupil compared with that of last year. This increase is due partly to the falling of in the average whole number of pupils enrolled, but chiefly to the larger expenditures for permanent improvements, being about thirty per cent. in excess of those of the preceding year.
The expenditures of the Board include the following items : teachers' salaries, $91,026.43 ; salary of superintend- ent, $3,000; salary of secretary, $300 ; salaries of janitors, $6,870 ; fuel, $7,155.63 ; incidentals, $9,464.85.
The incidental expenses include the following items : books, $2.441.75 ; school supplies, $3,175.04; janitor's supplies, $127.18; repairs, $890.94; furniture, $119.85 : printing, $392.10; water, $537.31; gas, $120.60 : truancy, $318.72 ; miscellaneous, $1,273.00.
The amount expended for evening schools was $591.15.
The amount expended for new school buildings was $18,666.52.
The following table shows the cost of the schools, ex- clusive of the amount expended for evening schools and new school buildings, from 1881 to 1890. It also shows the cost per pupil based upon the average whole number belonging. The average cost per pupil for the ten years was $33.72.
Cost of the Schools, 1881 -- 1890.
YEAR.
Whole Cost.
Average Whole Number.
Cost per Pupil.
1881
$87,669.48
2,844.7
$30 82
1882
94,885.43
3,092.7
30.68
1883
119,359.75
3,170.3
37.65
1884
109,103.42
3,185.9
34.25
1885
111,632.56
3,356.5
33.25
1886
121,154.20
3,527.7
34.35
1887
124,718.13
3,655.7
34.11
1888
127,110.10
3,650
34.82
1889
123,919.94
3,738.7
33.14
1890
127,290.79
3,729.4
34.13
2
18
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The comparative cost of the schools may be gathered from the following tables. The first is a graduated table in which the cities of the State are numerically arranged accor- ding to the percentage of their taxable property appropriated to the support of public schools for the year 1889-90. The second is a similar exhibit of the cities and towns of Middle- sex county.
The statistics of the schools of the State and county are inserted here for the convenience of those who do not have access to the report of the secretary of the State Board of Education, from which they are taken.
Comparing the towns and cities of the State with refer- ence to the percentage of their taxable property appropriated to the support of public schools during the past year, we find that Newton is the fifteenth among the twenty-five cities of the State, the thirty-seventh among the fifty-four cities and towns of Middlesex county, and the two hundred thirty-ninth among the three hundred fifty-one cities and towns of the Commonwealth.
Comparing the towns and cities with reference to the average cost per pupil, based upon the average whole number belonging, we find that Newton holds the second place in the county and the sixth in the State.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
19
CITIES OF THE STATE.
For 1889-90 by the State valuation of 1889.
CITIES.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to
Public Schools, equivalent to Mills
For 1889-90 by the State valuation of 1889.
CITIES.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to Public Schools, equivalent to Mills
and hundredths of Mills.
1
Gloucester
$ .004.03
14
Salem
CA .003.15
2
Woburn
.003.83
15
Newton .
.003.09
3
Malden
.003.75
16
Lowell
.003.09
1
Waltham .
.003.62
17
Holyoke
003.07
5
Quincy
.003.52
18
Worcester
.003.04
6
Taunton
.003 52
19
Lynn
.002.97
7
Haverhill
.003.50
20
Fall River
.002.94
Somerville
.003.50
21
New Bedford .
.002.80
9
Fitchburg
.003.41
22
Springfield .
.002.68
10
Chelsea
.003.32
23
Lawrence
.002.67
11
Northampton
.003.25
24
Newburyport
.002.16
12
Brockton .
.003.21
25
Boston
.001.95
13
Cambridge
.003.19
and hundredths of Mills.
20
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CITIES AND TOWN OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
For 1889-90 by the State valuation of 1889.
CITIES
CITIES
AND
TOWNS.
TOWNS.
Percentage of valuation appropriated to Public Schools equivalent to Mills
and hundredths of Mills.
1
Wilmington .
$ .004.86
28
Somerville
$ .003.50
2
Marlborough
.004.85
29
Melrose
.003.36
3
Westford
.004.67
30
Pepperell
.003.28
4
Natick
.004.42
31
Framingham
.003.26
5
Stoneham
.004.39
32
Boxborough
.003 24
6
Holliston
.004.29
33
Cambridge .
.003.19
7
Ashby
.004.08
34
Maynard
.003.17
8
Wakefield
.004.06
35
Watertown .
.003.16
9
Ashland .
.003.99
36
Lowell .
.003.09
10
Hudson
.003.97
37
Newton .
.003.09
11
Ayer
.003.89
38
Sherborn
.003.07
12
Medford
.003.85
39
Tyngsboro'.
.003.04
13
Arlington
.003.83
40
Everett .
.002.88
14
Chelmsford
.003.83
41
Lexington
.002.85
15
Woburn .
.003.83
42
Tewksbury .
.002.76
16
Hopkinton
.003.81
43
Bedford .
.002.68
17
Littleton
.003.78
44
Carlisle .
.002.62
18
Malden
.003.75
45
Belmont
.002.58
19
Reading
003.73
46
Weston .
.002.58
20
Shirley
.003.66
47
Sudbury .
.002.49
21
Waltham .
.003.62
48
Dunstable
.002.48
22
Winchester
003.61
49
Billerica
.002.36
23
N. Reading
003.58
50
Stow .
.002.36
24
Wayland .
.003.58
51
Burlingt. n .
.002.31
25
Concord .
.003.56
52
Dracut
.002.19
26
Townsend
.003.53
53
Lincoln .
.001.84
27
Acton .
.003.52
54
Groton
.001.83
Percentage of valuation appropriated to
Public Schools equivalent to Mills
and hundredths of Mills.
For 1889-90 by the State valuation of 1889.
AND
21
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Books and Supplies.
The number of text books in use during the past year was 41,089, an increase of 3,175 compared with the previous year. The number of reference books was 2,079, an increase of 24. The number of books worn out at the close of the year was 5,574; the number missing was 231.
The following table shows the distribution of the books among the several schools.
SCHOOLS.
Text Books.
Reference Books.
Worn Out.
Missing.
High
7,848
242
1,090
30
Bigelow
4,673
184
771
40
Eliot
2,890
268
374
30
Adams
2,748
146
267
0)
('laflin
2,846
170
323
1
Pierce
5,516
218
802
14
Williams .
3,116
210
499
11
Hamilton
1,883
123
155
10
Prospect .
2,738
150
334
Hyde
2,631
129
165
27
Mason
3,895
213
786
100
Oak Hill .
305
26
6
0
Totals
41,089
2,079
5,574
231
The amount expended for new books was $2,164.75; the amount paid for rebinding books was $277.00; the total amount expended for books was $2,441.75. The cost per pupil, based upon the average number enrolled, was sixty- five cents.
The amount expended for supplies was $3,175.04. The cost per pupil was eighty-five cents.
The following table shows the amount expended for books and supplies during each school year from 1884 to 1890. It also shows the average cost per pupil. The amount expended for books includes the cost of new books and the cost of repairing old books :
22
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
School Year.
Books.
Cost per Pupil.
Supplies.
Cost per Pupil.
Total per Pupil.
1884-5
$5,896.30
$1.76
$3,177.44
$0.95
$2.71
1885-6
2,953.92
.84
3,746.95
1.06
1,90
1886-7
3,842.00
1.05
2,797.37
.76
1.81
1887-8
2,078.67
.57
3,903.21
1.06
1.63
1888-9
2,315.12
.62
2,754.82
.74
1.36
1889-90
2,441.75
.65
3,175.04
.85
1.50
Evening Schools.
The number of evening schools maintained during the past year was two - one at the Prospect school house, Newton Upper Falls, and one at the Jackson school house, Nonantum.
The Prospect school began on the twenty-ninth day of October, and closed on the nineteenth day of December. The Jackson school began on the twenty-eighth day of October and closed on the twenty-third day of December.
The Prospect school consisted of three classes - an advanced class in mechanical drawing, an elementary class in drawing, and a class of illiterates. The illiterates include those who are unable to read or write in the English lan- guage, or who have not a sufficient knowledge of numbers to meet the demands of common life. The advanced class in drawing numbered 18, the elementary class 40, and the illiterate class 18. - The total enrolment was 76.
The advanced class in drawing was in session 10 evenings, the elementary class 16 evenings, and the illiterate class 21 evenings.
Of the 18 pupils in the advanced class in drawing, 10 were present from 7 to 10 evenings each, and 8 were present from 1 to 6 evenings each. The average attendance was 11.1. Of the 40 pupils in the elementary drawing class, 15 were present from 10 to 16 evenings each, 6 from 5 to 8 evenings each. and 19 from 1 to 4 evenings each. The
23
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
average attendance was 18.4. Of the 18 pupils in the class of illiterates, 3 were present from 13 to 19 evenings each, 6 from 7 to 12 evenings each, and 4 from 1 to 4 evenings each. The average attendance was 6.1.
The Jackson school consisted of two classes -a class in mechanical drawing and a class of illiterates. The class in drawing numbered 12; the class of illiterates numbered 93 - males 51, females 42. The total enrolment was 105.
The classes were in session 25 evenings each.
Of the 12 pupils in the class in drawing, 5 were present from 17 to 24 evenings each, 3 from 12 to 15 evenings each, and 4 from 1 to 8 evenings each. The average attend- ance was 6.2. Of the 93 pupils in the class of illiterates, 47 were present from 16 to 25 evenings each, 15 from 10 to 15 evenings each, and 31 from 1 to 9 evenings each. The average attendance was 52.8.
Of the 93 illiterates. 35 were minors in the employ- ment of the Nonantum Worsted Company. The attend- ance of these pupils at an evening school is made compulsory by a recent statute (Chapter 433 of the Acts of 1887), regulating the employment and provid- ing for the instruction of illiterate minors. With the cordial co-operation of Mr. Ballantyne, the superintendent, and Miss Skinner, the clerk, of the Company, this statute has been enforced during the past year. The record of attendance shows the success that has attended its enforcement. The average attendance of the 35illiterate minors was 76 per cent., while that of the 58 other illiterates was only 45 per cent.
The total enrolment in both the schools was 181. The total average attendance was 94.6.
The age of the pupils in the Prospect school ranged from 15 to 38 years, and in the Jackson school from 13 to 34 years.
The whole number of teachers employed was 10; 3 in
24
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the Prospect, and 7 in the Jackson. I may add that it is very gratifying to be able to state that we succeeded in supplying the schools with faithful and efficient teachers without being obliged to call upon the regular teachers of the day schools.
The studies pursued were reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic and mechanical drawing.
The cost of the evening schools during the past school year was $591.15. Of this amount $467.00 was expended for teachers' salaries, $35.25 for pay of janitors, and $88.90 for incidentals. The cost per pupil, based upon the total average attendance was $6.25. The cost per pupil for the preceding year was $10.88.
I gave the evening schools more attention than usual during the past year, having devoted ten evenings to their inspection, and having been in constant communication with the officers of the Nonantum Worsted Company, in regard to those pupils whose attendance the statute makes compulsory. The facts that I have presented in regard to their work during the past school year, and my previous experience with this class of schools, lead me to certain conclusions to which I beg leave to invite the attention of the Board.
1. The number of illiterates at Newton Upper Falls is not sufficient to warrant the Board in making provision for their instruction the coming year. Many of the employees in the factories in that village have attended the public schools, and have nearly or quite completed the course of studies in the grammar schools, and this fact accounts for the very small percentage of illiterates to be found there.
2. The number enrolled in the drawing classes shows that there is a positive demand for instruction in mechanical drawing, and that provision should be made for the organiza- tion of one or more classes in this branch of study during the coming year.
3. The enrolment and attendance in the drawing class
25
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
at the Jackson school make it doubtful, to say the least, if the Board would be justified in continuing the instruction in this branch of study.
4. The illiterate population, on the other hand, will furnish an abundance of material for a large and successful school. The whole number of illiterates, above ten years of age, in the City of Newton, in 1885, was 810. It is probable that the number has increased since that time on account of the immigration of the French population from Canada. The strict and persistent enforcement of the illiterate minor act, year after year, will do much to convert this foreign element into intelligent and self-respecting American citizens.
5. The attendance in all the classes, with the exception of that of the thirty-five illiterate minors already referred to, was quite unsatisfactory. In this respect our experience is not exceptional. Irregular attendance is the rule wherever, throughout the state, evening schools are maintained. The exceptions, so far as I am informed, are not sufficient to prove the rule.
With a view to the improvement of the evening schools during the coming season, I recommend :
1. That they be opened on the first Monday in October, and that they continue till the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
2. That arrangements be made for registering, during the week preceding the opening of the schools, the names of all applicants for admission.
3. That all applicants, with the exception of illiterate minors, to whom the law of 1887 is applicable, be required to deposit the sum of not less than one nor more than two dollars, as a guarantee for punctual and constant attendance and good conduct, the deposit to be refunded if the attend- ance and conduct are satisfactory. This deposit plan. I may add, has been adopted in various cities and towns in the
26
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
state, and has thus far worked more satisfactorily than any other plan that has been tried.
The above suggestions and recommendations are respect- fully submitted for your consideration.
Mid-Year Promotions.
The whole number of mid-year promotions during the past year was 185. Of these 132 secured a second promotion at the close of the year.
The plan of mid-year promotions has been in operation in our schools five years. Its objects and scope have been presented so fully in previous reports that the ground need not be traversed again at the present time. It is enough to say that the results are thus far highly encouraging. It is especially gratifying to note with what intelligent apprecia- tion the plan has been received by the patrons of the schools, and with what zealous interest that have assisted in its execution. In my last annual report I recommeded that " the classical course in the High School be extended to five years, and that it be so arranged that the work may be completed in four years, the time in each case to depend upon the ability of the pupils, and the choice of the parents." I also remarked that " with such an adjustment of the work pupils of greater mental and physical maturity may complete the course in four years, while the less mature may take the longer course of five years." With the adoption of this recommendation the plan of mid-year promotions is made complete, its advantages being now within reach of every pupil of every grade.
Graduates of the Schools.
The number of diplomas awarded in the several gram- mar schools was 199. They were distributed as follows : Bigelow 37, Eliot 12, Adams 15, Claflin 15, Pierce 31,
27
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Williams 19. Hamilton 8, Prospect 14, Hyde 16, Mason 32.
The number of High School certificates awarded in the several grammar schools was 183. They were distributed as follows : Bigelow 27, Eliot 11, Adams 15, Claflin 14, Pierce 30, Williams 19, Hamilton 8, Prospect 11, Hyde 16, Mason 32.
The number of pupils graduated from the High School was 65. Of these 29 had completed the general course, 18 the classical course, 7 the Institute course, and 11 the mer - cantile course.
The number of graduates of the High School who took the final examinations for admission to the colleges and the Institute of Technology in June was 13 ; at Harvard 5, at Boston University 2, at Yale 1, at Vassar 1, at the Institute of Technology 4 Eleven were admitted without conditions, one was conditioned in English and one in French.
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