USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Norwell > Town of Norwell annual report 1890-1899 > Part 29
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Maria W. Tolman, teaching, 88 00
James Montgomery, care of rooms,
6 00
$193 00
HIGH SCHOOL.
C. A. Record, teaching,
$231 57
Mattie S. Wilder, teaching,
99 00
$330 57
DRAWING.
A. Gertrude Jones, teaching, $15 00
A. J. Curtis, supervision, 150 00
$1,304 57
EXPENDITURES CHARGEABLE TO THE APPROPRIATION
FOR THE SPRING AND FALL TERMS OF THE YEAR 1899.
DISTRICT NO. I.
Della F. Nichols, teaching, $252 00
Bernard M. Scully, care of room, 5 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood, 11 50
IO
Patrick Gammon, labor on wood, $2 00
Rufus S. Farrar, labor on wood, 4 00
C. H. Totman, labor on wood, 4 00
Benj. H. Delano, care of room,
6 00
$284 50
DISTRICT NO. 2.
· Eva E. Eagles, teaching,
$224 00
C. H. Baker, care of room,
35 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood,
13 00
Loring Bros., wood and fitting,
13 75
C. H. Baker, labor on wood,
1 00
Patrick Gammon, labor on wood,
3 00
Rufus Winslow, labor on wood,
8 50
$298 25
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Bessie S. Merritt, teaching,
$96 00
Sara L. Bates, teaching,
128 00
Eva M. Totman, care of room,
10 00
Geo. W. Rix, for wood,
7 00
Gaffield Park, for wood,
5 00
Loring Bros., for wood and fitting,
4 50
Joseph Totman, labor on wood,
7 50
$258 00
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Louise E. Ford, teaching,
$252 00
Ralph D. Merritt, care of room,
6 50
John Whalen, wood,
8 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood,
7 00
Gaffield Park, wood,
5 00
Archie Merritt, labor on wood, $3 00
John E. Leslie, labor on wood, 6 00
$287 50
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Marion G. Merritt, teaching,
$252 00
Nellie M. Sparrell, teaching, 108 00
Geo. Sylvester, care of roonı, 4 00
E. W. French, care of room,
31 60
L. F. Hammond, wood,
4 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood,
7 00
Gaffield Park, wood,
5 00
David Griffiths, labor on wood,
6 00
E. C. Jordan, labor on wood,
I 50
$419 10
DISTRICT NO. 6.
Nellie M. Sparrell, teaching,
$132 00
Wallace J. Henderson, care of roon,
3 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood,
7 00
Gaffield Park, wood,
5 00
Seth O. Fitts, labor on wood,
4 00
$151 00
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Sophia M. Buttrick, teaching,
$252 00
Maria W. Tolman, teaching,
224 00
James Montgomery, care of room,
6 00
Geo. W. Rix, wood,
17 50
Gaffield Park, wood,
5 00
Wmn. S. Simmons, wood,
2 50
John Corthell, labor on wood,
15.75
Herbert F. Hatch, care of rooms,
6 00
$528 75
I2
HIGH SCHOOL.
C. A. Record, teaching, $630 80
Mattie S. Wilder, teaching, 252 00
Fred J. Croning, janitor to July, 62 50
Fred J. Croning, janitor to Dec. 22,
62 50
Geo. F. Welch, coal, 44 28
Geo. W. Rix, wood, 3 50
$1,055 58
DRAWING.
A. Gertrude Jones, teaching,
$65 00
A Gertrude Jones, transportation, 15 00
Town of Hanover, on account of A. B. Morton (left over from 1898), 25 00
$105 00 E. P. Joseph, transportation of pupils to Dist. No. 5, Grammar school, 84 00
A. J. Curtis, supervision, 350 00
$3,821 68
TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOLARS TO HIGH SCHOOL.
Israel Hatch, Benjamin Loring,
$173 58
127 64
$301 22
13
AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR PRESENT YEAR.
Unexpended balance from last year, $95 16
Town appropriation, 3,600 00
Supervision of schools, 250 00
Refunded by State, 416 67
State school fund (estimated),
394 43
Dog tax (estimated), 31I 91
State Board of Lunacy and Charity,
106 00
Amount expended,
3,821 68
$1,352 49
Expenses to April 1, 1900 (estimated),
1,254 00
$98 49
SCHOOL BOOKS STATIONERY, ETC.
American Book Co., books,
$247 89
J. L. Hammett & Co., supplies,
59 45
Ginn & Co., books, 44 05
Thompson, Brown & Co.,
6 25
W. E. Bonney, ink,
2 00
Seth Foster, expressing,
4 50
Andrew J. Lloyd & Co., supplies,
5 63
A. Gertrude Jones,
3 51
G. D. Damon & Sons, paper,
IO 62
Mary L. F. Power, supplies,
2 00
Mary L. F. Power, freight on books,
57
Mary A. Bailey, book,
2 00
A. I. Randall, printing,
19 85
Maynard, Merritt & Co., books,
10 48
Silver, Burdett & Co., books,
2 70
Edward C. Babb & Co., supplies,
37 55
Frost & Adams, supplies,
I 70
De Wolfe, Fiske & Co., books,
5 80
$466 55
$5,174 17
14
REPAIRS, SUPPLIES AND INCIDENTALS.
DISTRICT NO. I.
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning stove and pipe,
$1 50
Annie Scully, cleaning,
7 00
Della F. Nichols, supplies.
38
Bernard M. Scully, broom,
30
$9 18
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Estate of C. A. Peterson, repairs on stove and chimney,
$14 39
C. H. Baker, repairs,
21 18
cleaning yard and vaults,
IO 50
Lucy Gunderway, cleaning, 6 00
Thomas Barstow, labor and stock, 4 50
J. A. Loring, pump and setting, 13 35
$69 92
DISTRICT NO. 3.
H. F. Ford, supplies, $2 40
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning stove and pipe,
I 50
Andrew Stockbridge, repairs, 6 40
Phineas Williamson, cleaning yard,
2 50
Emma R. Totman, cleaning,
7 50
Gustavus Totman, repairs,
5 60
$25 90
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning stove and pipe, $1 25
15
Anna O. Merritt, cleaning,
$7 00
C. C. Merritt, labor and stock, 3 50
Charles S. Merritt, repairs, I 50
Levi Osborn, labor, 80
$14 05
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning stove and pipe, $1 50
Mary A. Osborn, cleaning, 10 00
C. L. Rice & Co., shades for Primary room, 5 40
Thomas Barstow, labor and stock, 10 00
Albert Merritt, cleaning vautts,
2 00
A. L. Power, freight and carting,
3 72
66 moving furniture, &c. from
No. 6,
2 50
J. A. Loring, castings for stove,
12 24
American School Furniture Co., desks for Primary room, 116 18
J. F. Turner, labor and material,
II 84
$175 38
DISTRICT NO. 6.
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning pipe, $1 25
Mrs. Seth O. Fitts, cleaning, 6 00
$7 25
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Parker W. Cushing, setting glass, $1 50
Estate of C. A. Peterson, cleaning stoves and pipes, I 50
Levi N. Osborn, labor and stock, 14 00
John Corthell, cleaning yard and vaults, 3 50
16
Eva L. Winslow, cleaning, $9 00
John McKee, water supply, 5 00
Francis E. Henderson, labor, 2 50
American School Furniture Co., desks for Primary room, 96 39
Thomas Barstow, labor and stock, 48 76
labor on blackboards, 16 14
J. A. Loring, repairs on stoves, 7 59
$205 88
HIGH SCHOOL.
Est. C. A. Peterson, repairs on stove, $3 90
J. A. Loring, repairs on stove, 30
Emmons Ward, water supply, '97, '98, '99, 10 00
Fred J. Croning, cleaning and repairs, 13 26
$27 46
A. J. Litchfield & Son, supplies to several school houses, 4 49
$539 51
NORWELL, MASS., January 26, 1900.
I have examined the accounts of the School Committee and find vouchers for amounts paid except three, and those bills were returned not receipted.
GEORGE CUSHING, Auditor.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the Members of the School Committee :
One of the most important changes during the school year and one which will greatly increase the efficiency of the schools in that part of the town, was the closing of the school in No. 6, and transporting the pupils to No. 5.
The crowded condition of the school in No. 5 at the com- mencement of the fall term necessitated a change of some kind, and, after a careful and thorough examination on your part, it was thought expedient to transport the scholars from No. 6 and establish a Grammar and Primary school in No. 5. The lower room was thoroughly cleaned and furnished with new single chairs and desks, and a Primary school of thirty- three pupils opened. The room is quite well lighted and comfortable, and makes a very pleasant school-room.
After the division of the schools, there was found to be sufficient room in the Grammar school to accommodate the seventh and eighth grades of No. 4, therefore the pupils of these two grades were transported to the school. This ar- rangement not only benefitted the scholars transferred, but also the school in No. 4, for the school numbered about forty pupils, and with eight grades very little time was allowed the teacher for a recitation.
The establishing a Grammar and Primary school was a progressive movement, and, if continued, cannot fail of meet- ing the approval of all the parents whose children attend the school. A teacher with four grades certainly can do better and more thorough work than with seven or eight grades, as longer periods are given to the recitation and more time to the individual pupil.
Concerning the consolidation of schools, a few statements from one of the State Agent's reports may be interesting. Dr.
I8
Harris, U. S. Commissioner of Education, says : "It has been frequently demonstrated and is generally conceded that it would be better both on economical and pedagogical grounds to unite many small and weak schools of a township, dis- persed over a large extent of territory, into a few strong, well equipped and well conducted graded schools, located at con- venient points."
The chairman of the committee of the town of Montague makes this statement : "For eighteen years we have had the best attendance from the transported children; no more sick- ness among them, and no accidents. The children like the plan exceedingly. All the children now attend a well equipped school house at the centre. The schools are grad- ed ; everybody is converted to the plan. We encountered all the opposition found anywhere, but we asserted our sensible and legal rights and accomplished the work." I see no way of bringing the country schools up but to consolidate them, making them worth seeing; then the people will be inore likely to do their duty by visiting them.
Some of the results that follow consolidation are : A better grading; a better classification of pupils, by placing them where they can work to the best advantge; consolidation gives a better opportunity for special instruction in music, drawing and nature study, and brings all the scholars under closer oversight by the superintendent; it insures better school buildings, appliances and teaching force ; pupils are more studious, for they are brought in contact with more pu- pils with whom they must compete ; greater incentive and en- thusiasm ; better attendance.
Near the close of his report Mr. Fletcher says : "On the whole, the smaller schools of Massachusetts are gaining through consolidation ; they may be made more efficient by a determination of the people that they shall be more efficient ; but mutual concessions and hearty co-operation are essential to that end."
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES.
As there was some misunderstanding last year about the
19
time of holding the memorial exercises in the schools, the act passed by the Legislature of the State is as follows : "Here- after in all the schools of the Commonwealth the last session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature."
This year Memorial Day comes on Wednesday, the exer- cises therefore should be held Tuesday afternoon. If, on account of the necessary preparations for Memorial Day by the Grand Army and Women's Relief Corps, it is inconven- ient for many to attend the exercises, they can be held as soon as the afternoon session opens, and as they do not oc- cupy much over an hour, the greater part of the afternoon will be left for the next day's preparations.
CHANGING OF THE TERMS.
Dividing the terms of the school year so as to contain an even number of weeks makes it much more convenient for the teachers in making out their registers at the end of the term. Formerly the odd week was carried over to the next term. This often produced confusion and mistakes, especially if the teacher resigned at the end of the term. As the terms are now divided the fall term contains sixteen weeks, the winter term ten, and the spring term twelve.
Another change, advocated and secured through the efforts of the State Board of Education, is the beginning of the school year in September and ending in June. This will re- sult in securing more accurate returns to the State, for the pupils will be enrolled in only one register for the whole year. As promotions occur at the end of the spring term, and the pupils enter upon their advanced studies in the fall, and some in different schools, it seems as if the beginning of the fall term was the suitable time for opening a new register.
Previous to this change, unless great care was exercised by the teachers, a pupil was liable in passing from one school to another to be enrolled twice.
READING.
It has been said that the reading book has a more direct influence upon the character of pupils than any other text
20
book. Therefore, care should be taken that the pupils be- come familiar with the best writers and their works.
To teach children to read well is one of the hardest tasks the teacher has. It is a subject upon which teachers and superintendents have bestowed a great amount of time and study. Of all the subjects in the school curriculum the re- sults obtained from reading have been the least satisfactory.
By the introduction of the Ward System, or the Rational Method, as it is often called, it is expected a more marked improvement will be noticed, and more satisfactory results obtained. The method gives an original presentation of sight and sound work, which leads rapidly to independent and in- telligent reading. The author says: "It is a peculiar com- bination of the word and phonic methods. It utilizes each for that part of the work to which it is especially adapted. The word method is used, first as principal, because its value in developing a habit of reading thoughtfully, and afterwards as auxiliary, to remedy the shortcomings of the phonic method and increase the stock of word phonograms. The phonetic method, which is introduced by easy stages dur- ing the ascendancy of the word method, finally becomes itself the principal means of growth and progress. It imparts power, while it supplies the key which the word method is inadequate to give. It aims to make the child not only inde- pendent in his reading, but self reliant; to enable him to read a greater amount than heretofore in a given time, and thus acquire not only a fuller vocabulary, but greater matu- rity of mind ; to put him into possession during the first year and a half of school life of a complete key to the language, so that, no matter how soon thereafter his schooling may cease, his ability to read will be assured." The seven lead- ing features of the phonetic part of the work are :-
I. The presentation of the sounds and their phonograms in a rational order ; that is, an order in which the easier pre- cede the harder.
2. The teaching of an initial stock of phonograms before any phonetic reading is done. This makes provision where- by, when such reading has once been commenced it may be
2I
carried on continuously and with sufficient wealth and vari- ty of material.
3. The training of the ear in the perception of phonic blends before phonetic reading is begun. This is accom- plished by the teacher pronouncing words sound by sound, and the children trying to determine the word thus pronounced.
4. An extensive and systematic use of word phonograms, and other compound phonograms. The difficulty the child experiences in determining a new word is, in general, direct- ly proportional to the number of parts he has to recognize in it. By the use, then, of compound phonograms, which being taught as wholes are no harder to recognize than simple ones, hundreds of long and hard words are practically trans- formed into short and easy ones.
5. A careful grading of the phonetic words introduced. The first phonetic words presented contain but two phono- grams each, the next but three, and so on.
6. The gradual introduction of phonetic words into the sentence reading. At first but one such word is used to a sentence. As the child's perception of the blend becomes quicker and clearer the proportion of phonetic words is con- stantly increased.
7. Separate daily drills in recognition of the individual phonograms and the reading of single phonetic words. The purpose of these is to cultivate expertness. No other part of the work exceeds them in importance, for without them the average child would never acquire sufficient facility in sound or word recognition to make successful phonetic reading a possibility.
This system of reading is being extensively adopted throughout the country, and the progress made by the pupils is said to be almost phenomenal. At the last teachers' meet- ing directions were given for beginning the method and the books were distributed.
The teachers have entered upon the work with such inter- est and enthusiasm, that I am convinced the work in this line will be thorough and satisfactory.
ALBERT J. CURTIS.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
To the Members of the School Committee:
The following report of the High School, together with suggestions of such changes as the interests of the school seem to demand, is respectfully submitted for your considera- tion.
The number of pupils enrolled for the term ending. Decem- ber 22 was forty-one, about thirty-two per cent. more than for the corresponding term of 1898.
A class of seven was graduated in June. One is attending Bridgewater Normal School and another has been admitted to the University of Maine.
The present Senior Class numbers ten. One expects to enter Dartmouth College, one Tufts College, and a third Bridgewater Normal School. The present Freshman Class numbers seventeen.
The patrons of the school have come to expect its graduates to be able to enter any normal school or college without con- dition. Normal schools and colleges are increasing their re- quirements for admission. The attainments that will secure unconditional entrance to such itstitutions are desirable, not only for those who avail themselves of this privilege, but al- so for those whose school life ends with the completion of their high school course.
Under existing conditions it is extremely difficult for our pupils to complete satisfactorily the present high school course. The difficulty is, in a measure, a lack of opportuni- ty for sufficient preparation in the lower schools; for we are often obliged to do work preparatory to that properly belong- ing to the High School, There is need then of an advance all along the line.
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The difficulty, with which the pupils coming into the High School from the lower schools perform their work, too clear- ly attests the necessity of a more complete preparation. Here the first advance must be made. Nothing can better accom- plish this than a continuance of what already has been begun, namely, the establishment of good Grammar schools through- out the town.
Further advance may be made by a closer co-operation of parents with the teachers. This would much improve the quality and quantity of the work of the High school. Tak- ing from the school day the necessary time for recitations, only two or two and a half hours at most remain for study periods-an amount of time hardly adequate, in some in- stances, for the preparation of one lesson, to say nothing of two or three others. Each scholar needs at least two hours a day for home study. A majority, however, study, on an average, less than an hour a day out of school. Parents can do much to rectify this condition of affairs.
Much is needed in the way of equipment, which we trust will be added from time to time, as the town can afford.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. RECORD, Principal.
REPORT OF DRAWING TEACHER.
To the School Committee ;
It is with pleasure I comply to the request for a report of the work in drawing.
Six months only have passed since we began the work in the graded schools and the result is truly great.
Drawing in the school means so much to the children. It is a broad study and should help every other study the child undertakes.
We learn not only how to draw an apple, as it looks, a box, how to draw straight and curved lines, etc., but we learn how to appreciate the beautiful, to make it for others. As Emerson says, "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we carry it with us or we find it not."
Drawing also develops the power to observe and to repre- sent that which has been perceived. The aim is not to make an artist of each child, but to teach the children that which is best and most helpful in nature and art; that they may cultivate refined and artistic tastes. Let us remember that the children of today will make the next generation, and our American homes are fast becoming homes of broader culture.
In May I began the work of teaching drawing in the grades, making three visits of an hour each to each room be- fore the end of the term. In September visits were begun the same as in May and June, and outlines were left with the teachers with full instructions, also visiting schedules. Each scholar has the benefit of the lessons of all grades. A thor- ough course will be complete in one year.
In drawing objects we began at the lowest foundation, learning the few principles which were needed, dividing the time of actual outline drawing with the æsthetic. We have
25
already studied the life of one artist and have awakened an appreciation for good pictures. A good and beneficial work yet lies before us.
The children are getting good in more ways than we real- ize. They are interested, and the ability is good. Work at the High school is much better. The teachers also are inter- ested and look upon the new work as a help; and, when tru- ly carried out, it should be. The teachers are doing well. I thank them and the Superintendent and Committee for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
A. GERTRUDE JONES, Supervisor.
26
TRANSCRIPT OF ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 5, 1900, AT 9 O'CLOCK, A. M.
Article I. To choose a Moderator.
Art. 2. To choose a Town Clerk.
Art. 3. To hear and act on the report of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Auditor, Collector and Treasurer.
Art. 4. To choose all such Town Officers as the laws of the State and by-laws of the town require.
Art. 5. To bring in their votes "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question : Shall licenses be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town for the ensuing year ?
Art. 6. What amount of money will the town raise for the support of poor and incidental expenses.
Art. 7. What sum of money will the town raise for the support of schools.
Art. 8. What some of money will the town raise for high- way repairs.
Art. 9. What compensation will the town make for re- moving snow, and appropriate money for the same.
Art. 10. In what manner and time shall the taxes be col- lected the ensuing year.
Art. II. Will the town accept the list of Jurors as pre- pared by the Selectmen.
Art. 12 Will the town authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes.
Art. 13. To hear and act on the report of any committee heretofore chosen.
Art. 14. To make allowance to town creditors.
Art. 15. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the use of Post 112, G. A. R. on Memorial Day.
Art. 16. What sum of money will the town appropriate for the payment of State and military aid.
Art. 17. What sum of money will the town appropriate to pay the Superintendent of Schools.
27
Art. 18. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to pay for the transportation of scholars to the High School.
Art. 19. Will the town give any instructions to town officers.
Art. 20. Will the town cause a statement of their financial affairs to be printed in February next.
Art. 21. What sums of money will the town raise for repairs of school houses and incidentals.
Art. 22. Will the town appropriate a sum of money to be expended in the cemetery on Washington street.
Art. 23. To see what action the town will take in regard to relocating the water system at the foot of Delano Hill, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for the same.
Citizens desiring additional articles in the warrant will present them to the Selectmen on or before Feb. 20, 1900.
GEO. W. GRIGGS, ALPHEUS THOMAS, HENRY D. SMITH, Selectmen of Norwell.
NORWELL, Feb. 10, 1900.
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