USA > Maine > Cumberland County > Brunswick > Annual report of the Superintending School Committee and Superintendent with school statistics, 1913 > Part 1
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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01820 9483
ANNUAL REPORT
GENEALOGY 974.102 B83S 1913
OF THE
Superintending School Committee and Superintendent
WITH
SCHOOL STATISTICS
1913
BRUNSWICK, MAINE
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BRUNSWICK MANUAL TRAINING BUILDING, AND THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL BOYS WHO BUILT IT.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Superintending School Committee and Superintendent
WITH
SCHOOL STATISTICS
1913
BRUNSWICK, MAINE
THE WHEELER PRINT SHOP BRUNSWICK, ME.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
Superintendent of Schools
TO THE CITIZENS OF BRUNSWICK :-
I herewith submit my fifth annual report as Superinten- dent of Schools of the Town of Brunswick.
It is gratifying to report that, during the past year, there has been a larger average attendance in the schools of Brunswick than has been the case for several seasons. The weather conditions have been favorable, and there has been an absence of those infectious diseases which have some- times so seriously affected school attendance.
With one exception, all the teachers in the grades who taught in Brunswick last year returned to the same posi- tions at the beginning of the fall term. Miss Inez Clark, now Mrs. Maurice Hawkes, who successfully taught the first grade at Union Street for two years, resigned at the end of the spring term. Her place was filled by the elec- tion of Miss Annie Pletts.
With a single exception all the rural schools which were maintained last year have been continued. At the close of the fall term, it was found that the number of pupils at Pennellville had become so small that it did not seem profit- able to continue the school. The pupils from that district are now carried to the Mere Point school.
On account of the unusual number enrolled in the third and fourth grades at Bath Street Primary, an assistant on half time has been furnished. She has charge of the third grade work during the forenoon.
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Schoolhouses.
The village school buildings have not needed any unusual outlay for repairs during the past year. Electric lights have been installed in the sixth and seventh grade rooms. New steps were built at the entrance to the high school grounds on Green Street. Wall clocks have been placed in two of the rooms at Union Street and also in the sixth and seventh grade rooms at the grammar school. Sanitary drinking fountains have been placed in the Bath Street and Center Street buildings, and new walks laid from the en- trances of the Union Street schoolhouse to the street.
The sink drain at the kitchen of the Unitarian Church, where the work in domestic science is carried on, has been connected with the sewer at the expense of the town. In consideration of this fact, the trustees of the society have not charged rent for the use of the kitchen by the domestic science pupils.
In accordance with the plan pursued by the committee for several years, a single one of the rural schoolhouses was selected for a thorough renovation. The past year the one that seemed to be most in need of attention was at Bunga- nuc. There, a new hard wood floor was laid, the interior was painted and papered, the ceiling repaired and whitened, the old plank benches were removed, and modern desks and chairs installed in place of them. The underpinning was partially rebuilt, and all other repairs were made which were needed to put the building in first class condition. The school at Bunganuc is now the largest rural school in Brunswick.
At Growstown, the interior of the building was painted, new outside doors were installed and the floor repaired.
At the Frost district the schoolroom was newly papered. At Maquoit the schoolhouse has been painted outside, while new stoves have been installed in Districts No. 1 and 2. Minor repairs have been made at No. 4 and at No. 5, and a special effort has been made to have all the school build- ings of the town in a thoroughly sanitary condition.
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High School.
An unusual number of changes in the teaching force of the high school were made during the summer vacation. The science teacher, Miss Anna Snow, now Mrs. Archibald Shorey, resigned in June. Miss Imogene Bennett, who had been a substitute teacher during the absence of Miss Potter, decided not to return in September. Miss Helen L. Brown, teacher of French and Latin, also resigned to accept a more lucrative position in Connecticut; These three teachers exhibited great interest in their work, were well fitted to teach the various subjects assigned them, and obtained definite results.
The vacant places were filled by the election of Miss Mar- guerite S. Wood, Radcliffe, 1912, as teacher of Latin; Miss Gertrude M. Jackson, Boston University, 1912, as teacher of French and freshman English, and Miss Pauline Her- ring, Colby, 1910, as teacher of history and sophomore En- glish. The new teachers have shown themselves thor- oughly familiar with their respective subjects and skillful in class management. Miss Caroline N. Potter is now teach- ing on half time, and has charge of the junior and senior English.
At the close of the spring term a class numbering twelve was graduated from the high school, and the follow- ing program was successfully carried out on June 14th :
MUSIC
Prayer® MUSIC
Salutatory, Writers Good and Bad.
Prison Reform,
Achievements of American Women,
John Lincoln Baxter Eva May Elwell Bertha Alma Wilson
MUSIC
Arbitration,
Country Life versus City Life, *A College Education,
MUSIC
A School Girl's Aim,
School Athletics and Physical Education, *Is Aviation a Failure ?
Floyd Verrill Marion Fernald Cox Wilfrid Albert Lapointe
Lydia Mabel Marshall Louis Phillip Desjardins George Charles Demarais
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History, Prophecy, Valedictory,
MUSIC
Evelyn Mae Bailey Ruth Erma Jordan
Elizabeth Chapman Curtis
MUSIC
Conferring of Diplomas Class Ode Benediction
*Excused
There are many evidences that Brunswick High School in its requirements for admission, in its daily work and in its standard for graduation will not suffer in comparison with any other high school in the state. The superinten- dent keeps informed concerning the records of the cer- tified students who have entered college, and these records show that a certificate from our high school means that the pupil receiving it is qualified to do college work. A rank of 85 per cent. is required for certification, and the standard should be carefully maintained.
Considering the present size of the school-the largest in average attendance in its history-there has been a gratifying absence of friction between pupils and teachers, and but few complaints of any character have come to the superintendent and school committee from parents.
Mr. Gardiner, principal of the high school has furnished the following report :
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
The American high school in its fullest development of- fers a curriculum as follows :
1. English Language and Literature.
2. History and Civics.
3. Mathematics.
4. Science.
5. Latin.
6. French and German.
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7. Commercial education consisting of instruction in Stenography, Typewriting, Bookkeeping, Com- mercial Law, Business Correspondence, Com- mercial Geography, Commercial Arithmetic, Penmanship, Industrial History, Transportation, Salesmanship, Advertising, Business Ethics.
8. Mechanical and Free Hand Drawing.
9. Manual Training.
10. Domestic Science and Home Economics.
11. Domestic Art.
12. Music.
13 Public Speaking and Voice Culture.
14 Physical Training.
15. Vocational education in cooperation with a factory or mill.
Brunswick High School is perhaps the best example in the State of a purely classical high school. All but one of the school subjects listed below, commercial arithmetic, are accepted for admission to college.
1. English Literature and Language.
2. History.
3. Mathematics.
4. Science.
5. Latin.
6. French and German.
7. Business English and Commercial Arithmetic.
8. Physical Training through the Brunswick Boys' As- sociation.
Quite a few Maine schools offer a broader curriculum. Two schools that are on the approved list of the New En- gland College Entrance Certificate Board, will serve to illustrate. One is in a town of 3,000 inhabitants, the other in a city of 9,000. They offer practically the same courses as follows :
1. English Literature and Language.
2. History and Civics.
3. Mathematics.
4. Science.
5. Latin.
6. French and German.
7. Commercial education consisting of Stenography; Typewriting, Bookkeeping, Commercial Law; Business Correspondence, Commercial Geog- raphy, Commercial Arithmetic, Penmanship.
8. Mechanical and Free Hand Drawing.
9. Manual Training.
10. Domestic Science.
11. Domestic Art.
12. Music.
That the Brunswick High School should aim to con= tinue the thorough preparation for college which has en- abled its graduates to stand so well in college work, no one will question.
It is doubtful, though, whether a curriculum consisting of the college preparatory subjects commonly accepted by eastern colleges, accomplishes either of these two ends, (1) holding all the boys and girls in school who ought to have a high school education, (2) effectively preparing 50 per cent. of the pupils for their duties in life.
The citizens of Brunswick, particularly those who have' sons and daughters in the schools, might well consider whether the addition of some of the more practical subjects year by year would not make the high school of much greater service to the majority of the pupils.
The expression of a strong public sentiment for such courses would be the first step toward securing them. Citizens interested are urged to talk with the superinten= dent and school board, expressing preference for those sub- jects which they think best adapted for meeting the needs of the community.
The interest shown in physical training during the or- ganization of the Brunswick Boys' Association, would seem to justify asking for an appropriation of $200 to be used
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partly for instruction in gymnasium work and partly for in- struction in athletics. The danger of football injuries is greatly minimized if boys are drilled to play properly. The expenditure of school money for this purpose is not without precedent, as several Maine cities do so, preferring to have athletic instructors responsible to the school board.
The assistant teachers have done high grade work this year. In fairness to them as well as to the students, there should be a maximum salary somewhat above that of the first year, so that they may be retained longer than a year or two.
The average attendance was 97 per cent. of the total en- rollment for the first semester. There has been little sick- ness and only three of the students who registered in Sep- tember have dropped out.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. GARDNER.
High School Athletics.
A year ago the School Board of Brunswick adopted rules for the regulation of athletics in the High School. A few months later, a meeting of secondary school principals was held at Augusta for the purpose of discussing secondary school athletics, and rules almost identical with those adopted by the Brunswick committee were recommended for the large high schools of the state.
The rules recommended by the secondary school princi- pals are here printed :
Art. I. No boy shall be eligible for any interscholastic athletic contest who is not maintaining for the current term, and who has not carried suc- cessfully for the preceding term the minimum requirements of the school of which he is a member ; provided, however, that the minimum require- ments shall not be less than 15 periods of prepared work a week or its equivalent.
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Art. II. New students, in order to be eligible for football shall enter school within three weeks of the opening day; in order to be eligible for basketball and indoor track shall enter before or during the first school week after the Christmas recess; in order to be eligible for baseball and outdoor track they shall enter school before March I.
Art. III. A student is ineligible to participate in any interscholastic athletic contest, who has represented in athletics a class, a secondary school or schools for four years.
Art. IV. In all interscholastic athletic contests, each principal shall furnish to the principal of the opposing school or his representative, a cer- tified list of approved players.
Manual Training.
In the school report of last year attention was called to the urgent need of a suitable place for carrying on the work in manual training. Since its introduction into the grammar school course, the basement of the high school building has been used as a workshop for this department. On account of the noise which must of necessity accompany the use of wood-working tools, the teachers and pupils in the rooms directly overhead have been subjected to great annoyance. As a way out of this difficulty it was proposed to the boys of the grammar school that they build a suitable building for themselves on the lot back of the high school building. The proposal was received with enthusiasm and, under the efficient direction of their manual training instructor Mr. Charles G. Wheeler, the building is now near completion. A picture of the building and of the boys who built it forms a part of this report.
This is the first time that an undertaking of this nature has been successfully carried out wholly by a manual train- ing class in the state of Maine, and probably the first time in New England that such a building has been erected by strictly grammar school boys. A detailed account of the matter may be found in the following report of Mr. Wheeler :
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TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
This year the boys of the Grammar School can point to a new workshop entirely built by themselves, as an example of the practical value of manual training. A good work- shop has been much needed for some time and the school authorities finding it impracticable to secure suitable quar- ters within proper distance, the boys willingly undertook to build a shop themselves on the school grounds.
The building is 16 feet by 70 feet, with side porch or ad- dition 4 feet by 20 feet, the dimensions being determined by the available space in the school yard. The roof is somewhat flat to prevent darkening the adjacent school rooms. The windows are placed high to give light partially downward and to save wall space. On the back there is an almost continuous row of windows. There are large double doors at one end to facilitate loading or unloading large objects, lumber, etc. The smaller door in the side is for common use. The floor is of hard wood. Because of cold weather a small amount of work on the outside still remains to be done. This will be finished in the spring.
No expense has been incurred for construction, except for the chimney and a small sum for digging post holes. All the work has been done by two classes of the Grammar School, working ususually in detachments of about seven or eight at a time. About one-half of these boys have had one year's training (at the rate of two hours a week) in the usual bench work. The other half have had no previous instruction in the use of tools.
Of course a high degree of technical skill and extreme accuracy cannot be expected in the work of Grammar School boys or other beginners (particularly in the limited time devoted to manual training), for skill and accuracy come, as every mechanic knows, only as the result of con- tinued practice and experience. They have all, however, worked to good advantage on this building. They have worked voluntarily, and have put in a large number of extra hours before, during, and after school.
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It would have been very hard for pupils to put up so large a building close to the windows of half a dozen school rooms and at the approach of winter, without the willing help and unfailing patience of the teachers of the school, who have cheerfully put themselves to inconven- ience to help along the work.
The erection of a building by school pupils is not a new thing in this country, but this is understood to be the first time that public school pupils have built a manual training school in Maine.
The benefit to the boys from their experience in this kind of work is obvious, and is in line with the tendency of the times to make such courses as practical as possible.
The willingness the boys have shown, and the spirit with which they have persevered have been very gratifying to the instructor. The names of the builders are : Herman Bates, Harold Beach, Alton Cobb, William Coffin, Fred Cripps, Herbert Coffin, Clyde Eaton, Alton Hackett, Wil- liam Hill, Donald Hunt, Bert Jewett, Philip Lovell, Raleigh Osier, Lawrence Pennell, Napoleon Rousseau, Robert Smith, George Snow, Ernest Snow, Philip Stetson, Ernest Ward, William Wass, Philip Abelon, George T. Cheetham, Ithiel Field, Ernest M. Hall, Kenneth M. Ham- lin, Harold McManus, Forest Manter, Frederick Pennell, Fred Ring, Joseph Rousseau, Ernest Sylvester, Harold H. Walker, Lee Webber.
CHARLES G. WHEELER,
Teacher of Manual Training.
Evening School.
The evening school was opened October 21st, and the last session was held January 10th. The whole number registered was 61. The teachers were Edward Snow, prin- cipal, and Francis McKenney and Dolor St. Laurent, assis-
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tants. The services of Mr. St. Laurent were furnished by Mr. R. W. Eaton of the Cabot Manufacturing Co. The discipline of the school was excellent and many of the pu- pils made commendable progress in their studies. If as great an interest is shown by those attending next season, it would be well to begin the term earlier in the fall and continue it through January.
In a town like Brunswick there will always be young men and women whose home conditions make it necessary for them to leave school before completing the courses of- fered in the grades, and take up work in the shops and fac- tories. Many of these young people are ambitious, and they leave the day school not from choice but from neces- sity. To such, the evening school offers an excellent op- portunity to supplement their interrupted school courses by special work along chosen lines. No part of the educa- tional system of the town better deserves the cordial sup- port of the community than does the evening school.
Domestic Science.
In accordance with the request of the superintendent, the teacher of Domestic Science, Miss Byrne, has furnished a report, in detail, of the work carried on in this depart- ment during the year. The report is here given :
MR. JOHN A. CONE, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Dear Sir :- The work in cooking has been done in accor- dance with the plan outlined in my first report.
Following is a list of the foods prepared by the ninth grade :
Preserving : Pears, crabapple jelly.
Cereals : Quaker oats, malt breakfast food, corn meal, rice.
Vegetables : Potatoes (boiled, mashed, creamed), car- rots, onions, turnips.
Soups : Cream of tomato, clear soup.
Garnishes : Croutons, crisp crackers.
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Fish : Boiled haddock, haddock saute, chowder.
Eggs : Omelet, poached.
Salads : Egg, salmon, vegetable.
Meat : Roast beef.
Bread : Egg muffins, corn muffins, griddle cakes, bak- ing powder biscuit, pin wheel biscuit, yeast bread, Parker House rolls.
Cakes, etc: Sugar cookies, doughnuts, apple fritters, butter cake, coffee fruit cake, sponge cake.
Desserts : Apple and lemon pie, banbury tarts, cheese straws ; orange, lemon, and coffee jelly ; baked and soft custard ; corn starch mold, tapioca cream, lemon sherbet, water ice, vanilla ice cream.
Candies : Cocoanut cream candy, fondant, buttercups. Beverages : Coffee, cocoa.
Both grades did practically the same work. The eighth grade did not make pastry and sponge cake but spent more time on cookies and gingerbread.
It did not seem advisable to do much meat cooking owing to its cost. Lectures were given on ways of preparing meats.
.
As is the custom in towns having a course in cooking, the ninth grade cooked and served a dinner to the school committee and invited guests, at the cooking school, May 25. Dishes, table linen, silver, etc., were kindly loaned to us, there being no equipment for serving meals in the school.
During the last week of school in June a review of the year's work was given, no two girls in a class making the same thing. The food cooked was placed on exhibition, and although the day proved to be very stormy we had over fifty visitors.
At the Topsham fair the girls of these two classes had an exhibit which brought a gratuity of two dollars.
In September the present ninth grade entered upon its second year's work. They are following the original plan of first preparing food suitable for breakfast, and later
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luncheon and dinner. Included in the lessons thus far are the canning of tomatoes, creamed codfish, baked potatoes, codfish cakes, corn chowder, baked macaroni and cheese, steamed graham pudding with brown sugar sauce, Dutch apple cake with lemon sauce, and spice cake. They have also cooked foods given in last year's outline which were not included in the work of the eighth grade.
In addition to the cooking this grade is spending some time on food study. This includes nutritive value of the different food stuffs, proper combinations of foods, and their cost. Practice will also be given in menu making and the correct serving of meals.
The eighth grade'is following the outline used last year, subject to modifications when necessary.
Interest in this subject has not diminished. Whenever it has been necessary to ask the classes for an half hour before school, extra time after school, and on one occasion to come on Saturday, they have responded promptly and cheerfully.
Sewing.
All the stitches in plain sewing have been practiced and then applied to some article. As it was the first year of sewing for both grades, the work was practically the same.
The articles made were a pin ball, pin cushion, needle book, thimble case, work bag, and sewing apron. In the seventh grade a night dress was made instead of the apron. This grade also did samples of darning, patching, button holes, and sewing on of buttons.
In June the year's work in sewing was put on exhibition with the cooking. It was also exhibited at Topsham fair and brought a gratuity of two dollars.
The present seventh grade, which entered upon the second year's work in September, are dressing dolls. They keep their dolls at school, and as most of them are nearly as large as a child the practice is very valuable. Regulation
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paper patterns are used and the girls cut and fit the gar- ments themselves.
Lessons thus far include cutting, fitting, hand tucking, sewing on ruffles and lace, French seams, finishing of plackets, facings, etc. The finishes used are such as would naturally be applied to children's garments.
A few of the older girls are making dresses for children from one to three years of age. They furnish their pat- terns and material and do the work entirely by hand. The results are very pleasing.
The sixth grade are following the plan outlined last year.
The most urgent needs of the cooking classes are table linen, silver, and a few more dishes for use in teaching the serving of meals. The girls have contributed, and we used our gratuity to buy china and glass. At the present time we have almost enough dishes to serve a simple luncheon.
The seventh grade could use a sewing machine to good advantage. They are proficient in hand work and are now ready for machine stitching.
The kindly spirit of the girls and the interest taken by the parents have been a source of inspiration and pleasure. A most cordial invitation to visit the school is extended to the people of Brunswick. Many have asked if visitors are allowed. We are glad to welcome anyone who is interested in seeing our work.
I thank the teachers, school committee, and superinten- dent for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY S. BRYNE.
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Eye and Ear Test.
The law relative to tests of sight and hearing has been complied with in Brunswick with the following results :
Number of pupils examined, 787
Number with defective eyesight, 86
Number with defective hearing, 32
Number of parents notified, 61
Brunswick Boys' Association.
The school report for the past year would not be complete without some account of the Brunswick Boys' Association which was organized last December, and which has been in successful operation during the past two months.
For several years there has been among the citizens of Brunswick a feeling that some organization should exist which would provide physical, social and moral training for the boys between the ages of ten and twenty. An effort was made two years ago to form a Young Men's Christian Association, but the effort was not successful, principally for the lack of a sutiable place as a home for the organiza- tion. When the new athletic building was completed at Bowdoin College, the old gymnasium, with considerable of its equipment, was offered free for the use of the boys of Brunswick and Topsham, provided that an organization should be formed which would guarantee proper supervision and adequate financial support. Such an organization was formed, and about $350.00 was raised by popular subscrip- tion. From this amount additional equipment costing $200.00 has been purchased, the building has been put in good condition at considerable expense to the college, and 108 members have been enrolled. A fee of fifty cents is collected from each member, and this small amount entitles a boy to all the privileges offered by the club for the year.
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