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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01820 9426
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
GENEALOGY 974.102 B83S 1918
Superintending School Committee and Superintendent
WITH
SCHOOL STATISTICS
1918
BRUNSWICK, MAINE
WHEELER PRINT SHOP, BRUNSWICK
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Citizens of Brunswick :
I herewith submit my tenth annual report of the condi- tion and needs of the public schools of the town.
While the past year has been in many respects an un- usual one, the schools of the town have been carried on with few interruptions. The average attendance, however, especially in the lower grades and the rural districts, has been more irregular than usual. This has been due to severe storms, extreme cold and to the poor service render- ed the town during the past six months by the two electric car lines. More than forty boys and girls living in different sections of Brunswick depend upon the electric cars for transportation to and from school. More than half of these pupils are carried at the expense of the town, as they come from districts where the school has been closed for lack of sufficient attendance.
Diptheria, scarlet fever and other less dangerous infec- tious diseases have been prevalent in many parts of Maine during the past year and, in several towns and cities, the schools have been closed for several weeks on account of epidemics of these diseases. Brunswick has had a few cases of diptheria and, as is usually the case, some of the common diseases of childhood have been more or less prev- alent during cold weather. At no time, however, has it
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been necessary to consider closing the schools, and by rea- son of vigilance on the part of the local physicians and watchfulness on the part of teachers, epidemics have been avoided.
Physicians would be greatly assisted in their work, and the spread of diseases prevented, if all parents would promptly report to the proper authorities cases of infec- tious diseases occuring in their own families. It some- times happens that cases of this character are allowed to develop without the care of a physician, the patient con- tinues to mingle with his school companions and in this way many others become infected before the nature of the disease is determined or any preventive measures are taken.
The Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Health would gratefully receive any information that would assist in maintaining the health of the school children of the town.
At the close of the spring term it was found that the average attendance at the school in District No. 6 was be- low the number required by law. The school has been dis- continued and the pupils are attending at Bunganuc and at Hillside.
In September the school was opened at Prince's Point after being closed for three years.
HIGH SCHOOL
The high school has been fortunate in retaining the ser- vices of the majority of the teachers who have been for sev- eral years connected with the school. Mr. Gardner re- mains as principal, Miss Fish as teacher of German and Algebra, Mrs. Ham as teacher of French and English and Miss Torrey as instructor in Latin. At the close of the winter term Miss Velma B. Strout, who had been connected with the school for two years as a teacher of history, re- signed to accept a position at Turner's Falls, Mass. Miss Elizabeth Kennison, teacher of commercial subjects, re-
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signed at the close of the spring term to engage in another line of work.
The vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Strout was filled by the election of Miss Pacific B. Bailey, a gradu- ate of Mount Holyoke, Class of 1916. The commercial de- partment is now in charge of Mrs. Abbie T. Bowdoin of Richmond, Maine, a teacher of experience and with a thorough knowledge of the subjects which she teaches.
In June a class numbering twenty-four was graduated and the following program was successfully presented:
Music LES DEUX SOURDS Characters as they appear
Eglantine
Boniface
Damoiseau
Placide
Le Garde Champetre
Florence Lapointe Ronald Tobey Joseph Rousseau Philip Lovell Harold Beach
Music
Entrance of the Graudating Class
Class Ode
La Marseillaise, sung by
Mary Allen, Priscilla Doolittle, '18, Helen Harrington, Ruth Lovell, Ernest Hall, '18, Maurice Morin, '18, Philip Stetson, Ronald Tobey
America
(The audience is invited to rise and sing with the double quartette)
Prayer
Violin Response, Fabien Refeld,
Minnie Kruger
Salutatory, A German Democracy,
Philip Lovell Philip Pollay
Getting Out of Russia,
Destruction and Reconstruction,
Ronald Tobey
Music
Class History,
The Properties and Uses of Radium,
The Rise of Democracy,
*Burke's Doctrine of Loss and Gain,
Solo, (a) May Thoughts, Thomas J. Hewitt,
Helen Harrington
(b) My Rose of Yester'een, Mary Rich, Edmund Burke, "Our Class",
Elizabethan Plays and Players,
Edith Hamlin Laurence Pennell Philip Stetson Harold Beach
Joseph Rousseau Ruth Lovell
Marion Nicoll
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Ruth Foss
*Valedictory, Three American Addresses,
Music
Presentation of Diplomas Benediction Singing of Recessional Ode as Class Marches out *Excused
GRADUATES
Mary Jewell Allen
Ruth Arlene Lovell
Harold Ernest Beach
Lucia Florence Lapointe
Fred Marshall Cripps
Helen L. Lombard
Mitchell Lewis Davis
Marion Elizabeth Nicoll
Clyde Howard Eaton
Laurence Woodside Pennell
Ruth Elisabeth Foss
Philip Pollay
Edith Kilbreth Hamlin
Joseph Honore Rousseau
Helen May Harrington
Philip Stanwood Stetson
Grace Marie Hill
Paul R. Thomas
William Thomas Hill
Ronald Whitcomb Tobey
Minnie Charlotte Kruger Philip Robinson Lovell
Ruth Elizabeth Varney Milton Jewell Wing
Before the burning of the High School building there was a fairly good reference library for the use of high school pupils. This was entirely destroyed by fire. Since that time a few necessary books have been purchased, but more are urgently needed. A reference library is now re- garded as a necessary adjunct to any school, and it is es- pecially true of a high school. Its function is quite as im- portant as that of the laboratory. If the appropriation for books and supplies will warrant the expenditure, an addi- tion should be made to the High School library the coming year.
Supervised study was introduced into the High School for the first time at the beginning of the fall term, and for the first time in any high school in Maine. The principal, Mr. Gardner, has been requested to furnish a report con- cerning supervised study and concerning the various High School activities.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Pubic interest in the high school this year naturally cen- ters in the success of the new supervised study program. This plan originated in the west. It has now spread to all
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sections of the country and gives promise of bringing about a complete overturn in high school administration and class room methods.
Dr. Winship at a recent educational meeting said that the United States had made more progress in finance, industry, education and morals during the past seven years than the preceeding fifty. He had much convincing evidence to support his position. It is certain, however, that few will take exception to its truth when applied to education. In our own state has come state-wide professional supervision of the schools, and the plan of organizing the seventh and eighth grades with the freshman year of the high school under the name of the "Junior High School" has been tried with excellent results particularly in Auburn and Old Town. The subjects taught have been re-organized to a great ex- tent so as to cause the pupils to think of the vital problems of the community and nation. Text books are less formal and more practical. The attitude toward physical training and school athletics is also changing. Am I mistaken in thinking that the past view by the average citizen has been to regard them as luxuries,-as something to concede youth- ful energy, without the curriculum rather than within ?
The time is coming very soon when the state will con- sider its duty to encourage the development of a trained body as well as the development of a trained mind. Is it not as reasonable to subsidize physical training by allowances to towns that employ physical directors as to do this for manual training and domestic science? And who will say that it is not more important under the conditions that have been brought to light by the medical examinatious of draft- ed men ?
Having digressed to emphasize the point that the schools are going through an unusual period of change and progress, I shall proceed to the main purpose of my report to submit the opinions of the pupils and teachers on our present su- pervised study system. At the close of the half year the pupils voted 128 to 8 that they think the system should be continued next year. The teachers unanimously expressed
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the same view. Here are what the pupils consider the chief advantages : "A better chance to study". "More work accomplished". "More explanations". "Lessons made clearer". "More thorough knowledge of the subject stud- ied". "Better lessons and studies better understood". "It gives the lower classes a much better start". "If you do not understand some point you have your teacher to help you". "We are made to study and put our minds on the subject". "The great amount of time we have to study in school".
The last answer is a very significant one. Every pupil taking four subjects has more than two hours daily study. With experience in working the plan teachers are beginning to realize that the time for testing or questioning can be materially shortened when study has been effective. Fur- ther, that when a recitation drags through three-quarters of an hour with the pupil hesitating for replies or the teach- er doing the most of the talking, the evidence of inefficient study is very clear.
In some subjects like mathematics or languages practice amounts to the same thing as study and this fact is realized by the most intelligent pupils. In subjects like history or chemistry and physics where the recitation is mainly of the question and answer type, we get splendid results by de- voting 45 minutes of the 70 to study.
In the broader sense then, pupils are getting daily close to three hours of study directed or controlled by the teach- er of the class. 47 per cent. of the school answered that they do less home study than under the old plan. 33 per
cent. the same and 20 per cent. more. If home study is the chief end of secondary education, this will have to stand out as a serious weakness, but if the net amount of study and the number who pass is the criterion of study effective- ness, the new plan is justifying itself here.
The following figures are available after half a year's trial. While those of the full year will be more conclusive, these seem to point to definite results.
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UPPER CLASSES, 1ST SEMESTER
Subjects
No. Pupils 1916-17
Failures 1916-17
No. Pupils 1917-18
Failures 1917-18
English
51
1
54
0
Latin
20
0
23
0
French
33
1
26
1
German
14
2
7
0
Senior Math.
8
0
10
0
Shorthand
13
7
18
1
Geometry
9
2
12
0
History
12
2
15
2
Science
16
2
25
1
Book-keeping
22
0
Totals
176
17
212
5
Failures in the upper classes were reduced from 9.6 per cent. in 1916-1917 to 2.1 per cent. in 1917-1918.
LOWER CLASSES, 1ST SEMESTER
Subjects
No. Pupils 1916-17
Failures 1916-17
No. Pupils 1917-18
Failures 1917-18
English
85
7
86
8
Algebra
75
32
66
14
History
60
10
57
15
Latin
50
7
49
3
German
8
2
4
1
Science
30
7
16
2
French
27
5
30
3
Book-keeping
14
2
37
7
Totals
349
72
345
53
Failures in the lower classes were reduced from 20.6 per cent. to 15.4 per cent.
SUMMARY OF ALL CLASSES®
No. of pupils by subjects in 1916-17, 525
No. of failures by subjects in 1916-17, 89
Per cent. of failure, 16.95.
No. of pupils by subjects in 1917-18, 557
No. of failures by subjects in 1917-18, 58
Per cent. of failure, 10.4.
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There is an appreciable difference in favor of the new plan in whatever way the figures are compared.
Finally the teachers believe that they see a clear evidence that pupils are getting a better grasp upon their work than ever before. They also prize the opportunity to teach how to study, a point that has been slighted altogether too much in the education of boys and girls.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. GARDNER.
VILLAGE GRADES
With few exceptions, all the teachers of last year have been retained in their former positions. The position of Grammar School principal and teacher of the ninth grade, made vacant in September by reason of the illness of Miss Fannie B. Cragin, has been filled by Miss Florence M. Lincoln.
The eighth grade has been in charge of Miss Georgia Strout and the position of assistant in the fifth and sixth grades has been filled by Miss Frances Rideout.
At the close of the spring term Miss Eva M. Bradbury, now Mrs. E. L. Fraser, resigned as teacher of the first and second grades at Pleasant Street. Her place is now filled by Miss Edna . LaFon. Miss LaFon was graduated from Castine Normal School in the Class of 1917.
Miss Josephine Lamb, now Mrs. Walter Spears, resigned in June as teacher of the second grade at Bath Street. This grade is now in charge of Miss Mabel Davis. The first grade, Bath Street, is now in charge of Miss Rachel Potter.
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At the close of school last June the following members of the ninth grade were awarded diplomas:
George A. Atkins
Madeline V. Larrabee
William H. Bailey
Nathan G. Mack
Philip M. Biette
G. Madelyn Overlock
Grace E. Brawn
Everett G. Nason
Mildred I. Brawn
Ledia L. Poitras
Muriel A. Brehaut
Clyde C. Pratt
Helen A. Cook
Rebecca R. Singer
Helene E. Douglas
Dorothy L. Tarr
Harry Davis
Nellie M. Dunham
J. Weston Walch Ruth L. Wass
Drusilla R. Goodwin
Clarence J. Wilson
Edna L. Hamlin
Christine V. Grey
Helen F. Hammond
Margaret L. Hamlin
Katherine M. Jean
SPECIAL TEACHERS
The work of the special teachers of music and drawing has been along the same lines as last year, so no special re- port concerning these departments is needed at this time. The work in these subjects is now thoroughly systema- tized, and excellent results are obtained. The exhibition of the work in drawing and painting given by the grade pupils at the Sagadahoc Fair was very creditable to Miss Varney and to the pupils and attracted much attention. The premiums awarded the exhibit were used for school room improvement.
The operetta "Jack and the Baked Bean Stalk" was suc- cessfully given by the members of the public schools in Jan- uary. This was given under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Warren. The proceeds amounting to over fifty dol- lars will be used for the purchase of material of use in the music department.
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The work in manual training has been made as practical as possible. Work at Wheeler hall has been finished, ex- cept some varnishing and a few details to be done when the weather is warm enough to avoid having to heat the building. It is planned to make a needed concrete walk at the entrance.
Considerable work has been done by the boys for the school department, repairing, making a record case, refer- ences cases, frames, footstools, etc.
Developing the physical side of the boys certainly is as important in war time as in time of peace, and work is be- ing continued on playground apparatus. Eight pieces of apparatus are now ready to be set out and other pieces are being made. When completed these will form a good out- fit, similar to that now in use in all progressive places, and provided at a cost much less (merely the expense of the ma- terials) than that at which playground outfits can be bought. This playground work was begun sometime ago, but was sidetracked as the work at Wheeler Hall seemed more urgent. During the winter term work has been done on equipment for the Boy Scouts.
At the beginning of the school year in September, the superintendent requested the teacher of domestic science to try in every way possible to arrange her work to cor- respond to the recommendations of the food commissioner. To what extent this has been done may be seen by read- ing the following report:
MR. JOHN A. CONE, Supt. of Schools,
DEAR SIR :
Domestic Science has now been a part of the regular work of the Grammar School for seven years. This year our pro- gram has been subject to such changes as seemed most de- sirable under war conditions, and Brunswick citizens may be interested in knowing some of the things the girls have been doing.
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The first lessons in September were on the Cold Pack Method of canning fruits and vegetables and excited much enthusiasm. Each girl brought her own jar and the fruit or vegetable with which to fill it. Among the foods canned were string beans, shelled beans, tomatoes, corn, beets, carrots, pears, peaches, plums and apples. The results were most satisfactory, thus far only two jars having been reported as spoiled.
Besides the canning, apple jelly, grape jelly and grape marmalade were made.
The second subject to receive great attention was War Breads. Griddle cakes, muffins, biscuits, brown and yeast breads were made with rye meal, corn meal, oat meal, bran and graham flour substituted for part of the white flour.
Very little sugar, since the canning lessons, has been used. Christmas candies were made with molasses, popped corn, fruits, nuts and chocolate and were as palatable as when sugar was the principal ingredient.
Fruit cake was made by the ninth grade before Thanks- giving but other than that no cake has been on the list. Cookies of various kinds have been made.
Vegetable as well as animal fats have been used. To il- · lustrate how every particle may be of value, trimmings from the marketman's scrap box were rendered, clarified, and made into soap. The clean, white fat obtained from what was apparently refuse made a marked impression and no doubt "conservation of fats" will have an added signifi- cance.
Food values are being considered as much as possible in order that the classes may understand the correct substi- tutes for the sugar, fat and protein which must be con- served.
Formerly all our substitutions had as their object the saving of money. This year the first aim is conservation of food rather than of money and for that reason much less time is being spent in working out the cost of the finished product. Later in the year the recipes will be reviewed in recitations and the cost of each one found, for it is often
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very helpful to know exactly how much was spent for a cake or a loaf of bread.
The regular program is being followed as much as pos- sible.
SEWING
The classes in sewing are working diligently both in school and at home.
Knitting was introduced in September and was received with such favor that early in November the girls of Tops- ham and Brunswick were able to present the Brunswick Chapter of the Red Cross with a knitted quilt. The squares were knitted, arranged, sewed together and the quilt finish- ed by the girls themselves. The knitting was almost en- tirely home work.
With the exception of the work on yarn it seemed best to keep to the routine of former years until January when the classes were privileged to work on layettes for the French and Belgian Refugees.
This is a wonderful opportunity. The girls are learning to cut from patterns, make the various articles of clothing, and at the same time are taking an active part in relieving the discomfort of helpless little ones.
Parents and teachers have taken a most gratifying inter- est in every phase of the work of this department and their co-operation has been to pupils and instructor the source of renewed pleasure, effort and inspiration.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY S. BYRNE
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TRUANCY
In the discharge of his duties the past year, the truant officer has made forty-two official calls. This officer has been prompt in his attention to all cases of truancy or un- necessary absences that have been brought to his attention by the teachers or by the superintendent. Mention should be made here of the assistance rendered the school depart- ment by Mrs. Harry Cook, the police matron of Brunswick. She has been helpful to the superintendent by reporting cases of non-attendance on the part of the children, and in supplying clothing for needy boys and girls.
Parents should understand that it is of the greatest im- portance that our schools be maintained in the highest standard of efficiency while our country is at war. They should not take advantage of the present situation and make it an excuse to keep their children out of school, but should co-operate sympathetically with the school author- ities in all their efforts to promote the educational welfare of the community.
Any information from any source which will assist in the enforcement of the truancy laws, will be gratefully received by the superintendent of schools.
SIGHT AND HEARING TEST
In accordance with the requirements of the State Educa- tional Department, the annual test of sight and hearing has been given the pupils by the teachers with the following results:
Number of pupils examined 814
Number with defective hearing 18
Number with defective eyesight 36
Number of parents notified 46
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SCHOOL BUILDINGS
During the summer vacation the schoolhouses of Bruns- wick were renovated and put in a thoroughly sanitary con- dition for the opening of school in September. On ac- count of the great increase in the cost of lumber, paint and hardware, only such repairs were made as seemed absolute- ly necessary for the preservation of school property, or for the comfort and health of teachers and pupils.
At Bath St. the building was shingled, two of the rooms painted and the furnace practically rebuilt. At Center St. the house was shingled, all the ceilings whitened and the walls tinted. The same attention was given to the build- ing on Pleasant St. The roof over the domestic science kitchen at Wheeler Hall was shingled, and the walls and ceilings were painted.
Of the rural schools, more attention was given the build- ing at Hillside than any other. There, new shingles were laid, the interior of the schoolhouse was painted and paper- ed and the ceiling whitened. At Bunganuc, the building was shingled. At Middle Bay, the schoolroom was partial- ly plastered, and newly papered and painted. At the Hack- er District, a large part of the brick underpinning was re- built and the floor repaired and painted. At Mere Point, the building was shingled, a hard wood floor was laid and the room painted and papered.
At Ham's Hill the schoolhouse is in a shabby condition owing, principally, to the fact that for two years the mater- ial for building the new state road from Brunswick to Bath, has been obtained from a quarry which is within fifty feet of the schoolhouse. Frequent heavy blasts loosened the plaster, broke windows and injured the roof. Temporary repairs were made late in September so that the building is habitable, but next summer quite extensive repairs must be made. A bill for damages has been sent to the State Highway Commissioner.
Before another winter it will be necessary to install a new furnace at Union St. The one now in use there is about thirty years old and is practically beyond repair. New
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toilet furniture is needed at all the primary buildings, and at least half of that now in use should be replaced before September. Minor repairs will be needed at several of the rural schoolhouses.
THE SCHOOLS AND FUEL
Early in the summer the school officials contracted for the usual supply of coal for the village schools. About eighty percent of the amount ordered was delivered. The shortage affected principally the High and Center Street buildings. In January, for the purpose of coal conservation the school at Pleasant Street was closed and the pupils were accommodated at the Union Street building. This was the only consolidation possible in the village system on account of a lack of room. By closing the Pleasant Street building about eighteen tons of coal were released for use in other places where it was most needed. It is the policy of the school officials to keep the schools open as long as the supply of fuel will perinit. This is in agreement with the recommendations of the President, the United States Commissioner of Education and the State Superintendent of Schools.
The boys and girls who are in the schools of to-day will take an active part in the affairs of the nation to-morrow. Many of them will assume places of power and importance. During the long reconstruction period which must follow the close of the war, there will be need of men and women who have been trained to think clearly, to work skillfully and to deal honestly. Nothing would do more to defeat the fulfillment of this need than the shortening of school terms, or a shortsighted and niggardly economy in expenditures for school purposes.
It may be necessary to extend the spring vacation one week. This can not be definitely determined until the end of the present term. The severe cold during December
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and January made unusual demands upon the supply of fuel, while the quality of the coal. is perhaps the poorest ever furnished the school department.
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