USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > Annual report of the city of Rochester, New Hampshire : for the year ending 1910 > Part 7
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No pupil should go from the schools of the State without knowledge enough to properly record his busi- ness transactions of the day when it comes night. This now, in many instances, is not the case. We should keep the children in the schools as long as possible. We have the costly buildings, the expensive up-keep, the teachers under pay. Each child should have opportunity according to his ability. It gives a real teacher a heart- ache to see a pupil drop from school when he knows what the trouble is, but is unable to reach it because of some arrangement beyond his control.
A hopeless class of children is sometimes mentioned. There should be no hopeless class of children anywhere, as far as having proper schooling is concerned. It is from the hopeless class that crime and pauperism
180
ANNUAL REPORT
spring, and if the schools are to help rid the nation of these evils, they must go down to the lowest child, stay near him, touch his sore spot and heal him, courses of study or no courses, methods or no methods, as the case may require.
MUSIC
There is great interest on the part of the pupils, in the music as taught by Mr. French. Very few pupils desire to be excused fromit. The music seems to round out the school work in both the grades and the High School.
The work in music is being more and more system- atically done. We need supplies, however, in this de- partment, as well as in the others, to secure the best results. Some new material has already been added. The matter of music will be found more fully treated in the report of the music teacher, Mr. French.
TEXT-BOOKS
For some time there has been a great lack of text- books in all the schools. As many new books as the financial conditions would permit have been purchased and put into the hands of the pupils, but still there is a pressing call for more. During the coming year an attempt will be made to properly supply all schools with ample working material and to number and properly record all text-books. Each school should be properly supplied with books that should be the permanent posses- sion of the school. They can then be properly looked after by the teacher and much damage and loss pre-
181
CITY OF ROCHESTER
vented. The transfer of many books from one school to another results in much injury to them.
Two new books have been adopted during the fall term and put into use. These are a new Commercial Geography and a new Rhetoric.
SCHOOL SESSIONS
At the opening of the schools in September the one ses- sion plan again went into effect in the High School. The arrangement thus far has given a good degree of satis- faction. The one session plan is one that is favorable to the pupil in that it furnishes opportunity for the teachers to give personal attention to him in case he needs it, and it is favorable to the teacher in that it enables that one to get through with his papers in the written work in season to have a good rest before the work of the next day begins. A teacher working till three o'clock or later in the school-room and then correcting papers till a late hour in the evening is not at his best at the opening of the school the next morning.
Changed methods in giving instruction must neces- sarily, it would seem, affect schcol hours. The objections to the one session arrangement are, of course, the changed hour for the noon meal, the tardiness that it seems to engender, and the opportunity given to waste time on the streets. These are certainly matters of much im- portance and they must always be given consideration in the adoption of any arrangement for school management. No plan that has yet been devised is perfect, and it seems impossible to formulate one that will be the best for everyone and everything. We must, then, get along with that one which best meets present conditions.
12a
182
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCE
The matter of finance is an ever important one in all public matters. Here at the beginning some of the reasons for the increased cost of schools may well be stated. Better buildings are being provided for the schools. Better care is necessary for the better build- ings. The better appliances for heating and ventilating are more costly to keep in repair. Where formerly one primer answered for a child, now, each must have five or six. Where formerly one book per pupil on Geography was sufficient, now, five or six geographical readers in addition must be had, if we keep up with the modern methods. The pressure from those above us in school matters is ever heavy for more and better outfit. These are some of the reasons why school expenses increase.
At the present time Rochester is spending nearly onethird of its revenues for school purposes, not count- ing the amount spent for new construction. Our city, however, is no worse off in this particular than very many other cities and towns of New England. In some places the amount expended for schools goes even higher, and nearly one-half of the municipal funds is used for educational purposes. This large amount devoted to educational purposes would not seem to be a serious matter anywhere provided a limit to the propor- tionate amount of a city's funds to be devoted to the schools appeared at some point. This limit does not as yet appear. The tendency is rather almost everywhere to increase the ratio than to diminish it. Such being the case, it is not to be wondered at that the tax-payer sometimes asks whether or not there is to be any limit to the proportionate amount of municipal funds that may be expended for school purposes. The question
183
CITY OF ROCHESTER
raised by the tax-payer is a good one for the considera- tion of us all. It certainly seems, in view of the many necessary things for which public money must now be ex- pended, that onethird of the revenues of any munici- pality should be deemed sufficient for the support of its schools.
But if the amount which a municipality can expend upon its schools is limited to the proportion mentioned, what is to be done as to many of the things advocated as necessary to be taught and done in the schools ? There is but one answer. Let the parent and the child do some things for themselves or let these things be omitted.
At the present time there are are free text-books, free supplies, and free transportation. School buildings are equipped with all modern conveniences. These are all good things to have but they cost someone something. We all love the children with a high and holy love, but we cannot give them everything and it is not wise to do so. When we go beyond the bounds of what is reasonable and sensible in bringing up and edu- cating a child, we, in a large measure, mullify the thing we are trying to do, namely, to make him an intelligent, self-respecting, self-supporting individual in the commu- nity in which he may live. There comes a time in the life of everyone when he must, in a great degree, depend upon himself. Would it not be well to let every child as a part of his education learn the cost of his training by bearing a portion of it? By this, it is not meant that we should revert to all the old conditions of our fathers. It means that the child should turn a portion of what he is now spending for sweetmeats and entertainments to the purchasing of some of his school supplies. That he should find the value of a dollar by
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ANNUAL REPORT
having to earn one now and then, and spending it for some personal need.
The children educated in the most expensive public schools do not, so far as is known, greatly if at all, sur- pass in taking prizes or in getting positions and holding them, those from some of the schools that teach fewer things but teach them well. Why, then, the call for everything for every child?
There is no desire in what has been said to cut down expenses to the injury of our school system, but there is certainly a desire to keep the matter of school expense within reasonable bounds It is believed that too many of our educators call for the introduction of many things into the schools without counting the cost or the real effect upon the child and the community. We are living in an age of extravagance, but that does not necessarily mean that we need to be extravagant in any particular.
JANITORS
The city now employs seven janitors. These men have in charge the school property of the city. They need to be, and I am happy to say they are, trusty, faithful men. Few realize how much depends upon these men to keep things running smoothly. They must be up early and home late, they must be gentlemanly but firm in doing their duties. No High School in the state has a better man than Mr. Rafferty.
DISEASES
During the year and especially during the fall term the schools have been more or less affiicted by those
185
CITY OF ROCHESTER
ever-prevalent diseases-the measles, mumps, whooping cough, pediculosis, etc. These diseases have affected the attendance to some extent. In dealing with these diseases the policy has been to exclude those pupils seri- ously affected and to keep those in the schools as free from contamination as possible. There is a lack on the part of many parents in looking after the physical con- dition of their children; as a consequence, the children of those who take pride in cleanliness and tidiness suffer. There is a constant effort being put forth by the Health Officer and the teachers to check diseases and vermin. Whatever is done by these officials is always prompted by and carried out in a spirit of kindness, and with a view to the betterment of school conditions.
CLOSING REMARKS
In closing I desire to thank, the teachers, jani- tors, and all the school officials for their many favors and loyal support.
The enrolment, percentages, and other statistics may be found on the last pages of the report.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT A. PUGSLEY,
Superintendent of Schools.
Report of the Principal of the High School
To Superintendent of Schools E. A. Pugsley :
DEAR SIR :- I submit herewith the annual report of the principal of the Rochester High School. With many of the conditions and needs mentioned you are doubtless familiar, but at this time they merit especial attention.
Attendance statistics for school year ending June 1910 ; and for the fall term ending December 1910 :
Class
Total Enrolm't
Average M'mb'rship
Average Attendance
Per Cent Attendance
Cases Tardy
No. Not Absent or Tardy
Left
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
June
Dec.
1910
34
32.73
30.67
93.70
184
2
1911
45
36
43.02
35.64
41.41
34.23
96.25
96.04
105
51
11
5
2
1912
46
40
44.27
37.27
42.32
36.18
95.59
97.07
108
40
4
18
5
2
1913
81
54
69.90
51.99 64.85
66.55
50.62 63.
95.22
97.36
91
73
9
18
11
3
1914
68
72
24
5
P.G
2
2
2
2
Tot
208
200
189.92 189.75|180.95 184.03
95.27
96.99
488
236
17
71
25
14
0 4 AO
No.
97.14
187
CITY OF ROCHESTER
The smaller enrolment of 1910 is explained by the fact that sixteen of those graduated from Grammar School did not enter High School and twenty-five mem- bers of the upper classes did not return in September.
Tardiness statistics show a serious condition. With one session, which diminishes opportunity for tardiness by one-half, we have had this fall term nearly one-half as many cases of tardiness as are recorded during the whole of the year ending June 1910. It is to be noted, however, that all this tardiness is caused by eighty pupils, seventeen of whom have been tardy five or more times each. (This record does not include those who have standing excuses on account of train or car accommo- dations.) Parents are urged to cooperate with the school in reducing the amount of tardiness.
The eyes and ears of 165 pupils have been examined with results shown below :
Pupils examined®
165
Glasses worn
21
Right eyes below normal
14
Left
11
Both
20
Right ears
9
Left
5
Both
66
18
Pupils whose teeth need attention
37
Pupils whose teeth are bad
12
Both eyes and ears below normal
10
Both eyes and ears normal
69
1
Fifty-one per cent of all eye and ear deficiency, and 76 per cent of those whose teeth need attention are found in the first-year class. These results appear
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ANNUAL REPORT
rather better than in many other city high schools, yet a general medical inspection seems desirable.
Of 183 pupils in school in June 1910, 114 were pro- moted without condition, 30 were promoted with a condition in one subject, and 37 failed in two or more subjects and were not promoted. Fifty-three per cent of those promoted on condition, and 57 per cent of those not promoted were first year pupils. The similarity of these percentages to those of eye, ear, and teeth defi- ciency is striking. Corresponding figures cannot be given for this fall, but according to reports of our 186 pupils, issued in December, 32 failed in one subject, and 45 in two or more subjects. A daily average of 20 pupils has been required to return to the school building for extra study under the direction of the teachers, and many failures have been made up successfully in this way ; but the number of failures is larger than it ought to be.
In this connection it is a noteworthy fact that at the beginning of the fall term 1910, there was only one teacher in the school who was there in the fall of 1909. It has thus been necessary for pupils to adjust themselves in a year to a practically new faculty, and for the teach- ers in turn to become acquainted with about two hundred new personalities. This condition is occasionally found in cities of the size of Rochester, yet if results of a high order are to be expected, special effort must be made to get and keep successful teachers.
The addition of one teacher, made in the spring, has reduced the average size of the divisions to 19.3. In most subjects divisions of this size are well adapted to the necessities of class teaching. With the occupancy of the new building by the grades we shall have two
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
additional rooms, which will relieve the congestion in the science laboratories, and greatly facilitate the general administration of the school.
The general attitude of the pupils towards their work and the school is good, but too few have a definite purpose. There are 53 who intend to go to college, 20 who wish to go into business, 16 who think of teaching, and 90 who are undecided. Among the last are 30 juniors and seniors, some of whom will decide on a particular line of work too late to readjust their courses without loss of time. If their decision is to go to college, it may then be asked why our High School does not prepare for college in four years.
That the course of study of the Rochester High School is comprehensive enough to prepare for college is evidenced by the fact that the New England College Entrance Certificate Board has recently renewed our certificate privilege for three years, after an examina- tion of the school course and because of the good record of our graduates who have gone to college during the last three years. This means that our graduates may be admitted to any one of thirteen New England col- leges without examination in subjects in which they have the recommendation of the school; such recom- mendation is given in subjects which have been passed with an average of eighty per cent or more. In the year 1910 six full and two partial certificates have been granted by the school and accepted by colleges.
During the year there have been added to the cur- riculum a second year in German, a full course in Com- mercial Geography, and the time devoted to Business Arithmetic and to Business Law has been doubled. I believe further changes should be made in the near
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ANNUAL REPORT
future. We need a course in Science for the second year, in English History for the third year and in Drawing available for all. Elementary mathematics should be reviewed in the third year instead of in the fourth year as now, and Advanced Mathematics should be taught in the fourth year instead of in the third. The last change would make it easy for those who intend to enter col- lege on examination, by enabling them to take prelim- inaries in mathematics at the end of their junior year.
The equipment of our laboratories is in fair condi- tion, though some old apparatus needs to be replaced, and some additional pieces should be purchased soon. The efficiency of our Commercial Department would be greatly increased by the furnishing of one room with desks suitable for bookkeeping, and with facilities for office work and business practice.
Perhaps the greatest need at the present time is a good library for reference and for supplementary read- ing. The satisfactory teaching and study of history, literature, and other subjects in our curriculum require a large amount of reading outside the text-book. Col- lege and state authorities require it. For the history outlined in our course the State requires an approved school to have a minimum of 71 volumes for supplemen- tary reading. Of these less than ten are on our shelves. The State requires members of our English classes to read each year outside of class and pass an examination on six classics chosen from a list of eighteen. Of this total of 72 volumes we have one copy each of less than twenty-five while we need two copies of each. All study and reading requires easy access to an unabridged dictionary. To meet the requirement of nearly 200 pupils seated in six different rooms, we need at least six unabridged dictionaries. Of these we now have two, one
T
I
1 1
---
191
CITY OF ROCHESTER
of which is in very poor condition. To supply needed books the teachers have used their private libraries freely, one teacher having nearly 200 of her books in use at the school this year. Our Public Library has been and is now most generous in buying and loaning books to us, but it cannot take the place of a school library.
In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the conscientious and efficient work of the assistant teachers, the cooperation of the Superintendent of Schools, and of the support of the School Board and of the general public.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD H. BACON.
Report of Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent of Schools :
SIR :- I have the honor to submit herewith my annual report of the Music Department.
In regard to the general interest on the part of both teachers and pupils, there is little of detail to mention. I would say that the grade teachers are cooperating perfectly, and that the pupils are responding splendidly to the efforts put forth in their behalf. If there are any exceptions to the last part of the statement, they are only enough to prove the rule ; and the progress now being made is more satisfactory than ever before.
It may not be out of place to note the fact that in many of the rooms the books have become badly worn, and in some cases unsanitary, and new ones should take their places. It seems to the Supervisor that it would be more economical in the long run if every room were to be supplied with books, instead of passing the same set from room to room, as is done in some cases where there happen to be two classes of the same grade in the build- ing. If each pupil were to be charged with a book and held to a strict accountability for pencil marks and torn pages, it would tend to an enhanced respect for the city's property, and thereby a not unimportant part of each child's education would be considered.
There are now in use in all the primary grades, pamphlet editions of sight reading exercises for individ-
193
CITY OF ROCHESTER
ual practice, consisting of scale studies and classic melodies, selected and carefully graded so as to fit the varying abilities of the children as to natural endow- ment. These exercises have proved a stimulus to the interest of the pupils as individuals, and we shall be able to state definitely at the end of the school year the standard of ability of every individual pupil in the primary grades, and just what kind of an exercise represents his or her attainment in individual perform- ance. Materials of like character should be furnished these classes from year to year as they advance in the grades, only adapted to their higher attainments. There is no good reason why a large majority of our pupils should not be able to read and vocalize at sight, exercises containing technical problems within the scope of their practical experience, as readily as they would an equally difficult paragraph in English.
I desire to express my sincere thanks to all my fel- low teachers, the pupils, the School Board, and the Superintendent for the helpful cooperation which has rendered my connection with the schools of Rochester so pleasant, and has contributed so largely to whatever of success may have crowned any efforts during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
A. E. FRENCH.
13
Financial Statement
Summary of Receipts and Expenditures RECEIPTS
Balance from 1909 $ 218 68
Appropriation by City Council
28,500 00
Received for tuitions 303 76
Old flooring
2 00
Supplies sold
5 35
Use of telephone
90
Literary fund
807 66
Balance of dog license
1,052 73
$30,891 08
EXPENDITURES
Teachers and Superintendent $19,823 48
Janitors
1,956 62
Transportation
4,290 50
Fuel and freight on same
1,032 43
Repairs
972 36
Books and supplies
1,216 44
Incidentals
1,299 26
-$30,591 09
Balance $ 299 99
195
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Itemized Statement
RECEIPTS
Received balance from 1909 $ 218 68
Appropriation for 1910
28,500 00
Tuition
54 28
Tuition and incidental re- ceipts
78 40
Tuition
45 32
Walter Cobb
40 00
Helen Varney
10 83
For old flooring, Allen building
2 00
Tuition Ruth Wentworth
24 88
Harry Jones, Gr. School
4 66
Muriel Stevens
15 13
Norton Wiggin
15 13
Hazel Foss
15 13
Money for supplies sold
5 35
Use of 'phone
90
State Literary fund
807 66
Dog license
1,052 73
$30,891 08
EXPENDITURES
TEACHERS
Paid pay-rolls Nos. 1, 4, 7, 10, 13,
16, 19, 22, 28, 31 $18,626 21 Miss Brook's board bill in ad- dition to salary 50 00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Paid Miss Elm's board bill in addi- tion to salary Substitutes
$25 00
22 27
$18,723 48
SUPERVISION
Paid Andrew Jackson, 7 months $ 700 00 Everett A. Pugsley, 4 " 400 00
$1,100 00
JANITORS
Paid pay-roll Nos. 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, 32 $1,831 42
George Magoon, services East Rochester 5 20
C. Rafferty, services July and
August
120 00
$1,956 62
TRANSPORTATION
Paid pay-rolls Nos. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33 $4,144 50 D. S. & R. Street R'y, schol- ars' tickets 146 00
$4,290 50
FUEL
Paid G. E. Greenfield, 13,845 lbs.
coal at $5.50 per ton
$ 38 07
197
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Paid William Meader, 2 cds. fitted wood $ 12 00
Moore Bros., 4 tons egg coal 26 76
C. F. Felker, ¿ cord fitted wood 3 50
Moore Bros., 2 tons egg coal
13 38
G. E. Greenfield, 4 tons Cumb. coal 22 00
B. & M. Railroad, freight
16 90
Consol. Coal Co., 1 car coal 70 72
B. &. M. Railroad, freight and demurrage 60 72
Consol. Coal Co., 23.17 tons coal 82 25
Charles F. Trask, 10 loads edgings 10 00
B. & M. R. R., freight
18 16
B. & M. R. R., demurrage
6 00
Consol. Coal Co., coal
327 73
B. & M. R. R.
30 52
M. E. Jones, 2} cds. wood
7 50
Consol. Coal Co., 80,450 lbs. coal at $3.55 per ton 127 48
A. W. Richards & Co., 1 cd. pine wood' 3 50
B. &. M. R. R., freight on coal 22 24
Marston Brock, 6 cds. fitted wood at $5.50 33 00
Marston Brock ¿ cd. fitted pine wood 2 00
G. E. Greenfield, coal, etc., as · per bill No. 238 98 00
$1,032 43
13a
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ANNUAL REPORT
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Paid P. P. Simmons, 30 Buckwalter readers $ 16 55
Ginn & Co., books and music 43 21
Atkinson Mentzer & Grover, 24 Art Literature 10 00
Silver, Burdett & Co., books,
maps, and writing 60 18
E. E. Babb & Co., books and supplies 59 09
American Book Co., readers and histories 76 16
D. C. Heath & Co., books 12 75
Milton Bradley & Co., paints
3 87
Fred P .. Meader, 30 gross pens
9 90
D. C. Heath & Co., books
18 00
Gaylord Brothers, ink com- pound 4 50
D. C. McIntosh, 36 rapid cal- culators 10 43
Ginn & Co., Geographies, Gu-
lick, bk. IV, and readers 124 48
E. E. Babb & Co., general supplies, bill No. 36 385 81
E. E. Babb & Co., general supplies, bill No. 49 34 62
Milton Bradley & Co., paints
4 42
Allyn & Bacon, books 6 00
A. E. French, 150 singing ex- ercises 4 50
Ginn & Co., books on Hygiene, readers and arithmetics 52 08
Silver, Burdett & Co., Civil Govts. and music 9 30
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CITY OF ROCHESTER
Paid D. C. Heath & Co., books, (Trig. and Alg.) $25 80
Smith Premier Typewr. Co., 1 table 4 00
Ginn & Co., readers 11 52
Werner Co., readings for High School 4 65
Remington Typewriter Co., 2 typewriters 80 00
E. E. Babb & Co., paper 3 90
Silver, Burdett & Co., music 5 00
Pearson Bros., 1 copy "The Speaker " 1 68
. Houghton Mifflin & Co., books
23 29
Ginn & Co., books (Physics and Class Books) 41 62
L. E. Knott Co., repairs on apparatus 13 95
E. E. Babb & Co., paper 4 34
Ginn & Co., 10 Cæsars 8 00
E. S. Werner, speaking litera- ture 3 68
L. E. Knott & Co., supplies for Chem. and Phys. 21 16
Allyn & Bacon, 24 Bennett's Foundations 18 00
$1,216 44
REPAIRS
Paid Berry & Shorey, bill for Dec. $ 1 88 Rochester Lumber Co., glass and putty 1 30
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