USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > Rochester > Annual report of the city of Rochester, New Hampshire : for the year ending 1915 > Part 8
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We are making an effort to bring to school all. children of school age, and to cut down to as small pro- portions as possible the absences without cause. The truant officers are working to this end with much zeal and discretion. The statements on the census cards have been examined, and all cases of children returned as not in school have been investigated.
An event of very great importance to the school
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
department is the organization of the Parent-Teacher association. It is already a strong and vigorous organ- ization, actively interested in helping the schools. I think we may anticipate very great results from its activities.
On the educational side, my work has consisted largely in visits to the classrooms, involving criticism and suggestions made in conference with the teachers, and in teachers' meetings held for various purposes. We have had one general meeting, two meetings of the principals of the schools, four grade meetings in which the work of grades one to four has been discussed in detail, one meeting for teachers of music, and weekly meetings for teachers of handwriting. Especial em- phasis has been placed during the half year upon the latter subject. Many of the teachers are taking corre- spondence lessons, and fitting themselves to become both expert penmen and teachers of handwriting. I hope to continue the grade meetings for the upper grades at an early date.
A teachers' library has been started by collecting the books in the office and in the schools suitable for such a purpose, and a few volumes have been purchased. Many similar books are available in the public library. The assistance of the library in the work of both teachers and pupils, is of the greatest importance, and the more than cordial co-operation of the librarian is thoroughly appreciated.
Looking now towards the future, I may say that it seems to me that we are equipped for work of a high order. The pupils are splendidly concentrated, with no schools of the small, isolated, forlorn type so common in many districts. We have, in the main, excellent school buildings, and very unusual playgrounds, so far
201
CITY OF ROCHESTER
as the amount of land is concerned. It is a pleasure to speak in the highest terms of the teaching force. Al- most without exception, teachers are earnest, indus- trious, enthusiastic, and progressive.
The things we are to strive for in the immediate future are those toward which every good school sys- tem is working. School people everywhere are trying to make education less bookish and more real, less abstract and remote, and more useful and practical. We are trying to deal less with children in the mass, and more with individual children. We are endeavor- ing to avoid the lock step in the school. We are trying to cultivate initiative, independence, and sound judg- ment in pupils, in place of the extreme docility and de- pendence upon the teacher, which characterizes some of the so-called best schools. Perhaps the most im- portant of all, we are trying to socialize education and train the child to group work or team work, and above all to think of his life as a part of the common life of the community and the world.
In carrying out these ideals, the first matter which presents itself is the organization of the program, in the effort to cast out all useless topics and subjects, to reduce the subjects taken to their minimum essentials, and thus find time for those matters which are of su- preme importance. If anything is plain, it is that education does not consist in imbibing knowledge from books, which may be useful in later life, but does con- sist in training for efficiency in action. If this is true, it follows that we must have, in school work, much more doing than at present. Rochester schools are very much behind in this particular. We have only a single vocational course in the High school, where other schools of the state have two and three such courses. We have no drawing, sewing, cooking or manual train-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
ing in the lower schools, nor do we have systematic training out of doors upon the playgrounds. Our en- deavors, I believe, should be along these lines, and as rapidly as possible we should provide work which in- volves action, initiative, and enthusiasm on the part of the pupils, and which will train them to think and to do, rather than simply to remember.
I cannot close without commenting, in the highest terms, upon the services of the janitors of the various schools. The city is fortunate in having in its employ a body of men who are industrious, devoted, and dis- creet to a high degree. I am impressed more and more, as time goes on, with the importance of this office in the school system. The work involved is vastly more than the mechanical details of the care of buildings and heating plants. The men who are employed by the school department are giving service out of all propor- tion to the compensation which they receive, which is, in fact, less than that paid the day laborers employed by the city.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the courtesy and consideration shown me by your board, and the cordial co-operation of both citizens and officiais in working together for the good of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES A. BRECK,
Superintendent.
Report of the Principal of the High School
Mr. Charles A. Breck, Superintendent of Schools :
SIR :- I herewith submit the annual report of the High school.
In the class of 1915, the following students were given diplomas :
Name
Present Occupation
Jeanette Annis
Mrs. Euclide Vachon
Stella Bickford
At Home
Ruth Brock
Mrs. Guy Huckins
Ida Clarke
Housework
Mildred Cook
Plymouth Normal School
Blanche Critchett
Teaching, Barrington, N. H.
Louise Dennett
F. H. Woolworth's
Ethel Fairbanks
At Home
Lillian Fernald
New Eng. Tel. & Tel. Co.
N. H. State College
Irene Hall
Susie Harmon
Office, Linscott-Tyler-Wil- son Co. Plymouth Normal School
Ellen Hart
Arline Hayes
Mary Hodgdon
Marion Holmes
Gertrude Horne
Faustina Jordan
Post Graduate, R. H. S.
Bates College
Simmons College
Jonas Spaulding & Sons Co.
Teaching, Piermont, N. H.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
Name
Annabelle Lowe
Mildred March
Grace McCallister
Jennie McDonald
Ellen Nangle
Maude Reid
Marion Roberts
Doris Shapleigh
Hazel Shedd
Grace Springfield
Florence Shorey Julia Teague
Louise Tripp
Spencer Baril
Earle Brock
Kenneth Brock
Ralph Canney
Perley Cater
Murray Collins Roland Foss
Dartmouth College
With E. G. & E. Wallace
N. H. State College
Tilton Seminary
In Employ of City Hotel
Arthur McGinn John McGinn Arthur Meader Carleton Meader
B. & M. Freight Office At Home With Gonic Mfg. Co.
Raymond Meader Samuel Stokes Robert Sweet
N. H. State College Tufts Dental College
Exeter Academy
Present Occupation At Home
Plymouth Normal School
Office, Leslie W. Snow
Office, E. G. & E. Wallace
Office, N. B. Thayer
Office, Linscott-Tyler-Wil- son Co. Gray's Business . College, Portland, Me.
Bates College
N. H. State College
Gray's Business College, Portland, Me. Office, N. B. Thayer & Co.
Office, Salinger Bros. At Home
Cushing Academy
With A. L. Brock Rubber Co., Saugus, Mass.
Cushing Academy At Home
With Gonic Mfg. Co.
With E. G. & E. Wallace
Leo Halpin John Hickey
Kenneth Magoon
205
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Name
Present Occupation
Burton Sylvester
Post Graduate, New Bed- ford High School
Thornton Tripp
At Home
Eben Wallace
Exeter Academy
Jasper Ward
Bryant & Stratton Business College Dartmouth College
Wallace Wright
To summarize this class of 52 by present occupa- tions ; the record shows :
In college
10
In normal school
3
In various preparatory or business schools
10
In office positions
7
Teaching
2
Married
2
At work in various occupations
11
At home
7
52
Two of the boys listed as "at home" are endeavor- ing to earn money to enable them to enter college next fall, and two girls are at work with the intention of later entering normal school or college.
In addition to this list, two of our previous grad- uates entered Boston University this fall; four, New Hampshire State college; one, the University of Ver- mont; one, Wellesley college; and one, Bates college.
The total enrollment for the year is 302, divided as follows : one post-graduate; 47 seniors; 56 juniors ; 84 sophomores; and 114 freshmen. Of this number, 40 have left school, leaving the present membership
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
262 as compared with the total enrollment of 296, and a present membership of 288 December 1, 1914.
The teaching force, for the second successive year, lost nearly half its membership as the result of resig- nations presented last June. Mr. Whipple assumed the principalship of the Kennebunk, Me. High school; Mr. King took charge of the commercial department at Brewster Academy; while Miss Stetson and Miss Babbitt accepted positions in Manchester, Mass., and in Concord, Mass., respectively. In every case, these changes were promotions of efficient teachers to posi- tions of higher salaries and added responsibilities, the increase in salaries alone ranging from $100 to $300 in each case; but it is evident that this constant change in the teaching force presents one of the most serious problems this school has to meet. There are at present but two assistant teachers in the school who were here in the fall of 1913; and since that date, the important position, head of the commercial department, has had four different occupants. Even if we lay aside all question of comparative merit, it is evident that every such change means a loss of time, and a waste of energy in adapting new personalities to local needs and con- ditions. It is to be hoped that some means of holding instructors of recognized ability may be devised, as one of the most effective means of increasing the efficiency of the school.
In the places made vacant by these resignations, the Board elected Mr. Brock, Mr. Hainfeld, Miss Plumer, and Miss Boomer. The candidates selected have begun their work with energy and enthusiasm; and the faculty as a whole is capable, harmonious, and efficient.
We are fortunate in that the Board has been able to retain the serivecs of Mr. Dame as janitor. Aside
207
CITY OF ROCHESTER
from his thorough care of the bulding and premises, his attitude of ready willingness to co-operate with the teachers or pupils in any plan for bettering school con- ditions, and his ability to meet the demands on his time and energy, can hardly be too highly commended.
During the year the school has received several gifts from its alumni and from other friends. The class of 1908 gave a fine copy of Bastien Lepage's Joan of Arc; 1914 installed a sanitary drinking foun- tain; and 1915 a shower bath for the use of the ath- letic teams. The business men of the city contributed a large framed picture of the 1915 champion base ball team, Dr. Robert V. Sweet and Mr. Lynn Storer made gifts to this team, and last, but by no means least, Mr. Fred Allen Walker recognized the scholastic side of the school activities by offering a splendid silver "Dart- mouth" medal to be awarded for the best scholastic record made during the present year. The Mary Emily Springfield scholarship continues to provide a generous aid for the college expenses of a Rochester graduate. For the present year, this scholarship has been awarded to Miss Ruth McCallister of the class of 1914.
Debating has been attempted for the first time, with excellent results. The "Forum," a voluntary organization of about twenty boys, held some half dozen ยท debates within the school and furnished the material for two teams, which successfully represented the school in interscholastic debates with Nute high, and with Sanborn Seminary. The interest was good and the benefit derived undoubted. One of the boys from this organization has already been chosen a member of the freshman debating team at Dartmouth. It is hoped to continue the "Forum" in much the same form this winter.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
The High school entertainment course is now pro- ducing a yearly profit of at least eighty dollars. The indications are that the present course will probably show a greater profit financially than any yet under- taken. A new Neostyle has been purchased, certain reference books have been bought, in conjunction with the public library, which, by its co-operation with the school, has rendered it unnecessary to maintain a dis- tinctly school reference library. It is intended to use the remaining sum as a reserve fund to be drawn upon from time to time as special needs develop.
Athletics have flourished both as regards finances and as regards a healthy activity in this branch of our school life. In football, Mr. Hainfeld has willingly given a large part of his time, outside of school, to developing and coaching the team, with the result of the best athletic showing the school has made in recent years. Volley ball has been introduced, for the girls, with most gratifying results. Over fifty made use of the court, and it is expected that this number can be greatly increased when a second court is installed next spring. A judicious amount of healthful out-of-door exercise for the largest possible number is the aim in view, with enough outside games to maintain the com- petitive spirit necessary to hold the maximum interest. The school paper has cut down its number of issues from five to three in order to avoid the necessity of conducting a social or sale to pay its bills. This makes the "Red and White" a straightforward business prop- osition able to stand on its own feet and to pay its own way, while it has been able at the same time to main- tain or even improve its literary standard. The usual number of school or class social evenings have been arranged.
209
CITY OF ROCHESTER
In the matter of equipment, some progress has been made. The small desks and seats in Room 2, which were never designed or intended for high school classes, are to be replaced by furniture better adapted to the age of the pupil. A new arrangement of seats and the installation of a demonstration desk in the lab- oratory have greatly added to the efficiency of the de- partment. The question as to fire escapes has already been presented to the board. Under normal conditions, it has invariably been possible to completely clear the building in one minute or less; but if actual danger were at hand and the corridors were filled with smoke, particularly if any great number of the pupils were in the assembly hall on the third floor of the building, the situation might readily present very dangerous possi- bilities. Pending the construction of fire escapes, the fire drill has been modified to provide for possible emergencies ; and at each drill, certain pupils have been detailed to make sure that every one has actually left the building.
Textbooks, while on the whole in improved condi- dition, still present a serious problem. This year four classes have bought and paid for necessary textbooks, which the board was not able to procure at the time with the funds available. Two divisions in Ancient History are now using texts bought in September; 1911, which are not at all suited to their needs, and the copies of which are practically worn out. Many of the sup- plementary texts in English are in very poor condition and must be replaced. In French, one division provided with a modern textbook has shown a marked advance beyond the other division of the same class, which is more poorly equipped. Such conditions materially impair the efficiency of the school and are being cor-
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
rected as fast as funds are made available. Meanwhile, one chapel period a week has been given over to in- spection and repair of books still usable, and an accurate system of charging and tracing books has been main- tained.
In the classroom most of the attention has been devoted to liberalizing the subjects taught and to bringing the subject in closer relationship to the actual life of the pupil. Our Commercial department has ex- tended its office practice begun last year, until now each member of the senior commercial classes has three or more weeks of real office work, sometime during the year, either in the principal's office or in that of the superintendent of schools. The department has also undertaken a great deal of copying and duplicating exercises, problems, or forms for other departments of the school, besides accepting some work of the same nature from outside sources, as a business enterprise. It is hoped that a similar plan may be devised for our bookkeeping classes. The present method involves the purchase each year of considerable expensive material part of which, at least, is of very doubtful value. It would seem that the school and city accounts might readily be made to serve as a basis for much of what we now require our textbooks to provide, and investi- gations are being made as to how far we can safely go in this direction. This same tendency has been very marked throughout practically every department of the school and will probably be carried considerably fur- ther during the next year. Three of the faculty at- tended summer school during the last vacation, and others plan to do so next year, while every teacher is making a strenuous effort to render the instruction applicable to the real life of the pupil.
211
CITY OF ROCHESTER
As the situation appears at present, the school is justifying its existence in two definite phases of activ- ity. First, as a college preparatory school, during the last year, it has been reapproved for the certificate privilege by the New England Board of College En- trance Certification, by Dartmouth College, and by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, in each case for the maximum period for which such approval is granted by the institution named. Further, nearly twenty per cent. of our graduating class have entered college di- rectly from the school and are doing creditable work. We hope to equal the record of last year, when not a Rochester graduate failed in a single subject covered by the entrance certificate. The record also shows that apparently we are sucessful in stimulating in our pupils a desire to continue their education beyond the high school. Twenty-three pupils who are engaged in such work, out of a class of fifty-two, is rather an ex- ceptional record, and must be considered as due, in large part, to a combination of circumstances rather than altogether to the policy of the school.
Second, our commercial department is each year receiving a greater call for competent graduates to take good positions in our own community. Seven such graduates were placed this year, and it is believed that, in the future, we can offer the community even better service of this nature. We hope to be able to open greater opportunities for the boys, as well as for the girls, and to give them really a more definite value for the time spent in the school.
It does not appear, however, that the school should limit its field to the two classes of pupils outlined above. A great many never can go to college or normal school, and many more do not intend to undertake office work.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
Even from this exceptional graduating class, in which over sixty per cent. have followed one of these two well defined paths, there are far too many who have not received from the school all that the ideal school should give them. Even then, the real seriousness of the problem is not apparent from the study of the statistics of a graduating class. The boys and girls who have not graduated, but who have gone to work have been too often allowed to leave, because the school has had too little to offer them. We have, for instance, pupils with marked talent in drawing, who are not particu- larly successful in academic branches. We have boys, who would make excellent machinists, or girls, who would do splendid work in some of the practical art courses, but who may very likely drop out of school through lack of interest in what the school can at pres- ent offer. New Hampshire State college, by its two- year courses, will very probably attract many of this type; but it is to be sincerely hoped that as soon as possible we may be enabled to go further in our own development of such work.
Permit me to express my sincere appreciation of your friendly and efficient co-operation in the solution of our school problems, and to thank the parents, citi- zens, and members of the board who have given liber- ally of their time and energy for the good of the school system.
Respectfully submitted,
GILMAN H. CAMPBEL,L
Principal.
Report of Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent :
SIR :- I respectfully submit my report of the music in the schools of Rochester.
The work is progressing, and has never been at a higher standard than at present. The reason for this is the earnest and hearty co-operation between the teachers and myself, and the spontaneous response from the children, who show a marked appreciation of the opportunity given them to study music,-the greatest of the arts. The music, as we find it in our schools today, is something everyone in Rochester should be proud of. Our children read music at sight from the first grade through the high school, and also are being taught to write music, so it becomes some- thing real to them. Some of the original melodies handed to me would do credit to much older people, and to people having a much broader musical educa- tion.
One High school chorus is doing splendid work, and I can safely say there is no study to which they give more earnest attention, or from which they derive more real pleasure, than the short period given to music.
The extra day given to me this year has helped wonderfully, and we can do better work and more of it. We are also having special meetings for the teachers, for the discussion of the best ways to present
14a
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ANNUAL REPORT OF
and teach music, and we all find these meetings very helpful. The sight singing in the grades is greatly im- proved, and both written and oral dictation have pro- gressed. We find a much sweeter and purer tone qual- ity in all the rooms, and the sense of rhythm is notice- ably better.
Our graduation music last June, taken from the regular work in school, is worthy of mention, and both teachers and myself felt proud of our boys and girls; we also speak with pleasure of the Mandolin club, from the High school. They did very good work with one re- hearsal a week all last winter, and on several occasions played to everyone's satisfaction. We also had a very fine boys' quartette.
In closing, I wish to thank the teachers who have worked with me this past year, and assure them of my heartiest appreciation, for only their willingness to co-operate with me, has brought the year's work through successfully and has made the work a very great pleasure to me.
Respectfully yours,
MOLLIE C. DONOHOE,
Supervisor of Music.
Financial Statement
RECEIPTS, 1915
Balance from 1914
$ 521 94
Appropriations 33,000 00
Additional appropriations
1,200 00
Literary fund
965 90
Rebate from Miscellaneous Dep't (Tur- melle bill) Dog licenses
20 60
657 90
TUITIONS :
Town of Farmington
$240 00
New Durham
124 22
Jackson
68 43
Eppingham
40 00
Barrington
627 40
Elma E. Wiggin
7 66
Geo. D. Emery
40 00
Frank D. Stevens
54 74
J. W. Libby
14 74
Geo. H. Jones
4 67
1,221 86
Books and supplies sold
11 79
Use of telephone
1 15
Old books and iron
16 93
Sundry receipts
72
$37,618 79
216
ANNUAL REPORT OF
EXPENDITURES, 1915
Textbooks
$1,850 15
Scholars' supplies
783 49
Teachers (regular)
21,632 32
(special)
400 00
Superintendent
1,661 58
Transportation
5,080 84
Repairs
1,259 71
Insurance
30 00
Janitors
2,631 00
Fuel
674 67
Lights
1 84
New equipment
68 40
Printing
179 50
Freight and express
150 88
Miscellaneous
1,209 61
$37,613 99
Expenditures TEXTBOOKS, 1915
E. E. Babb & Co.
$ 427 20
Gregg Publishing Co.
2 12
Parker P. Simmons
60 91
D. Appleton & Co.
50 00
Rumford Printing Co.
4 50
Charles Scribner's Sons
32 47
Henry Holt & Co.
15 25
Macmillan & Co.
5 09
Phonographic Institute Co.
15 00
Allyn & Bacon
12 80
217
CITY OF ROCHESTER
Houghton Mifflin Co.
$ 19 60
American Book Co.
510 07
Ginn & Co. 440 65
Benjamin H. Sanborn & Co.
46 09
D. C. Heath & Co.
170 95
Silver, Burdett & Co.
37 45
$1,850 15
SCHOLARS' SUPPLIES
E. E. Babb & Co.
$ 403 12
J. L. Hammett Co.
239 69
Milton Bradley Co.
47 37
McKinley Publishing Co.
9 00
F. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
14 92
D. C. McIntosh
10 74
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins
11 00
T. W. Osgood
3 65
Gaylord Bros.
4 50
Remington Typewriter Co.
10 00
Fred P. Meader
12 36
Underwood Typewriter Co.
1 00
Kee Lox Manufacturing Co.
5 00
Etta J. Stanley
1 25
Anna W. Ballard
5 50
Oliver Ditson Co.
4 39
$ 783 49
TEACHERS
Pay roll No. 1
$ 1,182 36
4
1,175 36
7
1,173 92
10
1,172 92
218
ANNUAL REPORT OF
Pay roll No. 13
$ 1,173 92
16
1,173 11
19
587 46
22
1,171 43
25
1,173 92
28
1,170 76
31
1,169 60
34
1,171 41
37
191 51
1
1,187 60
4
1,189 60
7
1,191 76
10
1,193 92
13
1,193 92
16
1,193 92
19
1,193 92
$22,032 32
SUPERINTENDENT, 1915
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