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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD.
Presented in Town Meeting, April 7, 1862.
DEDHAM: PRINTED BY JOHN COX, Jr. 1862.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MEDFIELD.
Presented in Town Meeting, April 7, 1862.
DEDHAM: PRINTED BY JOHN COX, Jr. 1862.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
The School Committee submit to their fellow citizens the following Report of the Schools in Medfield, for the year ending with April 6th, 1862.
North School.
SUMMER TERM-JUNIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MISS MARIA G. STEDMAN, of Medfield. Term, 14 weeks; number of scholars, 44; average attendance, 3743 ; never absent, 4; never tardy, 9.
WINTER TERM-SENIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MISS MARY J. HAMANT, of Medfield. Term, 15 weeks; number of scholars, 24; average attendance, 2349 ; over fifteen years of age, 7; never absent, 9 ; never tardy, 16.
WINTER TERM-JUNIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MISS MARIA G. STEDMAN. Term, 15 weeks; number of scholars, 30; average attendance, 2738 ; never absent, 6 ; never tardy, 18.
Central School.
SUMMER TERM-SENIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MRS. RE- BECCA P. MAYNARD, of Sherborn. Term, 14 weeks ; number of sehol- ars, 41 ; average attendance, 33163 ; over fifteen years of age, 4 ; never absent, 1; never tardy, 17.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
SUMMER TERM-JUNIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MISS HELEN M. WILcox, of Newport, N. H. Term, 14 weeks ; number of scholars, 36; average attendance, 2963; under five years of age, 2; always present, none ; never tardy, 23.
WINTER TERM-JUNIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MRS. HELEN M. BARTON, of Newport, N. H. Term, 14 weeks ; number of scholars, 32 ; average attendance, 27,13 ; always present, none ; never tardy, 24.
WINTER TERM-SENIOR DEPARTMENT-Teacher, MR. CHARLES M. BARROWS, of Brimfield. Term, 14 weeks ; number of scholars, 52 ; average attendance, 4011; over fifteen years of age, 17; never absent, 10 ; never tardy, 9.
South School.
SUMMER TERM-Teacher, MISS MARIA S. DWIGHT, of Wren- tham. Term, 10 weeks ; number of scholars, 36; average attendance, 29 f6 ; under five years of age, 1 ; over fifteen years of age, 1 ; never absent, 9 ; never tardy, 26.
WINTER TERM-Teacher, MR. SAMUEL C. HUNT, of Franklin. Term, 13 weeks ; number of scholars, 36; average attendance, 3239 over fifteen years of age, 6; never absent, 8 ; never tardy, 23.
We are not inclined to enter into any criticism on the ability or success of the teachers whose names are recorded above, as employed in our schools during the past year. It is not necessary, nor is it proper, that, in a report like this, their deficiencies or mistakes should be proclaimed, even if they exist. In our social and confidential connection with them, we have freely mentioned their errors in government and in teaching, when- ever these have become apparent to us. It is by suggesting their failings to them personally and in private, not in a public report, that the services and counsel of the Committee are of real and permanent value to those who teach, and to those who are taught.
We are happy to say that in all the schools we have had good and faith- ful teachers. They have by their earnest and untiring labors for their
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
pupils, richly merited the praise and the confidence of both the parents and the Committee. It gives us pleasure to believe, that their services have been appreciated, and that these teachers will be remembered with affectionate interest and gratitude by a large majority, not of the parents only, but of the scholars also, who have enjoyed the benefits of their in- struction.
A very gratifying improvement has been made in the North School. In the Junior Department, we have observed an increasing interest and atten- tion, more diligence in study, better order, far more animation and prompt- ness in recitation, than have been witnessed there before for several years. And all this has been secured in no small degree, by retaining the services of one good teacher, avoiding those constant changes, which are of neces- sity exceedingly detrimental to the welfare of our schools.
In the Senior Department, also, there has been commendable progress in all the studies. It was gratifying to see what power of close, continu- ous attention and thought had been acquired, in analyzing and solving some of the most difficult problems in Greenleaf's Mental Arithmetic. Much pains has been taken in composition. When we remember how re- luctant our young friends generally are to make any earnest and persistent effort to improve themselves in this most needful exercise, the Committee would especially commend the scholars of this school for the interest which they have manifested in this branch of study. The result of their deter- mined purpose was, the production of several essays of decided merit, showing a maturity of thought, and propriety of expression, which we are not accustomed to find among scholars so young.
The attendance, also, in the Senior Department, during the Winter Term, should be noted ; and we would commend it to all the other schools as an example worthy of their imitation. We think that there has not been an instance for years in this town, where the per centage of attend- ance has been so large. We hope that this will continue, and that there will be a noble emulation among all our youth to excel in this respect.
We have also a favorable report to make of the South School. In reading we found a marked improvement with some of the classes. Care- ful attention has here also been given to mental arithmetic, and it afforded
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
us great pleasure to see very difficult problems solved without the least hesitation, without the aid of the book, the teacher simply enunciating the example. And yet these same scholars at the beginning of the Winter Term, were unable to analyze some of the very simple principles found in the first pages of Greenleaf.
In the Junior Department of the Central School a new teacher lias been employed. It was natural that very much would be expected of her, when we remember that the school for several previous years had been under the care of a model teacher. But we are happy to say that she met the responsibility with a high degree of success. The parents generally were entirely satisfied. The Committee always found the school- room still, the scholars industrious, the recitations conducted with spirit and energy. We believe that all was accomplished that could reasonably be expected, and we would give to the teacher our warm approval.
In the Senior Department of the Central School, an unpleasant and un- fortunate state of things has existed during the Winter Term. Mr. Chas. M. Barrows was the teacher engaged for this school, by the District Com- mittee, Mr. Noyes. He came with high recommendations from the Principal of the Normal School at Bridgewater, of which he was a grad- uate. He was also a tried and experienced teacher, bearing testimonials of his ability and success from those where he had previously taught. We found his examination highly satisfactory, and he commenced his school, having our entire confidence in his fitness for imparting thorough instruc- tion in all the branches which are taught in the District Schools of this Commonwealthı.
As soon as he had organized his classes and laid out his work for the Winter, we spent several hours with him and his scholars, and from what we saw of his mode of teaching and discipline, we were agreeably con- firmed in the conviction, that the District had obtained a valuable teacher, and that he was fully competent to occupy the position to which he had been appointed.
Shortly after this, we were pained and surprised to learn from the teacher himself, that some of his oldest scholars were rude and disrespect- ful to him, and in other ways were endeavoring to subvert his authority,
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
and break up the order and the government of the school. It was to sub- due this spirit, that he was led to expel, at the beginning of the term, two of his oldest scholars. This was made the occasion of very many severe and unjust reflections upon the teacher, and also led to the circulation of various false reports, greatly injurious to his reputation and character Under this state of things, it became exceedingly difficult for him to govern the school, and seriously hindered his usefulness and success.
During all this misapprehension and opposition, the Committee felt it to be their duty to stand by the teacher, and give him their firm support. By spending much time in the school-room, and by careful observation, they were assured of his superior qualifications, and were confident that if he were sustained by the parents, he would maintain good order, and prove a most valuable instructor of their children. They believed that for years it had not been the good fortune of the District to enjoy the services of a better teacher, or of one more deserving of confidence and support. With these convictions we could not yield to those who thought that he ought to be dismissed.
In saying this we do not claim perfection for him as a teacher. We do not affirm that he made no mistakes. We do not say that he never erred in judgment, or in any of his efforts to maintain discipline and good order, or that every thing he did was absolutely right. If our teachers are cen- sured, condemned, and sent away just so soon as we discover any imper- fections or faults in them, then we shall inevitably break up and ruin our schools.
Notwithstanding the misapprehensions which prevailed in regard to the teacher, and the many false rumors which affected his reputation unfavora- bly, rendering his situation an exceedingly trying one, and greatly hinder- ing his usefulness and success, yet he stood faithfully at his post, and labored with untiring energy, in and out of school hours, for the good of his pupils. At every visit of the Committee they were more fully con- firmed in their previous judgment in regard to the teacher. They were happy to find that industry and good order reigned in the school-room, and a delicate and respectful deportment prevailed among the scholars, not only among themselves towards each other, but also towards their instructor.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
At the closing examination a large number of parents and others were present, and we never heard anything but expressions of universal satis- faction with the recitations, and with the propriety and order which marked the conduct of every scholar. Not a book was used by the teacher or his pupils, and the evidence was unmistakable, that he had taught them to think independently of the text book, and to comprehend principles, and not simply to learn them by rote, and as something merely to be repeated.
Only one thing did the Committee regret, and that was, to see so many scholars absent from the school. In so doing they had deprived them- selves, from their own choice, of valuable privileges, and of an excellent opportunity to make permanent progress in that education which con- tributes very much to our earthly happiness, and is of essential importance as a preparation for the work of life. Parents cannot be too deeply im- pressed with the thought, that what is thus lost in youth, is of irreparable injury to their children.
From our personal and active connection with the schools during the past year, two or three suggestions have been pressed upon our attention, which we venture here to offer.
In all of our schools we find that the older scholars take a very deep interest in working out the most difficult problems which they can find in the arithmetic, and especially those found in the last half of the book. It is their ambition to say : "We have gone through the book, and can do all the sums." To accomplish this, it costs a very valuable portion of the term which is allotted to the older scholars for study.
Now we believe that a serious mistake is here made. The time thus spent on these problems, might be far more profitably employed in other studies. It is of little use to a scholar to work out all these hard exam- ples ; it consumes far too much valuable time, which ought to be devoted to more useful and practical studies. We therefore earnestly wish that, in the place of this, Hygiene-that is, the general laws of preserving health-might be studied in our schools. And we would that parents, and all who desire that the young may have an education that shall be of
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
the greatest possible benefit to them, might use their influence to bring about this most desirable object. The importance of this subject is not felt as it ought to be. Parents frequently are very anxious to have their children study Algebra, but they feel no interest in having them become familiar with those great laws, on which the preservation of health depends.
It will be observed that we are not now advocating the study of Anatomy. It is well to become acquainted with the name of every bone and muscle in the human system, but there are other studies of more importance than this, to which attention should first be given in the Dis- trict School. What we now plead for is, that the young should become familiar with a few brief hints and rules in regard to the means of avert- ing sickness and disease. They might in this way obtain what would be of immense benefit to them. When we see how many pale faces there are, how many whose health begins to give away before they have reached the full vigor of mature years ; when we see so many fathers and mothers sinking under the gradual inroads of disease, unable to labor, crushed to the earth with the fear of poverty and want ; then the thought flashes upon our minds that two-thirds of all these instances of failing health, might have been avoided, if these persons had been taught while young, and in the District School, some of the simple principles concerning the prevention of disease. What untold sufferings, both of body and mind, do our fellow beings bring upon themselves, by their ignorance and thoughtlessness concerning those physical laws whereby health may be preserved !
It is a simple fact that four persons would render the air unfit to breathe, and actually poisonous, in a room fifteen feet square, in less than one hour, if every door and window were closed. And yet how often do more per- sons than these occupy a smaller room, and remain in it a longer time, while every particle of pure air is barred out so far as possible. They do not once think that they are breathing a tainted and pestilential atmos- phere.
A medical author says : " Bad air-air deprived of its proper propor- tion of oxygen, and surcharged with carbonic acid and other poisonous
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
gases, has killed thousands of strong men. Air, the vitality of which has been consumed by combustion or by previous breathing, is entirely unfit for the respiration of any human being. Is it a wonder that pale checks, sallow complexions, cutaneous eruptions, dyspepsia, scrofula, and consump- tion, prevail ? It cannot be otherwise. To maintain good health through the Winters which prevail in the northern part of our country, and live in unventilated or ill-ventilated rooms, is utterly impossible." The Hon. Horace Greeley gives his experience in the sleeping-car on the railroad : " We all retired with a fair allowance of open windows, but soon every orifice for the admission of external air, save two or three humbug ventil- ators overhead, was shut, and a mephitic atmosphere quickly produced. After gasping awhile, like a netted fish on a hot sandbank, I rose to enter my solemn protest against all sleeping cars, not provided with abundant means of ventilation. But no arrangement can secure a perfectly health- ful circulation of air by night in any passenger car, while the popular ignorance is so dense that the great majority imagine any atmosphere healthful which is neither too cold nor too hot."
It is indeed true, very many regard the air they breathe as all right, perfectly pure, if its temperature does not produce any unpleasant sensa- tions. To dispel this ignorance, and a multitude of other instances of it yet more injurious, we beg that our youth may receive lessons on the laws of health in the District School. We ask that they may be carefully instructed in those great principles which clearly show how disease is brought into the system and how health may be maintained. This infor- mation should be reiterated, line upon line and precept upon precept, till it shall become as familiar as the alphabet itself.
Not a great amount of time would be required in this study, and the memory need not be burdened with a large number of rules or suggestions. An intelligent teacher might take Jarvis' or Cutter's book on " Anatomy and Physiology," and select simply that part which treats of Hygiene. In addition to this, he might read carefully Hall's work on " Health and Dis- ease," and thus prepare himself to give orally very much valuable infor- mation in regard to the prevention of sickness. We will give a single example, which will explain how this may be done, and which indicates at
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
the same time, that those thus instructed cannot fail to receive a vast amount of benefit. It may be stated in a very few words. In cold weather when the body is in a perspiration from exercise, always keep on your over clothing when you enter the house, till the body has returned to its natural temperature. In warm weather, when the system has become heated by active exertion of any kind, the moment you cease from it, whether you enter the house or remain out, increase the amount of your clothing and avoid seeking a draft of air, so that the body may very grad- ually cool, and thus return to its natural state.
This is only a single example among many, showing what may be done in our common schools for the young, in aiding them to maintain vigorous health. This one suggestion, if distinctly impressed upon the memory, and heeded, would prevent an incalculable amount of sickness and suffer- ing. Will parents and the friends of education, encourage and warmly advocate the study of the laws of health in our District Schools ?
We would further call attention to a work recently published, entitled the " Manual of Agriculture," prepared by Messrs. George B. Emerson and Charles L. Flint, and designed for the use of advanced classes in our common schools. The Massachusetts Board of Agriculture have thor- oughly examined it, and it is warmly commended by them as being well adapted for such a purpose.
It is to be lamented that there is a very general dislike among the young, to the employment of cultivating the land. For the most part they seek some mechanical trade-they prefer the store, the navy, the merchant vessel-while only now and then one is willing to labor on the farm. And who is to cultivate the soil, if nearly all our young men turn away from it with disgust ?
It is one object of this book to direct the attention of the young to this most pleasant and healthful of all manual labor ; and it is well adapted to awaken among them a taste and desire for it. It gives a large amount of practical and useful instruction on the first principles of agriculture. It treats of plants and soils, of fertilizers and their application, of the prep- aration of the land, of remedies for the diseases to which all growing crops
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
are exposed, and a large variety of other matters equally important. 'The Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, says: "Most cordially do I commend the book, as being admirably adapted to the use of schools, and equally valu- able to the cultivators of the soil."
The Committee earnestly hope that this work may be introduced here, that parents will encourage their children to study it, and that every child will become familiar with it before he leaves the District School. Al- ready is it used as a text book in very many schools in this and other States, with great benefit.
We close by entreating the parents and all the citizens of the town, to cooperate with the teachers who may be employed in our schools. Speak of them kindly and in terms of praise. Give them your warm support. Do not censure and condemn them the moment you hear that they have said or done something which you do not approve. Do not credit every unfavorable report which may be abroad concerning them. If they are pursuing a course which you deem to be wrong, injurious to your chil- dren, seek at once a private interview with them, tell them kindly what you have heard and what you desire, and in so doing you will prevent an immense amount of mischief, and greatly aid in promoting good order in our schools, and in securing for them greater efficiency and success.
In behalf of the Committee,
J. W. LATHROP.
C. C. SEWALL, SAMUEL ELLIS, SCHOOL COMMITTEE. J. W. LATHROP,
MEDFIELD, APRIL 7, 1862.
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