USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1886 > Part 3
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CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
Miss Mary S. Phillips, the assistant in the first depart- ment, resigned at the beginning of the year ; Miss Fanny R. Waterman was engaged to fill the vacancy. Miss Emily V. White left the third department and Miss Helen Chandler was engaged to teach the class. Miss Louisa Rhodes and Miss A. E. Park left early in September to fill more lucrative situations in Dedham ; Miss Mary A. Allen and Miss Burnham are conducting these depart- ments at the present time. Afterwards two more of our teachers were invited by the Dedham Superintendent to leave us without notice. The committee felt that they must make both a moral and a pecuniary effort to prevent: our schools from becoming training schools for Dedham. The two teachers were retained, and said superintendent having left Dedham, we feel comparatively safe for the present. Our teachers are doing good service, they are competent for their work, and take a professional pride in keeping up with the times ; and while we do not pay as-
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high salaries as some larger and richer towns, we pay more than the average of towns in the state. School teaching is a difficult and laborious profession, and should be compensated in proportion to its importance, and the difficulty of obtaining the requisite talent.
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
Our schools are in as good a condition as could be expected under existing circumstances, though by no means up to our ideal standard. The second and third departments have suffered some deterioration by changes of teachers, but they are fast recovering under the present incumbents, Misses Chandler and Burnham. Any hin- drance in one room retards all above it.
In the first department, so long as high and grammar studies are pursued together, both must suffer. We cannot expect the best of either one or the other. The town made a very serious mistake in placing them together,-a mistake that should be rectified by establish- ing a separate High school in a building by itself as soon as possible. The committee and teachers can command no complete remedy until the town shall see fit to act, and give the older scholars a first-class Grammar, and a sepa- rate High school. There is pressing need of additional school room, and it is only a question of very short time before new school buildings must be erected. There are more pupils than seats in the three buildings in the center. With ninety births a year, where are the coming five-year-olds to be placed ? Two primary school rooms and a building for the High school would give a temporary relief, and complete the school system of the town. This will cost money, but education is the foundation of wealth,
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of order, of true manhood. It must be had, cost what it will, and the citizens ought to move immediately to provide for the present and future accommodation of their children.
In the lower grades the pressure of numbers does not so materially interfere with excellent work on the part of the teachers. In the higher departments the teaching may be just as good, but with older pupils more personal force and exertion are necessary to render it effective. Still, if scholars were hungry for knowledge, and eager to learn, taking any pains to remember what they are taught, there would be no complaints made concerning the results of our school work. The two most prolific sources of hindrance to genuine mental progress, are indifference and indolence on the part of the pupil, and meddling fussiness on the part of certain parents. There are good teachers, good text books, good courses of study, but these, to a large number, are neutralized by the above two obstacles. They are the cause of truancy, waste of time, and false accusa- tion. The boy who hates to go to school, and consequently learns nothing, throws all the blame on his teacher, to screen himself. He can learn if he will, and no pupil need suffer for lack of faithful, systematic instruction. Self-determination, backed up with a little parental urgency, would yield astonishing results to some who now notice the schools only to berate them. While we have not every desirable facility, still every well-disposed scholar can acquire arithmetic, geography, grammar, reading, writing and spelling in our schools as well as in any others that may be named. The poor man need not send out of town unless he chooses to do so. He only needs to put a little more vim and application into his boy or girl to be thoroughly satisfied with home re- sults. There are advantages, of course, in a small school
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cor class, chiefly that it gives the teacher a greater per- sonal influence over each mind. But the public schools do not profess to furnish the luxuries of education ; neither can they provide capacity of mind nor the disposition to learn. They do not fail, however, to provide thirty-eight weeks of good substantial education to each of the five hundred school children in the town who see fit to :avail themselves of the privilege.
CONCLUSION.
Our report lays nothing new before the citizens, but contains the doings of your committee and a presentation of the present condition and prospects, and the future needs of the public schools. No more important subject can claim your attention. We know you feel a deep inter- est in this matter. We do not distrust your wisdom nor your willingness to deal generously and wisely by this public trust.
GEORGE HILL, THERON BROWN, JOSHUA A. CROCKER. 1
The committee have drawn up and had printed a set of rules and regulations and course of study to be ob- served by school officers and pupils, which they believe will serve a useful purpose and meet with your approval. They are found in the following pages.
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RULES RELATING TO THE BOARD.
ORGANIZATION.
I .- The committee shall meet for organization within one week after being notified of their election.
2 .- Stated meetings of the Board shall be held monthly, and special meetings may be called by the chairman whenever he deems that the interests of the school demand them.
3 .- The annual election of teachers shall take place in June, after the close of the third term, and all teachers may consider themselves re-elected unless notified to the contrary.
4 .- All school bills shall be approved by the commit- tee in a manner satisfactory to the selectmen.
5 .- The committee shall visit the schools once a month to satisfy themselves of their condition, and of the fitness and fidelty of the teachers for their respective positions.
6 .- The committee shall have charge of all school property, keep it in good repair, and deliver the same to their successors in office.
7 .- They shall make to the town an annual report of the condition of the schools, and of the school property belonging to the town.
REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE PUBLIC- SCHOOLS.
I .- The school year shall consist of thirty-eight weeks,. divided into three terms, so as to allow at the least two weeks vacation between the fall and winter and the winter and spring terms, the first term commencing on the first Monday in September, or the Monday nearest the first of September.
2 .- SCHOOL HOURS. All the schools throughout the year shall begin the morning session at 9 o'clock A. M., and close at 12 M., with a recess of fifteen minutes in the middle of the session. In the afternoon, during the winter months, the session shall begin at 1.45 P. M., and close at 3.45 P. M., with no recess, with the exception of of the primary departments. During the summer months. the afternoon sessions shall begin at 2 o'clock P. M., and close at 4.30 p. M., with no recess, except to the primary classes. On very rainy or stormy days only one session will be required, from 9 o'clock A. M., to I o'clock P. M.
3 .- TEACHERS' ATTENDANCE. Each school-room shall be opened and the teacher present fifteen minutes before the commencement of the session.
4 .- The morning session shall be opened with reading from the Scriptures without note or comment, and the use of the Lord's Prayer, and singing if practicable may be added.
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5 .- All teachers must keep a written order of exercises to be seen by the committee and others, and to be left in the desk when they leave the school.
6 .- SCHOOL REGISTERS, &c. The teachers are required to keep the registers on the prescribed plan,-marking the absences and tardiness daily, putting down the names of all visitors, the visits of the members of the committee, with a list of the regular and special text books in their rooms. They are also required by law to fill out and hand to the secretary the registers of their schools before they draw their last month's pay. This rule will be rigidly en- forced.
7 .- Teachers shall give careful attention to the venti- lation and temperature of the school-rooms, changing the air frequently. They shall also see that the pupils do not sit or stand in cramped and awkward positions, which tend to produce deformity and ill-health.
8. - It is desirable that the teachers should send monthly reports to the parents concerning the deport- ment and progress of each pupil, and should hold frequent interviews with the parents concerning the school habits of their children.
9 .- Pupils must not be sent from one room or school to another without an order from the school committee. Pupils moving into town must report to some member of the committee before they can be received into school.
IO .- All children living in the town and upwards of five years of age, and otherwise qualified, shall be entitled to attend the public schools.
II .- The teachers shall require written excuses from parents for tardiness and absence. Any pupil absent for more than ten days consecutively shall present a note of permission from some member of the committee before the teacher shall receive him again.
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12 .- Any pupil who refuses to submit to proper dis- cipline, or uses abusive and improper language to a teacher, may be sent home, and must report in person to the chairman of the committee before he can be re- admitted to the school.
13 .- Every pupil must come to school cleanly in per- son and dress, and observe tidy habits in and about the school room and yard.
14 .- Teachers shall report the names and residences of truants, and the names and residences of their parents or guardians to the truant officers.
15 .- BOOKS AND STUDIES AUTHORIZED. The books used and studies pursued in all the public schools shall be such as are authorized by the committee, and the teachers shall not permit any books, tracts or other publications to be distributed or read in the school-room.
CARE OF THE SCHOOL PREMISES.
16 .- Teachers are to prescribe rules to be observed in the yards and about the buildings, and to see that no want of decorum or lack of neatness is indulged by the pupils. And any neglect on the part of the janitor, or of any needed repairs, shall be reported to the school com- mittee.
17 .- It shall be the duty of the janitors to have the school-rooms properly warmed, consulting the thermom- eters in the several rooms to see that they are up to 68º or 70°, to take good care of the furnaces and boilers, to keep the cellars neat and properly ventilated, to see that all the premises are kept in a good sanitary condition, to look after the water pipes, and see that the buildings are prop- erly secured at night. Also to clear paths to the out buildings in snowy weather.
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18 .- No pedlers, showmen, book agents, or advertisers shall be permitted by the teachers to enter the school- rooms or yards to ply their business, or in anywise engage the attention of the pupils.
19 .- INJURY TO SCHOOL PROPERTY. Pupils who injure any school property shall be held responsible for the dam- age done. Any pupil or person who shall use or write any profane or indecent language, or draw any obscene pic- tures or characters on any part of the school buildings or fences, or any one who shall be suspected of the same or shall be known or suspected of committing any nuisance about the premises, shall be forthwith reported to the school committee by the principal of the school.
20 .- School books must be accounted for to the secre- tary of the school committee by the teacher at the end of each term. In case of loss or damage the book must be replaced at once by the pupil. Marking and defacing the books must be regarded as a serious offence.
21 .- EXAMINATIONS, &c. Teachers shall require written examinations in all the schools above the primary grades near the close of each term. Promotions will be governed by the record of these examinations, and no pupil who has not an average of at least seventy per cent. can expect promotion.
22 .- Promotions shall take place at the commence- ment of the school year, and at no other time, except upon the recommendation of the teacher and the approval of the committee.
23 .- Teachers may, by permission of the local commit- tee, visit other schools from time to time, to observe modes of discipline and improved methods of teaching
24 .- Corporal punishment may be used in extreme cases, but with judicious care, and only after milder meas- ures have been exhausted.
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25 .- The teachers in all grades of the schools shall give each week one oral lesson of not more than thirty minutes' duration, nor less than fifteen, on the physiologi- cal effects of alcohol on the human system, using as a text book the author prescribed by the school board.
26 .- Teachers contemplating leaving their situation are required to give at least two weeks' notice to the chairman or secretary of the committee.
27 .- Teachers are not expected to carry any work into the school-room except that pertaining to the business of teaching.
28 .- All teachers in the public schools are required to make themselves familiar with these rules and regulations, to keep a copy of the same upon their desks, to acquaint the pupils with their contents, and to see them faithfully observed.
Mass. General Statutes, Chap. 38, Sec. 10.
"It shall be the duty of the president, professors and tutors of the University at Cambridge, and of the several colleges, of all preceptors and teachers of academies, and of all other instructors of youth, to exert their best en- deavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity and universal benevolence ; so- briety, industry and frugality; chastity, moderation and temperance ; and those other virtues which are the orna- ment of human society, and the basis upon which a re- publican constitution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear under- standing of the tendency of the above mentioned virtues,
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to preserve and perfect a republican constitution and se- cure the blessings of liberty as well as to promote their future happiness ; and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."
GENERAL DIRECTIONS.
The following general directions are so pertinent and useful that we venture to copy them from the rules and regulations of a neighboring town, and to commend them to the careful perusal of our own teachers.
"Good behavior" in the public schools is enjoined by the law of the State, as well as by common sense. The efficiency of a teacher is largely dependent on his success in securing this ; and such success will result only from a constant exhibition on his part of the propriety of speech and demeanor, and that uniform courtesy and considera- tion for others, which he should demand and obtain from his pupils. He is their guardian for a considerable part of the time allowed to personal guardianship, and a just appreciation of the trust demands his untiring efforts to impress his character upon his scholars. This, with the ready sympathy which he should feel for them in their many difficulties, failures, or successes, will, in nearly all cases, accomplish the desired result. The sterner lesson of the rod will rarely be necessary.
The sanitary condition of the school room, exercise, and posture, must engage the teacher's constant and intelligent attention. A reasonable care will easily prevent the air from becoming dangerously hot, cold or vitiated. Consid- erable changes in the temperature should never be made suddenly, but should be gradually effected by judicious
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use of the ventilators. A decided draught through the room should not be allowed while scholars are seated or standing still, nor should the air from an open window beat down on the heads or backs of children at their desks. There should be simple physical exercises of two or three minutes' duration, twice at least in each session in the lower classes, and once in the others. A few well arranged exercises should be taught, so that the pupils will be able to practice them with precision and uniformity, knowing just what to do without imitating the teacher. All sudden or jerking motions should be avoided. Sitting, counting aloud or singing, should seldom, if ever, be allowed while exercising.
In oral instruction every lesson should have a point, and, with that end in view, it is to be associated with the subjects of study. The amount of information does not depend on what the teacher gives, but on what the scholar acquires. Consequently "the oral" should not consist of desultory conversations on each passing theme, but should be chiefly employed to explain and enlarge upon, in an easy and familiar manner, that which the text books contain. This method will tend to a thorough assimilation of the information given, and demonstrate that it is better to learn a few things well, than many things ill. The press- ing need of more careful and earnest study makes it un- wise to intrude on the time of study by diffuse explana- tions ; but on every study assigned, the teacher should give timely words and suggestions.
COURSE OF STUDY.
In the course of study as laid out in the following pages, and which is open to every pupil, the committee desire to give special emphasis to the practical English branches, such as reading, spelling, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, bookkeeping and drawing. To ac- quire some knowledge of the above is what our schools are for, and no pupil who attends them six, seven or eight years ought to go out into the world with an intellectual outfit insufficient for ordinary business. The prescribed course is logically systematic, and the teachers are compe- tent to carry it out; and if the scholars do their part, they need not leave school without being tolerably equipped for the duties and business of life.
First Year (Primary).
Object and Language Lessons .- Simple conversational exercises on the form, color, and prominent qualities of things; the human body ; the five senses.
Reading and Spelling .- Word method; first the idea, then the sound symbol, then the written symbol ; use blackboards, objects, pictures, charts, and primer.
Lessons in Number .- Teach facts in numbers as far as 10.
Calisthenic Exercises, writing, drawing, and music daily; occas- ional exercises in committing and reciting poetry; lessons on the effects of alcohol on the human system, and modelling in clay once per week.
Second Year (Primary).
Object and Language Lessons. - Ideas of size and distance by simple measurement; colors ; qualities of objects ; habits, traits, and structure of animals; pupils to make sentences and express them in writing.
Reading and Spelling .- First Reader grade. Oral and written spelling of words whose meanings have been taught.
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Number .- Facts in numbers as far as 50, including Arabic and Roman expression of them ; counting as far as 100.
Calisthenic Exercises, writing, drawing and music daily; occas- ional exercises in committing and reciting poetry ; weekly lessons on the effects of alcohol on the human system; modelling in clay.
Third Year (Primary).
Object and Language Lessons .- Tints and shades of color; less noticeable qualities of objects ; simple hygienic rules; vegetable, ani- mal and mineral products ; facts about common things.
Reading and Spelling .- Second Reader grade.
Numbers .- All facts in numbers as far as 144; addition, subtrac- tion, multiplication, and division of numbers as far as 1000, divisors not to exceed 10.
Calisthenics, writing, and music daily; drawing three times per week; committing and reciting poetry ; modelling in clay, and lessons on the effects of alcohol on the human system, weekly.
Fourth Year (Grammar).
Oral Lessons in geography, history, biography and elementary science.
Language Lessons.
Reading and Spelling .- Third Reader grade.
Arithmetic .- Exercises in reading, writing, and combining num- bers; as far as page 38 in "Brief Course."
Primary Geography commenced.
Writing .- Copy book No. I.
Drawing .- Book No. 3.
Calisthenics and Music daily; lessons in effects of alcohol on the human system, and modelling in clay once per week; rhetorical exer- cises occasionally.
Fifth Year.
Oral Lessons in geography, history, biography, and elementary science.
Language Lessons.
Reading and Spelling .- Third Reader grade.
Arithmetic .- Variety of exercises in reading, writing and combin- ing numbers ; as far as page 103 in "Brief Course."
Primary Geography completed.
Writing .- Copy book No. 2.
Drawing .- Book No. 5.
Music and Calisthenics daily; modelling in clay, and lessons in the effects of alcohol on the human system once per week. Rhetorica. exercises occasionally.
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Sixth Year.
Oral Lessons in history, biography, elementary science, and cur- rent facts. Elementary lessons in English as far as page 84.
Reading .- Fourth Reader grade.
Spelling .- Words selected from reader, pronouncing speller, and other sources.
Arithmetic .- "The Complete Arithmetic," as far as page 95, and frequent exercises in mental arithmetic.
Common School Geography as far as page 70.
Compositions and Declamations.
Drawing .- Book No. 6.
Writing .- Copy book No. 3.
Music and Calisthenics daily.
Seventh Year.
Oral Lessons; government, (town and county) ; Elementary science; current facts.
Language Lessons as far as page 85.
Reading .- Fourth Reader grade.
Spelling .- Words selected from speller and from other sources.
Arithmetic .- "The Complete Arithmetic" as far as page 167; fre- quent exercises in "Colburn's Mental Arithmetic."
Common School Geography as far as page 118.
United States History through "French and Indian War."
Drawing .- Book No. 7.
Writing .- Copy book No. 4.
Music and Calisthenics; declamations, compositions and letter writing.
Eighth Year.
Oral Lessons; government, (state and nation); current facts ; physiology and hygiene.
Language Lessons as far as page 171.
Reading .- Fifth Reader.
Spelling .- From speller or from other sources daily.
Arithmetic .- "The Complete Arithmetic" as far as page 203, and exercises in "Colburn's Mental Arithmetic." .
Common School Geography completed.
History of United States completed.
Drawing .- Book No. 8.
Writing .- Copy book No. 5.
Music and Calisthenic exercises ; declamations, compositions, and letter writing.
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Ninth Year.
HIGH SCHOOL CLASS.
Algebra begun.
Latin, Grammar and Reading.
English Language and Composition work.
Reading and Spelling.
Declamations and Recitations.
Music. Drawing .- Book No. 9. Writing .- Copy book No. 6.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLASS.
Arithmetic reviewed.
Geography reviewed.
English Language and Composition work.
Reading and Spelling.
Literature. Declamations and Recitations. Music and Calisthenic exercises. Drawing .- Book No. 9. Writing .- Copy book No. 6.
Tenth Year.
Algebra completed. Physiology. American Literature. Cæsar.
Compositions, Declamations and Recitations. Drawing .- Book No. 10. Music.
Eleventh Year.
Virgil. Geometry. French. English Literature. Physics. Review studies of previous years. Declamations, Recitations and Compositions. Drawing .- Book No. 11. Music.
TOWN MEETING WARRANT.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either Constable of the Town of Norwood, in said County, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Norwood qualified to vote in elections and town af- fairs, to meet in Village Hall, in said town, on Monday, the first day of March next, at one o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following articles, viz : -
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 3. Shall licenses be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this Town? The check-list shall be used and the vote shall be by separate ballot, and ballots shall be Yes or No in answer to the question.
ARTICLE 4. To hear and act on the report of the Audi- tors on the Selectmen's, Treasurer's, Collector's and Water . Commissioner's accounts.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will accept of the list of Jurors as prepared by the Selectmen and posted as required by law.
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