USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1895-1899 > Part 58
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41
Percentage of attendance,
97
Number between 8 and 14 years,
7
Number between 5 and 8 years,
38
Number neither absent nor tardy,
2
SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH GRADES.
Teacher : Miss Ella M. Gates.
Whole number enrolled,
50
Average membership,
48
Average daily attendance,
46
Percentage of attendance, 96
Number over 15 years of age,
0
Number between 8 and 14 years,
26
Number between 5 and 8 years,
24
Number neither absent nor tardy,
4
BALCH SCHOOL.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADES. Teacher : Miss Marion D. Shepherd.
Whole number enrolled,
62
Average membership,
57
Average daily attendance, 52
91
Number between 8 and 14 years,
21
Number between 5 and 8 years,
43
Percentage of attendance,
Number neither absent nor tardy,
2
17
THIRD, FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES. Teacher : Miss Cassandra S. Lincoln.
Whole number enrolled,
58
Average membership, 52
Average daily attendance, 47
Percentage of attendance, 90
Number over 15 years of age, 0
Number between S and 14 years,
53
Number between 5 and 8 years,
5
The signals for no school on stormy days will be given at 8 and 11.45 o'clock A. M. When the signal is given at 8 o'clock it means no school in the forenoon. Should the storm continue another signal will be given at 11.45, for no school in the after- noon. But if no signal is given at 11.45 it means school in the afternoon. We speak of this in detail, in order that there may be no misunderstanding, for, until recently, a signal in the morn- ing meant no school for the day.
I would like briefly to call attention to some of the new pro- visions in the school legislation of 1898.
1. No child under fourteen shall be employed in a factory or workshop.
2. The compulsory age limits are changed from eight and fourteen to seven and fourteen.
3. The time of taking the school census is changed to September 1.
4. The truancy laws are simplified and strengthened.
5. Every habitual absentee, that is, every child between seven and sixteen years of age, who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any town or city of the Common- wealth, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending
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school, and growing up in idleness and ignorance, upon com- plaint by a truant officer or any other person, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, at the discretion of the court, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, or to the Lyman School for boys, and, if a girl, to the State Industrial School for girls.
MR. H. ALLEN HALSTEAD,
Superintendent of Norwood Public Schools : -
DEAR SIR, - It gives me much pleasure to refer to the musical education in our public schools.
As Supervisor of Music my service has covered a period of five months, and in that time my acquaintance with the teachers and pupils has ripened, and a good understanding exists. Norwood is to be congratulated upon the splendid corps of teachers em- ployed. Without an exception and upon all occasions I have met with hearty friendliness at their hands and have noted with great satisfaction their strong desire to raise the standard of our music.
When the new Guild School is opened it will offer a better opportunity to advance. The present crowding of grades neces- sarily handicaps the progress of thorough and systematic work. I have formed a class for teachers, instruction being given at my music rooms in Hyde Park, and offered to all Norwood teachers a course in music as applied to public school teaching, free of expense to them, and quite a number have availed themselves of this opportunity. My idea has been to systematize and to afford to all a uniform method of teaching the problems in music.
It is a matter of fact that in all classes there are some pupils that do little in music. To reach those pupils and also to strengthen my department, I would earnestly suggest to the con- sideration of the Superintendent and to the School Committee
19
the advisability of giving two written examinations a year to the pupils, and that they be marked, and the marks to count as in other studies, the examination to be given by the Superintendent, School Committee, or by the Supervisor of Music.
I believe most all the High School pupils look forward to the music period with pleasure. Most certainly much enthusiasm prevails then, and besides enjoying ourselves we have had some splendid singing.
In closing my report I wish to thank the Superintendent for the advice and help he has given me and to acknowledge the gen- erous support of the School Committee.
Yours respectfully,
B. HAROLD HAMBLIN.
MR. H. A. HALSTEAD,
Superintendent of Schools : --
We have followed much the same course in Drawing this year as last, with a few changes.
Colored crayon work has been introduced in all the Primary grades, and much interest has been shown by the little people in the work.
Animal drawing and illustrative sketching have added much enjoyment to the work and much profit to the pupils.
Much work has been accomplished in Pose drawing in all grades, and landscape sketching from the windows in the upper grades.
We have not been able to accomplish as much as we desire on account of the crowded school-rooms, but feel that we are work- ing in the right direction to create a love for the beautiful in nature and art.
Much better work in nature study would be possible if each school could have a better supply of materials for teaching color.
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More interest has been shown in the High School than in former years, but the lack of good casts and materials is a great drawback to good work. I earnestly desire that more could be done for the High School, that they may have more time for drawing and a suitable place well fitted with materials for carrying on the work.
I wish to express my appreciation of the very cordial manner in which all the teachers have assisted in the work of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE A. ROBINSON.
The sewing classes of our fourth and fifth grades are doing finely under the skillful guidance of Miss McClearn. It is grati- fying to note their interest and progress. Neatness and excel- lence in the work are everywhere apparent.
In response to the necessity for more room, the town is gener- ously enlarging the Guild building, and when the work is completed, and the consequent reorganization of our Centre schools made possible on the basis of one grade to a teacher, better work and more satisfactory results will follow. Over- crowding is detrimental in every way to the well-being of a school. To have our schools in line with the best, there must be rooms enough to admit of small classes and more individual teaching. The cost of our schools is great. The cost of good schools is always great. Our expenditure per pupil, however, is considerably below the State average.
With the advent of the new building we have a new oppor- tunity to place and keep our schools among the first and the best, and to do more and better for the boys and girls of our town.
I am much pleased with the working and progress of the new ninth grade. As I noted in my last report, this permits a better fit for the High School, giving time for practical thoroughness and enlargement in our work. Also, it affords a Grammar School course more complete in itself, a matter of great importance
21
when we consider that a large number of pupils must of necessity finish their course here. This gives great significance to the Grammar School course.
Perhaps a larger percentage of our teachers than ever before have had professional training for the work, or are teachers of . successful experience. The very life, I might say existence, of the school as an institution depends upon the personal char- acter, qualifications and professional training or experience of the teachers. Let public sentiment insist upon these essentials, and our schools must reach a high order of excellence and efficiency.
The crying need is for an education that will help the people to live. The school can do no better thing than to teach the children to hate uncleanness and wrong living, and to appreciate the value of the personal graces and to strive for them. The awakening of the desire for personal correctness and right living is beyond price, and so is the teacher with the power to quicken this desire. We shall not stamp out squalor and shiftlessness until we rear a generation who have been systematically taught to hate them in all their forms.
Intellectual training is not the only part of education. "Out of the heart are the issues of life." Loves and hates, motives and the strength of convictions, habits and character, make men and women what they are as individuals and citizens. Herein is a vast field for teachers to exert their influence in the right direction.
Methods are of vast importance. Study the great masters of teaching ; find, if you can, the secret of their success. Adopt from them whatever good you can assimilate. But do not copy. In the end you must make your own methods as the outgrowth and expression of your own life.
" Let your children grow in an atmosphere of heroism. Praise the slightest manifestation of it in their lives. Let them see it continually in the lives of great examples. Tell them of Gideon and Barak, of Savonarola and Loyola. Write your own modern version of the eleventh chapter of Hebrews. Do not let the study of history degenerate into learning dates, and names of the
22
dead. The essence of education is the study of the lives of heroes until they become our nearest friends and grandest inspirations."
In concluding this report it seems to me that we have much to encourage us. We have now the facilities and organization neces- sary to place our schools in the front rank, and the well recog- nized interest and activity of the committee in the progress of education gives great promise for the future. The teachers, almost without exception, are unflagging in their labors for the advancement of the schools, and I here express my thanks to them all for their hearty co-operation with me in my efforts. I also thank the people of Norwood for the fair treatment I have received since I came among them. For its confidence and support I desire to express to the committee my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
H. ALLEN HALSTEAD, Superintendent of Schools ..
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
To the School Committee :.
The forming of a ninth grade by dividing the graduates of the eighth grade and admitting only half to the High School, gives us a small entering class, but one more uniform in acquirements and ability than former first year classes.
The total enrollment of the High School is eighty-four. If we should include the ninth grade, which thus far has been seated in the main room and has had music and general exercises with the High School, our enrollment would be one hundred ten, or twelve more than last year.
The per cent. of attendance was 96.2. Thirty-nine pupils did not miss a single session for, at least, one term ; of this number twenty-three were not absent for two terms, and nine did not miss a session for the year.
Last year's graduating class numbered fifteen, and this year's class is likely to be as large.
The average age - 14 yrs., 2 mos., - of the entering class is about one year less than that of the entering class four years ago, so that, even with an additional grade, pupils are likely to come to the High School at about the same age they have hereto- fore.
Five years ago the High School courses of study were thor- oughly revised and extended. Since then, changes in the require- ments of colleges, technical and normal schools have made nec- essary further modifications of the High School course, and the adding of a year to the grammar grade has made this possible. Hereafter the entering classes will be more mature and will have made a beginning in what is now first year's work. They will
24
have some idea of Latin and Algebra, and of their ability to succeed in them. The changes thus far made affect chiefly the two higher classes, but further changes will have to be made each year until the courses are rearranged on the basis of nine grades below the High School.
German has been dropped from the course. This has made it possible to strengthen the French course by adding a third year for its study and to give an additional year's work in English Literature.
The senior class is taking, throughout the year, on Fridays, a rapid review of United States History. This gives only about thirty-five recitations, too few to accomplish all that should be done; but enough, perhaps, to awaken anew an interest in our country's glorious history - its principles, its leaders, its possi- bilities - and to compare it with other countries whose history they have studied.
The course in commercial arithmetic and bookkeeping has been extended to a full year. Physics is now studied four periods a week for thirty-two weeks. A full year should be given to this study and as much to chemistry. Candidates for many colleges and technical schools are now allowed to present either of these studies as part of their fit, provided they have studied them for at least a year. When the courses are readjusted on the basis of the nine grades below the High School, it will be possible to give a year to each of these studies and to strengthen the course in other particulars.
The fourth period every Friday is devoted to rhetoricals, spell- ing and current events. Parents and friends are welcome to these, as to all the exercises of the school.
Miss M. Belle Brooks, who for three years had done efficient work as teacher of French, German and English, resigned at the end of the year, and Miss Emma Baily Harris was elected to fill the vacancy .... At Thanksgiving Miss Harris left us to take a similar position, at a higher salary, in the Medford High School. Miss Carrie E. Bascom, a teacher of experience with exception- ally good qualification in French, was secured to carry on the work.
25
Both teachers and pupils find the library in its new and elegant building most convenient and helpful. The new system of cataloguing, and the free access to the books on the shelves has more than doubled its value to us. The evident intention of the trustees and of the librarian that it shall aid and supplement the work of the school, we most heartily appreciate.
In conclusion, permit me to thank you, members of the School Committee, for uniform kindness and prompt and generous appreciation of the needs of the school.
Respectfully submitted,
A. C. RUSSELL, Principal.
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· Class Motto: " Πρύιθι"
GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1898. NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, VILLAGE HALL, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 21, AT 7.45 O'CLOCK.
PROGRAM.
Chorus. "The King's Champion." M. Watson.
Prayer.
Salutatory Essay. "Class History."
ABBIE VINCENT OLDHAM.
Chorus. "Jack Frost." A. R. Gaul.
Address.
MR. ROBERT C. METCALF.
Selected Chorus. " Crossing the Bar." Macy
Essay and Valedictory. "Ideals."
ELEANOR MOULTON CHALMERS.
Awarding J. C. Lane Medals.
JUDGE J. C. LANE.
Presentation of Diplomas.
GEORGE W. CUSHING.
Class Song. Words by Eleanor M. Chalmers Chorus. "Good Night, Good Night, Beloved." Pinsuti:
27
WORDS OF CLASS SONG.
I.
We pass from thy portals, O School most dear, With eager steps and gay, For now, with festal song, is here The long awaited day. Before our glad eyes the future unfolds Its fields of wider view, And we long for the good that its hand for us holds, As we pass from the old to the new.
II.
Repaid be ye Teachers, who here led our minds To learning's thoughtful ways ; We will start on the quest for all that finds In truth alone its praise. Still onward we press; but when looking back, O School, on thy service great, Fond thoughts for thee we ne'er shall lack,
Nor for the Class of Ninety-eight.
GRADUATES.
Classical Course. ELEANOR MOULTON CHALMERS. JOSEPH FRANCIS MCCARTHY. MARTIIA ISABEL SNOW.
28
Scientific Course.
LILLA FRANCES BATEMAN.
KATHERINE ELIZABETH FAHY.
JAMES EDWARD MAHONEY. LILLA MAY MORRILL.
ABBIE VINCENT OLDHAM.
PEARL MADELINE PETTINGELL.
English Course.
LURA JOSEPHINE BISSELL.
LUELLA MAY BLACK.
IDA FLORENCE BOYDEN. DANA HOLLIS FISHER.
CARRIE ETHEL HOWARD.
ELLEN THERESA NEVILLE.
1
NORWOOD SCHOOL CALENDAR.
The Fall Term begins the Tuesday after Labor Day, which is the first Monday of September. Read down the columns. Italics for leap years only.
The Fall Term
Begins Tuesday, (in different years)
Sept 2.
Sept. 3.
Sept. 4. | Sept. 5. Sept. 6. Sept. 7.
16 wks. 16 wks. Dec. 19. |Dec. 20. Dec. 21.
16 wks.
16 wks. Dec. 22.
16 wks. Dec. 23.
15 wks. Dec. 17.
Sept. 8. 15 wks. Dec. 18.
The Fall Term continues The Fall Term ends Friday Christmas week and New Year's week are vacation.
The Winter Term
Begins Monday,
Jan. 5.
Jan. 6.
Jan. 7. Jan. 8. Jan. 9.
Jan. 3.
Jan. 4.
The Winter Term (except in leap year) continues
13 wks.
13 wks.
12 wks.
12 wks.
12 wks.
13 wks.
13 wks.
The Winter Term in leap year continues
13 wks.
13 wks.
13 wks.
12 wks.
12 wks.
13 wks.
13 wks.
The Winter Term (except in leap year) ends Friday The Winter Term in leap year ends Friday
Apr. 3.
Apr. 4. Mar. 29. Mar. 30. Mar. 31.
Apr. 1.
Apr. 2.
Apr. 2.
Apr. 3. | Apr. 4. Mar. 29.| Mar. 30. Mar. 31. Apr. 1.
Thanksgiving Day and the Friday following are holidays.
Two weeks vacation.
30
Washington's Birthday (Feb. 22) is a holiday.
The week beginning with the first Monday of April is vacation.
The Spring Term
(exeept in leap year ) begins Monday,
The Spring Term in leap year begins Monday,
The Spring Term (except in leap year) continues The Spring Term in leap year continues
10 wks. 10 wks.
11 wks.
Apr. 8. 11 wks.
Apr. 9. Apr. 10. Apr. 11. 11 wks.
11 wks. 11 wks.
10 zeks. 10 wks.
10 wks.
11 wks.
11 wks.
11 wks.
11 wks.
The Spring Term (except in leap year ) ends Friday, The Spring Term in leap year ends Friday,
June 19. June 20. June 20. June 22. June 23. June 24. June 25.
June 18. June 19. June 20. June 22. June 22. June 23. June 24.
TOTAL, 39 WEEKS SCHOOL.
The Summer Vacation
(except in leap year) con- tinues
11 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks. 10 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
The Summer Vacation in leap year continues
11 woks.
11 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
10 wks.
The Fall Term
(except in leap year) begins Tuesday,
Sept. 8. Sept. 2. Sept. 3. |Sept 4. Sept. 5. Sept. 6. Sept. 7.
The Fall Term in leap year begins Tuesday,
Sept. 7. Sept. 8. Sept. 2.
Sept. 3. | Sept. 4
Sept. 5. Sept. 6.
April 19, Memorial Day (May 30), and June 17 are holidays.
High School Gradua- tion is Tuesday, Everett School Graduation is Wednesday, and promo- tions are the last day of the closing week of sehool.
[The Spring term ends the week previous to the entranee examinations at Harvard College, except when the term ends June 18, which is the second week previous.]
31
Beginners must enter the Primary Schools at the beginning of the Fall Term.
Apr. 13. Apr. 14. Apr. 8. Apr. 12. Apr. 13. Apr. 14.
Apr. 9. | Apr. 10. Apr. 11. Apr. 12.
.
.
BY -LAWS
OF THE
TOWN OF NORWOOD.
NORW
I
OF
TOWN
RP
RATED
1872.
6
MASS.
...
NORWOOD, MASS .: ADVERTISER AND REVIEW PRESS. 1899.
INCO
)
ADOPTED BY THE TOWN, APRIL 11, 1898.
APPROVED BY SUPERIOR COURT, MAY 23, 1898.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
NORFOLK, SS.
At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Norwood, in said County, qualified to vote in town affairs, held at Village Hall on Mon- day, the eleventh day of April, A. D. 1898, by adjournment from the Annual Mecting, March 7, A.D. 1898, under Article Eleven in the War- rant, "To hear and act on the report of Committees," it was unani- mouslý Voted, That the report of the Committee on By-Laws be accepted and the recommendations adopted, and that seventy-five dol- lars be raised and appropriated for expense of printing one thousand copies of the By-Laws of the Town, and that the Town Clerk present an attested copy to the Court for approval.
Attest:
EDGAR L. BIGELOW,
Town Clerk.
BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
OF TOWN MEETINGS AND RULES FOR THE GOVERNMENT THEREOF.
SECTION 1. The annual Town Meeting for the election of Town Officers shall be held on the first Monday of March in each year. The warrant for said annual meeting shall contain such articles as are required for raising and appropriating moneys, and for general and special town purposes. For the . election of a Moderator of said meeting, the polls shall be opened at seven o'clock in the forenoon, and after the election of a Moderator they shall remain open for the election of Town Officers until half-past four o'clock in the afternoon, after which time a vote may be passed to close them in not less than ten minutes. After the closing of the polls and the choice of all Town Officers, the remaining articles of the warrant involving expenditure of money for new objects other than regular current expenses shall be referred, and any other articles which the meeting may so vote may be referred to a committee of fifteen legal voters, of which Committee the Chairman of the Selectmen, and of the As- sessors, Overseers of the Poor, Surveyors of Highways, or Road Commissioners, respectively, if there be either of such separate boards, the Chairman of the School Committee, and the Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, the Chairman of the Water Commissioners, and the Chairman of the Board of Health, all for the preceding year, shall be members ex-officiis, and the remain- ing members shall be appointed by the Moderator. After the declaration of votes for town officers, the meeting shall be ad-
6
journed to the first Monday of April next thereafter, at such hour as the meeting may determine, when the remaining articles of the warrant may be acted upon.
SECT. 2. It shall be the duty of said Committee to consider all the articles of the warrant referred to them, and make report thereof with their estimates and recommendations for the final action of the town at the adjournment of the annual meeting named in the preceding section.
SECT. 3. The warrants for all town meetings shall be directed to either of the Constables of the Town, and every town meeting shall be notified by posting attested copies of the warrant calling the same in ten public places in the town seven days at least before the day appointed for said meeting.
SECT. 4. The Town Officers which are required by law to be chosen by ballot, and their respective terms of office, shall be designated in the warrant for the annual meeting.
SECT. 5. Rules for the Government of Town Meetings : -
All questions submitted for the consideration of the Town, involving the expenditure of money, shall be in writing or printed.
No vote fixing the period for closing a ballot shall be recon- sidered after such a ballot shall have commenced, but it may be in order to extend the period without such reconsideration.
When a question is under debate motions shall be received to adjourn, to lay on the table, the previous question, to postpone to a certain time, to postpone indefinitely, to commit, or to amend, which several motions shall have precedence in the order in which they are herein arranged.
The powers and duties of the presiding officer not especially provided for by law, or by the foregoing rules, shall be deter- mined by the rules of practice contained in "Cushing's Manual," so far as they are adapted to the condition and powers of the town.
No vote shall be reconsidered except upon a motion made within one hour after such vote has passed, unless such recon- sideration is ordered by a vote of two-thirds of the voters present and voting.
7
SECT. 6. No motion to dissolve a Town Meeting shall be in order until every article in the warrant therefor has been duly considered and acted upon.
SECT. 7. Upon taking the question, if the decision of the Moderator is doubted, or a division of the house called for, the Moderator shall request the house to be seated, and shall appoint tellers. The question shall then be distinctly stated, and those in the affirmative and negative, respectively, shall be requested to rise and stand in their places until they are counted by the tellers, who shall carefully count each side and make report thereof to the Moderator; and no person shall be counted who does not occupy a seat, provided that the tellers, under the direc- tions of the Moderator, may count the votes of those who are unable to obtain seats.
ARTICLE II.
OF CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES OF TOWN OFFICERS NOT PRESCRIBED BY THE STATUTES.
SECTION 1. The Selectmen shall have full authority, as agents of the Town, to institute and prosecute suits in the name of the Town, and to appear and defend suits brought against it, and to appear in proceedings before any tribunal, unless it is otherwise specially ordered by a vote of the Town.
SECT. 2. The Selectmen may authorize the Treasurer to bor- row money temporarily, in anticipation of the collection of taxes, and to give promissory notes therefor in behalf of the Town, the same to be signed by the Treasurer and countersigned by a majority of the Selectmen, and all promissory notes of the Town shall be executed in like manner.
SECT. 3. Whenever it shall be necessary to execute any deed conveying land, the same shall be executed by the Treasurer, in behalf of the Town, unless the Town shall otherwise vote in any special case.
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