USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1904-1907 > Part 23
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These are now the best lighted rooms in the building. The light in several of the other rooms is far from satisfactory and should receive attention in the near future.
In the Guild building there are half a dozen rooms having light from the right and the rear. Their seats and desks should be rearranged during the next vacation.
With reference to the general question of lighting, author- ities agree, with but few exceptions, that, for quantity of light in a schoolroom, the window space, exclusive of sashes, should be from one-fourth to one-sixth of the floor space. If we could always have pleasant weather, the ratio of I to 6 would be sufficient ; but to provide for cloudy days, of which there are many in the course of a year, the ratio should be about as I to 4. As a matter of experience, it is proved that when the quantity of light is less than these ratios provide, the result is a good deal of inconvenience and discomfort, to say nothing of the in- jury to the eyes.
It will be of interest to note the information given on this subject in appendix H.
The above refers simply to quantity of light; the question of quality, important as it is, I have not discussed.
JANITOR SERVICE. In order to promote the cause of the phy- sical and therefore, also the intellectual welfare of the children, janitors' meetings have been held from time to time to discuss phases of their work which are so closely related to the comfort and health of both teachers and pupils. The dates of the meetings
15
held thus far are as follows : October 3, November 21, December 5, January 9.
Out of the proposition that the physical nature and intellec- tual growth of the child are indissolubly linked together, the one being the inexorable condition of the other, a train of issues logically proceeds. The schools must be supplied with an abundance of fresh air at proper temperature. They should have light which meets the requirements, in point of quantity and quality, of the standards now well established by scientific investigations. In recognition of the discoveries and common- places of sanitary and medical sciences, the most scrupulous cleanliness should prevail throughout the buildings. However much we may be disposed to abuse the inventor of bacteriology, the fact remains that dirt and dust particles are the home and carriers of disease germs. Adjustable seats and desks are practically the only kind purchased now and they need to be adjusted to the child several times during a year.
Without continuing the enumeration further, it may be said that any extensive or even a moderate knowledge of these subjects, in their relation to the development of children and the efficiency of instruction, is professional rather than mechani- cal, and yet the service connected with them comes almost wholly within the jurisdiction of the janitor. Consequently, janitor service touches the very foundation of our educational system. The desirability, then, for occasional conferences is patent.
Recognizing the intelligence of our janitors, I did not hesitate to place in their hands Shaw's "School Hygiene," one of the very best of a series called "Teachers' Professional Library," edited by President Nicholas Murray Butler. This will continue to form the basis of our discussions at the meetings, which are now held about once a month. I should acknowledge that the majority of our janitors have from the start attended to this work with an appreciation and a faithfulness which are creditable to them. I believe they will all derive benefit from it. Their
16
work will in time assume a phase that will be above what is merely routine and mechanical.
THE BUILDINGS.
The buildings in most respects are in excellent condition. Externally they all present a good appearance. While the pro- visions for heating and ventilation in most of the buildings are effective, in some excellent, the East and the West buildings need renovation in these respects.
Sometime, also, it will be desirable to take steps toward beautifying the grounds. This is an important matter and should have requisite attention in due course.
THE WEST SCHOOL. Since the School Committee's report was written, a new heater has been installed in the West School building. The old one became so inefficient and began to disintegrate in such a way that this step was necessary for both comfort and safety. This involves an expense of about $200.
The ventilation problem for this school, however, still remains. The fresh air duct and chamber are defective; a con- siderable quantity of air escapes through wide cracks in both on its passage to the furnace, thus causing a loss of the very element which furnishes both heat and ventilation. They are not only defective, they also fail in construction to meet the requirements of the state in that they are made of wood rather than of brick or metal. As these conditions could not be remedied now without interruption to the school work, the com- mittee propose to postpone further action until the summer vacation. The policy of the committee is that the work of renovation should not be abandoned until it is thoroughly and permanently completed and the demands of the state are fully satisfied. To accomplish this about $200 more will be necessary.
Thus $400 will be required for the heating and ventilation of the West School building. That amount is covered by the
17
estimate of $2,900 for incidentals and repairs included in the report of the School Committee.
HIGH SCHOOL.
It is gratifying to bear testimony to the unquestioned merits observable in our High School. A spirit of unity among the teachers and pupils evidently prevails there; cordial relations exist ; consequently, efficiency and progress are not prevented or impeded by antagonistic elements. These are important, funda- mental conditions to high standards of achievement. They should not fail to be recognized.
The High School is the flower of our educational system. The pupils in this institution should be allured by the attractive- ness of learning and by the refinements of culture and character. They should, also, receive a training which tests their intellectual fibre to the utmost. Our pupils engage in their athletic sports with an enthusiasm, a prowess, a determination, which are sug- gestive. The demands which they voluntarily make upon their physical powers furnish to us an analogy for their intellectual work ; they constitute a standard which we may justly exact of them in their studies, for there is no reason, pedagogical or other, why the intellectual nature of youth should not keep pace, in endeavor and accomplishment, with the physical, though this may not be true in individual cases.
In some schools a certain scholarship qualification is demanded as a prerequisite for admission to the athletic teams, and this standing must be maintained. There is rational ground for this requirement ; the pupil will be impressed thereby, and will not forget, that his chief business and aim in the High School is intellectual, not physical, though the value of the latter is duly recognized.
The principal has referred, in his report, to the fact that the requirements of the College Entrance Examination Board are the standard which the school aims to accomplish in its
IS
work. This is very satisfactory. If the actual achievement of this purpose results in the ability of the average pupils to pass successfully the examinations of this board, the school will have high standing and win an admirable reputation.
To this end there should be no lack of equipment in any direction. No teacher should be hampered in his work by insufficient or inferior material. He should be provided with every means to maintain in his department a standard desired by himself and expected by the patrons of the school.
In view of these considerations, I shall be heartily in favor of a policy, for the administration of our High School, which will liberally provide for courses sufficiently extensive and intensive to accomplish the highest aims of secondary education.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
One of the most important phases of a superintendent's work is that of holding and conducting teachers' meetings. Here is the arena where all questions relating to public educa- tion are thoroughly and candidly discussed and our local policy is determined and defined. An inspiration should result there- from to both teachers and superintendent which will provide, to a large degree, the motive power to accomplish the best results of which they are capable; in other words, which will produce the highest possible efficiency in all branches of the ser- vice.
Several kinds of meetings have been held: 1. General meetings, which all teachers have attended. 2. Grade meet- ings. 3. Meetings for the high school teachers.
The dates of these meetings have been as follows :
General-Sept. 15, Nov. 10, Dec. 6, 13, Jan. 10. Grade-Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, Nov. 15, 29, Dec. 14. High School-Sept. 29, Jan. 17.
At the general meeting of Dec. 13, the teachers were
19
addressed by Mr. Walter Sargent of North Scituate, state agent for the promotion of industrial drawing. At the primary meet- ing of Dec. 14, Miss Elizabeth Hall, principal of the training school in Lewiston, Maine, was the speaker. Sept. 29, the high school teachers were addressed by Mr. George F. Jewett of the Mount Ida School for girls, Newton, Mass.
At the general meetings thus far the discussions have been 1
largely upon matters of school management-government, dis- cipline, etc. The specific work of the grades has been con- sidered at the grade meetings ; viz., reading, number, etc.
MUSIC.
The supervisor of music makes some suggestions in his report which are worthy of consideration. I shall not, however, undertake at this time to make any recommendations in regard to them.
There is a tendency to modify the purpose and to enlarge the scope of music instruction in the schools, especially in the High School. There is no intrinsic reason, on pedagogical or practical grounds, why music could not have as high standing in our courses of study as literature for instance. At present, how- ever, the advantage is decidedly on the side of literature, since the children do read and study many of its finest gems and master- pieces. Any tendency towards the same standards in music ought to be heartily welcomed.
The value of the results now accomplished is clearly recog- nized. To say nothing of the start, however slight, it gives to a professional career, it means a good deal, for the happiness of society, that the children are enabled to learn the elements of music in the grades and to sing music of such high character as is now rendered in the High School.
DRAWING.
The resignation of Miss Alice T. Boardman as supervisor of drawing took effect at the close of the fall term. Miss Bessie
20
M. Parker of Warwick, R. I., has been appointed as her succes- sor.
Miss Parker had over seven years of training before begin- ning her work as supervisor of drawing. She studied two years at the Art Museum in Boston with Mr. Crowninshield and Mr. Joseph De Camp; two years in Mr. De Camp's studio ; two years and a half at the Art Students' League in New York, where she worked with Mr. William M. Chase and Mr. Kenyon Cox; and one year at the Rhode Island Normal School. In the normal school she devoted herself to the study of methods in public school work, practising in the suburbs of Providence. During the last three years and a half she has been supervisor of drawing in Warwick.
Hereafter the supervisor will spend four days a week in our schools instead of two as heretofore. This will enable us to ex- tend the work during the ensuing year, both in the grades and in the High School, where it should be emphasized more than it has been in the past.
PICTURE FUND.
Sometime after my service began, my predecessor, Mr. R. J. Fuller, turned over to me the fund which he had deposited with the town treasurer. This had been raised, as I understand it, by an art exhibit held last year, by subscription, etc. It is still in the possession of the treasurer and amounts to $258.45. As soon as practicable, this will be expended, under the advice of the supervisor of drawing, for the decoration of our school- rooms.
It should be recorded here that Mrs. Edmund J. Shattuck has kindly offered to contribute generously for the purchase of pictures and casts to adorn the walls of the Edmund J. Shattuck School. This munificence will receive proper acknowledge- ment in due time.
1
21
CONCLUSION.
I wish to say that the educational outlook for the town appears to me to be exceedingly bright and promising. The conditions of today indicate plainly a rational development, in essentials, of the town's system of public education. They are a tribute to the wisdom of previous management, which it is a pleasure to recognize. It might have been otherwise; had it been so, the effort and time required to change the current would be disheartening.
One marked feature of this development, which is of price- less worth from both an economic and an educational standpoint, is the concentration of the grammar grades in the centre of the town. Thus all children converge in these grades, and when they emerge to enter the High School, they have all had equal privileges in the latter years of their preparation. The economy, in every respect, of having the grammar school instruction in one plant, under the same management, cannot fail to im- press the business men of the town. There has been a slight departure from the ideal this year and there will be a still greater one next year, by the necessity of having seventh grades in the Guild building. But the integrity of the grammar school will be restored when a new building for these grades, with an equipment peculiar to their needs, has been erected in accord- ance with the suggestion made in a previous part of this report. Then the town can take just pride in the economy and the effi- ciency of its educational plant.
In closing it is a privilege to express, in no perfunctory manner, my appreciation of the loyalty, cordial co-operation, and high character of our teachers. With the same spirit I most heartily acknowledge the uniform kindness and unfailing sup- port of the committee. I cannot forget, also, to recognize the cordial hospitality of the town's people. For all these elements of encouragement I hereby express my thanks.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM C. HOBBS, Superintendent.
APPENDIX.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
To Mr. W. C. Hobbs, Superintendent of Schools :
The year that has just passed has been one of hard work and steady progress at the High School. The conditions have been favorable for accomplishing this. The body of teachers has been strengthened by the recent additions and is now able to handle the work of the school as at present laid out to the best advantage.
Great credit is due the efficient corps of assistants. It is to be hoped that the advantage of retaining these as long as possible will be seen by the committee, and such salaries paid as to in- duce them to remain with us, that the school may reap the bene- fits of their experience and acquaintance with the work. The advantage derived from a number of years' acquaintance with the work is not likely to be over-estimated.
Considerable stress has been laid on the college preparatory work. There have been used as a basis for this work the requirements laid down by the College Examination Board. A standard has thus been set by which the school could measure itself by outside schools. The results have proved of credit to the school. The object is not to emphasize college preparatory work at the expense of the other courses not directly fitting for higher schools but to set definite standards as constituting a satisfactory amount of work to be done. As the majority of pupils are taking courses in subjects that are covered by this board, and in fact as all take some subjects so covered, all have to be held up to a standard that is generally recognized as adequate.
26
While emphasizing the need of this work, the other courses have not been neglected. The commercial course has passed the stage of being a novelty and has proved itself equal to the other courses as a means of discipline to those pupils especially interested in the subjects that it offers. As we have become better acquainted with it through actual experience its strong points have come out clearly, and its weaknesses that need cor- rection have shown themselves.
The special need of the school now is of more reference books and of apparatus for the science work. We are at present lacking in both these directions.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation of the spirit of earnest co-operation shown by all those with whom I have had to work.
N. A. CUTLER, Principal.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. W. C. Hobbs, Superintendent of Schools :
Music today is recognized as an integral part of the child's education. As the public school system has developed in the United States, musical directors and teachers of music have been appointed by tlie school authorities in all our large cities and very many of our large towns. This recognition does not obtain alone in New England, but also throughout our land. The teach- ing of this subject, however, is limited in its scope, confined to the elementary schools where singing and sight reading are taught. As an exercise it is healthful, as a mental discipline is excelled by no other study ; by many physicians is considered a safeguard from those diseases that affect the breathing organs. It teaches patriotism, kindness, and inspires sentiment.
"Music the fiercest grief can charm, And fate's severest rage disarm, Music can soften pain to ease, And make despair and madness please ; Our joys below it can improve, And antedate the bliss above."
There is a well defined movement among musical educators to establish a musical course in the high schools. The New England Educational League has outlined a tentative course which includes the study of the piano, voice, organ, or any other instrument of the symphonic orchestra and the study of harmony in addition to the one period a week of choral study. Many of our pupils are pursuing the study of music in addition to the regular high school course. Would it be possible to allow pupils credit for such study toward the completion of
28
their high school course? Would it be a wise move to intro- duce the further study of music in the High School making it an elective?
Our schools in town have been doing satisfactory work in music, individuality is encouraged and much enthusiasm pre- vails in nearly all the classes. The teacher has most willingly followed the suggestions of the supervisor, and I believe much good is being accomplished.
I would like to thank the superintendent for his cordial support and the school board for their interest in my depart- ment.
Yours respectfully,
B. HAROLD HAMBLIN. Norwood, Jan. 31, 1905.
REPORT OF THE TEACHER OF SEWING.
To Mr. W. C. Hobbs, Superintendent of Schools :
With a few slight changes, the work in sewing has con- tinued according to the outline given in my last statement, and the result thus far has been most satisfactory.
In each grade much progress has been made. The interest of the girls in the sewing is very gratifying and the hearty co- operation in many cases of the mothers, expressing as they have through their children their appreciation of this branch of the school work, has been extremely helpful.
The work has been so planned as to give, as far as is possi- ble in the time allowed each class, a substantial knowledge of the art of sewing, enabling them to put the knowledge thus obtained to a practical use in the home.
When the different articles are finished, each girl takes home what she has made, as the girls prefer to purchase these articles for their own use.
This plan has worked well in other schools and I have found that it has added much interest to the work in my classes.
MARY A. McCLEARN, Teacher of Sewing.
Feb. 4th, 1905.
30
REPORT OF THE TRUANT OFFICER.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I now take pleasure in submitting my fifth annual report as truant officer. I have reported to the office of the superintendent each day throughout the year and have promptly investigated all cases of absence which have been referred to me. I find the attendance has been better this year than in any previous year, during my service as truant officer, in proportion to the number of pupils.
Whole number of cases investigated, 202
Truants,
20
Sickness, 53
Kept home where parents were at fault,
Withdrawal Cards, 52
15
Where pupils had left town, 20
Kept home for lack of suitable clothing, IO
Kept home for satisfactory reasons,
32
Respectfully submitted,
M. D. CREED,
Truant Officer.
Feb. Ist, 1905.
REPORT OF THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I now take pleasure in submitting my report as census enu- merator for the year 1904. I have taken a house to house can- vass as required by law.
Number of children between 5 and 15, I356
Number of boys between 5 and 15, 678
Number of girls between 5 and 15, 678
Number of boys between 7 and 14, 467
Number of girls between 7 and 14,
490
Respectfully submitted,
M. D. CREED,
Census Enumerator.
1
31
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY, 1905.
Population of Norwood, estimated, 6500 Valuation, 1904, $5,127,735.00 $16.60
Tax rate, 1904,
Number children in town, September, 1904, between 5 and 15 years old as per census, 1356
Number of boys, 678
Number of girls, 678
Number children in town, September, 1904, between 7 and 14 years old as per census, Number of boys, 467 Number of girls, 490
957
Enrollment of all children in the schools dur- ing school year, Sept. 1903 to June 1904, 1490. State, 1433
Number of boys, 750. State, 721
Number of girls, 740. 712
Number children under 5 years old, 6
over 15 years old, 169
66 between 5 and 15 years old, 1321. State, 1264
7 and 14 years old, 933. S87
Average membership, 1369.88
Average attendance, 1283.17
Per cent. of attendance, 94
Number of tardinesses,
2195
Pro rata of tardiness, 1.6
Aggregate number of days the schools were in session, 5562 1-2
Number of teachers required, 1903-'04, 41
66
1904-'05, 43
Number of schools, 1903-'04,
31
1904-'05, 33
Cost per pupil for books and supplies based on the average membership, $2.11
Cost per pupil including all expenses,
$26.41
32
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE
TEACHERS.
SCHOOLS.
Grades.
Enrollment.
Boys.
1
N. A. Cutler,
High, Everett,
10-13
166
79
2
Mary Stuart Fellows,
9
41
24
3 Julia R. O'Brien,
9
36
18
4 Estelle Gilmore,
66
8
44
28
5
Willa H. Ferguson,
66
8
56
26
6 S. Louisa Rhodes,
66
7
43
17
7
Lillian E. Moore,
7
41
19
8
Katharine L. Carbee,
Guild,
6
44
20
9
Una Esther Howes,
6
45
24
10
Julia E. Danahy,
66
5
47
23
12
Georgia M. Hartford,
5
46
26
13
Clara E. Breitling,
66
4-5
44
23
14
Amy W. Bigelow,
4
47
21
15
Lilla Frances Bateman,
66
3
39
17
16
M. Agnes Murphy,
3
35
16
17
Estelle M. Mahoney,
2
51
22
18
Lillian G. Duncan,
66
1
37
21
19
E. Louise Ward,
66
1
37
21
20
Ruphelle Luce,
E. J. Shattuck,
5
41
23
21
Lizzie E. Hadley,
66
4
36
17
22
Florence Hill,
66
2
50
29
24
Alma L. Arnold,
66
1-2
43
20
25
Emma F. Niles,
66
1
44
19
26
Annie E. Fales,
East,
3-4
41
19
27
Martha B. Parker,
1-2
45
21
28
Emma A. Mansfield,
West,
2-3
48
29
29
Elizabeth R. Bishop,
6
1
42
33
30
Minnie H. Churchill,
Balch,
2-4
39
19
31
A. Agnes Curtin,
1-2
56
30
Totals,
1,490
750
3
60
28
23
Ellen B. Colbath,
6
46
18
11
Grace L. Newton,
66
33
STATISTICS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1903-4.
Girls.
Number under five
Number over fifteen
Number between
Number between
7 and 14.
Average
membership.
Average attendance.
Per cent.
of attendance.
Number
of tardinesses.
Pro rata of tardiness.
Number of
days in session.
87
000
128
38
6
156.00
149.60
96
415
2.77
196
17
12
29
19
40.33
38.01
94
48
1.11
184
18
9
27
17
35.40
32.90
93
76
2.14
184
16
0
3
41
34
37.06
35.24
95
51
1.37
184
30
0
.56
36
50.69
47.34
93
124
2.44
184
26
0
41
30
41.40
38.30
93
57
1.38
184
22
0
4
37
27
39.81
36.34
91
75
1.88
184
24
0
1
43
40
42.42
39.77
94
34
.80
184
21
0
1
44
44
41.72
39.26
94
116
2.78
184
28
0
44
41
42.08
39.54
94
19
.45
184
24
0
46
46
46.10
43.04
93
63
1.37
184
20
O
46
46
47.29
44.21
93
32
.67
184
21
0
44
44
43.52
39.15
90
46
1.05 1.00
184
22
0
0
39
36
34.00
31.70
93
47
1.32
184
19
0
0
35
34
36.10
33.90
94
44
1.21
183₺ 184
16
0
0
37
5
32.57
29.01
89
43
1.32
183
16
0
37
5
33.23
30.54
92
50
1.50
1833
18
0
0
41
41
43.99
42.18
96
22
.50
162}
19
0
0
36
35
39.61
37.49
95.
77
1.94
162₺
32
0
0
60
60
46.70
43.88
94
102
2.18
162}
21
0
0
50
32
46.20
43.14
93
58
1.25
162₺
25
4
0
40
2
37.48
42.35
89
94
2.53
162₺
22
0
0
41
41
41.00
39.00
95
53
1.29
183}
24
2
0
43
9
42.00
39.00
93
10
.23
182
19
0
0
48
39
42.11
39.69
92
58
1.37
182
9
0
0
42
9
32.80
27.70
84
40
1.21
175
20
0
0
39
39
34.64
31.69
91
110
3.17
180
26
0
0
56
26
32.95
28.82
87
63
1.94
179
740
9
169
1,321
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