Norwood annual report 1904-1907, Part 58

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1374

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In the Appendix will be found a table which fixes conditions on a single day, the same date, Jan. 31, for three successive years. These various statistics must give the interested reader a clear idea of the numerical condition in our schools.

Below are the figures relating to average membership with the month of December as the unit :

AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP.

December,

1904

1905

1906

High,

142.20

140.10

128.40

Everett,

220.65

267.02

254.63

Guild,

488.80

510.36

515.64

Shattuck,

312.98

303.26

331.76

East,

84.50

72.32

$4.29

West,

76.15

SI.So

83.03

Balch,

66.97

80.91

89.36

1,392.25

1,455.77

1,487. II

It will be seen that the total number of pupils has increased each year, but the increase is not so large this year as in the previous year.

A somewhat larger increase in the Shattuck school this year than usual was caused by retaining a seventh grade there instead of sending it to the Everett school as formerly. This was done to avoid congestion in the Everett and the Guild schools. For the same reason it was also necessary to transfer fourth grade pupils from the Guild to the Shattuck and the East schools, thus still further increasing the numbers in the two latter schools. These belong to the Guild district and should be restored when the new building is occupied.

THE NEW BUILDING.

The new building, which is now in process of construction on Chapel street, will not be occupied until September. This will afford ample time for its completion and its equipment.

In this building it will be advisable to have the first five grades at the start. They will include children who are at present in the Guild school but who live comparatively near the new build- ing and would find it more convenient to attend there.

It will include, also, those who are now attending the West school, and those who are to be promoted from the third grade in the Balch, beside any overflow from that school, and all others who live near Chapel street.

If the new building were to be occupied at once, there are 144 children in the first five grades of the Guild school who would be transferred thereto; they are distributed among the grades as follows :

Grade I.,

Grade II.,

Grade III.,

. IO

Grade VI.,

. 60

Grade V.,

144

But of course next September each of these grades would be the next higher and the present fifth grade children would con- tinue in the Guild as sixth grade.

With the children who would come from the West, the Balch, and the immediate vicinity, the new building will open with about 250 pupils, and these will require six rooms.

This plan involves the temporary closing of the West school, as was recommended in the last report. Since the grounds for this recommendation are there stated, I will quote from that re- port. It was made " because the new building can easily accom- modate all these children; because it will provide them better privileges ; because the distances will be inconvenient for none, the West school being only more convenient to a very few ; be- cause it would be better business, more economical, to have all the children together in one plant, and better pedagogy to have them under one system of supervision, under one principal, thus unifying operations in two important directions."

The West school would therefore be available when the growth of the town would require its re-occupation. It could then be renovated in several respects and thus made more hy- gienic than it is at present.

It is important to note the effect of opening the new school upon the Guild. The number of children in the latter would be reduced to such an extent that, with the other modifications in grading logically resulting from the new conditions, only ten rooms instead of twelve would be required. One room would thus be available in case the ninth grade in the Everett should occupy three rooms instead of two, which is possible.

The other extra room in the Guild would enable us to adopt a plan which is very desirable and which now obtains in many places, viz. : the organization of a special school for children who, for various reasons, need individual attention.

A SPECIAL SCHOOL.

In almost every school there are usually several children who need special attention for some reason or other, or at various times.

Sickness or quarantine may have prevented attendance to such an extent that the child finds difficulty in the regular class work to catch up.

Some children are naturally deficient in one branch or more, while others have a constitutional inaptitude for all study. All these classes of children need individual attention, such as they can have in a school of 15 or 20 children but cannot have in a class of 40 or more.

It should be considered a privilege for the children to attend this school and a distinction for the teacher who has charge of it. The teacher needs special qualifications for such a school. She should be one who has a natural enthusiasm and love for children, who is tender towards their weaknesses, patient with their faults, quick to discover and appreciate progress, and able to discern in the crudity of results the least merit in the effort put forth to accomplish them. All teachers should have these qualities, but such a school would be a certain failure without such a teacher.

HIGH SCHOOL.

The High School is maintaining a high standard of work and is therefore meeting, not only the expectations of the public, but also the demands of the colleges, whose requirements are in- creasingly exacting.

Since last January, a year ago, the school has been on the ap- proved list of those whose certificates are accepted by the New England College Entrance Certificate Board. Instead of taking advantage of this privilege, however, the students are advised to take the examinations given by the College Entrance Examina- tion Board. Success in passing these examinations gives the students a more satisfactory status in college. If they accept the certificate privilege, they are admitted simply on probation ; whereas, if they pass successfully the examinations referred to, they are admitted without restriction.

The scholarship qualification, required by vote of the com-

mittee, for admission to the athletic teams, has had a salutary effect. It has adjusted properly in the minds of the pupils the relation of athletics to the intellectual work. It has resulted also in the loss of several pupils who were good in athletics, but whose standing and influence in the school were not otherwise to its advantage.

More stringent requirements for promotion to higher classes are affecting also the standards of the school. To succeed in the High School, the pupils must give their undivided attention to their work. That is as it should be; high school students should learn that success here is determined by the same criterion as in the business of the world. They should become responsible persons.

The work in science has become a more prominent feature in the work of the school. Considerable apparatus has been pur- chased during the last year. This department is restricted some- what by the limited accommodations for it, as the Principal states in his report, but we hope to see this line of activity con- stantly develop.

The school has recently been quite liberally supplied with books of reference, which were greatly needed.

The complete renovation of the sanitaries referred to in the reports of the principal and the school committee should be ef- fected at the earliest opportunity. They are a source of danger to the health of pupils and teachers.

The school is not so large this year as was expected. The number of pupils to a teacher is comparatively small, but this is a decided advantage to each pupil. However, if this were to be a permanent condition, we might conclude that we could not af- ford to maintain the present number of teachers, though the number of classes and courses is the same as formerly. As next September the school will be largely increased in numbers, it was decided not to adopt the questionable economy of reducing tem- porarily the teaching force at the expense of the educational in- terests of the school.

Several of last year's teachers secured more lucrative positions ; they had, however, well earned their promotions by compar- atively long and efficient service here. We could not expect or desire to retain them at their disadvantage. We do entertain the hope, however, that when their successors, who are doing good work, have served the school so long and so efficiently, the re- sources of the town will justify paying them salaries which will enable them to remain longer with us.

We bespeak for the High School, in its present prosperous condition, the cordial support and co-operation of the public.

EVERETT AND GUILD SCHOOL.

With the beginning of the present school year, the change in the administration of the Everett and the Guild schools, voted last year by the School Committee, went into effect. Instead of a lady principal in each of these schools, a man has been em- ployed as principal of both buildings.

This change reflects no discredit upon the former principals. They are ladies of high character and good standing as teachers. The results have justified the plan, which we believe has the cordial approval of the community.

The principal now teaches the mathematics of the ninth grade and has besides sufficient time to devote to the supervision of both buildings. Thus every pupil who reaches the ninth grade comes under the instruction and influence of a man, a policy which, without any disparagement to the lady teachers, we believe is desirable and in accord with the best educational sentiment of the country.

By this arrangement we have three teachers where formerly there were four. This saving financially is worth considering along with the other merits of the plan.

DRAWING, MUSIC, AND SEWING.

I call attention to the reports of the supervisors of drawing, music, and sewing.

The work in all these departments has been highly satisfac-

tory. The drawing department has developed a good deal dur- ing the last two years under the efficient management and in- struction of our supervisor. There is a real interest and enthu- siasm for the work on the part of both children and teachers. The progress of this department in the High School is worthy of special notice.

I wish also to say a word of commendation for the music in our schools. The children are gaining a good knowledge of the rudiments of music and are acquiring considerable ability to read at sight. This is manifest in the High School, where the pupils have been subjected to tests which reveal their power both to read and express music. This reflects credit upon the supervisor and the teachers who have co-operated with him.

The work in sewing is a unique feature in our schools, it be- ing the most distinctive kind of manual work in operation there- in. It is interesting to observe the girls and their instructor engaged in making the various garments which come into the course. It gives a domestic appearance to the schoolroom which is highly attractive.

Incidentally I might call attention to the fact that in some of the schools, while the sewing is going on by the girls, the boys are doing raffia and wood work of an elementary nature. We hope to see in the near future manual training in more system- atic operation in our schools.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL INSPECTION.

Since the beginning of my service here, careful attention has been given to provisions for the health of the children. This has of course been only an incident to my work, yet the condi- tions were such that in some instances agitation and decisive action were necessary.

Among the steps taken to secure more healthful conditions have been a thorough system for the exclusion of children hav- ing or exposed to contagious disease, installing additional win- dows and caretul manipulation of curtains, changing seats and

desks so that the light would come from the left, clearing and cleaning fresh air rooms, increasing the quantity of fresh air admitted to the school rooms, outdoor recesses, etc. There has also been more thorough medical inspection by the Board of Health, for which the secretary of that board should have due credit and consideration.

All these agencies combined have had their effect upon the health of the school population and have in many instances pro- duced salutary reaction upon life in the homes.

It is exceedingly interesting and significant to note the com- parative number of notices received from the Board of Health relating to contagious diseases. It is probably well known that this board notifies the superintendent of schools of every case of statutory contagious disease.

The number of such notices received during the last three years from the opening of schools in September to February I , half of each school year, has been as follows :

1906-7

Scarlet fever,

1904-5. I4

1905-6. 33

Diphtheria,

Measles,

* I

Typhoid fever,

Tuberculosis,

- 38

It will be seen that scarlet fever has been greatly reduced and that there has not been a single case of diphtheria. The one isolated instance of measles was the case of a high school teach- er; no child has had it. The cases of typhoid fever, one of which was that of an adult, were pupils in different buildings and the causes had no relation to their school life.

The conclusion to be drawn from the foregoing is obvious, and it is legitimate. It can justly be claimed that the adoption

*A high school teacher.

of hygienic and intelligent measures to promote health and to prevent disease will produce effective results.

Our policy has been in harmony with and is justified by the laws of 1906 relating to contagious disease and the appointment of a school physician, copies of which are in the Appendix of this report.

These laws include also a systematic examination once a year of the sight and hearing of all school children by the teachers. This will be a great boon to children. Many a child has stood at a great disadvantage in his classes and has been regarded as dull and incapable when, as no one knew, the only cause was defect in sight or hearing. David W. Wells, M. D., has said : " The child has no criterion of vision or hearing with which to compare his own and is often branded as mentally deficient be- cause of his inability to see and hear properly." Neither has he a criterion of feeling, and he may suffer severe nervous strain, all unconscious that it is avoidable and abnormal. See the pictures of a boy before and after treatment for astigmatism ; note the evidence of strain in the one and repose in the other.

The plates for these cuts were kindly loaned by the Massa- chusetts Civic League.

With the extension of the laws of quarantine, the appoint- ment of a school physician, and the annual examination of chil- dren's sight and hearing, it is confidently believed that in time marked results in public health will follow.

TEACHERS' MEETINGS.

During the year general meetings have been held every month and grade meetings frequently.

The general meetings have been addressed by quite a number of speakers from out of town. Among these have been Mr. A. J. Jacoby, superintendent of schools in Milton; Mr. F. E. Parlin, superintendent in Quincy ; also Mr. W. A. Baldwin, principal of the Normal School in Hyannis; Miss Lotta A. Clark, teacher in the Charlestown High School, and Miss Alice

I . EYE STRAIN.

2. RELIEF.

Nelson, teacher in the Pierce School, Brookline. These ad- dresses have all been inspiring and much enjoyed by the teach- ers. The teachers and superintendent of Walpole were invited to attend one of the meetings and all but one responded.

Along with the grade meetings the course of study has been discussed and outlined. During the ensuing year it is hoped that a complete course may be outlined and printed.

RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.

During the past year the following changes in the teaching force have taken place :

Resignations :

Theodore M. Hastings,

High School 66

Ella A. Newhall,

Ella A. Kimball,

Irene Van Kleeck,

Joseph E. Goodrich, Mary S. Fellows,

Everett School

Estelle Gilmore,

Joanna D. Croft,

Mary L. Kimball,

Una E. Howes,

Guild School

Grace L. Newton,

Georgia M. Hartford,

Ruphelle E. Luce,

E. J. Shattuck School

Ellen Colbath,

Emma A. Mansfield,

West School

Elizabeth R. Bishop, Minnie H. Churchill, Appointments : Mary W. Cross,

Balch School

High School

Ruth E. Smith,

Jennie I. Hiscock,

Joseph F. Gould,

Mary L. Gay,

Everett and Guild Schools Everett School

Edith A. Brown, Agnes E. Abbott, Lucinda M. Bent, Helen I. Guthrie, Ethel M. Edwards,

Everett School 66

Guild School

Gertrude E. Richardson,

E. J. Shattuck School

Florence E. Fisher, Susie A. Metcalf,

Maude E. Dalton,

66 Balch School

The reasons for the resignations were various. Seven were on account of beneficial appointments to other places ; five for matrimony ; three for the improvement of the service; one be- cause of alleged contagious disease.

CONCLUSION.

I would not close this report without expressing my thanks and gratitude to the committee, teachers, and all people who have in any way, however little, contributed to the success of the past year, who have given me consideration and smoothed the path of a year which has been more than ordinarily full of inci- dents of a personal as well as of a public nature.

Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM C. HOBBS,

Superintendent.

APPENDIX.

REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.

To MR. W. C. HOBBS, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :

I herewith submit my eighth annual report.

The following table will show the enrollment and present membership in the High School as compared with the correspond- ing conditions last year :

ENROLLMENT

MEMBERSHIP, JAN. 31

1905-6 1906-7

1906

1907

Postgraduates,

Seniors,

Juniors,

Sophomores,

Freshmen,

151

135

I35

I28

Of those enrolled this year 58 are boys and 77 are girls.

Of the 40 in the freshman class 32 were graduates from last year's ninth grade. Seven are classified as freshmen who were not able to win a full promotion from last year's freshman class ; one came from an out-of-town school.

The enrollment of the sophomore class contains nine who were not able to win a full promotion from last year's sophomore class. Several of these may be able to make up their work so as to graduate with the class with which they entered the school.

In the building itself the system of ventilation with the dry closets ought to be called to the attention of the committee.

During school hours, when the full ventilation is on, no ill effects are ever evident ; but at other times, under certain conditions of the atmosphere, the odor is very marked through certain parts of the building.

The laboratory during the past two years has proved itself in- capable of handling the classes in chemistry. But twelve scholars can be accommodated in it at one time. This makes it neces- sary to take our classes in two divisions when otherwise they might be taken in one with greater economy. The same thing is true of the recitation rooms in the west end of the building. The chemical laboratory has to be used for laboratory work in physics also, for which it is not suited. There seems no way to obviate these difficulties with the present building without too great an outlay of money.

During the present year Medieval and Modern History was added to the course of study, being made an elective in the Soph- omore class. Chemistry and Physics have heretofore been taken on alternate years in the two upper classes. This year Chemis- try was taken in the Junior year and Physics in the Senior.

It has been the custom not to begin a class in any subject un- less the class numbered at least five. This has resulted in there being no beginner's class in Greek during the last two years. It seems to me that the school cannot afford to have classes of less than five, unless under very unusual conditions. It is unfor- tunate, however, to have a subject that is of so much value as Greek is, especially as a college preparatory subject, not elected. It is hoped that more may realize its value so as to choose it next year.

The school has been unfortunate in losing so many of the as- sistant teachers. In September, 1905, only two out of the six returned. In September, 1906, three out of six returned and one of these has since left for another position. This is an un- fortunate condition that will have to be met if the efficiency of the school is not to suffer.

The present conditions of high school work make it necessary

for a pupil to decide what class of work he is to pursue. For a pupil who does not elect Latin in the ninth grade, the choice of subjects is necessarily more limited in the High School. Experi- ence has shown that scholars at the end of their second year often have their ambition aroused and wish to continue their education in some higher school. Their failure to realize this before proves a great handicap to them and sometimes one that cannot be overcome. Others who have chosen the college course find that it is by no means the one for which they are fitted. We shall always have to meet this difficulty, but it should be our aim to make it possible to pass from one course to another with as little loss of time as possible.

Respectfully submitted, N. A. CUTLER.

REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.

To MR. W. HOBBS, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :

The work in drawing the past year has been very successful ; teachers and pupils have worked hard and there has been con- siderable improvement along certain lines. The gifts which the children in all grades made and took home at Christmas showed much original and careful work.

During the year we have had a visit from the State Supervisor of Drawing, Mr. Sargent, who expressed his approval of our work.

Last spring a class was formed from twelve high schools in and around Boston, each school sending one lady student. This class met for six weeks on Friday's at the Museum of Fine Arts and received instruction in many of the pictures and their artists from Miss Alicia Keyes, of Boston. Through Mr. Sargent we sent one of our students, which we considered a great favor.

No other study does so much to cultivate one's sense of the beautiful as this, with the brush and pencil. Soon the good in- fluence of these lessons will show itself in the things we admire.

Ruskin says that the whole aim of education is to help people not only to do the right things but also to enjoy the right things. Everybody sooner or later comes to choose the objects and colors with which he shall be surrounded in the home or elsewhere. If this choice can be wisely made, in accordance with the laws of good taste and in obedience to principles of beauty, the homes, the school buildings, the towns and cities of our country will be beautiful places in which to live.

" Let us remember that above all we are to seek in the objects with which we surround ourselves exactly the same qualities we would demand in our most cherished friend-simplicity, sin- cerity, singleness of purpose, truthfulness, earnestness and the play of soul."

Respectfully submitted,

BESSIE M. PARKER, Supervisor. January 31, 1907.

REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.

MR. W. C. HOBBS, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :

Dear Sir :- Music as taught in the Norwood public schools is not limited to the teaching of songs. It is our purpose to train the pupils in such an effective manner that upon the completion of their grammar school course, they will have a good under- standing of the principles of this subject. A knowledge of the principal keys in music, ability to read ordinary music at sight, to sing in tune, to sing successfully-songs with one, two and three, and in some classes, four voice parts, are some of the problems accomplished. Great care is exercised to avoid the straining of voices.

The success of public school music is dependent upon the efficiency of the grade teacher. The supervisor may direct and assist, but if the teacher is not qualified, the music in that class will be a failure. We are fortunate in Norwood in that nearly all our teachers are able to teach their classes in music, with only two or three exceptions, and in those cases an exchange of work has been arranged with some other teacher.

There are several cities beside Boston in our state that require candidates to pass an examination in music before receiving an appointment to teach. The High School are studying " The Prophet Psalmist," by Farmer, and have taken up the work with much interest.

I take pleasure in referring to the thorough efforts and the " good will " that animates our teachers in maintaining a high standard in music.

Thanking the Superintendent and School Committee for their support I am, respectfully yours,

B. HAROLD HAMBLIN, Supervisor of Music.

Norwood, February 1, 1907.

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Norwood annual report 1904-1907, Part 58

Author: Norwood (Mass.) Publication date: 1904 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 1374

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1374