USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1905-1908 > Part 16
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ADMISSION.
Attention is called to three rules regulating the ad- mission of children to the public schools.
Rule 8. Pupils under five years of age will not be ad- mitted, except by permission of the school committee.
Experience shows that children under five years of age are immature, and unable to do satisfactorily the work of the first grade, and that they retard the progress of the class. The present tendency is to raise the age of admis- sion from five to six years.
Rule 9. Children will be admitted to the first grade only at the beginning of the fall term, except by special permission of the school committee. ("The beginning of the fall term" will include the first two weeks.)
Rule 10. Pupils who enter a school in town for the first time must present a vaccination certificate properly filled out and certified, or a certificate stating that the pupil is an unfit subject for vaccination, before being ad- mitted.
A careful registration list of all pupils has been made this year, and it has been found that during a few years suf- ficient attention has not been given to the matter of vac- cination, so that in certain grades there are several pupils who have not been vaccinated. Special attention is here called to these necessary rules, and parents are requested
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Superintendent of Schools.
to comply with them before sending their children next September.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The sight and hearing of the pupils has been tested according to law, and the directions of the State Board of Education, with the following results :
Number of pupils tested, 375.
Defective in sight, 65, or 17 plus per cent.
Defective in hearing, 17, or 4 1-2 per cent.
The tests have not shown quite so large a percentage of defective sight and hearing as last year, partly because experience enables a more accurate test, and partly be- cause some of the pupils have had defective eyesight rem- edied by treatment and the use of glasses.
The large percentage of defective eyesight is in the Cochituate building, the number there being 26 1-2 per cent of the whole, while in the Wayland building the per cent is only four.
The work of the school physician is being very thor- oughly done, and should be productive of good results. The appropriation for medical inspection is entirely inade- quate as a remuneration for the work that has been done, and the town is to be congratulated upon having a school physician whose interest in the cause exceeds the limits of the financial compensation.
I am of the opinion that the appropriation should be increased to one hundred dollars, at least, and I also be- lieve that a school physician for each village is a more desirable arrangement.
The report of the school physician appears elsewhere, and deserves careful reading.
MARKING SYSTEM.
It may be of interest to parents to have our plan of marking scholarship and deportment explained. No method
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Town of Wayland.
that can be adopted is entirely satisfactory. The exact rank or ability of a pupil can never be accurately expressed by symbols, yet we have no other means. Parents desire to know, and should know as nearly as possible, the quality of the work done by their children. The report card with a marking system that is somewhat flexible and easily un- derstood, is a necessity. If it is supplemented by a per- sonal visit to the school by the parent and consultation with the teacher, the result is fairly satisfactory.
The following directions for marking are given to teachers :
I. Mark on a scale of 100.
2. Teachers are to use their own method of keeping the daily record of the pupils' work.
3. Examinations count one-third, daily average, two- thirds, i.e., add or subtract from the daily average one-third of the difference between the examination mark and the daily average.
4. Transfer the record to the report card according to the following scale :
High School-H-Honor, 95-100; G-Good, 85-95; P-Passed, 70-85 ; F-Failed, below 70.
Grades-H-Honor, 95-100; C-Credit, 85-95; G-Good, 75-85; P-Passed, 70-75; F-Failed, below 70.
The use of letters is preferred. The use of plus or minus or any variation from the above scale is inadvisable.
5. Report the standing of grades V-IX and high school pupils.
6. The report cards should be placed in envelopes addressed to the parent (or guardian) with the name of the pupil in the lower left-hand corner.
7. Send the report cards promptly at the close of the school month and insist that they be returned promptly.
Note : If parents refuse to sign the report card, notify them that the signature does not imply approval or disap-
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Superintendent of Schools.
proval, but is simply an evidence that they have seen the report, and withhold further reports until the card is signed.
8. Use red ink for unsatisfactory marks upon the re- port card.
9. Do not mark too high, especially at the beginning of the year.
10. Keep a permanent record of the work accom- plished and the rank attained by all pupils in the high school. This is important.
Reports for grades I-IV are optional with the teacher.
In addition to the report cards, special notices are sent to parents when the standing of a pupil is such as to en- danger his promotion prospects. These are to make sure that parents understand the matter clearly, and to secure their co-operation in bringing the pupil up to the required standard.
UNION MEETINGS.
Union meetings of the teachers of the district have been held as follows :
At Sudbury, April 12, 1907; Dea. F. F. Walker, chair- man.
Addresses : "Individualism in Education, or How to Meet the Needs of Individual Pupils," by Dr. John T. Prince, Agent of the State Board of Education.
"The Value of a Knowledge of the Natural Sciences, especially of Geology," by Prof. George H. Barton, of the Teachers' School of Science, Boston.
At Dover, October 11, 1907; Mr. R. H. Bond, Chair- man.
Addresses : "Penmanship," by Mr. A. W. Clark of the Penmanship Department, Ginn and Company.
"How the Homes Can Co-operate with the Schools," by Prof. Marshall L. Perrin, Superintendent of Schools, Wellesley, Mass.
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Town of Wayland.
At Wayland, January 31, 1908; Mr. Isaac Damon, Chairman.
Addresses: "School and Home Gardening and Indus- trial Work," by Mr. O. A. Morton, Superintendent of Schools, Marlboro, Mass.
"The Weakest Point in Modern Education," by Mr. B. C. Gregory, Superintendent of Schools, Chelsea, Mass.
The usual conferences have been held, the wants of the inner man abundantly provided for, sociability has not been wanting, and the meetings have been profitable from all points of view. If there is anything left to be desired, it is an increased interest in and attendance upon these meetings by the parents and other citizens of the town.
SCHOOLROOM DECORATION.
Schoolroom decoration and improvement of the school buildings and grounds is educational in value, and very much to be desired. At the Wayland Center School the principal and teachers have held the Turner exhibit of pho- tographs to raise funds for the purchase of pictures for the building. The following pictures have been pur- chased :
Sir Galahad, Watts.
Dance of the Nymphs, Corot.
The Shepherdess, Lerolle.
Pilgrims Going to Church, Broughton.
The purpose of the high school graduating class of 1908 to make the school a gift of a large cast of "Aurora" is very commendable. It is a highly desirable precedent to establish, and I trust that all succeeding classes will es- tablish it as a custom. Even graduating grammar school classes in many towns leave behind them a token of their regard for the school and its associations.
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Superintendent of Schools.
THE COCHITUATE SCHOOL BUILDING.
In regard to this building, I am inclined to incorporate a paragraph from my report of last year, and make one or two additional observations. I quote:
"I find by reference to earlier reports, dating as far back as 1901, that the building had the following defi- ciencies :-
I. Poor ventilation.
2. Lack of modern conveniences.
3. Poor heating facilities.
4. Lack of hall space.
5. Poor lighting.
6. Long stairways.
7. Dampness.
8. Dilapidated appearance.
9. Poor location.
These objections would still appear to hold good. The building is rapidly deteriorating, and will continue to do so as long as the committee pursue their present policy, a wise one, of expending only the minimum amount for re- pairs. Expert opinion testifies that money cannot be econ- omically expended upon the present building. The only thing to be said is that it would be wiser and safer to pro- vide a new building before danger is incurred by fire or disease in the old one."
The defective eyesight in the building, compared with that in the Center building, is in the ratio of about 7 to I. A study of the lighting surfaces of the building shows that the ratio of the lighting surface to the floor surface is about I to 10 (about I to 13 effective) on the first and second floors, while on the third floor the ratio is I to 13 (1 to 16 effective). The standard required by the state is I to 4, or, at the least, I to 6.
The seating equipment is entirely inadequate. Prob- ably not more than 50 per cent of the pupils have seats
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Town of Wayland.
and desks that are suited to their needs. The desks are ill fitting, and cannot be adjusted, and the result is physical discomfort and a tendency toward permanent deformity.
Taking all these conditions into consideration, it seems to me that a permanent committee should be ap- pointed by the town to agitate the matter and devise ways and means until some recommendation is made that the town will accept and adopt. The present building is inade- quate and dangerous, and there should be absolutely no cessation of effort until the Cochituate pupils are housed in a modern and hygienic building.
MANUAL TRAINING.
Through the interest and effort of several public- spirited citizens, notably Mrs. Jessica L. C. Henderson, who originated the enterprise, together with several who have given valuable assistance, Mrs. Hayward, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Bullard, Mr. Francis Shaw, Mr. Wallace Draper, Mr. Edward M. Bennett, and others, we have been able to introduce sloyd into grades eight and nine. The classes include the boys and girls of these grades at the Center school, and the boys from these grades at Cochituate. There is great interest in the work, and it is very desirable that it be extended to include at least the boys of the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades, and such girls as choose to elect it. The plan at present is to make the work required of the boys and elective by the girls.
To maintain this work and extend it as desired will require provision in the next annual appropriation for schools to the amount of about five hundred dollars. Pub- lic spirit and co-operation have thus far provided means for equipment and instruction, but it will be impossible to continue the work under the present plan of supplying funds. It is too great a burden upon public generosity. The work has been successfully introduced, and it is both
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Superintendent of Schools.
popular and profitable. It is no longer an experiment.
Sewing has been introduced into the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades for the girls at Cochituate. The instruc- tor is a practical teacher from the Framingham Normal School, and the work is at practically no expense, except for car fares. It is my desire to have sewing at both Wayland and Cochituate for the girls in all the grades from the fifth to the ninth, and possibly in the primary grades, either by practice teachers or by the regular teach- ers under supervisory direction.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The high school in a small town is always a difficult problem. The small number of pupils, the small number of teachers, with the consequent heavy burden of many classes, the relatively high cost per pupil, the course of study,-all present problems of difficulty that require thought and skill in solution. The frequent changes of teachers, especially of principals, is destructive of the unity and progressiveness of the school. Other local causes sometimes affect a school adversely, and make the problems still more complex.
The Wayland high school has its share of adverse conditions, no doubt, but it is, nevertheless, a progressive school, and in my opinion, it is worthy the confidence and ยท support of the citizens. Several important measures have been taken to strengthen the work of the school during the past two years. The course of study has been ma- terially improved and broadened to meet the needs of the pupils in their preparation for further study or for what- ever occupation they intend to pursue. For college and normal school preparation and for general culture, the high school furnishes ample means, and the Wayland High School ranks well with the schools of its class.
It is a fact, however, that it does not meet the prac-
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Town of Wayland.
tical needs of a large number of pupils who do not intend to pursue advanced courses in higher institutions. This is a present and very important problem that requires solu- tion.
The commercial course has been extended and im- proved and a teacher employed who is especially equipped for teaching the commercial branches, and who devotes at least three-fourths of her time to this department. Our aim is to provide each pupil with a practical business education suited to the needs of the ordinary business man or woman, and to provide those who wish to pursue special commercial work with as thorough a business equipment as the time and means will allow.
The daily session has been lengthened from four and one-half to five and one-half hours. This gives a recitation of forty-five minutes, and allows each teacher one or two periods a day for attention to individual pupils.
The standard of promotion and of graduation has been raised, and pupils are strictly required to meet the obliga- tions imposed by a high grade of excellence.
It is our endeavor to see that every pupil clearly un- derstands his rank as a student and his prospects for pro- motion and graduation. The teachers are constant in their endeavor to discover the best there is in each individual pupil and to encourage him to pursue those studies that will develop his talent in the most effective way.
Much has been done during the present -year by the principal and teachers to develop interests that symmet- rize the high-school life and promote a wholesome school spirit and loyalty. This last is sadly needed. The sense of obligation to one's school and teachers for benefits re- ceived, for happy associations and loyal friendships, the spirit of "alma mater" that so characterizes the old acad- emy and seminary, is wanting in the modern high school. Yet the school needs it. It needs the loyal support of
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Superintendent of Schools.
every student and every graduate. Every reflection upon the school should meet a stanch and loyal defender. It has an honored past and a hopeful future, but it needs the loy- alty and support of every graduate, of every pupil, of every parent, and every citizen.
The school has been visited recently by an agent of the State Board of Education, and has been recommended by him for the certificate privilege of sending graduates to normal schools without examination. I may state that the recommendation was a strong one, and that in his opinion, Wayland has the best high school it has ever had.
There is no doubt but that the college certificate privi- lege (unfortunately and needlessly lost) will be given the school as soon as graduates enter some of the colleges in- cluded in the New England College Entrance Certificate Board and make a good record there. Too much emphasis cannot be put upon the fact that the reputation and rank of the school depends upon the record and standing of its graduates after they leave school. All recent graduates who have entered other schools or colleges have entered well, and are doing good work, but they are not in colleges that are included in the above-mentioned Board.
These facts and suggestions are respectfully submitted to those who are interested in the school, with the added suggestion that any criticisms be brought directly to the committee or to the superintendent, where they will be helpful (outside they are harmful), and that every citizen be a loyal supporter of the school.
Since writing the above, I have been authorized to state that the certificate privilege has been granted the high school by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute on the ap- plication of the high school principal and after investiga- tion.
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Town of Wayland.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation of the pleasant relations that have existed between all who have participated in the work and interest in the public schools. These expressions are customary and somewhat formal, but none the less genuine and sincere.
The reports of the principals, supervisors, and truant officers, follow, together with the appendix which contains the usual tables and statistics.
Respectfully submitted, S. C. HUTCHINSON.
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Principal of High School.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Submitting to you at mid-year my first report of the progress of the Wayland High School, I am impressed with the fact that aims rather than results must be offered at this time.
In the instruction and administration of the school the aim of the faculty has been two-fold. First: to make the school life of interest to the student; Second: to so direct the instruction and the administration as to be productive of character and ability in the students.
Of a peculiar value for character building and creative of a healthy school spirit are certain values which this year have been introduced into the school. Public speaking- debating-musical clubs-organized athletics,-these have a peculiar value for creating a healthy atmosphere in the school. The old-time academy had its forms of public address, but in the evolution of the modern high school this exercise has often been lost. The power to express one's self in public is one of the deficiencies of the student of today. Confidence in expression, vocal training, and other educative values may be found in this exercise. To encourage the continuance of the musical interests of earlier years and to encourage others to add to their attain- ments a musical interest, our musical clubs have been or- ganized. Athletic teams under proper supervision have come to be recognized as a necessary part of the outside
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Town of Wayland.
school life. A scholarship requirement for all members of teams is an assurance that none shall seek the High School for athletics only. Inter-class contests for boys and for the girls in their own field are valuable in stimulating a healthy class and school spirit. Competitive games with other schools bring out loyalty to the school.
These outside school interests mean extra work for the teachers, but our faculty feel fully repaid for their efforts. A closer relation between teacher and student is at all times desired, and in no other way can such a rela- tion be better brought out than by an interest in a stu- dent's out-of-school life. Where the teacher is present many of the students try for a better attitude in their en- deavors, and here again there is an opportunity to assist character building. These thoughts may indicate our pur- pose to make their interests our interests.
On the side of formal instruction there is again a defi- nite aim. It is desired that the pupils learn a few things well rather than acquaint themselves with many things in a partial, incomplete way. Quality rather than quantity is emphasized. With this aim in view there arise several factors which are a part of the method for qualitative in- struction. First: Failure is eliminated. When a student fails in a lesson he is not permitted to offer an advanced recitation until he has satisfactorily made good the lesson he failed in. In this manner a student does not leave un- accomplished any lesson, hoping the next will be easier and compromise for the past. Many scholars fail at the close of the year because they did not learn their lesson ac- cording to the logical progression, but rather by selecting here, there, and another place, having no idea of the de- pendence of lesson number two upon lesson number one. To eliminate the chance to offer failures teaches the boy to always stay by his task until accomplished, be it a for- mal school study or an out-of-school piece of work.
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Principal of High School.
In the above aim another factor may be obtained. To re- quire a student to do things for himself develops initiative. There is first a clear, concrete exposition of the lesson at hand, and the student must be attentive, for he knows that when he has asked his last question he then is responsible for his lesson, and that no second explanation will be given. Having been shown once how to perform the task at hand the student is then required by written or oral expression to show that he has grasped the problem and can put it into some form of expression or action. This method requires mental action and also requires that the student use his ability with confidence. In written work mistakes are made. As the purpose of the exercise is at each time single fold, the stu- dent knows that he can transgress in only one way. He must then find his own mistake.
Other factors promotive of self-reliance are readily ob- tained when the teacher instructs and then requires the stu- dent by return expression to give forth what he has taken in. The whole plan indicates a purpose to train students in such a way as to make them active and not passive users of their own ability.
I have indicated the two-fold aim of our faculty. We feel that results are assured. A personal word at this time will not be misunderstood. I am exceedingly pleased with the efforts of my assistant teachers, with the hearty co-operation they are at all times giving. To the students who as a school have responded to my desires in a way that has made my advent in Wayland a happy one. To the parents who have from time to time dropped an encouraging word in behalf of the school and the teachers; your school support inspires us more than any other thing to greater activities.
If I am permitted to submit you another report at a more advanced period of my stay in Wayland, I have good reasons to feel that we shall be able to show evidence of results of our aims.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK Y. HESS.
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Town of Wayland.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE COCHITUATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools :--
I herewith submit to you my second annual report of the Cochituate Grammar School.
The work for the spring term of 1907 was continued as planned, and was not interrupted by a change of teachers.
The school is to be congratulated that such faithful teachers have been obtained to fill the vacancies which oc- curred in Grades I and VII.
The kalsomining of the school rooms during the sum- mer vacation has helped the light, and other repairs have rendered the building less dangerous to the health.
Many members of the graduating class of last June have continued their studies, either at the Wayland High School, or at the schools of nearby cities. I ask the co- operation of the parents in impressing upon the children the value of a high school training, and their assistance in increasing the percentage of grammar school graduates who enter the Wayland High School.
No general visiting day has been taken by the teachers of this building since last spring. At that time we visited the schools of Somerville to see the work in writing.
The union conventions held at Dover and Wayland have been attended, and also the Middlesex County convention held in Boston. The excellent programs at each of these con- ventions and the manual arts exhibit at Boston have assisted in making the days a source of profit and inspiration.
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Principal of Cochituate Grammar School.
Sewing for the girls and manual training for the boys of the upper grades have been introduced this year. The results have been very gratifying, and I trust that this work will be continued and extended.
An effort is being made to raise the standard of the work done in all grades, and thus to better fit the boys and girls for the places they are soon to fill in the community. I trust the parents will join with the school officials in this effort and encourage the pupils in forming habits of punc- tuality and industry.
In behalf of the teachers I wish to extend a cordial invitation to the parents to visit the school.
In concluding this report, I desire to thank all who have contributed toward making the school a success.
Respectfully submitted,
MERITT JENKINS.
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Town of Wayland.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools :-
In the school curriculum the subjects of history, science, geography, with music, unite together in developing the in- tellect of the child, and give no opportunity for free motor expression. The drawing with the industrial work, which is and should be a part of the course, supplies this need and gives a means of expression which will make clear and also attractive the other subjects.
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