Official reports of the town of Wayland 1912-1914, Part 5

Author: Wayland (Mass.)
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Printed at the Middlesex Freeman Office
Number of Pages: 776


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1912-1914 > Part 5


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jB236CC


Captain Chub.


R. H. Barbour


jK746C


Captain of the Eleven. A. A. Knipe


jR275C


Carey of St. Ursula's. Jane B. Reid


j694-F81


Carpentry.


E. W. Foster


jT594CH


Champion of the Regiment.


E. T. Tomlinson


jSA12C jB592


Circle K. Edwin L. Sabin


Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays.


jC546


Dick Randall.


Amy E. Blanchard E. H. Clark


jB7943DM


Dorothy Dainty at the Mountains.


Amy Brooks


jB7943DW


Dorothy Dainty's Winter. Amy Brooks


jP416


Dutch Twins. Lucy F. Perkins


j537-W85


Electricity and Its Everyday Uses.


J. F. Woodhull


jW582EN


Enchanted Mountain. E. O. White


jB236FI


Finkler's Field.


R. H. Barbour A. T. Dudley


jD867F


Following the Ball.


jB236FY


For Yardley.


R. H. Barbour


jB283


Forest Castaways.


F. O. Barclett R. H. Barbour


jB236FP jP163F jD867FU


Fugitive Freshman.


R. D. Paine


Full-back Afloat.


A. T. Dudley


j630-SH2


Gardening. Ellen E. Shaw


j790-H14H Handicraft for Handy Boys. A. Neely Hall j942-F63 History of England.


C. R. L. Fletcher and Rudyard Kipling


Forward Pass.


123


TOWN OF WAYLAND


j749-W24


Home Decoration.


C. F. Warner


j640-G42


Housekeeping.


E. H. Gilman


jD867I


In the Line.


A. T. Dudley A. S. Pier


jP613J


Jester of St. Timothy's.


j338-P93


Land We Live In.


O. W. Price


jK746 jD867M


Making the Nine.


A. T. Dudley Carolyn Wells


jW462MB


Marjorie's Busy Days.


jW462MM


Marjorie's May-time.


Carolyn Wells


jW462MF


Marjorie's New Friend.


Carolyn Wells


jW462-MC


Marjorie in Command.


Carolyn Wells


j600-H66


Mechanics, Indoor and Out.


jOT47M


j646-AR2


E. A. Archer


jOT470


Old Ben.


James Otis


j920-T16


Old World Hero Stories.


Eva M. Tappan


j796-M61


Outdoor Sports.


C. H. Miller


j630-M61


Outdoor Work.


Mary R. Miller


jR2750


Owls of St. Ursula's.


Jane B. Reid


jD867P


Pecks in Camp. A. T. Dudley


jB7943P


Prue's Merry Times. Amy Brooks


jP163S


Sandy Sawyer, Sophomore. R. D. Paine


jD867S


School Four. A. T. Dudley Second Boys' Book of Model Aeroplanes. F. A. Collins


jSW44S


Six Little Pennypackers. Sophie Swett


jM762S


Story Girl


L. M. Montgomery


jP163S


Stroke Oar.


Ralph D. Paine


jG422S


Sultan's Rival. Gilman Bradley


jB236T


Team-Mates.


R. H. Barbour


j808-SI1


Third Reader. James H. Van Sickle


jB-H833R


Two Noble Lives. Laura E. Richards


j749-SL2 Working in Metals. C. C. Sleffel


jP163W


Wrecking Master.


R. D. Paine


124


j533-C69


F. T. Hodgson Minute Boys of Philadelphia. James Otis Needlecraft.


Last Lap.


A. A. Knipe


PUBLIC LIBRARY


jD867Y


Yale Cup.


A. T. Dudley


jC7834C


Young Crusoes of the Sky.


F. L. Coombs


j170-H99


Young Folks' Library of Vocations. 10 vols.


jP372


Young Gem-hunters.


H. Pendexter


jP372T


Young Timber-Cruisers.


H. Pendexter


125


TOWN OF WAYLAND


Report of the School Committee


1912


The School Committee calls the attention of the citizens of Wayland to the report of the superintendent, the principal of the high school, the supervisor of music, and the supervisor of drawing and manual training, and asks that each report re- ceive thoughtful and careful consideration.


The school year as a whole has been agreeable and success- ful and the teaching force has been of exceptional character.


The work of the pupils has been regularly brought to the attention of the parents and deficient pupils have been bene- fited by arousing the interest of the parents in their work.


Primarily the responsibility for the development of children rests upon parents and it cannot be shifted entirely upon the corps of teachers.


Watchfulness and sympathetic co-operation of the parents in the case of each child would soon make our schools unrivalled in excellence.


Some material proofs of the interest of the people in the schools are gratefully acknowledged by the school committee.


The Wayside Inn Chapter of The Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution has presented two copies of the Declaration of Independence, one copy to the school in Cochituate, and one copy to the school in Wayland. These appropriate and valu- able documents will be of lasting interest to all the pupils of the schools.


The new schoolhouse in Cochituate has been fortunate in receiving additions to its comfort and beauty from several organizations.


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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


The Cochituate Grange has generously given furniture for the teachers' rooms.


The Thimble Club has presented a mirror.


The Ladies' Social Union has given a picture for one of the school rooms.


The Cochituate Whist Club has given a costumer.


The use of the playgrounds by the children of the schools has been of inestimable benefit to them and the committee gladly acknowledges its obligation to the Playground Cor- poration for this great addition to the life of the schools.


The untiring effort of some of our citizens and the unstinted work of the corps of teachers gave the town a pageant of great variety and interest, in which all grades of the pupils took some active part. The graduating exercises of the grammar school were a part of the afternoon pageant, and the high school graduation exercises were in the form of a play, given in the evening on the playground. The entire day was memorable.


The school building at Wayland needs some repairs. The heating system is bad and should be replaced.


The sanitaries and the disposal of sewage demand imme- diate attention.


The water system, which was installed in the Wayland school building last summer, within the amount appropriated is an unquestioned success. There is an adequate supply of excellent water and great comfort is added to the daily life of pupils and teachers who use this building.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK IRVING COOPER, PHILIP S. IDE, HARRY E. CARSON.


127


TOWN OF WAYLAND


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS


To the School Committee, Wayland, Mass.


GENTLEMEN: I take pleasure in submitting to you my second annual report of the work of the schools of Wayland, which will be recorded as the fourteenth in the series of similar reports issued since the town became a part of the present Supervisory District.


Each month during the year the principal of your high school has given you a written report of the needs and workings of his school, and it has been my privilege to report faithfully each month all that we have attempted, the results, the needs, the good, and the poor work alike. This information and the usual reports from the public put you into as close touch with the work of your schools as you well can be without much per- sonal visitation. What we have not said by our efforts to the parents and to you cannot be changed here by any word of mine. Inasmuch as the schools have given the pupils therein a high ideal of manliness and womanliness, a love of truth and accuracy, a wholesome view of the world's great occupations, and respect for the world's work, and an undying love of coun- try and loyalty to its emblems, fear and reverence toward God. so have they served their purpose.


The current year has not been without a demand for a strong, firm hand with many in ways of discipline. It has been my purpose to direct this discipline so as to build toward strength of character and self-control, self-respecting command of self. We are very grateful to the committee for the advice and support given in this work. In general, the attitude of the pupils has been all we can desire from healthy vigorous youths.


There are a few future needs that may well be reviewed and emphasized in this report.


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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT


The water supply at the Wayland building is a most satis- factory improvement. The work of improving conditions should not stop until the sanitaries are entirely furnished with flushing apparatus. The water supply is ample and the machin- ery for pumping adequate, while we also have sufficient storage capacity. If possible to solve the water level problem the step should be taken this season.


It is no new question to bring before you when the fur- naces at the Wayland building are mentioned. The ventilation is very poor in some rooms. Window boards do not solve the question, and windows cannot always be used with boards without endangering the health of some of the pupils. The temperatures cannot be controlled in some of the rooms and your janitor is powerless, since he cannot close drafts and bank because of the gases that escape into other rooms. Much anxiety of parents has been expressed because of foul air and high temperatures. I feel that all the study and care that can be given the ventilating of the rooms and the controlling of the temperatures has been given by your janitor and your teachers, and the result is far from satisfactory for the comfort of the children. In accordance with your vote the rooms have been vacated for a large portion of all recess periods, and the windows thrown open. There can be but one solution of the problem - a new heating and ventilating plant, with the exception of the boiler, which heats the office, halls, and one or two small rooms.


The walls and ceiling of some of the rooms will need re- dressing the coming summer, and the outside of the building will soon need painting as a matter of economy. Some little repairing of seats and desks is needed, and many windows need new shades.


Now that the Wayland building has been furnished with electricity for pumping water, it should be fitted for lighting. It is especially needed on account of the using of the assembly room and stage so often for entertainments. The Cochituate building is all ready for the last step before electric lighting becomes available for necessary purposes.


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TOWN OF WAYLAND


Last year the condition of the second primary room at Wayland was brought to your attention and suggestions were made that would remedy the need of having three grades and more than forty children under one teacher. The current year the fifth grade has been instructed half time under the second primary teacher and the rest of the time under the intermediate teacher. This is better than the method pursued heretofore, and possibly as well as we can do at present. I shall speak of another possibility in connection with the high school needs.


If the high school membership is not changed to a consider- able extent the coming year it will become necessary to elimi- nate German or French, two of the Science Courses, or increase the number of recitation periods per week, either by lengthening the day or else by shortening the period. There is another pos- sible mode of procedure. The Wayland ninth grade could be placed under the direction of a teacher who should be employed to give half of her time to high school subjects. This would relieve the graded rooms and give but two classes to a room. Such a change would be very helpful to the work below the high school, and the time of this extra teacher could be utilized so as to give the subjects that may be stricken from your present courses. I believe the necessary recommendations can be provided in the building. There are objections to a length- ened day that are in large measure justifiable. They arise from children's needs and not from the teachers' preferences.


With the number now taking the Commercial Course it seems advisable to recommend the purchasing of another type- writer, offering a course in penmanship, and to extend the course by reinstating some of the subjects formerly offered to students of this department.


The printing call has been large this year on account of the unusual demand for cards, registration blanks, book file forms, and other forms for caring for the school supplies, and to assist in the distribution thereof. Some four years ago a stock was pro- vided, and the present stock should last for about that length of


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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT


time. A smaller amount would not have cost materially less.


Those things which come most easily to men are most often held in small esteem. It is true that children do not value their school privileges as much as when the parents paid more directly for them. It behooves us all then to do our utmost to impress upon the young men and young women of the upper grades of our schools that their school life is of inestimable value to them- selves and to the world in which they must make their way and take their place later. It cannot be too often repeated that a very large percentage of high school pupils cannot do all that should be done unless one or two subjects be prepared at home. Those who do not do so hinder the progress of those who do.


Since submitting the last report there have been seven changes in your corps of teachers, half of the regular teachers, in spite of the general advance in salaries made for the current year. Mrs. Mary D. Fullick closed her successful and efficient thirteen years of service with the good wishes and regrets of patrons and officers of the schools. Principal Merritt Jenkins, after serving the Cochituate school for five years efficiently, has left the teaching profession. Miss Florence M. Rose resigned during the fall of this year to the regret of all. Three of those who have left the service did so from other than financial reasons, and the others could not in all probability have been retained by an increase in salary, as the positions to which they have gone offer not only an increase in salary but a professional advantage and a desirable change either in grade or subjects. One notable and worthy feature is strongly marked. The higher minimum and maximum wage brings before you more experienced, and therefore stronger candidates in the case of a vacancy. A further general increase may tend to retain your teachers for longer terms. It will bring more efficient candi- dates to you for your selection of teachers. Proportionately your lowest salaried position at this time is the high school principalship. An increase in the minimum and maximum salary for this position is an important matter for your con-


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TOWN OF WAYLAND


sideration. While we regret the many changes they seem for the most part unavoidable.


One year ago last September the Cochituate Grange voted to offer prizes to the pupils making the greatest improvement in writing during the last school year. Samples of writing from all pupils were taken in September and again in June. Using these as a basis, Mr. A. W. Clark, of Boston, awarded prizes to the following children: First grade, Rose Cormier; second, Thomas McEnroy; third, Helen O'Brien; fourth, Joseph La France; fifth, Harriet Hunting; sixth, Howard Barry; seventh, Leland Hollingworth; eighth, Ernest Damon; ninth, Charles Williams. During the present year we have been giving es- pecial attention to this subject and the writing is somewhat better. The mixed state, brought about by frequent changes of systenis, is largely passed.


The current year has been without interruptions thus far and the percentage of attendance is satisfactory, higher than for some time. Two rooms have a percentage of attendance of 98, and three of 97.7. The percentage of attendance for the first five months of the year is 95. Last year the many interruptions caused by scarlet and typhoid fever not only lowered the per cent of attendance, but interfered with the best possible work.


Those who read this report will note the absence of the School Physician's Report. Since the closing of schools in June, no one has been authorized to act in this capacity, and so no report can be forthcoming. Since we have had no severe difficulties to contend with, all has been well, but should con- tagion come to your schools again, as during the past year, we should need a physician's services. The children need the general examination given yearly heretofore. I urge that the town provide again for this service.


Instead of the usual form of graduation last June a pageant of games was given in connection with the opening of the play- grounds at Wayland. The afternoon program was provided by the grades and the seniors with the high school chorus gave


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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT


Milton's "Comus," in the evening. All was under the direction of the Playground Association. To many this was a pleasing innovation, while others found it less satisfactory.


The unexpected large number of patrons during the after- noon made the games less pleasing to those most unfortunate in position on the grounds, and the evening brought forth so many more auditors than we anticipated that the performance of "Comus" was less satisfactory to all than we had hoped, although the students met the issue courageously. A portion of the program only is reprinted with this report.


The usual preparations for graduation are soon to be in progress.


The playground at Wayland is a great help to those man- aging the school, and we feel that it is as highly beneficial to the pupils as those who planned for it deemed it would be. The grounds at Cochituate are perhaps less valuable to the school directly, but they are in constant use when schools are not in session, and so meet a long felt want in this community. The time will come when supervised play in connection with the Wayland schools will be a fact, in my opinion. Supervision of playtime is becoming necessary everywhere that children con- gregate for any length of time.


A long felt need has been supplied at Cochituate in the opening of the new building. My lot is cast in pleasant places the days I am to work therein, and it is a pleasant duty to report that the building is meeting the needs of school children most satisfactorily. One or two small matters need attention, but on the whole we have found the lighting of the rooms, the arrangement for manipulating the children, the ventilation, and heating, and the furnishings very satisfactory.


I have also the pleasure of recording here several gifts to your schools. Wayside Inn Chapter, Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution of Wayland and Sudbury gave framed copies of the Declaration of Independence to both schools last spring. Cochituate Grange placed in the teachers' room in the Cochi-


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TOWN OF WAYLAND


tuate building an art square, table, chairs, and a couch. A costumer has been given also by the Ladies' Afternoon Whist Club, and very recently the Thimble Club of Cochituate placed a very handsome mirror in the same room, while the Ladies' Social Union have presented a large and pleasing picture. In behalf of all now connected with the school and in behalf of those who in the future will enjoy these bounties, I extend to the several donors our most gracious gratitude. These gifts from this community to the school will be an inspiration to all in the school to strive to do more for the children of this community and to give even more generously then heretofore of their time, interest, energy, and devotion.


In the matter of text-books and other school supplies we find it difficult to get proper care and economy. The children and even the members of the high school fail to realize that these things are costly and should be used with care and economy. For my part, the free text-book subject offers less anxiety because of the microbe dangers and the consequent dissemina- tion of disease germs than it does because of the lessons of waste- fulness it brings, strive as we may to overcome the difficulty. "I have spoiled my paper." "Get another, then." How easy both for teacher and child! "You must use the old sheet or get along without one." To the last reply we find many objec- tions from parents, justly, perhaps, but the complications of economical instruction are none the less. Our children need lessons of thrift and economy to-day as never before. Too often do we find the spirit everywhere. The Town pays for it, never mind.


Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. BENEDICT


134


REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL


REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL


SUPT. FRANK H. BENEDICT:


Dear Sir: The annual report of the Wayland High School is herewith presented for your consideration. Thus far it has been my aim to study the general conditions and needs of the school and to preserve a good and efficient administration rather than to make or contemplate radical changes. Too frequent changes in the development of a well-working system without careful study of conditions past and present become very detri- mental to that system and particularly confusing and dis- couraging to the pupil in his high school training.


When I came to the school last September I found all departments in a very favorable condition for a high school of its size. The general equipment of the laboratories is good, and the supplies are ample. However, in these days, when the demand is being made more and more upon our high school to give the pupil something which shall make his course worth while; there must be a certain careful and systematic expendi- ture upon equipment each year, in order that all departments of instruction may be kept efficient and give you the proper returns.


The great value of a high school training to every boy and girl in the community is becoming more and more evident in the struggle for success in business as well as in the professions. For this reason we must see to it that every boy and girl is encouraged in the attitude that going to school is the wise course and therefore to avail themselves of all the advantages it offers. It follows, then, that every high school, if it is per- forming its proper functions, should give such training as to turn out a better citizen and one who will have a better chance


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TOWN OF WAYLAND


in the world because of such training. At the same time the high school must still prepare students for college.


In a small community there can usually be but one high school, and thus the problem becomes somewhat complex. Although we may arrange two or three different courses of study to meet the needs of several classes of students, con- flicting interests cannot be avoided. A limit to the number of teachers also limits the number of courses and divisions of courses which a school may offer. In the presenting of cer- tain courses of study the teacher has to keep in mind the probability of a few of that class going to college.


In meeting the requirements in such courses, parts of the subject matter may become uninteresting to other members of the class who do not see the value of it to themselves. This may arouse a desire among some to drop certain courses once started, which if allowed is usually very hurtful to the proper administration of a school system, but more especially is it detrimental to the pupil himself in point of training for future success. In a very few cases it may be wise for a pupil to drop a course, but that only after careful co-operation and considera- tion on the part of parents and teachers. The problem of the modern high school being such, it follows that the school admin- istration must be thoughtfully and wisely planned.


We are sometimes asked if it is possible for our boys and girls to prepare for college at our smaller high schools. True it is that the school must have efficient administration, a conscien- tious and efficient corps of teachers, well-equipped laboratories, a good range of text-books, and must put before the pupil a carefully arranged course of study for his guidance. But, assuming that we have these, the recommendations for en- trance to college or into a business position, and the chances of success in those places will depend very largely, I believe, upon how the pupil has availed himself of the opportunities given him and primarily upon the fiber and stuff of which he is made. Whenever the pupil has decided that he or she will work and


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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL


work hard, with an honest purpose, and will for four years put school work with its proper and legitimate interests and activ- ities before everything else, and in all do it willingly and with intelligent obedience, my answer is that he or she may just as well get their training at our smaller schools as at larger ones.


A growing tendency of our educational system is that it asks so much of the schools that there is little responsibility for the training of the youth left for the home, and so much is expected of the teachers that there is little left to test the originality and initiative of the pupil. For the latter tendency we, as high school teachers, have constantly to be on guard.


It is very important that those pupils who have higher institutions of learning in view should plan their course of study so as to meet the requirements and plans early in their high school career. Many young people, quite rightly, cannot plan very definitely what they are going to do, but it is also true that some come to the senior year and then expect to be placed in college. It is no fault of the school if one or two extra years have then to be taken to finish preparation.


Also, I would emphasize to parents, as I have to pupils, that something more than the mere passing mark is very essential for a recommendation to success in business or to meet college requirements. The better work is done the better recommendation should follow for a business career. We shall grant recommendations to try examinations for entrance to most colleges only when eighty-five per cent has been obtained in the given subjects.




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