USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1907-1910 > Part 7
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THE HOME AND THE SCHOOL.
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It has been my custom to urge teachers to become better acquainted with the home and home surroundings of their
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pupils, and especially to keep the parents informed as to the progress and conduct of their children.
My experience leads me to believe that this will result in a better understanding and pleasanter relations between the home and the school. It seems to me that the relations which should exist are frequently misunderstood, and I at- tribute this misunderstanding in part to the fact that teach- ers fail to realize the importance of creating and sustaining proper relations between the home and the school, and in part to the fact that parents do not realize the duties and responsibilities of the teacher, and the school as a whole. The friction which sometimes arises between the teacher and the parent is due usually to this misunderstanding, or to the seeing of things from different viewpoints.
The usefulness of the school to the pupil is determined somewhat by the attitude of the home to the school. It too often happens that the home knows the teacher, the school and its work only through the distorted reports or prejudiced opinions of the child. It seems to me that the teacher is en- titled to the acquaintance of the parent, and to the sympa- thetic co-operation of the home. She should receive courte- ous treatment in the home in the presence of children pro- viding, of coarse, that she herself is courteous. Her reasona- ble authority and insistence upon prompt obedience should have the support of the home, and the parent should remem- ber that the responsibility for the progress of the pupil does not rest entirely with the teacher.
The home, on the other hand, has a right to expect the teacher to give her best efforts and undivided attention to the work of the school ; that her teaching be up to date ; that she be impartial in discipline and instruction, and that she keep the home regularly informed of the conduct and progress of the child.
The efficiency of the schools is advanced in proportion to the harmony with which teacher and pupil, the school and the home, work together. It is therefore essential that a cor-
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dial and friendly feeling exist between the parties, and that each recognize the duties and responsibilities of the other.
In this connection I want to urge that parents make an effort to become acquainted with teachers, and teachers with parents. To further this end and the interests of the schools I believe that a series of parents' meetings in each district would be helpful.
THE NEED OF PROGRESS.
That the method of conducting all commercial and indus- trial enterprises has undergone radical changes during the last thirty or forty years must be acknowledged by every careful observer. Modification and new methods, re-adjust- ment and adaptation, have been found necessary in every line of business within the memory of the present generation. What is true in the business world is true to some extent in methods of education.
Forty or fifty years ago the three R's were regarded as sufficient for the educational training in the elementary schools. This was supplemented, however, by a valuable training in the industrial occupations in and about the home, but today conditions are changed. The home no longer affords train- ing in various occupations and here we have lost ground. Nothing takes the place of this home training. Everything in the business world is done on a larger and broader scale. Old methods are now seldom used. The farmer no longer thinks of cutting his grain with a sickle, or plowing with a wooden plow. Manufacturers have long since discarded the old styled, cumbersome machinery of a generation ago; stu- dents of any calling or profession cannot meet the require- ments of today by pursuing the courses of their fathers, neither can the schools prepare for modern life and modern ways of doing things by clinging exclusively to old-time methods and old-time subjects. .
It seems to me that here we have not kept pace with progress. Massachusetts was formerly in the lead in educa- tional ranks, but more recently it has been regarded by many as losing ground until now its position is somewhat doubtful.
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We are living in an age when industrial skill seems to be imperative, and the tendency is to provide some such training in the schools making it at once practical and educational. The state partially realized this when it made manual train- ing compulsory in towns of 20,000 or more inhabitants and the importance of this work was still further emphasized when, by recent legislation, an Industrial Commission was estab- lished, and money appropriated for the establishment of a nor- mal department at Amherst Agricultural College, and for the maintenance of a summer school for teachers at the latter in- stitution to enable them to receive better training along in- dustrial and scientific lines.
The Industrial Commission is now working for the estab- lishment of trade schools for pupils who are at least 14 years of age, and also for the establishment of agricultural high schools, or agricultural departments in high schools under the control of the commission.
Trade schools are needed and agricultural high schools are needed. They would be a great blessing to many people, but what seems to me to be most needed throughout the state is manual training, and elementary agriculture in the grades and the first two years in the High school. Many of the towns and country places need help to establish this, and the state should make some provision for such aid. The "mill tax" bill that was before the legislature several years ago would be of inestimable value, if passed, in establishing this work. I understand there is to be introduced at the present session of the legislature a bill providing for state aid for high schools maintaining courses in agriculture, mechanic arts or domestic science approved as to equipment, instruction and expenditure by the state board of education.
People are becoming more and more convinced that some form of industrial training is imperative. It seems to me, however, that the grades is where this work should be begun, for there the foundation is laid, and many of the pupils who go through the grades never enter the high school. In fact less than one fifth of our pupils who enter the first grade ever reach the high school.
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It is now admitted by those who have given the matter careful and impartial consideration that manual training, when properly conducted, possesses as much educational value in proportion to the time devoted to it as arithmetic, geography, or history, while at the same time it has a prac- tical value, in preparing the pupils for a better introduction to the trades and business life.
The success of the public schools depends largely upon the sentiment behind them. If the people demand good schoo's they will get them, if they want manual training they will get it, in fact they get whatever they insist upon having. Many parents have expressed a desire to have manual train- ing in the schools, and in order to bring the matter squarely before the people I suggest that an article be inserted in the town warrant for the coming March meeting asking for an appropriation for the introduction of manual training into the schools.
CONCLUSION.
The work of the schools has continued along the usual lines. Much satisfactory work has been done. Some excel- lent results were obtained in connection with the Tiffany Nature Cabinet, for which many commendations have been received, and much admiration expressed.
I desire to call attention to the reports of the various de- partments connected herewith, including those of the school physicians ; to express my appreciation of the earnest work of the teachers, and of the harmonious relations that have existed throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HALEY,
Superintendent of Schools.
Report of the Principal of the High School.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Dear Sir :-
During the past year there has been no radical departure from the work of previous years in the High school. It gives me pleasure to state, however, that there has been noticeable improvement in the work of the school as a whole. The resignation of Miss Teele in the spring, the sad death of Mr. Murphy in October, and the resignation of Miss Field at the end of the fall term, have necessitated changes in the teaching force, but the new teachers have taken up the work in the same departments, and no readjustment has been necessary. In the number of pupils we seem to have passed the high-water mark of two years ago.
Of the class that graduated last June, one has entered the Normal Art school at Boston, three have entered the Framingham Normal school, five have entered commercial schools, two have entered college, and three are enrolled in professional schools.
Interest in the rhetorical work of the school continues undiminished. In the local contest in December, a very good showing was made by the contestants, the medals being awarded to Carroll Duggan and Ethel Gould. At the semi- final prize speaking contest which was held in Milford last April, and in which six schools were represented, two of the four prizes were won by Milford pupils, Dorothy Shean and Carroll Duggan. At a contest held in Leominster a week later, Miss Shean won a second prize. Carroll Duggan was to have entered this contest also, but was prevented by ill- ness.
In the line of athletics, special mention should bem ade of the work of the baseball nine in the spring. Throughout
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the season, victories were the rule, and defeats, the rare ex- ception. The last two games, both victories over one of the strongest high school nines in the state, were especially grati- fying in their outcome.
At the beginning of the fall term, there was a prospect of our having a strong football eleven, as eight of last year's team had returned to school ; but ill health and parental ob- jections reduced the available number to four. Suitable ma- terial for the other seven positions could not be obtained, and,. after several days' practice, the old players became convinced that it would be unwise to make further effort to have a school team this year. At their suggestion, the Athletic As- sociation unanimously voted to give up football for the re- mainder of the season.
There is good material in the school for a baseball nine- in the spring; but the standard of eligibility recently estab- lished by the committee will necessitate more attention to study on the part of a few of the pupils if they wish to repre- sent the school in athletic contests.
The girls of the school have formed a gymnasium class which meets two afternoons in the week at the hall of the Y. M. C. A., for basketball practice and light gymnastics. The- object is not especially to develop a basketball team, but, rather to afford an opportunity for healthful exercise.
The work of the school in singing and in drawing shows: steady improvement and increased interest on the part of the pupils. The school orchestra, with the same membership as last year, has shown its ability to execute difficult music very creditably, on several occasions of late.
In view of the fact that college presidents have marked! differences of opinion in regard to the advisability of allowing: a wide range of electives to college students, there may be a. question as to the wisdom of granting so much freedom to. high school pupils as is allowed our pupils in the selection of their studies. Some of them seem to select those subjects. that in their opinion will require the least study, and, instead of choosing what will be of most use to them in after life»
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they prefer any combination of classical, scientific, and com- mercial subjects that will secure a diploma with the least pos- sible exertion on their part. Such a tendency might wisely be checked without injustice to those pupils who are now car- rying work in excess of the committee's requirements, and who evidently desire to profit to the utmost by the opportuni- ties afforded by the school.
Although the entire corps of teachers has been changed during the past three years, the work of the school has not been interrupted, and, with the present force of earnest and capable assistants, constant and gratifying progress may rea- sonably be expected.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE F. MURDOCK, Principal of the High School.
Report of the Supervisor of Drawing.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Dear Sir :- The general plan of the work in drawing has been similar to that of last year. Although results are still far from ideal, I feel that we have made progress, and that the work as a whole has been more satisfactory.
We are still emphasizing pencil sketching in the gram- mar grades, as that, more than any other branch, trains the child to habits of careful observation and accuracy.
The petitioners of June, 1869, in asking for the introduc- tion of drawing, said to the Legislature: "Every branch of manufacture in which the citizens of Massachusetts are en- gaged requires, in the details and processes connected with it, some knowledge of drawing and other arts of design therefore we ask ... for schools for drawing or instruction in drawing." Evidently industrial drawing meant to them any sort of representation whether in line, tone, or color which would lead to a more complete understanding of details and processes in every branch of manufacture. As to its value in leading to a more discriminating taste, we cannot fail to see that the demand for simpler, more artistic wall papers, carpets, furniture, in fact, manufactures in general, is con- stantly growing.
In all of the grades as well as in the High school, we are doing some work along industrial lines. Raffia, reed, and leather are used in the construction of useful articles; napkin rings, picture frames, baskets, and mats are made in the pri- mary grades ; reed baskets, mats, and whisk broom holders are made in the grammar grades.
At the High school reed baskets are made, also a great variety of tooled leather articles, including shopping bags, belts, pocket books, watch fobs and card cases. The drawing
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classes here are much larger than last year's, and we have been obliged to combine pupils from different classes; not- withstanding this difficulty some excellent work is being done in pencil, charcoal and water colors. The mechanical classes are working on geometric problems, also problems in ortho- graphic projection.
In conclusion I wish to express my thanks to you and the committee for your assistance, and to the teachers for their hearty co-operation and willingness to take up lines of work which were entirely new to them, and required much preparation on their part.
Respectfully submitted, GENEVIEVE M. TOOHEY, Supervisor of Drawing.
Report of the Principal of the Evening School.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Dear Sir :- The evening school held its opening session October 14, 1907, under very pleasing conditions, and closed, after a term of eleven weeks, on January 1, 1908.
Owing to the increase in the salaries of the teachers, the amount of money appropriated for the evening school re- maining the same, the term was necessarily shortened. This fact is much to be lamented since it gives a very short space of time for the teachers to make any headway with those un- der their charge. However, the teachers clung steadfastly to their tasks and worked as a unit in the grand and noble cause of education.
It is wonderful to notice how willing the pupils, espe- cially the illiterates, are to learn, and how docile most of them are. They apply themselves to their nightly task very assiduously, and surely the result is not only gratifying to the teacher, but must also be a source of contentment to the pupil himself.
The total enrolment was smaller this year than last, the reason being, in my opinion, the general depression in busi- ness. Last year 58 of the pupils of the evening school were employed at the quarries, while this year there were but 12 from that source. There was also a large falling-off of even- school pupils among those who were employed by the Draper Co. Last year there were 160 pupils employed by the Draper Co., while this year the number only reached 113. The rea- son for the comparatively small enrolment is probably due, as I have stated above, to the general depression in business, and hence the diminution in the number of those who are compelled by law to attend evening school.
I wish to especially thank you for your very kind and
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efficient assistance, and I wish to thank the teachers for their sincere and earnest co-operation with me.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. LUBY, Principal of Evening School.
EVENING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Total enrolment
285
Average membership
. 221.36
Average attendance
·
197.49
Per cent of attendance .
89
Number of weeks of school
·
11
EVENING SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Number under 20 years of age
162
Number between 20 years and 30 years
115
Number over 30 years .
8
Illiterates . ·
158
PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.
Draper Co.
113
Quarries
·
·
.
12
Greene Bros.
44
Milford Shoe Co.
15
Huckins & Temple
18
Sewer
4
Lapworth & Sons
5
Milford Iron Foundry
6
Miscellaneous
68
Total
285
NATIONALITY OF PUPILS.
Americans,
10
French, 4
Jews, 4
Armenians,
11
Greeks, 5
Poles, 1
Danes,
1
Irish,
3
Spaniards, 4
English,
1 Italians, 231
Swedes, 10
.
.
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.
·
Report of School Physicians.
JOHN V. GALLAGHER, M. D.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MILFORD :-
Inspection of school children in a systematic way is an experiment in Milford so far as results go, but as to the neces- sity for inspection, there is no longer any doubt in my mind. The inspection involves a great deal of work and consumes. much time, but if parents will co-operate with the School Physicians, the benefits will be surprising.
In beginning the work, I was without any good plan of action, but this developed as I proceeded and now I have a. scheme of inspecting and recording that is, I think, practic- able and valuable. I have recorded many cases which I did not think it necessary to report to the parents or guardian, some with a view to watching them on the next inspection for development or improvement. In throat examinations, I used wooden tongue depressors so that they might be de- stroyed and a fresh one used for each pupil. Of those I used. 800.
I have prepared a list of the various troubles which were detected, and a detailed list showing in which schools they were found. In the 23 rooms which I visited, I saw 905 pu- pils. I found two whom I considered too ill to be at school, and 12 whom I sent home from school because they were suf- fering from a contagious skin disease. Eleven of these were impetigo contagiosa and one was ring-worm.
Out of the 905 pupils seen, I have recorded 330 names in a card index system made for the purpose. Of these, how- ever, only 251 cases were considered sufficiently important to warrant notifying the parents, but that is over 27 per cent of the 905 pupils.
In 102 cases, tonsils were found sufficiently enlarged to
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require treatment, either radical or palliative; in 80 cases, adenoid growths in the throat were suspected; and in 33 of these cases the enlarged tonsils were combined with adenoids, a combination that causes much distress and many ills among growing children, affecting not only their physical health, but even their intelligence. I have recorded 47 cases in which the teeth required attention, mostly malformations and irreg- ularities. If carious teeth were recorded, the number would be much larger.
The records show 84 cases of cervical adenitis (enlarged glands of the neck) and in 57 of these, the more severe cases, the parents were notified. The enlargements are often secondary to adenoids and enlarged tonsils and are in many cases tubercu- lar. I found 7 cases of skin diseases besides the contagious ones ; among them were eczema, inflamed eyelids, and a scalp troab'e causing baldness.
The testing of vision and hearing of course does not come under the duties of the School Physician, being attended to by the teachers, but I have a record of 57 eye cases and 13 ear cases that came to my attention. I found 23 pupils wear- ing glasses.
Among other things recorded, are four cases of strabismus {eyes crossed), three cases of stammering, one pupil wearing a plaster jacket for spinal trouble, one wearing iron supports for paralysis of both legs, one completely useless arm result- ing from scarlet fever, another from injury in infancy, both girls, three cases of heart trouble, and three cases of what I called mental deficiency. I also found one tongue-tied boy in school; such cases are usually attended to earlier in life.
After visiting so many schoolrooms and noting their con- ditions as to light, heat, ventilation, etc., there are many sub- jects which I might discuss in this report. Among other much needed improvements, I would suggest these for im- mediate attention :-
1. A graded no-school signal.
2. Shades for all windows at the Spruce street school.
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3. Increased outbuilding facilities at the Plains Gram- mar school.
4. A new four or eight room brick school building in the north section of the town to relieve the present congestion.
I feel that we have only made a beginning in the work of medical inspection of the schools, and that there is a broad field here for much practical good. It is going to make heavy demands upon the time of the School Physicians, however, and the present amount of $200 appropriated does not begin to compensate them for their time. I think the amount should be increased next year; the work surely will increase. I would suggest that permanent physical records be kept from year to year of each pupil in our public schools, and would like to introduce such a system next year. The expense of it will be small outside of the labor of compiling it.
School inspection is as interesting as any medical work that I have yet undertaken, and I hope the work will be so done as to get the greatest amount of good out of it for the pupils. I have tried to do it with that object in view.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN V. GALLAGHER, M. D.
Dec. 6, 1907.
J. M. FRENCH, M. D.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MILFORD :-
I have visited each of the schools assigned to my charge, and have made a personal examination of all the pupils who were present at the time of my visits. I have also visited the schools at other times when asked to do so by the teachers, and have examined a considerable number of children who were sent to my office for that purpose.
In all, I have visited ten school buildings, containing twenty-three rooms or schools, which numbered 946 pupils, just 900 of whom were present at the times of my visit and were examined by me.
I found many cases of disease and defect which did not prevent the pupil's receiving the full benefit of his school
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work, and hence did not require notification. I found others whose condition did prevent their receiving this full benefit, but for whom I knew of no measures of relief that could be taken. Among these were a few cases of children who were mentally defective. As I knew of no school in the vicinity to which they could be sent with advantage, as they were in no way a hindrance to the other children, and more important than all, as they were reaping some degree of benefit from their school work, I did not think it wise to take any special action in these cases.
The general rule which I followed in sending notices to parents and guardians was based on the wording of the stat- ute, which requires such notice only in cases requiring treat- ment.
The most common conditions of disease or defect which were noted were those connected with the ear, nose, and throat, mostly enlarged tonsils and adenoid growths. In the freshman class of the high school, for example, which num- bered 67 members, I noted 19 such cases. As a considerable part of these did not present any symptoms calling for treat- ment, their owners being entirely unaware of the trouble un- til it was revealed by the examination, and as it is a safe rule that conditions of this kind which do not present annoying symptoms should not be operated on, I passed them by with a simple personal notification, and a record on my book for future reference.
The next most common condition noted was defective eyesight, which the law does not make a part of the school physician's duties to detect. In a few cases, however, at the request of the teachers, I did give some attention to this sub- ject, and sent a number of notices in accordance therewith.
There were also a number of skin and blood diseases, and a few coming under the head of miscellaneous, where the ad- vice was given that the family physician be consulted, and treatment taken. If this advice was not followed they were to be excluded from school.
With the smaller children, at the request of the teachers, I gave in several cases advice in regard to cleanliness and
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