USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1914 > Part 8
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In connection with these, the first I might mention is the addition of Music and Mechanical Drawing to the schedule, as electives. These, to my mind, are essential parts of every High Schol course, and since most of our colleges accept them as entrance credits, their value is all the more enhanced. Each course is given one period weekly.
The Music, under the direction of Miss Cantwell, con- sists of studies of the lives and selections of the great masters, courses on interpretation and appreciation, and some drill on concert work. The class numbers fifty-two at present, and is progressing nicely.
Miss Leland has charge of the Mechanical Drawing. There are sixteen in the class and results thus far have been very favorable.
The second change is in regard to examinations. Towards the close of each month, tests are given in all subjects, the questions being based on the matter covered during the month. The marks obtained have a value of one-fifth in determining the monthly mark. At the end of the first twenty weeks, it is planned to set aside a number of days for mid-year examinations. These will be upon the subject matter covered during the first half year and the marks will count one-fifth in determining the yearly mark. Two hours will be given in which to complete the papers. ;
At the present time there seems to be among school men a variance of opinion concerning the advisability of giving tests. Personally I believe them very important, but more so as a means than as an end. They necessitate review, and constant review is bound to familiarize the student with the subject matter and its fundamentals. In their further defence, I might cite the fact that all the
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larger colleges require candidates for their freshman classes to take entrance examinations, and that the smaller col- leges demand non-certified students to do likewise. Again, a great portion of the dread consequent upon such examina- tions is removed by familiarizing the student with them in High School.
As it was not felt that the first and second year science courses were meeting the requirements placed upon them, a movement was inaugurated last spring towards improving them. For the past few years these courses have consisted mainly of text book study with little or no laboratory work. The text book has now been discarded, except as a source of reference, although several different authors are re- ferred to, according to the subject under consideration.
In General Science, most of the work is to consist of outside investigation and research work on the part of the student, daily reports being handed in on what is accom- plished. This outside investigation consists largely of a general study of industrial, economic, and sociological con- ditions, which are treated from a scientific standpoint. Particular stress is to be placed upon local conditions, and the study of community civics. Laboratory work has been introduced and many of the more familiar foodstuffs and preparations are tested. Headache powders, patent medi- cines, cheap candies, and drugs are lectured upon from a chemical, physical, and physiological standpoint. Many of these are also tested, the object being to acquaint the student with the evils consequent upon their use and mis- use. This course is by no means perfect as yet. It is a much mooted question among school men. But it is our aim to perfect it, as nearly as our school and community will permit, and to that end we will leave no stone un- turned.
With the exception of Zoology, the outline for our second year science course is about complete. As we have had no opportunityto try it out, it is difficult to com- ment upon it. Nevertheless this can be said :- that soil testing, study of fertilizers, and a general consideration of
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biological conditions are to be essential parts of this course.
The French Course has been extended somewhat in that an afternoon class has been established, which is de- voted entirely to the acquiring of French conversation. This is open to all students taking this subject.
In order to give parents an opportunity for consulta- tion, the principal will be in his office every Tuesday even- ing from seven until eight o'clock.
This report would not be complete were I to omit mentioning athletics. For the past two years our teams, baseball especially, have been successful. Much credit is due Mr. C. W. Lombard for the fine showing made by his 1913 team. Last spring the boys won the Quaboag Valley League Championship for the second time. The prospects for the coming year are very bright. For the first time in its history, the school is represented this year in basket- ball. Mr. Kiley, who is coaching the boys, has made a very creditable showing. The girls, under the direction of Miss Wyman, are doing nicely, but have not as yet played any regular game.
As parents haven ever had an opportunity to see an exhibit of High School work, it is planned to hold an ex- hibition some time near the close of the year. All the work, of course, cannot be shown, but the work in Science and that in the Commercial Department can be shown to advantage. The date will be announced later.
In conclusion, I wish to thank all connected with the school for the fine demonstration of good will displayed towards me during my term in office. Particularly, I wish to thank the parents, for their kind consideration of the many trials and responsibilities, which so constantly fill the life of every teacher; my fellow teachers for that ad- mirable spirit of co-operation and loyalty, which they have at all times manifested, and which is so vital to the success of every school; and finally the superintendent and com- mittee, for the wholehearted support accorded me in all that I have undertaken.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN E. HURLEY.
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MUSIC. The music work in the primary grades during the past year has been very satisfactory. In- dividual sight singing, chorus work from board and books, song interpretation from well selected rote songs, and writ- ten work, all have combined to round out a complete course in music.
In the grammar grades the pupils sing two- three- and four-part choruses with little difficulty. The interest and enthusiasm shown by pupils in attacking new and difficult numbers reflect the greatest credit upon their teachers' methods of work. The well-developed, independent voices of soloists and chorus showed to advantage in the high class cantata, "King Rene's Daughter," at the grammar school graduation last June.
Each grammar school held a school entertainment last spring for the purpose of securing grafanolas or victrolas. Those entertainments were highly successful from an edu- cational as well as financial standpoint. The courage and ability displayed in the performance of the operettas were evidences of accurate daily training in their music work.
The high school chorus presented the cantata, "Barbara Frietchie," at a benefit-concert for the athletic association last spring. The chorus work was well done, and the pupils responded splendidly to all that was required of them.
The high school graduation music was in charge of the senior class. They sang several numbers very credit- ably. Since September two periods a week are given to high school music. Each Thursday noon the freshman class assembles for chorus work. On Friday an elective class, numbering fifty, meets for singing. Both classes combined the work the week before Christmas. A fine program of solos, quartettes, and choruses was enjoyed. The volume of tone, the ability of soloists, and the interest of the singers promise opportunities for public work later in the year.
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(This treatment of Music is a verbatim copy of Miss Cantwell's report to the Superintendent.)
MANUAL ARTS. Everyone realizes that the present day is bringing us a variety of con- veniences and pleasures, in the benefits of which none share more largely than the public school children. They are receiving a much broader and more useful education than was offered ten years ago. Foremost in their capacity for direct usefulness are the manual arts.
The statement is continually being made by art in- structors that "any child who can be taught to read and write can be taught to draw." Although met with skepti- cism on the part of some people, the truth of this state- ment is daily proved in the schools, and drawing is a fav- orite study with a large per cent. of the children.
The pupils work with interest and effectiveness if they see a tangible result from their work. For that reason, the work has been grouped as far as possible in projects ; ex., the construction work appears in sand table projects, the design in the decoration of constructed objects, and the object drawing in booklets. In this way the work is vitalized and its use is made apparent to the children. The quality of the work shows the result of added earnestness and interest.
This year in the lower grades special emphasis has been placed upon original illustrations of children's stories and Mother Goose Rhymes. The children are encouraged to draw freely and to bring in drawings made at home. In the upper grades, exceptionally fine work has been rendered in decorative arrangement of flower forms, advertising posters, and construction work. At the holiday season, extra time is devoted to drawing a great variety of boxes, lanterns, port folios, desk sets, book covers, and the making of waste baskets.
In the High School, a class of fourteen has been formed in mechanical drawing, a period of one hour a week being
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given to instruction. This is a good beginning and the work promises to be very successful.
The number of boys in the eighth and ninth grades has so increased over the number of the previous year, that fourteen new benches have been purchased for the several manual training rooms. Electric lights have also been installed in the work-shop, which are a great con- venience as the boys work to a knife line. A larger number of objects has been made this year, the boys having been allowed, under certain conditions, the use of the manual training room outside of the regular working period.
Magazine racks, book racks, bench hooks, chalk boxes, plane rests, sleeve boards, blotters, tea tiles, tabourets and waste baskets were some of the objects finished. As a rule, the boys are allowed to take home whatever they have made. Acting upon the suggestion that each pupil make something useful to leave in the school room, a Thorndike pupil achieved a well-made cabinet for the Victrola records, and other pieces of furniture have been begun.
There is no subject in which greater enthusiasm can be aroused than in sewing. The progress made in a few month's time is astonishing, and the pupils certainly have accomplished work of a very fine quality. They have learned easily and readily the use of the sewing machine, so that the number of articles completed in the school year is more than double that of the previous year. The work is so planned as to give the girls experience in both machine sewing and fine hand-sewing; for example, kitchen aprons have been made largely on the sewing machine, while corset covers· were made to illustrate French seams, backstitch, and fine hemming. Each pupil keeps a sewing book in which are samples of the various stitches used. Some of the articles finished during the last year were dusters, dish towels, needlebooks, bureau scarfs, plain and fancy aprons, kimonas and dressing sacks, all of which were exceedingly well made.
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Our annual exhibition is a proof of the children's good work in all these departments.
The supervisor wishes to express her appreciation of the support given her by the Superintendent and School Committee, and of the kind co-operation extended to her by the grade teachers.
(This treatment of Manual Arts is a verbatim copy of Miss Leland's report to the Superintendent.)
TEACHERS. The teachers in our schools are loyal, conscientious, and hard-working. Seldom, if ever, will one find any who are more so. They enter into their work with zeal and zest; they need no prodding. Often I wonder whether or not they are striving too hard to do their full duty; whether or not they are throwing themselves into their work so whole-heartedly that they are spending more physical and nervous energy than they can afford. This may seem an idle worry to those who know nothing about the actual work of a real teacher. There is so much to be accomplished, the ideals that they are endeavoring to realize are so high, the realization of the sacred responsibility of doing all that they can do for the human souls entrusted to their care is so keen, that the conscientious teacher-and no one who is not thus consti- tuted should be in the profession-is constantly sapping her nervous and physical vitality in the painful reflection that she does not, and can not, measure up to the fullest possi- bilities of her task. If you have not so considered your own calling in life, you can not appreciate what this means. If you are too practically constituted in your mind, if you do not understand the finer sentiments of those whose con- stitutional makeup is not so matter-of-fact, such thoughts as
expressed above seem like sickly sentimentality.
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sacredness of the profession is often too lightly evaluated by those who do not know its innermost recesses. We may criticize the public school teacher, we may under-esti- mate her value in the social structure of our nation, we
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may ridicule and poke fun at her; yet, the work that she does is one of the "saving graces" of our country. Were she to be removed for a century from the world's ma- chinery, the results would be direful and tragic.
The type of our teaching corps is high. Their mis- takes-and they make them-are "of the flesh," and not."of the spirit." . When they are approached by parents who have criticisms to make, may they be approached in a friendly, and not antagonistic, spirit. Any red-blooded person will resent abuse, and rightly so. Why some peo- ple should think a public servant is a "public doormat" for anybody's soiled feet is beyond comprehension ! A per- son who thinks himself so infallible that he can not err needs to be "put wise." Any teacher who maintains she is always right is certainly wrong in that very contention. Her mistakes are not criminal, as a rule, and should merit pardon occasionally. The mistakes of other people are sometimes excused and overlooked. Why should a. teacher be annihilated because she makes a misstep? Get acquainted with the teacher of your child. See her and "size her up." You will often come back home with more charity of judgment. Give the teacher a "square deal." She is a friend, not an enemy.
Personally, I feel deeply indebted to the teachers who have worked, and to those who are now working under my supervision in Palmer. I know what I am indebted to them for. I appreciate this obligation and frankly ac- knowledge my indebtedness. The teachers do the real work of your schools. They merit whatever credit there is to be bestowed upon anyone for this work.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The following recommendations are offered for con- sideration :
(1). That all of the school yards in town be covered with a heavy gravel top-dressing ; that this work be started
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this school year, beginning with the yard of the Palmer Grammar School, which needs it most.
(2). That the present Special Committee appointed by the citizens to investigate the question of additional school room in Palmer and Three Rivers be continued in office until such time as the financial condition of Palmer shall warrant the enlargement of school accommodations.
(3). That the School Committee carefully consider the question of offering enlarged opportunities for acquir- ing an education to all citizens by the further extension of Night Schools.
(4). That the School Committee carefully look into the advisability of introducing Domestic Science.
(5). That more money be spent for Medical Inspec- tion in order to make this work entirely effective.
CONCLUSION. This year a somewhat different de- sire has been borne in mind by the writer in setting forth for your thought certain ideas that bear relevantly upon the right conduct. of your schools. Last year, the report was more specific and less general in its treatment of school matters than this one. The desire was to give you an intimate portrayal of the work in your schools. The course of study was dealt with in some de- tail in an attempt to show what we teach, how and why we teach it. This year educational matters in the large have received more treatment with the hope that some of them will be revealed in a new light to many. A school report should be educative ; an endeavor to make this one so has been made. It is not to be expected that you will agree with all set forth herein. An honest difference of opinion demands the greatest respect ; such a reception of your disagreement is promised by the writer. One effect that must come from reading it is certain ; namely, your opinions will be changed to some extent-they will either become more set or mollified. I have been frank and honest; all that I ask is similar treatment.
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In bringing this report to an end, I desire to express my deep appreciation to the School Committee for its gen- erous support, firm "backing," and wide latitude, all three of which have always been accorded me unstintingly. I have endeavored to use wisdom, judgment, and discretion in carrying out their desires. I have been as much "on the level" as human nature allows me. I believe they have realized this and have thus allowed me large freedom in the performance of my duties. I trust that I shall merit a continuance of such treatment.
The public, as a whole, has been fair in its treatment. Candor and honesty have been my motto in dealing with the citizens of Palmer. Candor is not always pleasant ; yet, it is generally wholesome. The response of the public to such an effort has been generous and spontaneous. Some, of course, can not appreciate candor ; they do not possess it themselves and can not recognize it in others. We are loathe to admit our own inferiority, a very human trait. So few of these occasions have arisen that it is hardly worth while to make this comment; yet, I do it to be honest and not to mislead anyone into thinking that everyone is a "booster" and none are "knockers." To be "knocked" for doing right is the highest type of praise. May we be right as often as human frailty will allow!
Finally, let me express my regard for the boys and girls in our public schools. My chief ambition is to merit their respect, for they are respecters of no person, unless he deserves it. I wish to gain this by honest, fair treatment of them; I refuse to cater to them. There is one attribute that people in their childhood and youth possess-ability to recognize true, honest, impartial, whole-souled action. They recognize it in its purity and accord it real honor and respect. If I can conduct myself so as to win such regard, I shall be pleased. Boys and girls are the gems of the earth. Often they are in a crude state; they need to be refined, cut, and polished. Sometimes it is necessary to chip off such a large piece that the uninitiated fear that
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the gem will be spoiled. The workman knows full well what he is doing. Occasionally, one with a flaw can not stand the finishing process. May they be the real gems and we the true workmen !
With the confidence and co-operation of the School Committee, the support of the citizens and parents, the goodwill of the pupils, and the active endeavors of the teaching corps, your schools are in an excellent way to achieve success. May this co-operation continue and may the work in your schools show the consequent good effects of such united effort !
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Mass., December 31, 1914.
* Cost per School
Accounts
High
Palmer
Thorndike
Three Rivers
Bondsville
Districts
Office
Total
General Expenses
$
75.07
$ 37.67
33.65
$ 49.97
$ 47.92
5.50
$2,203.01
$ 2,452.79
Teachers' Salaries
4,220.00
4,495.66
2,410.56
3,417.26
2,865.06
1,460.60
18,869.14
Text Books, Supplies
714.52
514.08
251.86
323.87
248.13
89.93
70.60
2,212.99
Transportation
1,040.00
947.00
79.00
2.00
2.00
224.00
2,294.00
Janitors' Services
450.00
450.00
335.25
382.00
360.00
90.00
2,067.25
Fuel and Light
606.29
794.99
565.73
489.51
650.29
98.80
3,205.61
Maintenance of Build- ings and Grounds
186.67
233.19
187.09
91.16
162.83
52.54
913.48
Repairs of School Buildings
633.96
85.95
163.16
101.52
13.35
197.59
1,195.53
Music, Manual Train- ing and Drawing
223.09
463.85
353.30
311.36
362.71
135.27
1,849.58
Other Expenses
268.71
124.66
139.65
147.58
154.84
59.25
894.69
Furniture and Fur- nishings
135.47
180.79
247.67
207.25 75.00
72.00
843.18
Rent
29.50
104.50
Commercial
.
2,603.46
2,603.46
Total
$11,186.74
$8,327.84
$4,766.92
$5,598.48
$4,939.13
$2,413.48
$2,273.61
$39,506.20
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Average Membership Cost per pupil (based on av. membership)
160.14
473.71
239.57
364.38
264.32
82.05
1,584.16
1,584.16
$69.86
$17.58
$19.90
$15.36
$18.69
$29.41
$1.43
$24.94
.
/
* This table covers the present fiscal year-only 10 months in duration.
Cost per Pupil per Account Based on Average Membership
Accounts
High
Palmer
Thorndike |Three Rivers
Bondsville
Districts
Office
Total
General Expenses
$ .4.7
$ .08
$ .14
$ 13
$ .18
$ .07
$ 1.39
$ 1.55
Teachers' Salaries
26.35
9.49
10.06
9.38
10.84
17.80
11.91
Text Books, Supplies
4.46
1.09
1.05
.89
.94
1.10
.04
1.40
Transportation
6.49
2.00
.33
.006
.008
2.73
1.45
Janitors' Services
2.81
.95
1.40
1.05
1.36
1.09
1.30
Fuel and Light
3.79
1.68
2.36
1.34
2.46
1.20
2.02
Maintenance of Build-
ings and Grounds
1.17
.49
.79
.25
.62
.64
.58
Repairs of School
Buildings
3.96
.18
.68
.28
.05
2.41
.76
Music, Manual Train- ing and Drawing
1.39
.98
1.48
.85
1.37
1.65
1.17
Other Expenses
1.68
.26
.58
.40
.59
.72
.56
Furniture and Fur- nishings
.85
.38
1.03
.57
.27
.53
Rent
.18
.21
.07
Commercial
16.26
1.64
Total
$69.86
$17.58
$19.90
$15.36
$18.69
$29.41
$ 1.43
*$24.94
.
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* $24.94 is approximately ten-twelfths of the cost per pupil based on average membership; if the fiscal year had not been shortened, the average cost would have been about $29.93.
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