USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 20
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By referring to the reports of the School Committee treasurer for the past two (2) or three (3) years and noting the item of repairs, it will be observed how little has been done beyond the bare necessities in way of equipment and general improvement of the schoolrooms. Why should not our rooms be as attractive and as well equipped and fur- nished as those of other towns ? We particularly have in mind the lower rooms of the High School building in Wil- liamsburg, and the two (2) primary rooms of the Hayden- ville Center School. All of these are in need of a thorough renovation, cleaning, painting, new furniture, desks, etc. Anything that can be done toward developing a sense of the artistic in the average pupil within reasonable cost should be carried out. More attractive rooms and sur- roundings stimulate the scholars' interest in all the better directions. We doubt if many parents or citizens would care to spend much time in rooms surrounded by bare and naked walls and not even comfortably furnished.
More spacious playgrounds are needed around all our school buildings. It is saddening indeed that with all the land in the immediate vicinity of the schools that the chil- dren should be expected to secure necessary recreation in yards not large enough, especially at Haydenville Center, for an ordinary residence lot. Williamsburg Center School
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through the generosity of Mrs. Lyman D. James, is much better provided than any of the others.
Sanitary conditions at Williamsburg Center Building are not what they should be, and will soon have to be im- proved. Unless there is a fair prospect of a new High School being built within two or three years, we recom- mend that a set of water closets be installed at once, as has been done in the Haydenville Center building.
The furniture in the schoolhouse on Petticoat Hill (or Nash Hill as it now might properly be called, owing to the gift of the hill by Mrs. Martha W. Nash to the town for a park), has been taken to the Haydenville Center building and stored in the basement, as the schoolhouse will proba- bly never be used again. We recommend that it be sold.
We hope to see inaugurated within a short time a plan whereby medical examination of the pupils will be made at least once or twice during the school year, and lectures on Hygiene given every month. (See the Superintendent's report.)
Due appreciation is felt by the committee for the faith- ful work of the teachers the past year, and also for the interest shown by some parents and citizens who occasion- ally visit the schools ; those interested but who are un- familiar with any portion of the educational work of the town, to such any member of the Committee or the Super- intendent will be only too glad to give information.
Parents and Citizens :- We kindly ask that the coming year you make an extra effort to visit the schools, at least, one or two in your immediate vicinity. The result surely will be that you will gain a more comprehensive idea of the plan and scope of the educational work being carried on, and a fuller appreciation of the work of the teachers, the Superintendent and the Board. The teachers generally appreciate the visits, and are greatly encouraged by these manifestations of your interest.
It is very gratifying to report that we have a balance on hand of over $600.00; this comes about by the saving made in closing the South Street School, and other economies in
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way of transportation, tuition, etc. The amounts paid us by the State were also large this year, and as stated in another part of our report, some repairs were put off which should have been made during 1905. A competent drawing teacher for Haydenville schools could not be secured in September, therefore the balance on hand in the Hyde and the Sanders funds has also been increased.
We recommend that the full and able report of our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. E. W. Goodhue, which accompanies this report be carefully read and considered.
PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS.
A special appropriation was made last year by the Town for water closets at the Haydenville Center building. A sanitary system, eight closets and a urinal, has been installed in the basement; connection was made with a drainage sewer formerly laid. This installation is a great improvement, and we think the citizens will feel well repaid for the extra expenditure.
At the Williamsburg Center building an additional means of egress has been provided in shape of an outside staircase to be used in case of fire. This was done by order of the "State Inspector of Public School Buildings," and while it may seem to some an unnecessary requirement, it certainly serves as an added safeguard to the lives of the pupils.
REPAIRS.
Aside from the work done on Mountain Street and Hay- denville Center buildings, the expense for general repairs has been small.
The roof has been painted on the Williamsburg Center building, and the North Street building has been newly shingled.
At Mountain Street a new floor has been laid, and other needed repairs done.
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At the Haydenville Center building the brick foundation has been painted, new stairs to High School room put in, and new window sash in the High School and Grammar rooms.
There are some other needed repairs that should have been done, but owing to the above unexpected work, it was thought best to carry them over to another year.
The Haydenville Center building should be painted, and fences repaired and painted, the window area in the Third Primary room should be increased so as to improve the light. The Maple Street School should be shingled or slated, and painted.
Ordinary running repairs on all the buildings will have to be made as usual.
We recommend the following appropriations for the year 1906-07:
Teachers,
$4,300 00
Superintendent,
375 00
Text books and supplies,
450 00
Repairs,
600 00
Tuition,
250 00
$5,975 00
ALBERT S. HILLS,
EMIL H. MILLER,
School Committee.
MARTHA S. BISBEE,
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Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Williamsburg :
MADAM AND GENTLEMEN :-
The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is herewith presented for your consideration and approval.
As has been the custom for the past few years the statis- tics are for the school year ending September 1, 1905, and the remainder of the report for the fiscal year of the town. Fifteen schools have been in session during the year, and with one exception, for the usual number of weeks.
Twenty different teachers have been employed and one transfer made. We have been very fortunate in retaining so many of the former teachers, and as a result the progress made has been unbroken and satisfactory in most cases. Could we make sure of equally good fortune in the future our schools would be sure of a permanent high degree of efficiency. It was with great regret that the resignation of one of our teachers, for several years identified with the work of the schools, was accepted.
It is greatly to our disadvantage that we are unable to offer sufficient salaries to such faithful and competent instructors as to retain them in our service. In this partic- ular case we appear to have been extremely fortunate in securing for the position a teacher whose fitness for the same has made her a valuable addition to our force, and prevented any deterioration of the excellent character borne by the school. In general, it appears that rather more work has been accomplished during the year just
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closed than in the preceding. With teachers acquainted with their pupils, and familiar with the requirements and conditions, much has been accomplished not otherwise pos- sible. The results obtained in some directions are most pleasing. Entire schools have made uniform gain along certain lines which reflects great credit on the instruction given.
The attendance has been good, and very few cases of actual truancy or disregard of the law have been reported. The prompt and efficient action of the truant officers has served to create a respect for law which appears to be per- manent. Whooping cough was epidemic for some time, and seriously interfered with attendance upon five of the schools. Were it not for this the record would be better than for years.
The out schools have suffered some interruption in their work because of the changes of teachers made necessary, but there has been no interference with the excellent disci- pline maintained, or the interest of the pupils in their studies, and the teachers are in no way chargeable with the interruption mentioned. These schools are often subjected to harsher criticism than others owing to unfortunate con- ditions existing in the neighborhoods and suffer at times from them.
The high schools have maintained their standard of effi- ciency, and the good standing of many of the former pupils in the schools of higher grade which they now attend, is not only extremely gratifying, but also emphatic evidence of the ability of our teachers and the thoroughness of the work done by them, and this applies to those of all grades participating in the preparatory work. The commendable spirit of industry shown and the loyalty to instructors and schools evidenced, have been important factors in the pro- ducing of such desirable results.
In the matter of discipline generally, little but commend- ation has been given. Some criticism of the Haydenville Center schools has been made because of the noise made by the pupils at recess, but when we consider the amount
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made by the children of a family oftentimes when directly under the charge of the parents, and then think of one hun- dred and sixty of all ages crowded into a yard which barely affords standing room for them, the comparison will not be to the discredit of the latter. It is rather a matter for sur- prise that so few accidents and disturbances occur. The teachers have faithfully labored to preserve order, and have succeeded in reducing confusion and disorder to a consid- erable extent.
A class of eleven was graduated from the Williamsburg High School, and it was certainly a credit to the school and the town. The closing exercises held in the town hall were excellent, and the literary and musical talent displayed, a surprise to many. Some of the essays gave evidence of unusual ability, and all of thorough instruction and drill. The songs by the pupils of the school are seldom equalled in their rendition by pupils in schools of this class. Seven of the graduates are now attending the Northampton High School and other institutions of more advanced instruction.
Eleven pupils are now in attendance from Haydenville. If it is possible to accomplish so much under the present unfavorable circumstances, what might be done with a suitable house and equipment ? Instruction in music has been in charge of a special teacher, Mary V. Kiley, and very satisfactory progress made. A special report by her is appended. An attempt was made to give instruction to the pupils of the Haydenville schools in drawing, the ex- pense of which was to be paid from the Hyde and Sanders fund, but unexpected difficulties encountered in the attempt to secure a suitable instructor at a salary within the means available, led to its abandonment. It is essential in order that our schools may compare favorably in all respects with others in similar towns that regular instruction in this subject be given, and it has come to be recognized by the best educators as a necessary part of school work. With few exceptions the remarks made in the preceding report of this series relative to the needs of the schools are still applicable, and are recalled to your attention without repe-
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tition. We have been exceedingly fortunate in securing and retaining the services of good teachers, but we should not be dependent upon fortune in this vital matter. It should be possible to make these conditions a certainty. It is hardly to be expected that we shall be able long to ex- perience such good fortune with neighboring towns paying higher salaries for less labor, and constantly endeavoring to secure the services of our best teachers. Some time we shall be compelled to take instructors of a much lower grade with deplorable effect on the schools. It is well to bear this constantly in mind that when that time arrives the responsibility may be rightly located. Every change in the teaching force now made necessary, introduces an element of great uncertainty, and may furnish an opening for the entrance of disorganization, and inefficiency of in- struction and discipline. One poor teacher can in a few weeks nearly destroy the results of much previous good work, and so demoralize a school as to require the best efforts of a succeeding good teacher for a long time in sim- ply recovering lost ground. With a considerable influx of children from all parts of the State, and from families of all characters, the problem of maintaining proper discipline, obedience to and respect for authority necessary to success is greatly complicated, and only the best talent can be intrusted with its solution. The administrative ability required of the teacher in the ordinary village school, to say nothing of the educational acquirements and prepara- tory work, would often insure its possessor a munificent salary if employed in many other directions, yet our teachers are still the poorest paid and the hardest worked of any class of professional persons. With the long and enforced vacations and high cost of living, it is small won- der that it has been necessary to introduce a system of pen- sions for superannuated teachers in some localities.
The appreciation of the needs of our schools shown by the members of the School Board and their earnest endeav- ors to supply them have led to several improvements which greatly increase the comfort of teachers and pupils. The
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placing of new windows in the High and Grammar school rooms at Haydenville has added to the good appearance of them and made it possible to warm them more easily, yet it is evident that, owing to the loose construction of the building and the waste of heat in the halls, these rooms can- not be made comfortable during severe cold weather with the present heating apparatus. The installing of the new sanitary arrangement in the Haydenville central building is one of the greatest improvements in years. It is now possible to secure the necessary privacy for the pupils and that separation of the sexes which decency and good morals require. In order to secure an entrance to the basement from the hall it was necessary to make several alterations in the rooms on the first floor at a considerable expense but not to be compared with the benefit derived.
In most cases the improvements made have been thor- oughly appreciated by the pupils and they have taken care to see that no injury was done, but, as is always the case where a large number of pupils of all ages are grouped, there are a very few who have no regard for decency, the rights of others, or respect for public property, and these have made some trouble, but nothing serious. The repairs on the Mountain Street house have made it safer, pleasant- er, and more comfortable, and were greatly needed.
The fire escape placed on the Williamsburg Center build- ing with the new arrangement of the doors insures protec- tion to those in the house, and parents with children attend- ing the schools there, can feel much easier about their safe- ty in case of fire.
It is strongly recommended that sanitary arrangements similar to those placed in the Haydenville building be pro- vided for the central school-house at Williamsburg. While this may be more difficult in the case of the latter, yet it can probably be done, and they are needed full as much as they were in Haydenville. The present conditions are cer- tainly a disgrace to the town, unsightly, and a constant menace to health. It is almost absolutely imperative that new seats and desks be provided for some of the rooms, In
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some cases they have served for generations, and are so worn, broken and disfigured as to make it impossible for pupils to use them for certain purposes for which they were intended and are beyond repair. Chairs without backs, split and so rough as to destroy clothing ; desks so rickety and covered with hieroglyphics carved by previous genera- tions, as to be practically useless, are in use in several rooms.
A change in the arrangement of the seats and desks of the third primary room at Haydenville has somewhat im- proved the conditions existing there, but the light is still insufficient, and the room really unfit for school purposes until some provision for admitting more light is made. A great need of the central schools is more room for play- grounds, and some action should be taken by the town toward furnishing it at once.
When the land owned by the Congregational Church So- ciety of Haydenville is fenced in, it will leave barely stand- ing room for the pupils of the school, provided they stand in rank and file. The absurdity of expecting over a hun- dred and sixty children to get sufficient recreation on a plot of ground less than a hundred feet square is too evident to require argument.
Similar conditions existing at Williamsburg were great- ly improved by the thoughtful generosity of Mrs. L. D. James, yet there is still need of much greater space that the pupils may be able to enjoy their games without con- flicting with each other, or being compelled to make use of the street and other public and private property. Possibly the new High School building will provide such ample grounds as to entirely remedy these defects.
It is very unfortunate that so many of the children are obliged to leave school to work in the shops or elsewhere. During the last year thirty-four age and schooling certifi- cates were issued. At the age of fourteen the child is, usu- ally, just ready to do his best work and to make far greater gain in a given time than ever before. Often the pupil reaches this age while a member of the fifth or sixth grade,
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and the knowledge gained by him is of the most rudiment- ary and incomplete character, not sufficient to be of much service to him, yet could be made very valuable if com- pleted. While the fact that in many cases the income from the labor of the child is needed in the family is appreciated, yet it seems there are some cases where the parents should recognize the truth that a little lost in wages now may be returned doubled in the future if the child secure, at least, a good common school education.
If it be necessary that so many must leave the common schools at this age, then every attempt should be made to give them the most possible before leaving. Under the present system we do not succeed in doing this. The great need is of more individual teaching and an opportunity for making a closer study of the child. A teacher with a large number of pupils in her charge must plan and work for them as a whole, adapting her teaching to the apparent majority, and the pupil who, by reason of absence or lack of interest falls behind his class, is very apt to remain in this position and continually lose ground. Once in the rear and so considered by both teacher and class, he often loses courage and interest and merely drags along waiting for the time when he can be released from his school duties by reason of age. There are many children with excellent intellectual capabilities who because of physical conditions or inability to so quickly comprehend teaching as their mates, are subject to injustice and forced out of the schools to their lasting injury and the great loss of the community. This should not be, and it seems the only remedy is personal instruction, not coaching, but a provis- ion whereby such cases can have special examination and care. Our teachers do all they can and are anxious to assist when possible, but the great amount of work devolv- ing upon them makes such a course of procedure impossible for them. It would be one of the best investments of the town to hire a special teacher, sympathetic, patient, and thoroughly qualified by education and professional prepar- ation whose entire time should be devoted to working with
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these pupils. The regular teachers could note such cases as above mentioned and report to the special teacher who could take them to her desk singly and aid them in all legitimate ways. This suggestion, of course, applies more particularly to such places as Haydenville and Williams- burg villages.
The Board of Education in its report just submitted to the members of the legislature strongly recommends med- ical inspection of the schools, and there is little doubt but what it is very desirable. Many towns and cities are now enjoying the benefits of this inspection, and it will probably soon become very common. There are many cases of eye ·and ear difficulties which greatly interfere with the work of the pupils that might be remedied easily were it posi- tively known they existed, while the spread of contagious diseases could be much better controlled. Some encourag- ing facts are stated in this State report, among which are, that the town of Williamsburg ranks fourth in the county in the matter of the ratio of attendance to the number of children of school age, and that two towns in the county are paying smaller wages to the teachers.
We have good reason to feel that the schools of this town are doing excellent work considering the conditions under which they exist, and the main object of the criticisms and suggestions in this report is to make possible still better work which is due the citizens.
In closing this report, your Superintendent wishes to make yet another plea for a new High School building. The need of such a structure is constantly more and more apparent. A town occupying the position among the others of the county that this does because of its industries and reputation for business "push"; with its prosperous and intelligent people, and sufficient pupils for a High School of the first class, certainly is not maintaining edu- cational institutions in correspondence with them. Our teachers and pupils are working at a disadvantage in all grades because of the present arrangement. Purely as a matter of economy it should appeal to our citizens. With
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such a building properly equipped, we should be able to save to the town an annual tuition bill paid other towns of several hundred dollars, should receive from the State an additional sum of three hundred dollars (which amount is likely sóon to be increased to five hundred), should proba- bly secure a considerable sum as tuition for pupils attend- ing from other towns, and could keep our pupils at home until fully prepared to enter college, or other institutions of more advanced education, thus saving much expense to parents, and securing a reputation for the support of edu- cational facilities which would be of aid to us financially and morally. The State has already greatly increased the annual sum paid the town for educational purposes and permits us to use a considerable portion of this for the pur. chase of necessary school equipment and supplies which would greatly aid us in the furnishing of a new building. Compared to the liabilities readily assumed by us for other improvements, the cost of such a house would hardly be noticeable, and would be paid in a few years with a scarce- ly perceptible increase of taxation. It will be seen that the probable additional increase of income from various sources will not only provide for the extra expenses of teaching and care, but even leave a remainder to be applied to the payment of the original cost.
The common plea for economy in the conduct of public affairs is one to be heeded at all times, but it should be remembered that much which masquerades in the guise of economy is little better than extravagance. Any saving of money which sacrifices the physical or educational welfare of the citizens is certainly a very costly extravagance in the end. No amount of wealth can compensate for loss of life, health or intelligent citizenship.
He also desires to express his hearty appreciation of the assistance and active support given him by the members of the School Committee, to whose broad, progressive and lib- eral ideas much of the present success of our school system is due, and of the interest and confidence in his work shown by so many of the citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
E. W. GOODHUE, Supt. of Schools,
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REPORT OF MUSIC TEACHER.
MR. E. W. GOODHUE, SUPT. OF SCHOOLS : Dear Sir :-
In reporting upon the work of the past year in singing, it gives me pleasure to say that there has been a steady advancement.
The same method of instruction has been continued, with a little more attention given to chorus work since the open- ing of the present school year.
The principles in music were thoroughly reviewed in all the grades. Three part choruses are readily sung in the Grammar grades in both Williamsburg and Haydenville. A class of the Williamsburg High School which meets Friday afternoon has taken up the elementary principles in harmony, and we hope to study the best composers and give at least one composition of each.
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