USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 31
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majority of the citizens toward the introduction of new methods from that shown but a few years ago. The result of more general information and a larger individual knowledge of the world and the requirements of a success- ful life have led to an acceptance of much which formerly would have been strongly opposed. In fact, there is a tendency to demand considerable which is imperfectly understood or crudely organized because of the unwar- ranted and persistent prominence given it by would-be educators striving to be classed as discoverers of great truths. Some things which are strongly urged for adop- tion into our schools are practically impossible because of environment and local conditions, which are either disre- garded or unknown to the promoters. There is a real danger that the original purpose of our common schools be lost sight of and they be made the instruments for promot- ing special industries and narrow, selfish ends. A school devoted to the interests of a class alone is just as far from performing its duty as the public officer who uses his posi- tion to advance his political or financial interests or those of his personal friends is from performing his.
We have been fortunate again in retaining the services of our excellent corps of teachers, a circumstance which makes for better and increased results. Under its care and faithful guidance the pupils have been enabled to work steadily and without break, accomplishing, in most instances, the prescribed work of the grades in a satisfac- tory manner. A condition faces us, however, which must soon be met; even the wish of our teachers to remain in their homes cannot always restrain a desire to earn the better wages paid elsewhere and which correspond more nearly with the increased expense of living. The greatly augmented cost of the necessaries of life is a real condition which cannot long be ignored. If the salaries paid teachers ten years ago were just and sufficient they must be ridicu- lously small and unjust now. When a totally inexperi- enced boy of fifteen or an uneducated foreign girl can secure with little difficulty a position which pays from the
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first a salary equal to the average wage of an educated and specially fitted teacher it is evidence of injustice some- where, either one is receiving too much or the other too little, and business men are not apt to err in the former direction. The most important and vital interests of com- munity and state should not be neglected and exposed to danger because of any short-sighted policy. If any under- paid public servant is retaining his position solely because it is impossible for him to do better elsewhere, we may be getting all we pay for, but we are not obtaining what we should have.
The attendance on the schools has been about an average and fairly good. Our town seems fated to have at least one term in each year badly broken up because of epi- demics. This unfortunate occurrence seems to be impos- sible of prevention, although the health officers undertake to perform their duties efficiently and promptly. It cer- tainly is not the result of unfavorable natural conditions, but is, without doubt, due to the ignorance, negligence and often deliberate indifference of a few who prefer to expose a whole neighborhood to danger rather than to cause themselves any inconvenience.
There are also still a few who, apparently, are obsti- nately determined that their children shall not have an education. These will exercise sufficient ingenuity in plan- ning excuses and just keeping out of the clutches of the law to insure a college education to their children, if rightly applied. It is also a fact that such people will often succeed in outwitting law and authority to such an extent as to nullify endeavors to educate the children. It is not in our large cities where the most flagrant disregard of school legislation is found, but in rural communities where its enforcement is neglected because of social rela- tions and a fear of incurring displeasure. One officer of a back town recently remarked that the law always stopped at the town line until the citizens pleased to admit it.
In accordance with a desire to keep the schools up to the requirements of the times some changes have been made
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in the curriculum of the lower grades. The time devoted to the study of geography has been somewhat shortened and more given to history, civil government and physi- ology. In some schools a good beginning is made in history study in the sixth grade by the introduction of general work in that branch and in the seventh it is regu- larly taken. The eighth grade, in addition to the regular course in United States history, now has work in hygiene, civil government and English history, and the results are very satisfactory. The work in mathematics and language is still unsatisfactory although as good, perhaps, as gen- erally expected in schools of like character. This condi- tion will probably obtain until some one with sufficient influence and courage demands that the former be taken up at the proper time and in a more sensible manner, and the latter taught with a better recognition of actual need and with less wasteful methods, and the high schools cease to demand for admission a knowledge of certain special subjects which forces a curriculum on the lower ones.
In several of the schools a regular period is devoted to the consideration of current events and it is one of the most profitable. Children are obtaining by this means an acquaintance with historical and contemporary events, a knowledge of government and the economic and social matters of the country, which insures that when they go from the schoolroom they shall not step into active citizen- ship ignorant and unprepared for its duties. This will be introduced into all schools soon.
The High School has had a successful and profitable year. For a town of this size we have a large school and it would be difficult to find one where the majority of the pupils are more intelligent and interested. Under the energetic and efficient leadership of Principal Howard, aided by his excellent assistants, there is an increased recognition of the fact that success can be secured by hard work alone. Little favor has been shown laggards, and the pupils under- stand that promotion and graduation must depend upon actual fitness and in no degree upon social standing or the
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kind-heartedness of school authorities. There is not yet secured the same amount of outside study as is usually required by other schools, but this is often the result of parental opposition or indifference rather than the fault of the pupil, and is to a considerable degree compensated for by longer sessions than common. The course of study has been greatly modified and changed to better adapt it to the requirements of modern education and of other schools. It is still provisional but appears to be quite successful. The work in natural science has been much increased and the best possible done along this line. The entire school is greatly handicapped by lack of all laboratory conven- iences and science study, as now conducted, must continue to be, at best, inferior and unsatisfactory under these adverse conditions. A modern high school without labora- tory equipment is just as much an anomaly as a farm without tools.
The plan introduced of sending personal letters to all parents and guardians whose pupils are not doing the required work and so notifying them well in advance of the usual times of promotion or graduation of probable failures has worked well and is assisting in securing better application to school duties.
The problem of the state and city ward is still a real one and its solution not easy. The large number in our schools has a very appreciable effect upon them, the general ten- dency being to lower the standing of the grades and, in some schools, there has been a drop of nearly a half grade undoubtedly occasioned by this. Many of our pupils who could easily accomplish the required work are often held back by the presence in the class of a considerable number of these wards. It is true that some of our best scholars and pupils are among the number of the state and city children, and it would be strange if it were not so in view of the large number in our schools, but the majority, because of unfortunate circumstances and parentage, are by these very conditions rendered incapable or indifferent. The appeal to sentiment, so often made by interested par-
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ties, that these children should be educated and furnished with good homes by us and given equal privileges with our children is based upon false premises and not even consistent with the acts of the interested parties them- selves. Our first duty is to our own children to see to it that they are not deprived of the best possible opportunity of securing an education or even hindered in their school work, and are not exposed to any influence which tends to corrupt morals or engender habits of carelessness, laziness or disrespect of authority which is possible to prevent. These unfortunate children should be educated and should be surrounded by the best moral influences and given good homes, but it is not just to crowd this responsibility upon certain sections of the Commonwealth. Are they given these things as now arranged ? Most of these wards at fourteen years of age are compelled to go into the world and gain a livelihood by manual labor. Is the knowledge gained in the ordinary common school at the end of the sixth grade, where many must leave the schools, best calculated to fit them for such a life ? Is it not unjust to turn them out to earn their own living almost entirely unequipped with any knowledge which they can utilize for the purpose ? Would it not be far better to place them where they might be specially fitted for industrial occupa- tions while not neglecting the intellectual ? Does the character of many of the homes in which they are placed appeal to us as insuring proper moral training or promot- ing a high ideal of American home life ? The popular prejudice against institutions for the performance of these duties toward them is largely a matter of uninformed sentiment and without foundation.
In fact, it will be
found, in many cases, that the prejudice arises from the incapacity and even cruelty often charged to those having these institutions in immediate charge, which means sim- ply, if true, that proper selection has not been made and incompetent persons placed in care of them through polit- ical or other wrong influences.
There is another aspect of the case which is worthy of
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consideration. The expense of supporting the common schools has steadily increased since these wards have been in our town. Within five years the appropriation by the town for educational purposes has increased thousands of dollars and the present high cost of living and labor will soon still further add to the necessary expenses in this direction. Last year the average cost per pupil a week for schooling, exclusive of high school expenses, was about $.72, having increased to this from $.56 five years ago. The city of Boston and the state paid us $.50 a week for the tuition of wards. It can readily be seen that after doing our share by way of state and other taxation toward the support of these children we then contributed about $800 extra for their education. We are, probably, as will- ing as any people to do our part toward the education of these unfortunate people, but if there is any justice in having them so bunched on us that we must contribute $800 to Boston and other places for the care of their children and the pleasure of their attendance on our schools it is of a peculiar variety. So far as is known, we have in our town more of these wards than any other town in the state, and it is high time in the name of fairness that we make some move to rid ourselves of this unjust financial burden. If these children must be placed with us to find homes and secure educational advantages, then there should be a school established specially for them where the instruction can be better adapted to their needs, and the city and state should pay the extra expense incurred by supporting such a school.
The committee has made very commendable improve- ments in Haydenville and Williamsburg central buildings by furnishing rooms in each with modern steel ceilings and walls. Not only are the rooms made lighter and more easily kept clean, but they are much more attractive in appearance, while the danger from falling plaster and the continual expense of patching and whitening is done away with for years to come. Every room in town should be treated in the same manner. Sanitary drinking fountains
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have been placed in the central buildings at both villages and suitable arrangements made for the use of individual drinking cups in all other schools. While it may seem to some that such improvements are unnecessary, the major- ity have come not only to believe in them but to demand them in the name of decency and health. A town which fails to make the conditions surrounding school attendance safe, comfortable and pleasant is still criminally negligent though generous in furnishing other things.
Instruction in music has been continued in all schools of the town with success and profit. The valuable results of this teaching is very evident in our churches and social gatherings. While it is unreasonable to expect that all receiving the drill will make musicians yet many will, and all will find that the ability to appreciate music adds mate- rially to their enjoyment and affords a legitimate source of pleasure otherwise denied them. The remarks relative to this subject made in the last report are still emphatically true. Attention is called to the report of the music teacher following this.
The teaching of drawing has also been continued in the Haydenville schools, and while the immediate results are not so easily ascertained as in the case of musical instruc- tion, yet it cannot be otherwise than valuable to our pupils. The children in the upper grades, who have had some instruction in mechanical drawing, have produced, in several instances, very commendable work, and a con- tinuance along the same line will probably show more rapid improvement. See instructor's report.
The medical examination of the school children made by Dr. Hayes and Dr. Wheeler shows a gratifying decrease of diseased pupils, probably resulting, in part, from the efforts of parents to have physical defects remedied when possible. The test of hearing and sight made by the teachers as required by law also shows less defects in these faculties, many having been treated and helped during the year. Owing to circumstances these examinations must be largely superficial, yet they have already greatly
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improved conditions and have called attention to many cases of defective vision and hearing totally unsuspected. The prevalence from time to time of numerous cases of head lice in the schools is rather a severe commentary upon the habits of some people living in a community supposed to be cleanly and paying especial attention to san- itation. There is no need of such cases, but one uncleanly and indifferent family can easily expose a whole neighbor- hood to contagion and by a disregard of the rights of others create an immense amount of trouble and discomfort.
The January thaw of this winter caused considerable damage to the school supplies stored in the basement of the Haydenville building, which emphasizes the need of mak- ing some arrangement whereby the large amount of unused space in that building can be utilized for school purposes. It is much needed both for recitation rooms and storage of supplies. It also is evidence that in some way the over- flow from the little stream near the building should be controlled so as to avoid future occurrences of this kind.
It is strongly recommended that some arrangement for laboratory work at the high school be made, that the Maple Street, Purrington and Skinnerville houses be con- nected with the town water supply and furnished with drinking fountains, that playgrounds be provided at both villages and new out-houses built at Nash Street and Skinnerville.
As before stated, another schoolroom is needed at Wil- liamsburg to relieve the crowded condition of the primary room, new seats and desks are almost imperative in the lower rooms, and at Haydenville a room for recitations and Batavia work and one in which to store the supplies safely, also pictures for all rooms.
The closing exercises of the Williamsburg High School were held in the Town Hall and were of the usual excellent character, giving evidence of faithful work on the part of both teachers and pupils. A departure was made from the customary program as the essays and orations of the
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class were supplemented by a very able and instructive address given by Prof. A. H. Evans of Northampton.
Four pupils received certificates of completion of the course and three of the number are now taking advanced courses in Northampton. There are ten members of the senior class at present and it is probable that most will complete the course. The tenth grade of the Haydenville school has been transported to Williamsburg, thus reliev- ing the crowded condition of the grammar room, though it is still necessary to divide the seventh grade, and the intermediate room has too many pupils for one teacher. In all 16 children are being transported from Haydenville to Williamsburg.
Through the efforts of Miss Larkin, the supervisor of musical instruction, who freely devoted a great amount of time and energy to the matter, and aid rendered by the pupils of the high school, an excellent piano has been placed in the high school room. This has been long needed and is a great assistance in the teaching of music. Much credit is due all those who have in any way contributed to the piano fund.
In closing, your Superintendent desires to express the appreciation of his endeavors to keep the schools effective and profitable shown by so many of the citizens, and to thank the teachers for their willing compliance with his requirements and careful heed paid to suggestions, also the members of the Committee for cordial support and valuable assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
E. W. GOODHUE, Superintendent.
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CLOSING EXERCISES OF THE WILLIAMSBURG HIGH SCHOOL. Town Hall, Williamsburg, June 15, 1909. Programme. Class Motto, " Maintiens le droit." Chorus, The School. Veazie. Rev. John Pierpont. Prayer,
Salutatory and Oration, "On the Threshold of Life," Alden Clifford Purrington.
Class Prophecy (with salutatory honors),
Edith Margaret Hill.
Class History, Andrew Hammond Breckenridge. Essay and Valedictory, "Advantages of Education," Agnes Frances Malley.
Music, Boys' Quartette. Brainard.
Lecture, "A Bow Shot at a Venture,"
Prof. Alfred H. Evans. Supt. E. W. Goodhue.
Presentation of Certificates,
Music, The School. Lohr. Rev. Robert H. Life.
Benediction,
CLASS OFFICERS.
President, Alden Clifford Purrington.
Vice-President, Andrew Hammond Breckenridge.
Secretary and Treasurer, Edith Margaret Hill.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
Edith Margaret Hill, Agnes Frances Malley, Alden Clifford Purrington.
SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
Andrew Hammond Breckenridge.
Class Colors, Dark Green and White. Class Flower, Dark Red Rose.
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REPORT OF SIGHT AND HEARING.
Whole number of pupils tested, 410
Found deficient in sight, 40
Found deficient in hearing, 20
Number of parents and guardians notified, 36
It was found practically impossible to test many of the primary pupils, so they are not included in above report.
REPORTS OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS.
HAYDENVILLE, MASS., Oct. 26, 1909.
MR. E. W. GOODHUE, Superintendent :
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 502, Acts of 1906, I present herewith my report as school medical inspector :
Total number of pupils examined, 239
Number cases of adenoids,
5
Number of suspicious cases,
3
Enlarged tonsils,
22
Nasal obstruction,
1
Eczema,
1
Scabies,
2
Pediculosis capitis,
24
Emaciated,
2
Not vaccinated,
25
The condition of the teeth is generally bad.
C. H. WHEELER, M. D.
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MR. E. W. GOODHUE, Supt. Schools, Williamsburg, Mass .:
DEAR SIR :- In the latter part of April the pupils of the two lower grades of the Williamsburg schools were looked over in a special quest for pediculi capitis. There were 113 pupils examined, and 14 cases of the above mentioned found and reported.
At the regular examination at the beginning of the school year 156 pupils were examined and there were found:
Cases of decayed teeth, 51
Cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids, 19
Cases of pediculi capitis, 8
In the whole range of school hygiene there is nothing more important than the care of the teeth ; but it may be seen from the above figures that about one-third of the children have defective teeth. This is a serious condition, because the health and development of the child, and his progress in school are menaced in many ways by decay and loss of teeth. Prof. Osler, who is the greatest author- ity at the present time on medical subjects, is responsible for the following words : " If I were asked to say whether more physical deterioration was produced by alcohol or by defective teeth, I should unhesitatingly say defective teeth."
In the first place bad teeth prevent proper mastication of food, which results in indigestion and poor nutrition. The child does not grow as he should. Toothache with sleepless nights, ulceration and abscesses about the roots of the teeth are frequent causes of absence from school, if not serious injury to health and danger to life. We are living in the germ age. Cavities in the teeth are consid- ered by some as harbors for myriads of disease germs, which multiply in these cavities and lie in wait for an opportunity to gain an entrance into the system.
Parents should furnish children with tooth-brushes and see that they are used; they should inspect the teeth of young children often to see if cavities are beginning to
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form, and if cavities are found they should be filled. Hopelessly decayed teeth should be extracted at once. The first teeth of young children should be looked after in this way.
The enlarged tonsils may be regarded as the open door through which disease germs gain an entrance into the system. The possessor of diseased tonsils is liable to fre- quent attacks of tonsilitis and is more likely to have diph- theria and other infections than persons with sound tonsils.
Adenoids give their own peculiar symptoms. By ob- structing the posterior nasal passages they cause the child to breathe through his mouth, which is kept open all the time and gives the child a decidedly stupid appearance. Adenoids are also the cause of chronic catarrh and perhaps the most frequent cause of deafness, besides other troubles which cannot be mentioned here. It is enough to say that defective tonsils and adenoids should receive proper attention.
Respectfully,
J. C. HAYES.
Williamsburg, Mass., Jan. 29, 1910.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
MR. E. W. GOODHUE, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- In submitting my report I wish to say that the improvement in most of the schools this year has been more noticeable than in any of the past three years, during which time the music in the schools of this town has been under my supervision.
The pupils have a much clearer idea of applying them- selves to their exercises and songs.
They apply the theory work to the song material very intelligently.
It is a pleasure to notice the accuracy with which they read music at sight, also how quickly they detect a false
5
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tone, and again to follow the improvement in individuals. The tone quality shows also a decided improvement both in quality and volume.
This year the schools are singing much more readily ; two-part songs in the fourth grade, three parts in the sixth and seventh grades, and four-part songs in the high gram- mar in Haydenville and the high school in Williamsburg. The individual singing has been taken up in various forms ; in connection with the use of the Weaver sight singing slips the pupils have been singing individually, exercises from the board and from the music readers.
It is my plan to have a few entertainments for the high school, at which will be played and sung selections from noted composers, thereby acquainting our pupils with works which every lover of music should know.
The pupils deserve much credit for making the annual school entertainment this year such a marked success. The net proceeds from this concert were $60.18, which was added to the piano fund, making a total of $118. The Williamsburg High School Athletic Association donated $20 and the School Committee $12, for which we wish to express our appreciation. A piano was purchased and used at the graduation exercises for the first, and is now in permanent use in the Williamsburg high school.
We hope to be able to present an entertainment this year which we trust will meet with as great success as last year's.
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