USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1887-1888 > Part 9
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Braintree has a good High School, the work and spirit of which are alike commendable. The condition at the present time is the most satisfactory since my connection with it. I will not speak of it in detail, mentioning in passing, that Lit- erature, placed in the course but recently, is now established systematically. The class admitted to this school in September is doing excellent work, its average standing being the highest of any in town.
It is to be noted that the worth of a High School depends very considerably upon the efficiency of the lower schools. It is impossible to have a thoroughly good High School without · good Primary and Grammar schools. Every improvement in the quality of these schools tells in the High School; every appliance, every teaching power supplied to the lower grades, is so much more strength for the High School.
It is an old educational truism that "good teachers make good schools," and every day's experience demonstrates its truth. If good teachers are the first requisite of good schools, it follows that to get good teachers and keep them is the policy that plain business principles would dictate. This matter leads naturally to the subject of
TEACHERS' SALARIÉS.
It is matter of fact that these are below the average, in the lower grades, at least. There is no other town in the county, and but two or three in the state, of like size and property valuation, that pay so low wages to teachers of the lower grades. A minimum of $6 per week and maximum of $8 is certainly far from attractive to teachers well prepared and of any expe- rience. Board costs $4 per week, to non-resident teachers, leaving $4 per week for clothing, travelling expenses, books, papers, etc. The teacher who has served faithfully and satisfac- torily for several or many years receives for her labor the same wages that the inexperienced teacher does for her work. In all other kinds of business skill and experience are recognized by higher wages. Why not in teaching ? Is it possible to bring up the schools to a gratifying degree of excellence and maintain them there when these important factors are practically ignored ? . Again, from an economical point of view, Braintree cannot afford
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to be a teachers' training ground for other towns, and annually subject its schools to experiments. The chief interest of any community is in its public schools ; is it wise to pursue in them a policy which would be rejected by any practical business con- cern ? A small increase in the annual appropriations would permit the arrangement of salaries so as to insure stability and greater efficiency in the schools.
SCHOOL VISITING.
Among " the good old times" customs that have been allowed to pass away, have gone some that it were better to have kept. The old fashion of visiting schools is one of them. A glance at the school registers will show but few visitors during the term time other than the Committee and Superintendent. This certainly ought not to be so. An occasional visit by parent or guardian, or friend is encouraging to teacher and pupil, and helps the visitor towards a just and intelligent conception of the work and standing of the school. It seems that only by making some kind of a show can those, who should be most interested in the schools, be attracted to them. No reliable knowledge of the quality and working of a school can be gained from such occa- sions. It is the every day life and character that make for righteousness and not the Sunday attire or appearance. The work-day appearance and quality give data that may be relied upon for correct judgment as to the worth or worthlessness of a school. It is not expected that anything said here or elsewhere will revive the old custom of school visiting, but it is hoped that what has been stated will do something towards preventing improper criteria for school criticism.
.The schools are, of course, still a good way from the excellence and standing which all true friends of these great interests are anxious they should reach. But it is to be remembered that systematic and efficient schools are the product of years of care, labor and thought. Generously supported I see no reason why the schools of Braintree may not take rank among the best in the county. Respectfully submitted,
C. L. HUNT.
Braintree, February, 1888.
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BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXERCISES, FRIDAY, JULY 1, 1887. Motto : "To-Day."
PROGRAMME.
DECLAMATION. The Men that Make a State.
READING. The First Te Deum.
ESSAY. Angling.
JESSIE MACGREGOR
DIALOGUE. Awfully Lovely Philosophy.
C. MAUDE FOSTER MABEL A. DAVID
SINGING.
READING. A Chinese Legend.
ANNA G. WITHERELL
DECLAMATION. Irish Rights.
JOHN H. SULLIVAN GRACE E. CALL
READING. English as she is taught.
DIALOGUE. The Gridiron. WALTER S. PIERCE, SAMUEL N. BELCHER EUGENE F. BOWLES
SINGING.
DECLAMATION. The Frigate Bird.
FRED R. CARMICHAEL
READING. The King's Bell.
SUSIE E. PORTER
ESSAY. An Evening with Goldsmith.
MARY B. HOBART
DECLAMATION. Mrs. O'Shea goes to see Hamlet.
ALFRED L. SIMMONS
SINGING.
ESSAY. Class Prophecy.
S. EMMA KEITH
DECLAMATION. Dedication of the Bartholdi Statue. G. FRED CAVANAGH ESSAY. To-Day. MARION S. ARNOLD
SINGING. National Hymn.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Names of Members of the Graduating Class.
MARION S. ARNOLD,
SUSIE E. PORTER,
GRACE E. CALL,
SAMUEL N. BELCHER, EUGENE F. BOWLES,
MABEL A. DAVID,
JUDITH E. DYER,
FRED R. CARMICHAEL,
ANNIE L. FINNEGAN,
G. FRED CAVANAGH,
C. MAUDE FOSTER,
WILLIAM H. CRONIN,
BESSIE G. GATES, F. ANTOINETTE HENRY,
HENRY W. DOANE, ARTHUR L. HALE,
MARY B. HOBART,
S. EMMA KEITH,
JESSIE MACGREGOR,
WALTER S. PIERCE, ALBERT L. SIMMONS, HERBERT W. WOODWORTH, JOHN H. SULLIVAN.
SUSAN F. POOLE,
ANNA G. WITHERELL,
HENRY W. DOANE JUDITH E. DYER
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COURSE OF STUDY. PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
FIRST YEAR.
Reading. From blackboard, chart, and one-half of First Readers; words at sight and in easy combinations, phrases and sentences, other than object words, by association and repetition. Teach children to look sentences through, then to read right off as if talking, thus securing an easy, natural expression.
Language. Cultivate power of expression. Lead pupils to tell what they know in correct language. Use and require com- plete sentences in asking and answering questions. Capitals, periods; question and exclamation marks ..
Writing. Copy on slate, in script, words, letters, sentences, securing legibility as soon as possible.
Number. Develop idea of number, combinations, (parts) from 1 to 10, using objects and numeral frame.
Drawing. Slate and blackboard, lines and combinations into plain figures.
Oral, Lessons. On common objects, body, color, form; morals and manners, physical exercises, memory gems, singing.
SECOND YEAR.
Reading. Finish First Readers; supplementary reading. Insist on clear and distinct utterance. Bring out the thought.
Language. Continue work of first grade; sentence writing, simple descriptions of objects, actions, and pictures; spelling by sound and by letters words from reading lessons and from language of school room.
Writing. On ruled slates or paper, copies of words and sen- tences, days of week, names of months; names and address, with punctuation. Teach form of letters, position, and holding pencil. Number. Combinations to 20. Tables through 5; small columns added and substracted on blackboard and slate.
Drawing. Continue work of previous year. Cards, first series. Miscellaneous. Extend previous work. Animals, trees, coins.
THIRD YEAR.
Reading. First half of Second Reader, and suitable supple- mentary reading.
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Number. Combinations to 50; writing and reading numbers to 1,000; mental examples; slate and blackboard exercises; have pupils make up examples. Teach inch, foot, yard; halves, thirds, fourths, by objects only; tables through 10; Roman numerals to L. Primary Arithmetic in hands of teacher.
Language. Different forms of sentences; simple plurals, hyphen, contractions. Review and continue previous work.
Spelling. Words from lessons; keep list of mis-spelled words for frequent reference; written more than oral.
Writing. On spaced paper copies from blackboard; copy book, pencil, series B.
Drawing. Slate and blackboard ; simple objects.
Oral Lesson. Points of compass; valley, hills, rivers, etc., illustrated by local surroundings ; maps of school room and yard. Primary and secondary colors; forms, qualities, trades and occupations. Review and extend body lessons.
FOURTH YEAR.
Reading. Complete Second Reader; supplementary reading.
Number. Primary Arithmetic; secure readiness in four simple rules; short and long division. Test preceding work and con- tinue combinations. Notation and numeration to 100,000. Roman notation to C. Very simple concrete illustrations of fractions.
Language. Written exercises daily; combine sentences, making little compositions; preserve some exercises. Aim at following results :- facility in oral and written expression of thought of what they read, in describing objects and actions, pictures, stories from pictures, etc.
Geography. Primary Text-book to Middle Atlantic States ; use globe and maps. Draw map of Braintree and of Massa- chusetts.
Spelling. Continue work of Grade III.
Writing. Spaced paper and copy book C. Inks.
Drawing. Simple objects ; plain figures.
Oral Lessons. Bones of the body, color, forms.
FIFTH YEAR .- INTERMEDIATE.
Arithmetic. Elementary to p. 78, with much practical work outside of book; drill in mental exercises; addition of ledger
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columns; notation and numeration to 1,000,000, Roman notation to D. Encourage original work in bills.
Reading. Third Reader and supplementary reading.
Language. Teach use of quotation-marks, apostrophe, comma after yes and no; continue previous work. Copy exercises into blank books.
Geography. Complete primary text-book. Outline map of New England States.
Drawing. Drawing Book No. 1; extra work on paper and blackboard.
Penmanship. Short Course, Nos. 3 and 33.
Spelling. Word Book to Lesson 80, and from all text-books.
Physiology. Bones of body, muscles, skin.
Oral Lessons. Form, color, shades.
SIXTH YEAR .- INTERMEDIATE.
Arithmetic. Elementary to p. 115; special drill in common and decimal fractions and simple examples; daily exercises in practical mental examples ; addition of ledger columns.
Reading. Advanced Third Readers, Primary History of the United States, and supplementary reading.
Language. Review previous work; teach comma after address and words in series; preserve in exercise books simple repro- ductions, dictations, short stories, etc .; simplest form of letter writing.
Geography. Large text-book, essential facts only; simple definitions; North America, United States to West Central States, with map drawing.
Drawing. Drawing Book No. 2; extra work on paper.
Penmanship. Short Course, Nos. 4 and 5.
Spelling. Word Book, Lesson 80 to 145, and from all text- books.
Physiology. Review work of Grade V ; organs of sense.
Oral Lessons. Continue form; color. 4
SEVENTH YEAR .- GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Arithmetic. Written Arithmetic to percentage; aim to culti- vate reasoning faculties; reach results mentally as far as possible.
Language. Language lessons ; parts of speech, gender, number and case ; comparisons ; analysis of simple sentences; dictation
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of various exercises to show uses of common punctuation ; letter writing, business forms, telegrams; compositions from schedule of topics ; paragraphing. Secure order and neatness in work.
Geography. Review, and advance to Europe; map drawing. Reading. Fourth Readers and supplementary reading.
History. United States to period of Revolution.
Physiology. Review ; the heart and circulation, the lungs and respiration.
Drawing. Books Nos. 3 and 4; construction.
Penmanship. Books Nos. 3 and 4, large series.
Spelling. Pages 43 to 91, Word Book, and from all text-books.
EIGHTH YEAR .- GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Arithmetic. Percentage to cube root; reviews.
Language. Analysis and construction, with diagrams ; prin- ciples of syntax, voice, mood and tense ; auxiliaries. Make every lesson contribute to correct language. Dictations, reproductions, abstracts, and compositions.
Reading. Fourth and Fifth Readers, with suitable supple- mentary reading.
Geography. Complete text-book; general reviews by topics. History. To present time ; reviews.
Physiology. Digestive organs, the nervous system, fermenta- tion, distillation, narcotics.
Drawing. Books Nos. 5 and 6; construction.
Penmanship. Books Nos. 4} and 5.
Spelling. Word Book from p. 91, and from all text-books.
HIGH SCHOOL.
DAILY SESSIONS FROM NINE TO TWO.
PRESCRIBED COURSE OF STUDY.
First Year .- First Term.
Algebra, English Comp., one elective, ( American authors, one lesson a week throughout the year.)
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Second Term.
Algebra, History of England, one elective.
Second Year .- First Term.
Geometry, physics, one elective, ( American authors, one lesson a week throughout the year.)
Second Term.
General History, Civil Government, and physiology, one elective.
Third Year .- First Term.
English Literature, Chemistry, one elective.
Second Term.
English Literature, Arithmetic, Book-keeping, one elective.
Pupils of the first and second years who expect to leave school can take Arithmetic with senior class.
Compositions and declamations, monthly, three years. Writing, weekly, three years, copy books, Nos. 6, 7, and 10. Drawing, weekly, three years, books, Nos. 7, 8, and 9. Latin, elective, three years. French, elective, two years. School drill in mental arithmetic in general exercises. Rhetorical exercises with reference to authors.
AUTHORIZED TEXT-BOOKS OF STUDY.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Readers ; variety. Arithmetic; Numbers Illustrated and Franklin Elementary. Geography ; Harper's Introductory. Spelling ; Swinton's Word-book.
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INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
Readers ; variety.
Arithmetic ; Franklin Elementarý.
Geography ; Harper's School and Introductory.
Physiology ; Hygiene for Young People.
Spelling; Swinton's Word-book.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Readers; variety.
Arithmetic ; Franklin Written.
Geography ; Harper's School.
Language; Reed & Kellog's Graded Lessons. History ; Anderson's.
Physiology ; Steele's Abridged.
Spelling ; Swinton's Word-book.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Algebra ; Robinson's.
Geometry ; Davies'.
Arithmetic ; Thompson's.
Book-keeping ; Seavey's.
English Composition ; Chittenden's.
History of England ; Stone's.
- General History ; Swinton's. Physics ; Steele's. Chemistry; Steele's. Physiology ; Walker's.
Civil Government ; Young's.
English Literature ; Swinton's.
Latin :
Harkness's and Allen & Greenough's Grammars, Harkness's First Year Latin, Harkness's and Allen & Greenough's Cæsar, Chase & Stewart's Virgil.
French :
Keetel's Grammar, various books for reading and conversation.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS.
SCHOOL YEAR.
SECTION 1. The school year shall consist of forty weeks. There shall be two vacations, viz., two weeks at Christmas, and one week at Fast; and shall commence the first Tuesday in . September.
SESSIONS.
SECT. 2. The Schools are to be kept on the first five secular days of each week, and at no other time.
School hours shall be from nine to twelve o'clock in the morn- ing, and from half past one to four in the afternoon.
In extremely inclement weather the schools may have but one session; yet, if possible, the teacher must consult the Superin- tendent or local committee.
PUNCTUALITY OF TEACHERS.
SECT. 3. Teachers must be at their school-rooms fifteen minutes before the time of opening the school in the morning, and com- mence and close the school at the prescribed hour, the record of attendance to be made at the time of opening.
DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES.
SECT. 4. The morning exercises in all the schools shall com- mence with the reading of the English Bible by the teacher, without comment.
SUSPENSION OR ABRIDGEMENT OF SESSIONS.
SECT. 5. Teachers shall not suspend their schools, nor change the school hours, except by permission of the Superintendent or local committee; nor must any recess exceed fifteen minutes ; neither shall any pupil be deprived of a recess as a punishment.
PUPILS TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL GROUNDS.
SECT. 6. Teachers shall require pupils, when dismissed, to leave the schoolhouse and grounds immediately, and proceed to their homes, unless otherwise ordered by their parents or guardians.
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PRINCIPALS.
SECT. 7. When two or more schools are in one building, the teacher of the highest grade shall be regarded as the principal of said schools, subject to the general direction of the Superin- tendent and Visiting Committee, for the purpose of having general oversight of the buildings and grounds, and the other teachers shall be regarded as assistants. He shall prescribe such rules for the use of the yards and out-buildings as shall insure their being kept in a neat and proper condition, and shall be held responsible for the observance of the regulations of the Committee relating to school buildings.
ROOMS, GROUNDS, ETC.
SECT. 8. Teachers shall see that their rooms, grounds, and all that pertains to the school premises are kept neat and in good order during term time ; and no teacher is permitted to perform any work not belonging to the duties of the school in school hours.
SUSPENSION OF PUPILS.
SECT. 9. For violent or gross opposition to authority, or when. the conduct of the pupil either in or about the building is such that his example is injurious to the other pupils, the teacher may suspend such pupil ; but the case must be reported forthwith to the Superintendent or local committee for advice and direction, and at the same time notice must be given to the parent or guardian.
SUBSTITUTES.
SECT. 10. No substitute shall be placed in a school by a teacher without the approval of the Superintendent or subcommittee.
VENTILATION.
SECT. 11. Teachers shall take special care at all times that their rooms are properly ventilated. When there is no other efficient means for ventilation, the windows shall be thrown open for a few minutes at each recess, so as to change the air of the school-room.
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EXAMINATIONS.
SECT. 12. All the classes in all the schools above the grade of primary shall have written examinations bi-monthly, and the examination papers shall be kept on file for the inspection of the Superintendent, Committee, or parents of scholars above primary grade.
Whenever any pupil shall unnecessarily be absent from the examination of his or her school, such pupil shall not be per- mitted to re-enter any school in town except by consent of the Superintendent or subcommittee.
ATTENDANCE. -
SECT. 13. No child shall be admitted to our schools under five years of age. All pupils must attend the schools to which they are assigned, unless otherwise directed by the Committee.
PROMOTIONS.
SECT. 14. Pupils may be promoted at the commencement of any term, provided the parents are willing, and the pupils are able to recite in the lower class, also, till the lessons which were passed over in the promotion be made up. But each case must be decided by the Committee.
No scholar shall be degraded or put into a lower class without consent of the Superintendent with the concurrence of the Committee.
DAMAGE.
SECT. 15. Any damage done to a schoolhouse, the furniture, or any part of the premises, must be paid for by the parent or guardian of the child or children doing the damage.
GRIEVANCES.
SECT. 16. Whenever any parent or guardian shall feel ag- grieved by the conduct of any teacher, the cause of grievance must either be removed by a private interview with the teacher, or be reported to the Superintendent or local committee.
TEXT-BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
SECT. 17. Teachers shall exercise proper care of the text- books and supplies furnished their classes, and pupils must be
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held strictly accountable for all damages done to the same. Text- books shall be labelled "Property of the Town of Braintree," · before taken from the Superintendent's office, and shall be num- bered and charged to the pupils to whom they are loaned. Pupils may take the books home for study, with the consent of the teacher, but not to retain them during vacatiou. At the close of the year, teachers shall make careful returns to the Superintendent of the number and condition of these books.
REGISTERS.
SECT. 18. The school register prescribed by the statutes of the Commonwealth shall be faithfully kept, and at the close of the financial year of the town, shall be returned, duly filled, to the office of the School Committee.
TEXT-BOOKS.
SECT. 19. The text-books used and the studies pursued in all the public schools shall be such only as have been prescribed or assented to by the Committee.
VIOLATION OF RULES.
SECT. 20. Any violation of these rules by a teacher shall be considered sufficient cause for dismissal.
JANITORS.
SECT. 21. The janitor's' duties shall consist in keeping the school-room well heated, swept and dusted twice each week, the out-buildings in a clean condition, the cellars and yards free from rubbish, and the snow promptly removed from all walks and steps. He shall immediately report any damage to schoolhouse or out-buildings to the Superintendent or-local subcommittee, and shall receive such compensation as may be agreed upon.
ADMISSION TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS. 1
SECT. 22. Pupils shall not be admitted to the lowest class in the Primary schools except at the beginning of the September and February terms.
TRANSFER AND ADMISSION OF PUPILS.
SECT. 23. No pupil shall be transferred from one school to another, and no new pupil admitted to any of the schools without a certificate of transfer or admission from the Superintendent.
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