USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1893 > Part 10
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The exclusion of these studies from the High school, as beneath its dignity, has done much to attach to it the term "unpractical." During the past few years .there has been a wide-spread move- ment, first voiced by President Eliot, to establish the natural cor- relation of all branches of study in the elementary schools, and to continue this union in the High school. Many cities and towns in this part of the state are making this change successfully, and have gone so far and find it so advantageous that all are now assured of its permanency.
In accordance with the instructions of your Board on January 8th, I am now prepared to recommend that, as soon as possible, the elements of algebra be taught in the seventh and eighth grades, and so correlated and associated with arithmetic that both studies may be taught as one; also, that both these branches be continued in the High school. I would recommend that a large amount of what may be called constructive geometry and the simplest elements of demonstrational geometry be associated and taught with drawing in the higher grammar grades. These changes will not require additional expenditure and they will afford to the pupils greater opportunities and broader training.
This change should be made gradually and only in such a way that there will be no loss of opportunity for drill, a vital element of teaching in elementary schools. The teachers may be assured
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that no work will be given them for which they shall not have made full preparation ; and I am persuaded that they will hail these changes with delight, since they will add interest and scholarly richness to their activities.
MANUAL TRAINING.
I wish to call attention to the growing faith in the public mind in the importance of manual training as a necessary element in education. The traditional school has done much to educate the head, very little to develop the heart and nothing to train the hand. The most perfect man possesses this three-fold develop- ment, and that alone which gives this, can be called real education. The aim of manual training is not to make wooden models, but to aid in making men and women. The rapid development of this department of instruction is not a fad of educators, but the result of a settled conviction on the part of many thoughtful men and women that the practices of education should conform to its theories, if the most desirable results would be obtained. I would earnestly recommend a consideration of the introduction of instruction in manual training into the schools as soon as a way of doing this is discovered which will not mate- rially increase the expense.
The system of manual instruction in the public schools of North- ampton, Mass., possesses many advantages. The pupils are taught this branch of study in the regular class-rooms and by the regular teachers, under the supervision of the director of drawing. With this system, the expense of equipping all our grammar schools and furnishing a year's supply of material, would be less than $100; and it is said that teachers can be prepared to give the instruction from twelve lessons.
I will call attention to the fact that Mrs. T. A. Watson has had a private manual school in operation in the East section of the town for the last three years, to which, since the begin- ning of the year, nearly thirty pupils have been admitted from the Iron Works grammar school. Not only are
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these children granted this unusual privilege, but the citizens of Braintree are afforded an excellent opportunity to observe for themselves the methods and results of manual training instruction.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
There has been a most earnest and worthy effort on the part of your Board to improve this school. It has registered eighteen more pupils than last year. Mr. O. R. Cook, the new principal, has come to the work with unusual energy and enthusiasm and a most excellent preparation. His work meets my unqualified ap- proval. The people of the town are earnestly invited to visit the school and see for themselves the excellent work that is being done.
College requirements for admission have been so changed recently that the best preparation in the High school for practical affairs becomes the best preparation for the higher educational institutions. Greek and Latin are no longer required and due prominence is being given to literature, history, the English lan- guage, mathematics, science and modern languages. The require- ments for entering the State Normal schools have been largely increased. Only " graduates of a high school whose courses of study have been approved by the State Board of Education, or- those of equal attainments, will be admitted," and then only at the beginning of the school year in September. It will be neces- sary to re-arrange and improve the course in the High school so- that it will meet these added requirements.
In accordance with a recent provision of your Board, that each student shall be given a certificate for each branch of study suc- cessfully pursued for a half year, and that twenty-four of these. certificates shall be required for a diploma in the general course, such a selection and arrangement of studies can be made as will prepare the pupils for college and the Normal schools and at the same time give the best general qualifications for practical life. An important provision of this regulation is that pupils may choose their time, whether three, four or five years in which to-
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earn a diploma. At no previous time have High schools had such an opportunity to concentrate effort on one course of study which will lead to so many results. The changes in the High school course now under consideration have these ends in view, i. e., fitting for college, Normal school or practical life.
Many of the pupils who enter this school are looking forward to a business life. If its course of study does not add to their equipment, they go elsewhere. Of fifteen boys who entered the school with the last graduating class, only one remained to com- plete the course. At the present time ten pupils, who have left the schools, are attending business colleges in Boston at an ag- gregate annual expense of about $2,000. These are some of the reasons that would seem to show that the expense of a business. department in this school would be the wisest economy. In ac- cordance with your instructions, we are looking for a suitable teacher and arranging a course of business study to be set in operation next September, provided the town make suitable finan- cial provision for it.
I have asked the Principal to state the present condition and future needs of the school, and attention is invited to his com- munication.
To the Superintendent of Schools, Braintree :
In whatever is said or done in connection with our schools, one aim must be kept always in view, namely, their improvement. Whatever of criticism or suggestion may be brought forward should be only for advancement. There must be no fault-finding- simply for the purpose of finding fault ; no suggestion for the sake of bringing forward something new. Criticisms must be kindly, suggestions practicable. Trying to keep these two points in view, at your request, I beg leave to submit the following :
The criticism upon the High school, which it seems to me can most fairly be made, is lack of aim in its course of study. The course seems to have really no well defined end in view. It fits a pupil neither for college, for the Normal school nor for business life. There is little in it that can be called practical. I use
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the word in the narrow sense of those studies which look directly toward earning a living. This lack of aim in the course of study naturally tends to produce the same lack in the pupils.
It seems to me that a high school course should leave a scholar where he can, without further preparation, take up something new. If he wishes to go to college or Normal school he should be fitted so to do. If he wises to go into business he should at least have a start in that direction, so that he can take up the business with the same degree of confidence with which he enters upon a new course of study.
In any high school course the studies of most importance are those which tend to develop power in the pupil. Of next impor- tance are those which give direct assistance in life work.
Bearing in mind these three points, namely, that a course of. study should have a definite aim, that it should contain those branches which develop power, and that there should also be in it some studies pertaining directly to business life, I wish to make the following suggestions :
First, that the course be, in accordance with the vote of the School Board just passed, increased to four years, the custom in most schools ; second, that some purely disciplinary studies should be added to those already in the course; third, that together with these be added some purely practical branches. Among these last I would suggest double entry bookkeeping, commercial law, com- mercial geography, civil government, and perhaps shorthand and typewriting, although upon the admission of these two last there . will surely be some difference of opinion. I would also suggest a more extended course in history and in the English language.
With these additional studies there would be need of an addi- tional teacher, who has had special instruction in these branches. These additions would, it seems to me, give new life to the high school course and arouse new enthusiasm among the scholars. Without enthusiasm, both on the part of the scholars and the: teachers, there is little hope of rapid progress.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER R. COOK.
The members of the graduating class of 1893 were :
Alice Frances Connell,
Susan Genevra Doane,
Clara Baylies Connell, Carolyn Adelaide Foster,
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Helen Eliza Hewes, Ruby Crol Neil, Emily Streiferd,
Annie Rosamond Hill, Isabel Louise Penniman, Minerva Pervere Witherell,
Harry Phillips Sturtevant.
The order of exercises at the Town Hall, June 22, was as fol- lows :
Motto : Row, Not Drift.
Singing
( a. Hark ! Hark ! the Lark. b. Light.
School.
Declamation Election of President by Popular Vote Harry P. Sturtevant.
Recital
Carolyn A. Foster.
Hail ! Smiling Morn
Singing
School.
Translation .
Alice F. Connell.
Recital
Ruby C. Neil.
The Huntsman's Chorus
Singing
School.
Essay
Flowers by the Wayside Minnie P. Witherell.
Translation The Carronade Loose at Sea
V. Hugo
Susan G. Doane.
Singing
Solo - Children's Dreams
Edna Marie Goullaud.
Emily Geiger's Ride
Recital
Annie R. Hill.
Essay
Emily Streiferd.
Row, not Drift
Essay ,
Clara B. Connell.
The White City
Virgil
The Firemen
Cowen
The Study of Music
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Singing .
Gloria
School.
Essay
Edison's Latest Invention
I. Louise Penniman.
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS.
Rev. Oliver Huckel.
PROMOTIONS AND CLASSIFICATION OF PUPILS.
One year ago provision was made for the immediate promotion of pupils who manifest sufficient ability to do the work in a higher grade. Since the beginning of the school year in September, fourteen pupils have received special promotions, and in every case excellent standing has been maintained in the advanced grade. The one inference which must be drawn is that it would have been a great mistake to compel these pupils to "mark time" for a whole year, at least, in their school course. Many advan- tages attend these promotions. The passing of a pupil to a higher class from real merit, exerts a healthful stimulating influ .- ence to faithful endeavor in all students. The teachers are in- duced to do more individual and less class teaching. It is seen that the military lock-step movement of classes is not only harm- ful but unnecessary and unnatural. Supt. Seaver has said that the demon of the modern graded school is "uniformity." Special promotions will become a powerful factor in destroying this undesirable uniformity.
But there is one difficulty in arranging these promotions. The distance between two classes is so great that these pupils pass "over many essential things. This disadvantage may be avoided by establishing such a system of classification as is in use in Lowell and Brookline. Each class is divided into two or three sections, one in advance of the other and yet not advancing more rapidly. In November your Board authorized such a classification of the
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pupils as would promote the highest individual success, so far- as might be consistent with the best methods of class instruction. This arrangement cannot be made at once arbitrarily, but must be allowed to develop gradually under careful guidance. This. classification will help to bring back two of the most excellent elements of the instruction of ungraded schools. A part of the pupils will be permitted to think and study by themselves, while others are reciting, and the pupils will have an opportunity to. witness the work of those in another class.
SANITATION AND SCHOOL HYGIENE.
During the past year the healthfulness of the schools has been carefully watched. The gymnastics, introduced one year ago, have. been attended with very satisfactory results. It is a matter of common remark among our teachers that the stooping forms and narrow chests are far less common among the pupils than formerly. The instruction of your Board that, as a matter of precaution against the spread of infectious disease, books, pencils and other - appliances be distributed in such a way as not to be interchanged among the pupils, have been carried out. This arrangement not only favors neatness and avoids contagion, but promotes a greater care of text books.
Last fall, a member of your Board, while inspecting the sani -. tary condition of the Pond school, discovered that the waste water was discharged into the vaults, making a fruitful source of disease. In accordance with your instructions, there has been the most careful disinfection and sanitation of the outbuildings at the various schools.
About the last of November a serious outbreak of diphtheria occurred in the Pond school, which was immediately closed. The directions of the physicians on your Board concerning the. disinfecting of the school, were carefully complied with. The rooms were thoroughly fumigated by the burning of large quanti- ties of sulphur. The infected books and materials were burned,
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and the desks of the sick pupils and the floor in their vicinity. were saturated with the most powerful disinfecting liquids.
The efforts of the teachers to avoid the spread of the contagious ; diseases deserves the highest commendation. It would be advantageous to have warning cards, with name of disease plainly printed on them, displayed at the houses in which there is contagion. The law seems to be quite inefficient in not requiring an earlier report. In some cases the diseases are not reported and isolated before many children have been exposed. I am, of course, aware of the difficulty of diagnosing certain diseases in. their earlier stages, but it can not be too deeply impressed on the. minds of both parents and physicians that the public should have. the benefit of any doubt, and in any case where there is a possi -. bility of infectious disease the child should be isolated until it is. determined whether or not the disease is infectious.
Instruction in physiology and hygiene in the grammar schools. has been very successful. In this work the teachers have used a most excellent manuscript written by Dr. F. W. Brett of Monati -. quot school. This has enabled them to make the subject clear, interesting and practical, and at the same time thoroughly scien -. tific. Dr. Brett was peculiarly well qualified for this work, both from the side of professional attainment and that of extended ex -. perience in the schoolroom.
PREPARATION OF TEACHERS.
It may be of advantage to many to know what is considered, at the present time, a desirable preparation for teaching. A course of study in the High school or an academy should first be com- pleted, with special attention given to the English branches and the sciences. This should be followed by a course of at least two. years at a State Normal school. It would be an excellent thing if this could be supplemented by a half year of training with a skillful teacher. Perhaps a proper substitute for the Normal
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school course would be two or three years, at least, of successful experience, or the same time spent in a college. Besides all this, a person who purposes to become a teacher should possess a broad culture, energy, tact, high moral character, generous sym- pathy and a natural love of children. The present salaries paid teachers in Braintree will command the services of those possess- ing these qualifications ; they should secure nothing less. All possessing the qualifications will find it easy to obtain desirable positions. It must be remembered that many of the present teachers have gained their successful experience in the schools, and that when they were engaged the salaries were not equal to what they are now.
CONVEYANCE OF PUPILS.
During the last three years there has been appropriated an- nually $200, to be used at the discretion of the School Committee in providing conveyance for scholars. It has been expended. almost exclusively in purchasing railroad tickets for those who live at East Braintree and Mayflower Park. During the past year parents in different parts of the town have made urgent requests that transportation be furnished their children. Some of these were occasioned by the action of your Board concerning the West street pupils.
Åt the beginning of the school year, of the twenty-six scho- lars in the West district, fourteen were attending the Monati- quot school, one the Pond, and eleven the West school. Many of the parents, knowing the superior advantages at the Monati- quot school from the experience of their children, presented a petition requesting transportation. The matter was at once considered by your Committee. It was learned that all the child- ren of the district could be conveyed to the Pond and Monatiquot schools at an expense of $100 at least less than the annual cost of running the West school even for the eleven pupils. The parents
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of all the scholars in the district were consulted and, with only one exception, consented to have the school closed, if proper transportation could be furnished. Mr. A. A. Drollett, a resi- dent of the district, and the unanimous choice of those interested, was engaged at $350 per year to carry the scholars. This he has done in a most satisfactory manner. By this arrangement the town has saved considerable expense, transportation is furnished for those who wished to attend the Monatiquot school, and all the children of the district have the advantage of graded schools. In one respect they have an advantage of those who live at a short distance from the schools and are not transported. Stormy weather does not disturb them. This matter was considered by the Committee as one of economy and efficiency, and not of transportation. The action in closing this school should not be likened to that of closing the South-east and South-west schools a few years ago. At that time there were in each of those districts not more than ten scholars, while in the West district there were twenty-six.
I would recommend that the town be asked to consider the following appropriations for conveyance of scholars ;
$175 to convey from six to nine scholars from the South-west district to the Pond school. $250 to convey from six to ten scholars from the south end of Liberty street to the South school. 250 to convey from six to eight scholars from the centre of Liberty street to the Pond school.
SANITATION OF POND AND UNION. SCHOOLHOUSES.
This question seems to be one of urgent need. Both buildings were condemned long ago by the State Board of Health. The rooms can be ventilated only by the dangerous method of opening windows. The teachers are constantly struggling to avoid this danger, and, at the same time, to renew the vitiated atmosphere of their rooms. The pupils contract many colds in passing to and
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from the out-buildings. Consumption is the most destructive disease in New England. I firmly believe that the frequent colds in childhood and the vitiated atmosphere of the traditional un- ventilated schoolhouse are the common source of this disease. Pure air is the best disinfectant and the necessary purifier of the blood. Undoubtedly in the recent contagions, the germs of disease found a fruitful lodging-place only in those children whose blood had not been purified by a proper supply of pure air. Certainly it is economy to provide for the more perfect sanitation of these schoolhouses.
THE MONATIQUOT BUILDING.
I cannot close this report without calling attention to the bene- fits which the pupils derive from this building. It is the unani- mous testimony of the teachers that their rooms are warmed and ventilated perfectly. Many parents have noted the increased healthfulness of their children. The janitor deserves much credit for the skillful and satisfactory way in which he has managed its complicated warming and ventilating apparatus.
During the present year the consumption of coal has been many tons less than last year during the same months. Without con- sidering the health of pupils, I believe that the increase in mental activity and development is alone far greater than the added ex- pense of this building.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
In conclusion, I wish to say that the citizens of Braintree have reason to take a just pride in their schools. They are earnestly invited to visit them and inspect the work. Helpful and sympa- thetic criticism will do much to improve them. During the past year I have often wished that the people would be more free to make suggestions. A community will always have as good schools as it wishes and as poor as it will allow. The education of our
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children, preparing them to meet successfully life's mighty strug- gles, is a matter of the highest common interest. We have had only one aim-the greatest economy in human growth.
In the administration of the schools, our position as a suburb of Boston has been kept constantly in view. Braintree, from its location and many natural and acquired advantages, seems to be destined to become a residential town, but in order to attract to it those who would be most desirable, its system of public schools must be equal to those in other suburban towns. Undoubt- edly, with many people, this becomes the first and important factor in determining location.
In proportion to the salaries paid, the quality of the teachers is exceptionally good. I wish that all our people could understand more fully the strong desire of the teachers to teach the best pos- sible school, and their real pleasure in receiving visits and helpful suggestions from parents. They are earnest and faithful, and in many ways show that they are serving the best interests of the town. During the past year they have attended many general and grade meetings, and have manifested an earnest endeavor to know more of the great art of teaching.
The active and progressive policy of your Committee is to be highly commended. I wish to bear testimony to our citizens of your unselfish fidelity to the important trust which they have confided to you. I have, at no other time, been associated with a body of individuals who have been so careful and conscientious at all times and in all possible ways, to serve the highest public wel- fare. Your office is one of the greatest responsibility, and de- mands much valuable time. Yet it must be remembered that you receive no remuneration. Much care should be taken not to drive from public office those who are best qualified to assume its re- sponsibilities.
The importance of the school system in the progress and devel- opment of the town cannot be overestimated. The town has done much for its schools. When the new building at East Braintree shall have been erected and the Pond and Union buildings provided with new heating and ventilating systems, our schoolhouse ac-
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commodations will not be excelled. In no other place is there greater care and provision for the comfort and health of the chil- dren. The results of instruction will compare favorably with those in the best schools. The course of study affords excellent advantages. The most perfect harmony prevails in all school agencies. We should not be satisfied to stop here. Building carefully upon the past will make far greater results possible. Nothing should deter your Board in the choice of the best teachers ; nothing should prevent the teachers from teaching the best possible schools. Every dollar expended must yield its. proper return, not in material or matter, but in a greater suprem- acy of mind over matter. Some one has well said that the only truly great thing in this world is man, and the only thing great in man is mind.
My work has been very pleasant. I have seen so much that can be done to improve the school, that I regret that time and op- portunity have not permitted me to do more than I have. All have seemed most willing to give assistance in any way. My cordial thanks are due the people for receiving me so kindly, the teachers for their fidelity and obedience, and the members of your Board who have, by your hearty support and generous assistance,. made my work much easier and more effective than it would other- wise have been. As a result of these conditions, I assure you that there are few school systems in better condition to appropri- ate and apply the best things in modern education.
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