USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1916-1918 > Part 9
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Right here in our town, too, which always has had a splen- did surplus of good-will, there are funds available for just such purposes. If this be your reason, why not avail yourself of these offers. We have shown the way, and here our obligation ends. If you neglect, or refuse to walk therein, the responsibil- ity and the regret will always be yours. If our American boys
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neglect these opportunities, we know by whom they will be im- proved.
What an educational uplift it would be to our good old town, if ten young men and young women were each year pre- paring for college! How it would delight the hearts of all who take a deep and kindly interest in the welfare of our youth, and how our schools would benefited and honored! This would be the consummation of our hopes.
But we are nearing the parting of the ways. We must make decision soon. It is both unwise and unjust to continue our present course. If we cannot secure a college preparatory class of reasonable size, the grade of our High School will probably be changed and our whole educational prospect seriously dimmed.
"It is a small school, but there are those who love it," as was well attested by the reception tendered the superintendent. No finer compliment could be given the school than was evi- denced on that occasion. In view of all these facts, --- just as sentiment is increasing and home-ties and attachment for the school are becoming stronger, --- to be obliged to change the grade of the school would be both a pity and a shame.
This is no preachment; it is not a warning. It is an earnest appeal to the parents, and to the pupils of our schools. It comes from those who take a deep and vital interest in our educational welfare. I sincerely hope that these petitions may be favorably regarded and that you will make a wise decision now.
The High School a Civic Center.
The Friday afternoon assemblies in Manning Hall have been held as usual. These exercises have been varied from week to week. Lectures, speaking by the seniors, debates and
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chorus work, have contributed toward sustaining this work.
Owing to the time of day at which these exercises have been held, the general public has not derived any benefit from them. This we hope to remedy soon, as the electric wiring is completed, by giving evening lectures and class exercises for parents and the general public as well. These, for the most past, are to be illustrated by means of a stereopticon.
As the capacity of the hall is very limited, admission will be by ticket and, in most cases, free. During the early fall we communicated with the advertising departments of several of the largest enterprises as well as with private individuals. The State Board of Agriculture, the State Ornithologist, the State Forester, Massachusetts Agricultural College, and these we in- tend to supplement by others at different times, so that all our own local organizations may be given the same opportunity as the individual to enjoy what we hope may prove to be one of our best educational agencies. Such is our general plan, the details of which are to be worked out and announcements made through the pupils of the school as well as by the public press.
In this way we are in hopes to lay the foundation for the extension work of our schools, which will penetrate into every home in our community where each shall receive an impulse to gain fuller knowledge of what is taking place in the world about him.
The Community Chorus has the use of the Manning Hall for its meeting. The Girls' Friendly Society classes occupy the rooms of the Domestic science department six times a month. Our farmers are urged to make use of our physical and chem- ical laboratories to the fullest possible extent. The head of these departments is competent, and will gladly give of his time and service where it does not interfere with his school duties. A few samples of milk have been tested for butter-fat, and more farmers might avail themselves of this privilege much to their
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advantage.
Our drawing classes offer the same opportunities to those of artistic tendencies. The school chorus, held every Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:10, is open to all who can attend at that hour. Our Cooking Department is at present too full to make similar offers, but we are in hopes to make arrangements whereby the young housekeepers of this community may have an opportunity to become acquainted with the latest methods in home-making.
The Camp Fire Girls hold their meetings in one of the reci- tation rooms, and the Greek orchestra occupied another of the smaller rooms. Through some misunderstanding as to the length of time that this room could be secured, they removed to the Y.M.C.A. building where they are meeting in increasing numbers twice each week.
I heartily commend them for the enthusiasm which they have thrown into their work. This class started with five mem- bers; at present it numbers fifteen. They are an industrious, intelligent and courteous set of young men, and I am glad to know that our school was able to give them a start in this direc- tion.
And so, in all departments, the school authorities desire to be of the largest possible service to the pupils of the schools and all the people of the town; to encourage and develope that get-together spirit, where all may co-operate and assist in making our schools stand for all that is helpful and uplifting.
Ranks, Marks and Promotion.
Ranks and marks at best are, by many, considered as nec- essary evils. In many cases they may be grossly misleading. They may often fail to represent a true and dependable standard
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and sometimes they may exhibit all the earmarks of premed- itated deception. This is the burden of their cry.
All this may be true, and in some exceptional cases it is true. But even these scathing denunciations cannot destroy the intrinsic value of the system as a convenient method of record- ing a pupil's work. There is no substitute and their use is well nigh universal. So long as the mark is fair and just to all the parties concerned, there will be no trouble; and let it be remem- bered that the standing of our schools depends upon the integ- rity of our marking. The school therefore becomes an interest- ed part and pupils and teachers should fully realize this fact. Every undeserved mark given injures both the boy and the good name of the school; and no school, any more than the individ- ual that indulges or tolerates any deceptive practices, can main- tain its character or standing.
I have asked that our teachers use the utmost care in this matter and that the marks be fair and just, and based upon the evidence of good, honest work. By no other rational method can teachers and pupils be held to a strict accountability; by no other means can the responsibility be so definitely fixed. For the present, at least, this will be our method of measuring the work of the teacher and pupil alike, and I shall endeavor to see that a reasonable parity between marks and results is maintained. This we hope will furnish an equitable basis for grading.
Before leaving this subject I wish to call attention to an ex- tension of the marking system as practiced in many other towns and cities: Any school pupil who takes outside work of recog- nized educational value under a competent instructor for one full year's time, may receive a certain number of credits towards his school work upon giving satisfactory evidence that such work has actually been done.
So far, elocution, music --- both vocal and instrumental --- and drawing have been the only subjects that have been given
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recognition. I know of one instance, at least, where a fine school orchestra was built up largely by this encouragement, and other similar cases could be cited.
At first sight this may seem extremely visionary, but when we consider that every community owes a great deal to these individuals for the unremunerative but no less indispensable service which they give, we may be willing to change our views upon the matter. I for one would like to see it tried here.
Our schools need closer grading. In too many instances the brighter pupils are carrying the drones; and the drones are perfectly willing to be carried. This condition conduces to comfort, but it lacks certain stimulating qualities which are so needful to the making of first-class schools.
Nothing short of the pupil's best efforts should be accepted and we should strive in every possible way to secure this result. To do this a closer classification is necessary within the grades, whereby the brighter pupils can be given more work, and the others can be given more of the teacher's time and held to a stricter accountability. This has been accomplished by dividing the grades into two divisions, --- an A and a B. By this means the assignment of work can be adapted to the ability of each division and the interest and progress of both maintained.
The old method of promotion by classes has many serious objections and the time is close at hand when this method will give way to promotion by subject. It works out in this manner: A pupil required to rank in four subjects may fail in one and thus, by the present method, be barred from promotion. In nine cases out of ten, he will become indifferent to his work, careless in his conduct, or leave school altogether. By the pro- posed system he would be promoted in those subjects in which he ranked and repeat the one he failed. This keeps him in the school and the shame caused by being obliged to work off his condition acts as a spur to better work. There is no injustice
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done and he keeps both his courage and his character. This will be a forward step and will remove a very obvious cause of re- tardation and make for genuine scholarship.
In order to put this idea into actual practice our schedules and programs will need to be readjusted. But no serious dif- faculty is expected in making the change, and we are confident that much good will be accomplished thereby.
More and more emphasis is being placed upon ranks as a necessary condition for graduation. As soon as a pupil falls below in his work, the parents are promptly notified of the fact aad their co-operation requested. Oftentimes this becomes the saving-grace to a near-senior and teaches a valuable lesson of responsibility.
The teachers are trying to make our diplomas mean more than they ever did before and to have the honorable standing of our schools securely maintained.
Transportation.
This is becoming a serious problem in all our towns where centralization of schools has become effective. The cost of doing this work forms no small percentage of the total appro- priation, in some instances taking as high as 25 per cent., or one- fourth, of all money raised for school purposes.
This should not be so; and is bound to result' in a general impairment of the teaching force, and a consequent lowering of school standards.
I find by discussing the matter with other superintendents that we have been fully as generous as most towns; and that in many cases high school pupils --- boys especially --- walk from one and one-half to two and one-half miles to and from school daily.
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Our own limit has been one mile, and other conditions be- sides distance have received little or no consideration. The age, the weather, the physical condition of the child and of the roads, all have a direct bearing upon the matter, and each should be treated as a separate factor in any attempted re- adjustment of this troublesome question.
Our school populatian is very scattered, and there is no possibility of combining routes: The distances are too great and the time consumed too much as it is; so that any modifica- tion of the system as a whole must be along other lines.
I believe that the older children, boys especially, can walk longer distances, in good weather, than they are now doing and with positive benefit to themselves. During stormy weather, more should ride even if they live considerably within the mile limit. It is too far, also, for children of the primary grades.
It is a difficult question at best, and one that calls for the most painstaking care in its final settlement. A good map of the town would be a great help.
As to the present service, it is and has been uniformly good, but here again there needs to be an extension of some routes. I am informed that two or three small children are obliged to walk between two and three miles to reach the point where the barge meets them.
In another part of this report a chart may be found which will throw more light upon the subject.
School Garden.
The school garden this year could not be considered an unqualified success. The season was very backward and wet. Water stood upon the plot to be planted as late as June 17th, and crops requiring a long season could not be brought to
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maturity before the frost destroyed them.
These were not our only troubles in connection with this work. Attendance is not compulsory. As soon as the novelty wore away it became difficult to get the children to give their plots the proper amount of care during the summer vacation, especially those children living at a distance. And second, a more serious difficulty, was the inducement which such a gar- den offered to those with thieving propensities.
It is discouraging to a little fellow after he has given all his time and care to his crop, to find it has been stolen just as he was about to gather it. His disappointment is greater than he can bear, and he becomes disgusted with farming as an occu- pation and quits. .
These troubles are not peculiar to Ipswich alone, and com- plaints along the lines indicated have been very general. But we do not propose to abandon the project yet. To do so at this point would be setting the worst of all bad examples and nullifying every sound principle of good training. Our chil- dren must be taught to rise above their discouragements, to toil on patiently and persistently, and at last to bring success out of seeming failure. If we can accomplish this, our garden will yield a splendid harvest-of noble men and women, in the making.
The land can be drained at slight expense. More than fifty thousand school children in this state alone are engaged in this kind of work. The old promise of seedtime and harvest still holds good. Then why should we give it up?
What we need is faithful, intelligent, persistent supervision, to follow some definite, carefully-made plan of work. The preparation of the seedbed should be thorough and complete. General and specific directions as to the depth and time of planting the seed should be given. The advantages of the cold- frame should be explained. Transplanting, cultivation,
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spraying, crop development and harvesting should each receive careful attention. Complete records should be kept and, to de- velop the spirit of emulation, prizes should be offered and awards made at a public exhibition. School credits should also be given for punctual attendance and good work.
The main garden should be used as a demonstration plot,' as a source of supply for young plants that are to be transplant- ed, and for individual plots for such pupils as have no ground suitable for garden purposes. In a word, it should be the test- ing ground and the feeder to the home garden.
This would eliminate the difficulties already mentioned, and the interest of the child would in no wise suffer. In fact, it would increase, since his ownership in both garden and crop would be more real and secure.
There would also be the possibility of securing the interest of one or both parents, which would make for greater advan- tage still. The child could give the proper care at the right time, and if he was inclined to be negligent a command from the parent would set things right. The first vegetable success- fully grown and given a place on the family table would estab- lish the value of the garden in the household economy, and then all outside supervision could be dispensed with.
At home, too, a few flowering plants could be cared for at the same time, and this feature of the work should receive spec- ial emphasis. Nothing can be better for both boys and girls than to awaken an interest in the growing of flowers. It is a fruitful source of pleasure and profit and contributes not a little towards making the home more attractive and beautiful. These would exert a most desirable influence and bring about just such results as the school gardens were expected to produce.
The expense incurred will be trifling, if any, as we are in hopes to persuade some of our good people to give the project their moral and financial support.
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The Essex County Agricultural School will furnish us with lecturers who will instruct, not only the children but as many of the town's people as are interested, in the best methods and practices to be followed in this kind of gardening.
But before the garden itself is started, we plan to have the ' children plant seeds in glass jars or tumblers in the school rooms where the processes of germination and development may be watched and studied. This will be of interest to them and add quite a little to their stock of knowledge of the things close about them. The mysterious springing into life of the vital principle held in each tiny seed has a fascination that claims the attention and the admiration of young and old alike.
This work will also furnish the subjects for language lessons during a part of the spring term.
Excursions.
Visits to our large cities for the older pupils and short local trips for the younger ones have been planned and, in the few instances where the idea has been carried out, very satisfactory results have been obtained. We dwell within an area con- taining vast stores of material exceedingly rich in historic in- terest. In fact, it is an exclusive field, it is peculiarly our own. With few exceptions, no part of the country can boast of such historic ground as we possess. The men who were so largely instrumental in shaping the policies of the nation, the men in whose hands its destinies were held, lived here; and we point with pride and admiration to what they achieved.
It is the birthplace of many of our largest industries and some of them remain with us still. The stream of commerce as it flows through the near-bv port of Boston is exceeded in size and volume only by that of New York. And so we find right
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here within easy reach the evidences of all the activities and in- fluences, both past and present, that have made, not only our own section, but nearly every part of the country what it is today.
The schools of Germany, France and Switzerland give very much more attention to this feature in their scheme of education than do we. Our Western States nearly always include it in their courses.
Historic spots they have to be sure, and they take great pride in recounting the heroic deeds, the struggle and the sacri- fices of the early explorers and pioneers. But our history was old before theirs began. Their heroes were born here.
To neglect such a fruitful field of knowledge, to overlook or underestimate the value of such an influence upon our youth in the upbuilding of national pride and in the development of a . truer and deeper spirit of patriotism would be nothing short of a crime. Therefore we wish to utilize these advantages to the fullest degree. As most of the trips are to be made on Satur- days there will be no interruption in the regular school work.
These are to be no junketing affairs. Every visit is to be carefully planned, talked over in the class before starting, and the whole matter invested with a seriousness of purpose befitting any class exercise. Afterwards a full report is to be made and discussed by the pupils.
And so it is hoped that the several classes, from the young- est to the oldest, under the guidance of their respective teach- ers may be enabled to visit those places that have special bear- ing upon the regular work of the school. With a well-formed plan, rigidly adhered to and systematically carried out through all the grades, our pupils should have upon the completion of the course a fund of knowledge and experience that will assist them greatly in choosing a vocation, and in setting up right standards of service and useful living.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Penny Savings.
Nearly twenty-five years ago the habit of saving small sums of money by the pupils was so well established that every in- dividual in the grammar school was the proud possessor of a bank book standing in his own name. From that time and for many years afterwards this work of developing the thrift-form- ing habit among our children was successfully carried on by a well-known lady of the town and, under her management, reached to very creditable proportions.
Unfortunately some legal requirements took the matter out of her hands and transferred the work to the superintendent of schools, where it still remains in a state of suspended anima- tion.
I have been told that a small balance is still in the bank. But who are the real depositors of the several sums making up the amount is wholly unknown. If all those who hold eredit cards will bring them to the office of the superintendent, he will attempt to adjust the accounts so that the work may be re- sumed.
This matter should receive the attention that its importance demands. Schools in all wide-awake towns and cities point with pride to their accumulation of savings. The habit of thrift especially among Ameriean children can be taught none too soon.
We have the reputation of being the most extravagant and wasteful people upon the earth. The average American family is face to face with debt continually. When accident or sick- ness overtakes us we have nothing with which to meet its extra demands.
We try to teach our children how to earn money. Why not teach them how to save? This is the one great and neces- sary factor that makes for success. Without it, earning-power
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means but little more than failure.
- The following was taken from a recent number of one of our most reliable magazines:
"Out of 100 average healthy men at 25 years of age, at 65 36 will be dead.
1 will be rich.
4 will be wealthy.
5 will be supporting themselves.
and 54 will be dependent upon friends, relatives or char- ity."
The statement above quoted has been denied, I am told. But whether it be true or false, this fact remains: That the num- ber of persons in every thousand in America who save is as 1 to 5 ;when compared with those in Switzerland where the earn- ing power is very much less than it is here.
The foreigner brings these habits of thrift with him, and unless our native-born children can be taught the same habits of frugality, but one result will follow.
This work has been resumed.
Suggestions to Parents.
Up to the present time few or no suggestions have been made to regulate school attendance during extreme cold weath- er. Ildon't know as much can be done, certainly not with no- school signals. But a recent experience has convinced me that some effort should be made to relieve the discomfort and to prevent the actual suffering occasioned by this oversight.
Here, as in everything else, the greatest suffering falls ugon those least able to bear it. The children of well-to-do parents
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are clothed to withstand the extreme cold and these for the most part remain at home on such days. But it is inhuman and cruel to expect or allow children that are ill-fed and poorly clad to face a biting wind at zero temperature.
The school rooms, too, are not properly warmed on such days and regular work, under conditions prevailing at such times, is impossible. I visited all the schools in town on the morning of January 12 --- when the thermometers registered as low as four degrees below zero --- and in only two of these out- lying schools, the Dennison and the Wainwright, was the usual daily work in progress. 1
It is well-nigh impossible to change some of these condi- tions. All zero temperatures do not produce the same degree of discomfort. A very cold morning may have the promise of a beautiful day. The barge brings pupils of all the grades; some should come and others ought not to be allowed to come. If the barge drivers sre notified to remain at home, children will gather at the farther end of the route and stand around in the freezing weather. If they are not notified, they may be obliged to return these same children to their homes, without first being properly warmed. Frequently, too, those living nearby are not so well prepared as those living at a distance, an so ad infinitum.
The only rule that can govern here is one of good common sense on the part of the parent --- a humane consideration for the comfort and well-being of his own children.
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