USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1901 > Part 14
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calling into play any previous conceptions which may aid in making clear and permanent the new impression. He is storing mental images which are definite as images yet associated as ideas, so that by his large resourcefulness he can be relied upon to appreciate the relation of near to the remote, of the object perceived to the unseen object de- scribed. The effort should not be to merely have a store house of knowledge with no power to apply it. Every increase of knowledge should be an advance in power and usefulness. Have the child learn by doing, train the hand and eye as well as store the mind and thus increase the use- fulness of the individual.
I believe that we are getting more valuable work in arith- metic than heretofore. We are continuing the mental work by the use of many practical and concrete problems. We endeavor to have the mechanical operations in numbers per- formed with rapidity and accuracy in the intermediate grades leaving more abstract work for the maturer children. There has been a change in the arithmetic used in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Nichols' "Graded Lessons" have been introduced.
Another change is from the vertical to a medial slant system of writing. There is no intention to return to the old forty-five degree slant, but simply to have enough slant to allow more beauty and speed and yet preserve legibility. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in making the change but as soon as the pupils become accustomed to the new system satisfactory results in writing will be obtained. Copy books are of little use after the sixth grade. Children of average ability have learned the form and proportion of letters before the seventh grade is reached. Actual writing in composition and practice in movement is then the need. Practising for speed and yet maintaining the best writing is what the teacher should insist upon from the pupils. Whether in language, geography, or history only neat, legi- ble written work should he accepted in the blank books.
Never before has the scope of work been so large and the
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requirements so great in the school. It is the unifying agent of a population of all nationalities, tastes, creeds, inheritances and environments. It gives home training not only to those who appreciate education but also to those whose attendance it is necessary to compel by the laws of the state. That "atmosphere" of the schoolroom which builds up the moral stamina of children cannot be tested by examinations or recitations. Everything which goes to build up the mental or physical foundations of the pupils affects the moral atmosphere. The teacher who has power to uplift, to inspire with love of work and high ideals by her personality may well be excused for small defects in methods of teaching, though these need not exist. Teachers can gain this power by keeping themselves healthy and strong physically, and by keeping in touch with the great moral leaders of our time. A teacher who does not hear some of the great lecturers in our vicinity fails to be as great a quickener in the lives of her pupils as she might and should be. The refinement and appearance of the teacher, the neatness of the schoolroom, the tidiness of the children, their attitude toward the teacher and each other, all go to show whether an uplifting influence is being exerted. The public school to-day takes all the children of a community and strives to give them back able to appreciate good citi- zenship, to make them constructive in the forces of their town. It is evident from this that the whole child must be educated. His physical condition must be improved, his mind must be developed and trained, and his moral ideals must be raised. The school must be surrounded by conditions which will assist the teachers in their stupendous task. Teachers will be aided by having their rooms well cared for and kept in good condition.
I quote from the regulations : "They (i. e. janitors ) shall sweep the floor and dust the school furniture, at least twice each week, shall clean the windows, doors and other wood- work, and dust blinds and walls as often as necessary. . . . „Janitors are directly under the control of the superintendent."
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The regulation in regard to cleaning windows and woodwork during the school year has become almost a dead letter in most of the school buildings. Several of the janitors have been spoken to about the windows and woodwork but they claim that they do all they can for the compensation they receive in sweeping and dusting twice a week and running the fires. Janitors should be paid enough for them to be willing to give time to keep the school rooms clean. All school room floors should be oiled early in the summer vacation.
A great improvement was made in several of the school rooms last summer. The tops of desks were smoothed and varnished, walls were tinted, and floors were oiled. The repairs in the Howe building have added very much to the appearance and character of the school. The new floor and adjustable seats in the Tufts school has proven a great ben- etit and pleasure to the children. The upper room in the Lincoln school is in much need of new seats, as the present ones are not only old, but badly out of proportion to the size of the children. The new sanitaries at the Tufts and Bicknell schools are a decided betterment. The physical well being of our race is a potent factor in controlling the moral status of our people. Considerable improvement has been made in the condition of the books in use in the town. There are yet many books, both in the High School and in the graded schools that are very badly worn. Owing to the expense of books and our limited means to buy them, this change has to be brought about gradually. Before the close of another year, at the present rate of improvement, the books of the town will be in excellent condition.
It is a well established principle of education that the mind is best trained by doing; that muscular activity sub- serves mental discipline. I had hoped that the work in drawing would be well organized under a special teacher this year, as this line of work is one of the weakest in our school curriculum. During the last spring term the teachers hired Miss Bailey to outline and criticise the work done in the schools. A good start was made. A teacher was em-
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ployed for one day a week for a few weeks last fall, but it soon became evident that the appropriation was running short, and her services were dispensed with. The town ought to have a teacher who will supervise the work in the graded schools, and offer a course in each free hand and mechanical drawing in the High School.
The ladies of the Old Colony Club have generously inter- ested themselves again this year in providing an instructor in sewing for the pupils of Bates School. This work is a pronounced success. Not only are the girls learning an art which will be of material assistance all their lives, but they are also learning neatness, accuracy and facility of work. As an accompanying training for the boys, the citizens of South Weymouth employed a teacher of sloyd for the Bates School during the three months of the last spring term. All parents, pupils, teachers and observers were delighted with the results. Such work is too expensive to be carried on permanently by private enterprise. It is to be hoped that in the near future both these branches of manual train- ing, sloyd and sewing, will be a regular part of the work of all the schools.
A change in the course of study of the High School was considered, but as there was no provision yet made for the establishment of a department for shorthand, typewriting and drawing, it was thought unwise to make a change until something was done in this department. It is hoped that an appropriation will be made so that such a department may be started at the beginning of the next school year. The parents who cannot well afford to send their children out of town for these utilitarian branches are the very ones upon whom the expense now falls. I believe it is the duty of the town to provide the needed instruction for this class of stu- dents. Another need of the High School arises from the fact that there is at present only one teacher who has special- ized in the sciences, and there is much more work in that line than one can do. I would, therefore, suggest that when-
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ever another vacancy occurs in the High School, it shall be filled by a teacher who has specialized in the sciences.
When school opened in September it was found that the primary room in the Nash School and the fifth and sixth grades room in the Bates School were overcrowded. The vacant room in the Nash was opened and another school organized. This gave the first and second grades, instead of three as formerly to the primary, the third and fourth in the next room, the fifth and sixth in the third room and the three grammar grades in the last room where there had been four grades previously. All who have visited this school have seen what an excellent state of affairs exists through- out the school. The room in the Bates School containing the fifth and sixth grades numbered fifty-six, more pupils than one teacher can handle successfully in two grades. As the Thomas School was very small it was deemed wise to close it, to transport the children and to transfer the teacher, giving her the fifth grade in the vacant room of the Bates. The result is a decided improvement in the schools of the village of South Weymouth.
Another improvement would be the transporting of the ninth grade from the Pratt, to be consolidated with the ninth of the Bates, having but one grade in that room. If this plan is not adopted, there certainly should be a rearrange- ment of the grades in the Pratt and Holbrook Schools by which the first three grades should be in the Holbrook, the fourth, fifth and sixth in the lower room of the Pratt, and the seventh, eighth and ninth in the upper room of the Pratt. The number of pupils in a room does not always indicate the difficulty of accomplishing the work. In a grammar school of four grades it is impossible to complete the work required with any degree of thoroughness.
When a pupil has so far lost self-respect and self-control that physical pain seems the only means of recalling his abil- ity to hold himself to school discipline, corporal punish- ment is used as a last resort. Where corporal punishment is employed at all, accidents are likely to occur due to the
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resistance of the pupil. Unless the injury thus inflicted is really serious, parents and school authorities must remem- ber that it is better for the good of the whole school that the authority of the teacher should be sustained without disturb- ance.
The work of the school is not only the promotion of learn- ing, but also the advancement of every form of thrift which shall produce self-reliant citizens. Children should early learn the habit of saving, rather than that of spending every penny they can secure for candy or some personal luxury. In many places a penny saving system is conducted by the schools. The child brings his pennies to the teacher, who gives him in return a stamp for each penny brought. These stamps are pasted into a book furnished the pupil. When he has two dollars deposited he gets a bank book. The money is generally placed in the local bank by the principal of the school. Money can be withdrawn by the child upon the request of his parents. A saving system of this kind could be managed in some, or perhaps all, of the schools of Weymouth.
Under a graded system of schools, where every teacher is urging her class in order that it may be well prepared for the next grade, the pressure is often great. Subjects may have been well and thoroughly taught in the lower grades, but owing to a lack of maturity certain pupils do not retain the more intricate reasoning processes involved, therefore when the subject is drawn upon in the higher grades a seem- ing lack of preparation sometimes appears. This is espe- cially true of the period connecting grammar and high school.
An increasing interest in school work has been shown during the past year by the number of parents and friends who have visited the schools to observe the ordinary routine of exercises. We are glad to see the people of the town in the schools on days when some special programme has been arranged, but much more pleased to see them listening to regular recitations and observing the work under its daily
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order. A day was appointed last spring when the citizens were especially invited to all of the schools with the under- standing that the usual work should progress as though no visitor were expected. During the coming spring term other days will be appointed for encouraging visits. The members of the women's clubs have made systematic visitations to the schools and many good suggestions have been made as a result. This effort is appreciated and we hope for a continu- ing increase in these manifestations of their interest.
As my services to the town of Weymouth will not extend beyond the present school year, I take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation of the teachers for their cor- dial co-operation; my gratitude to the citizens for their encouragement and hospitality ; and also to thank the school committee for the support given me.
Respectfully submitted,
ANDREW S. THOMSON,
Superintendent of Schools. February 3, 1902.
APPENDICES.
I. Report of Principal of High School.
Mr. A. S. Thomson, Superintendent of Schools ;
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my sixth annual report of the Weymouth High School :-
The school opened in September with an enrollment of two hundred thirty-nine pupils divided by classes as follows : senior, thirty-nine; junior, thirty-nine ; sophomore, sixty ; freshman, one hundred one,- probably the largest entering class in the history of the town.
The accompanying table will show the number of pupils entering the high school from the different grammar schools of the town :
Graduated from Grammar School June, 1901.
Entered High School September, 1901.
. SCHOOL.
Boys.
Girls.
Boys.
Girls.
Total Graduates.
Total Entered.
Athens
5
8
4
6
13
10
Bates
12
16
8
10
28
18
Franklin .
17
24
13
22
41
35
Hunt .
10
14
9
10
24
19
Pratt .
3
6
2
4
9
6
Shaw .
4
4
5
9
9
From other towns
2
2
4
124
101
Average age of class, 14 years, 9 months.
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In June the school graduated a class of forty-four; nine- teen boys, twenty-five girls. Of this number, nine entered college ; nine, business colleges ; seven, normal and training schools or teaching ; fifteen, business ; one, study of music ; three are unemployed.
Much attention is given by the teachers to the care of the building, but we are unable to win from all of the pupils a proper respect for their building. Even if the building had faults of plan and structure it would not appear a sufficient reason for its early destruction which the open criticism made by entire strangers to the building encourages in the minds of some boys and girls. There is still a strong temp- tation on the part of some to carve their names or some design on a desk cover, but the expense of scraping and polishing the desk has generally been a permanent cure for this mania. It is not, however, always easy to find the guilty one and our desk covers show many unnecessary marks.
It has been impossible to follow the course of study pre- scribed for the high school, so a temporary course was sug- gested by the former superintendent which has been fol- lowed in general, and its main features have proven very satisfactory for our school but it was not designed to be per- manent. I submit with this report a copy of the present course of study and if no changes are to be made I recom- mend that it be printed that parents may have copies and be able to aid their children in the selection of a course. I would, however, suggest some changes such as will tend to make the course equally attractive and helpful to all.
I am not yet a believer in a complete elective system in our high schools, but rather in a single course having a basis of requirements for all in subjects like Algebra, His- tory and Government, and English with an opportunity for election outside of these subjects. Our course will be seen to have such a basis.
The course in English and History I consider especially good and I doubt if it can be much improved for the time
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we are able to allot to this work. Our course does not offer in some cases any chance of selection ; for instance, if dur- ing the first year a pupil has taken Latin and been fairly proficient in the subject he has on entering the second year the choice of only Greek or Chemistry. We discourage the study of Greek except for those who are preparing for col- lege. If a pupil has not taken and does not wish to take Latin his course becomes prescribed for the entire four years.
Of the sixty pupils who began the second year in Septem- ber, 1901, eight had left in January, 1902, all of whom were from the division taking this course.
I do not know whether our system of reporting a pupil's work to the parents can be readily changed or not, but it is certain that our reports either mean little to parents or are not understood by them. All marks below seventy per cent. are entered on the card in red and when the general average falls below seventy per cent. the report is usually accompanied by a note calling the attention of the parents to the unsatisfactory character of the work being done, but even this does not accomplish all that we wish. A mark of sixty per cent. is not at all uncommon and is, I suspect, regarded by the parents as a good mark, probably because it is a somewhat large number-it not being understood that the mark is intended to convey the information that the pupil is doing poor work.
Allow me to quote from a Journal of Education : "Pupils' records should be just, and any system of records which does not also take account of diligence and effort is discour- aging to the class of pupils most needing and most deserv- ing of recognition. Good, honest effort is usually the key to success-the world so regards it, and pupils' records should be flexible enough to recognize it. The bright boy who easily gets one hundred per cent. in his recitations and tests may possess fewer of the elements of the good student than the plodding boy who gets but eighty per cent. And it is one of the advantages of recording by such words as good, fair,
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poor, and very poor, or their initials, that both such boys can be marked good in their work. Inflexible per cent. and number systems have been responsible for many heart- burnings and unworthy rivalries, and it is well that their day is passing."
I would also like, through you, to call the attention of parents to the lunches that their children bring to school. Leaving home as most of them do by eight o'clock or earlier in the morning and not being able to get home again until 2.30 or 3.00 o'clock in the afternoon, it seems to me that more care should be given to this matter. It is a long time for any workman to go without food, though many of our boys and girls come to school without any lunch or only a bag of candy-inquiry showed thirty such cases one day. Such conditions are not productive of sufficiently good health to meet the demands made of pupils at the high school.
Again, if parents would have an oversight of the study hours at home and see to it that provision is made for reg- ular out of door exercise as well as that their children may have definite hours and a quiet room for a study, much of the complaint of overwork and ill health which is charged to the high school would disappear.
Only one important change in texts has been made during the past year : the adoption of the Scott and Denney Ele- mentary English Composition in place of the Reed and Kellogg Higher English. Other changes of some of our antiquated texts for up to date books should be made as soon as money can be spared for the purpose. We also need a new piano, and a modern encyclopedia and other reference books in our library. Most such books added during the past six years have been bought with funds raised by some public exhibition or private subscription-the first method can be employed only at a heavy cost to the regular work.
Six young ladies of the school have recently solicited a fund amounting to nearly one hundred thirty dollars for the erection of a flag staff on the high school grounds and I now
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hold that sum awaiting the action of the school committee.
In a school of the size of this one much care must be given to details of management and to the uniform and systematic movement from one recitation room to another, and I ven- ture to say that there is not another high school building of its size in the state that is not equipped with a programme clock which once set rings bells in every room and an- nounces the end of periods for every day throughout the year, whereas in our building at least one teacher must keep the bells continually in mind. If I was offered my choice of another assistant or a programme clock for the coming year I would without hesitation select the clock. Cannot something be done to give us this much needed equipment ?
The usual number of changes has been made in our corps of teachers, but while such changes are to be deplored it has resulted this year in the most united body of teachers we have had since I have been in the school and it has further resulted in a much better spirit throughout the school.
I do not know how to emphasize a matter of which I have made mention on previous occasions ; that is, that we should have two teachers for distinctly scientific subjects that all of these studies may be made as profitable and interesting to the large majority of the school as only a specialist in that work can make them. Only about one-half the science work is done by a specialist.
Thanking you and the committee for your cordial support, I remain,
Very respectfully yours,
EDMUND J. BUGBEE.
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II. Report of the Supervisor of Music.
To Mr. A. S. Thomson, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir: I beg to submit the following report of the condition of the music in the schools of Weymouth.
The plan of work is about the same as last year, for in- stance, all the teachers have been furnished with an outline of the work that should be done during the year ; supple- mentary work is supplied by the supervisor as the classes advance, such as oral and written dictation, interval work, scale and melody writing. Written work in music is of the utmost importance in order to reach the individual.
Music is on a firm foundation in our schools, the teachers and pupils are willing to teach and learn one of the most elevating of all studies ; its influence is felt in discipline, patriotism, and morals.
In arranging a course of music for a child it is necessary to follow the natural development of his faculties. There are two essential things to be considered in his musical edu- cation : First, the appreciation and love of music ; second, the ability to read at sight, etc. These two phases of work are in no way adverse to each other ; the child can only grow properly in each through the influence of the other. The simple truth is, that neither is complete without the other, their relation must be definitely established and continuously sustained.
I recommend that music in the High School be an elective study so far as relates to those pupils who have no special talent for music, the decision as to who shall be excused from this study shall be made by the supervisor of music and the High School principal. This would reduce the number possibly fifteen per cent., thus insuring more rapid progress and further advancement, greater skill and profi- ciency among those who elect this subject.
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Better results would be obtained with less expense in this department.
The School Committee and parents are cordially urged to examine the music in our schools, and I hope to find more visitors this year in the different buildings than last ; I shall take pleasure in explaining the workings of the system to the best of my ability in all grades of the school work.
To the teachers to whose earnest efforts the success at- tained by the school is due, and to the Superintendent and School Committee for their sympathetic encouragement in all that pertains to the welfare of the schools, I wish to ex- press my gratitude and appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, A. J. SIDELINGER, Supervisor of Music.
NORTH WEYMOUTH, Feb. 1, 1902.
III. Roll of Honor.
This list includes the names of all pupils who were not absent a single session during the school year 1900-1901. The star indicates that the pupil was also not tardy during the year.
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.
Alvord, Harry .*
Lonergan, Mary .*
Brooks, Addie .*
Lowell, Isabelle .*
Bruce, Jolın .*
Lyons, John .*
Bullock, E. Helen .*
Pratt, Franklin.
French, Archie .*
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