USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1882-1886 > Part 10
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give little attention to penmanship. The slate work done in the Primary schools is admirable, and would surprise one not accustomed to teaching writing, as formerly, until the third or fourth year. The children learn to write now about as soon as they learn to read.
Drawing. Instruction in the underlying features of art education is now generally conceded to be an important preparation for practical life. It is not an ornamental study merely when pursued in a judicious course. There is no branch of commercial enterprise in which skill as a draughts- man is not, at times, in demand. There is not a science in which it is not required. Important as it is to the artisan, to the teacher it is an indispensable power ; it is needed in illus- tration of subjects that without it can be given but imper- fectly.
Even if no direct use in the common or higher industries were to be made of this education by many of those who receive it, yet there comes with it a correctness of judgment, habits of observation, and accurate thinking of the utmost importance to all. We believe that it demands more atten- tion than has heretofore been devoted to it. We do not speak of mere "picture drawing," but work in the direct line of practical designing and decorating.
With this in view, last September, the text book Commit- tee with Mrs. Winship, were made a Special Committee, to make a report on that subject. The result was, that the Course in Drawing was entirely changed, and White's Sys- tem in Industrial Drawing, prepared by the Instructor of Drawing in New York, was introduced into our schools. These books are made on the plan above indicated.
Since that time interest in the branch has steadily increased, and marked improvement in this branch has been observed ; but we are still at some disadvantage, from the fact that many of our teachers have never received spe- cial instruction in drawing.
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To meet this, Prof. Chas. M. Carter is soon to visit us under the auspices of the State Board of Education, and will address our teachers upon methods of teaching drawing, and aid in systematizing our plan. With the hearty co-operation of our teachers, we confidently predict certain advancement in this branch the coming year.
Music has held as usual its place in the regular instruc- tion of the schools, under the efficient direction of Mr. Geo. F. Wilson. The aim is to teach pupils to read music at sight, rather than the mere memorizing of a certain number of songs.
HIGH SCHOOL.
It is clear that education goes beyond the mere acquisition of knowledge. It is defined, according to Webster, "as the leading out and training of the mental powers "; " the form- ing and regulating the principles of character"; "the prepar- ing and fitting for any business or calling, or for activity and usefulness in life."
This manifestly implies more than to read, write and cypher, or the simple acquiring of an elementary knowledge of Botany or Physics.
It is evident that the man, to-day, who brings to his work the best trained and cultivated mind, the broadest and strong- est character, is the man who, in any kind of business, with the strong competition everywhere encountered, possesses the largest opportunities for success.
This conceded, it clearly follows that, the course which furnishes the best development and discipline of a child's pow- ers, is the one to be pursued in his education.
It is not the province of the High School to teach special- ties, but to teach the principles underlying all specialties, principles which, rightly applied, will send the boy or girl into the world with a mind well trained and prepared for whatever work may be before them.
This then we deem to be the true relation of the High
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School to business life, and the best course of study for such a school is that which best develops and trains these various powers of the mind.
Realizing a growing tendency on the part of the scholars in the High School to choose the Business course as being the shortest, and the one bringing them most quickly to graduation day and a diploma, we thought it wise to lengthen that course to three years, and prescribe no distinctively Eng- lish course beside that. We believe the study of the languages to be of great importance for the training and development mentioned above ; but, while giving a thorough drill in the languages, we have not neglected the so-called " practical " studies. History is prescribed in a more complete course than ever before. We are gratified with the change thus far. We wish more care might be exercised by parents in advising pupils on entering the school as to which course to pursue, for in many cases the choice has been unwisely left entirely to the scholars. In our present Junior Class, however, we learn that nearly all selected their course after mature deliberation on their parents' part with a view to their work in after life ; only five chose the Business Course with- out assigning adequate reason for their choice.
The school this year has not been subject to such serious interruptions as happened last year, and it is a matter for congratulation that, in spite of obstacles to progress, so excellent results have been obtained under the present administration. This is evidence at once of the general good character of the pupils, and the skill and faithfulness of the teachers.
We notice, as gratifying results from the work Mr. Hill is now doing, increased enthusiasm in their study on the part of the pupils and marked proficiency in scholarship. The earnest work of the teachers, with a manifest unity of pur- pose and cordial co-operation, can hardly fail of good results the coming year.
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Our school at present is larger than ever before, and with the probable incoming class next Fall will number over one hundred pupils.
We have two young men fitting for College, two for the Institute of Technology, and one young lady of the gradua- ting class enters Wellesley College this year.
We wish parents might be induced to visit the school more frequently, and become more familiar with the character of the work that is being done there, for the school cannot attain its highest usefulness unless, to the best efforts of our teachers, the citizens of the town add their own hearty support and sympathy.
The graduating exercises of the class of '82, took place in the Town Hall, Wednesday evening, June 28th :
PROGRAMME.
2. Salutatory Poem,
1. Piano Solo, Clara Savage. . Carrie Y. Wentworth. Will E. Eaton. 3. Declamation-"The Bewitched Clock," 4. Chronicles, E. Gertrude Dudley. 5. Selections from Authors : Longfellow-"The Legend Beautiful," . Whittier-"Our State," Tennyson-"The Death of Arthur," Leigh Hunt-"Jaffar," Minnie E. Emerson. Flora B. Pope. . Alice L. Manson· . Helen A. Parker. La Marseillaise, . Nellie J. Oliver. Lowell-"The Finding of the Lyre," Shakespeare-Selections, . Alice Mitts. Linda M. Beebe. Nellie M. Parsons. 6. Trio-"Call of the Fairies," Carrie H. Moran. Carrie L. Knight. 7. Declamation-"Clarence's Dream," . Hugh R. Emerson. 8. Prophecy, . . M. Emma Green, 9. Declamation-"Erin's Flag," . James J. Donnelley .
10. Valedictory-"Education," Inez J. Day. -
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11. Parting Hymn,
Words by Miss Emerson, Music by Miss Day.
For four long years we've toiled together, And duty's chains have bound each heart ; Now comes the hour when we must sever, Each to pursue his work apart. While, side by side, we trod steep pathways The heights of knowledge to attain, Though storm and tempest raged about us, Yet on we pressed, the prize to gain. The world now opens wide before us. And we must enter there alone ; The way appeareth smooth and easy, To us its roughness is not known. As we looked forward to this moment, What joy we oft have hoped to gain ! Now, when it cometh with sad parting. It bringeth with it tears and pain.
But oh! the sorrow of a parting To all true friends has something sweet, For through the veil of falling tear-drops There comes the hope that we shall meet. Yet if, in God's all-seeing kindness, We ne'er on earth give hand in hand, Still may He grant that, years departed, In Heaven we form a seraph bund.
CHORUS ;
And ere we go, one last farewell we'll render, One last, fond, hand-clasp, offer to each friend ; Then part, and in that parting tender Say, "God be with you, Comrade, to the end."
12. Presentation of Diplomas.
13. Benediction.
The following are the names of the Graduates :
CLASSICAL, COURSE.
Sylenda Morris Beebe, Caroline Helena Moran,
Inez Josephine Day,
Helen Aborn Parker,
Emma Gertrude Dudley,
Nellie Maria Parsons,
Mary Eaton Emerson,
Clara Savage,
Carrie Young Wentworth,
Alice Lora Manson, Alice Mitts, Hugh Reede Emerson.
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COURSE OF STUDY IN THE WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL. ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER, 1882.
3d Year.
4th Year.
1st Year.
Terms.
Bus. Course 3 yrs.
Classical. 4 yrs.
Bus. Course. 3 yrs.
Clas. 4 yrs.
Bus.Course. 3 yrs.
Clas. 4 yrs.
Clas. 4 vrs.
Fall,
|| Algebra, Physiology, History,
Algebra, Phys., Latin,
¡Geometry, Chemistry, Geology,
Geom,, Chem., Geol., Latin,
Literature, French,
Lit. French,
History, French, Latin,
Latin. Com. Arith. Com. Arith. Rhetoric,
Lit.
Lit., French,
Winter.
Algebra, Physiology. Latin,
¡Algebra, Phys., Latin,
Geom., Chem., Geol.,
Geom., Chem., Geol., Latin,
French,
Com. Arith., Com. Arith. Latin.
Civ. Gov.
Lit., French,
Lit. French, Rev.Geog. Latin.
Rhetoric, French, Latin.
Spring.
Algebra, Nat. Phil., History,
Algebra, Nat. Phil., Latin,
Botany, Astronomy, Com. Arith,
Botany, Astron., Com. Arith. Latin.
B. Keeping, Rev. Geog.
Lit. French,
Lit. French,
Summer.
Algebra, Nat. Phil., History,
| Algebra, Nat. Phil., Latin.
Botany, Astron.,
Botany, Astron., Com. Arith. Com. Arith. Latin.
B. Keeping, Rev. Gram., |Rev. Gram. |Latin.
Rhetoric, French, Latin, ICiv. Gov.
Music, Drawing and Penmanship once a week.
Compositions and Declamations once in two weeks.
College course depends upon requirements of the College which the pupil proposes to enter.
Mary Emma Green, Carrie Lillian Knight,
Will Everett Eaton.
Flora Belle Pope, James Joseph Donnelley,
BUSINESS COURSE.
Nellie Jane Oliver.
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ENGLISH COURSE.
2nd Year.
History, French, Latin.
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EXHIBITIONS AND EXAMINATIONS.
It has been customary to hold exhibitions in all the grades at the close of the spring term, in order that parents might visit the schools and see the progress of their children. For several years past objections to such a course have been ap- parent ; and this year, after full consideration, these final exhibitions were discontinued. This was done that the efforts of both teachers and pupils could be given to the legitimate work of the school ; for it was found that the preparation, deemed to be necessary, interfered seriously with the regular school duties, oftentimes for weeks before the exhibition was given. The criticism was urged, with even more force, that these exhibitions, as a general thing, were too elaborate and were not of such a character as to show the attainments of the scholars ; that is, not in the line of their course pur- sued during the term.
Our idea is that, if these exhibitions must be held, the regular school work should be the only preparation made, and that they should present that only which fairly represents the ability and attainments of the scholars, instead of being devoted to dialogues, impersonations, etc. With such con- victions we deemed it advisable to discontinue them, and our experience sustains us in the position taken.
A change has also been made in our plan of giving special examinations for promotions. To avoid restricting the teacher, in the work of preparing a class for promotion, so that he may be able to carry out the best ideas in teaching, and to make promotions just and uniform throughout the town, is one of the most difficult tasks that any School Board is called upon to perform. A mistake made in the promo- tions or in the grading of the Schools is far reaching in its effects and one not easily remedied.
The plan pursued for some years past has been to hold written examinations for promotion, at the close of the school year in June, An average of seventy per cent. was
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required in these examinations ; but a scholar failing of that was entitled to promotion if his term-mark (the result of monthly written tests) was sufficiently good to bring the average to the required per cent.
The only objection to this method is one which can be urged with some force, against any test that should be re- quired. It was found that many of our pupils, intent on passing this much dreaded examination, were made anxious and nervous in their work of preparation and, when the day arrived, were by no means in a condition of mind to do themselves justice and furnish a fair showing of their work and ability.
Desiring to obviate this, as much as possible, the Commit- tee decided to adopt the plan, given in detail below, of monthly written examinations upon questions prepared by the teacher of the next grade. In the direction above indi- cated it is certainly an improvement ; for the pupils now re- gard an examination at the close of the month as a part of the regular school work. In regard to its effect upon our promotions, sufficient time has not elapsed to be able to judge ; we hope to find no defect in its working in that di- rection.
Following are the rules adopted for our school promotions :
I. The pupils in each grade of schools, who are classi- fied for promotion, shall receive a written examination at the beginning of every school month upon subjects there taught during the preceding month, and the teacher of the next higher grade shall prepare a set of ten questions upon each subject for such an examination.
II. Each set of questions shall be submitted to the School Committee for their approval.
III. A careful record of the percentage in each study shall be kept and entered on the pupil's card and in the teacher's record book.
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IV. Every pupil for promotion, shall receive a total average of 70 per cent. during the year upon his monthly examinations.
V. Each teacher of the lower grade shall mark the scholars attending that school upon their written examination, and forward at the close of each month to the teacher of the next higher grade a statement of the subjects taught.
VI. At the close of the school year each teacher shall prepare a list containing the names of the scholars promoted, and forward the same to the Secretary of the School Com- mittee for their approval.
VII. All papers shall be open for the examination of the School Committee.
VIII. All exceptional cases of low percentage by rea- son of sickness, unavoidable absence, or other causes, shall receive consideration, and be decided by the Committee on their merits.
IX. The deportment of every scholar for promotion during the year will be duly and carefully considered by the Committee.
X. Pupils are exempt in their monthly examination from reading, writing, music and drawing.
XI. There shall be no final examination.
Wakefield, January, 1883.
SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The school buildings at the Centre are in good condition and will not require the expenditure of any considerable amount of money the coming year, but the Ward houses, with the exception of Woodville, are all much in need of re- pairs in the way of new floors and replastering. During the year slight repairs have been made upon the exteriors of several buildings; the Second Grammar partially supplied with new furniture, and teachers' desks placed in
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the Second and Third Intermediate Schools. The furniture in the Third Intermediate is not suitable for children of the age of those composing that school ; the chairs and desks are too small and compel many of the scholars to sit in con- strained, uncomfortable positions. The room should be re- floored and, as soon as practicable, supplied with furniture of the proper size.
Present indications point to the probable division of the Greenwood school into two grades, the coming Fall. This will render necessary the furnishing of the upper room, which has not, heretofore, been used for school purposes.
We desire again to urge the town to appropriate a suffi- cient sum of money, at the coming town meeting, to enable us to concrete the walks about our school houses ; besides being a great convenience, in one or two instances it would be wise economy.
In the West Ward, and the same is true of the Franklin Street and the Centre District, every year we are obliged to place gravel in the yard to repair the damage caused by wa- ter in the Spring season. This could be entirely obviated by a judicious laying of concrete gutters.
APPROPRIATIONS.
We have indicated, as nearly as possible, the probable increase in the demands that will be made upon us to provide for the schools the coming year. To meet these demands we recommend an appropriation of $13,800 for regular school purposes, and $1,200 for the contingent fund. We do not, in our recommendations, include full estimates of expense in the event of a new school house being erected, as we cannot positively determine, at this time, how many schools we shall be obliged to establish at the beginning of the Fall term.
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TRUANCY.
In reviewing the report of the truant officers, for the past year, we find that they have been called upon to exercise their authority in about forty cases ; a small number com- pared with that of the majority of the larger towns of the State.
Our teachers, in cases of absence without permission, first, censure the pupil and, if possible, bring to bear the author- ity of the parents ; on a repetition of the offence the truant officer is called upon. We believe that the law, relating to obligatory school attendance, has been well enforced, and that very few, if any, children are employed by manufac- turers without the requisite school attendance during the year.
The truant officers are charged with the execution of this law as well as the prevention of truancy.
COMMITTEE.
In October, Dr. E. P. Colby, owing to the press of pro- fessional duties, resigned his position as Chairman and member of the Board.
A convention of the Boards of Selectmen and School Committee was called Nov. 13, and Melvin J. Hill was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the year. The town will, therefore, at its annual meeting, elect one member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term (one year) and two members for the full term of three years each.
CONCLUSION.
Your Committee have thus endeavored to lay before you the work of the year, though it is impossible in a brief review to set forth all that has been done in our schools.
While they do not reach the standard we could wish for
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them, or that they should attain, yet we are justified in con- gratulating the town on the general excellence of the results. The work has been of widely varying character ; in part val- uable simply in pointing out the urgent necessity of more attention at certain points. These faults have been ap- proached with care and deliberate caution and an earnest endeavor made to bring about a remedy.
Much has been accomplished, but much remains yet to be done ; and to aid us in our efforts we invoke the hearty co- operation and support of the citizens of the town.
Respectfully submitted,
SELIM S. WHITE, Chairman, WILLIAM N. TYLER, Secretary, EDWARD A. UPTON, MELVIN J. HILL,
CALISTA A. WINSHIP,
SARA L. WHITTEMORE.
REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF BEEBE TOWN LIBRARY,
WITH LIST OF
ACCESSIONS OF BOOKS
During the Year.
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ORGANIZATION OF TRUSTEES
OF THE
BEEBE TOWN LIBRARY.
COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY.
Lucius Beebe, Azel Ames, Jr., Joseph M. Skulley, George H. Teague, Otis V. Waterman.
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
Cyrus Wakefield, Solon O. Richardson, John M. Cate, John G. Aborn, Wm. N. Tyler.
COMMITTEE ON BOOKS.
Chester W. Eaton, Thomas Winship, Wm. H. Morrison, John R. Mansfield, E. H. Walton.
Chairman, Lucius Beebe. Treasurer, .
Secretary,
. Chester W. Eaton. Otis V. Waterman.
.
3
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.
The Trustees have the honor to present to the Citizens of Wakefield their annual report of the Library-together with those of the Treasurer and Librarian - it being the twenty-seventh since its foundation ; and it is a matter of congratulation that at no time in its existence has there been such good evidence of our youth and adult population being educated to habits of reading, as at the present ;- the fact of the large and increasing circulation of books in our community, furnishing the best proof of the growing intel- lectual activity of our people, and their due appreciation of their advantages.
During the year last past there have been added 327 new books to the library, making a total of 7,484 volumes upon its shelves. For further statistics we refer you to the de- tailed reports of Treasurer and Librarian hereunto annexed.
Our Librarian and her assistant have performed their duties with faithful care, and in an acceptable manner-and upon all occasions have endeavored to extend, by cooperation, the benefits of the Library to all classes of patrons.
During the past year, the efforts of the Trustees have been more particularly directed to the quality of the books purchased, and this has been done by a critical examination of their contents prior to giving them a permanent place upon the shelves.
The selection of Fiction and Juvenile books, is the most delicate of all the duties we are called upon to perform ; we have to remember that students, either of History, Art,
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Science, Philosophy, Religion or Poetry, are not to be pre- ferred above humble readers who seek in their hours of leis- ure, or relaxation from toil, books that divert the mind and withdraw it, for a time, from the exacting demands of every- day life ; also, that every one has his preferences, and that the Library is not designed for exclusive use, or the gratifi- cation of any one taste.
We are not to be understood as saying that it is incum- bent upon us to furnish reading that would gratify all tastes, or to provide anything that in our judgment would have a pernicious tendency, merely because it might be demanded by a certain class of readers ; but it must be remembered that under the guise of Fiction sometimes the finest pictures of life and manners are represented, and lessons of duty taught and conveyed to mind and heart.
Almost invariably the young seek light works first, and in after years more solid mental diet. Milk for babes; meat for strong men. It is therefore very desirable to attract youth to our Library, for he who commences reading young, usually clings to the habit through life, finding therein a really inexhaustible fountain of pleasure.
The wear and tear of books we find increases with the constant use made of them, necessitating constant scrutiny and increasing expense of rebinding and replacing ; we therefore ask for a trifling increase of appropriation, viz : the amount of the Dog Tax and the sum of $500.
During the year we have received from our fellow towns- men and towns-women, valuable donations of books (as ap- pears in record in Librarian's report) all of which have been very thankfully received ; and we sincerely trust others will emulate their very worthy example.
We would also solicit those waifs of the press-pamphlets. Donors can rest assured that, if in our judgment they are worthy, we will classify them and give them a permanent home upon our shelves, amidst the other treasures of thought, and due acknowledgment of the same.
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To many, doubtless, a search for such will prove a wel- come unloading of garrets, cellars and closets, and when classified and upon our shelves, perhaps prove a mine of good luck to historians and antiquarians.
In nothing is the intelligence and spirit of a community more thoroughly reflected than in the provision it makes for its educational institutions, and among these a Public Library with a Reading Room should be placed in the front rank, both as to its location and as to its ability as a vehicle for the cul- tivation and instruction of the people.
. Now the influence of a Library is limited only by its abil- ity to adapt itself to the needs of all classes, its value depend- ing on the full use of its books, rather than in their number.
It has always been a problem how to mentally reach cer- tain classes of minds, to wit : those who cannot, and those who do not love to read, and the feeble, the dull, the coarse, and the low, and lift them to higher planes of thought and action. But it seems to us that the matter is reached in a Reading Room, plentifully supplied with the finer class of current pictorial literature. Show us the man blessed with ordinary vision who does not like pictures. Our pictorial literature is a silent but potent educator, and according to its kind touches the best or worst part of the basest or most frivolous of men ; and that there is a best side to all men, who will deny ? And is it not an imperative duty for lead- ers of thought and action in our community to arouse, awaken and quicken this better part? even though it be like the Statue in the block of marble, hidden under the deposits of generations awaiting a natal hour from the generous hand of art, to call it into being.
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