USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1890-1893 > Part 60
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"Section I of chapter 44 of the Public Statutes imposes upon the teachers of the public schools the duty of instructing their pupils in good behavior. The Constitution of the State makes it the duty of all institutions of learning to train those committed to them in the practice of every virtue. To attain these ends it is necessary that a wise government over the pupils shall be uniformly and persistently maintained. The teacher is therefore vested with the authority of the parent in the control of the children in their relations as pupils of his school.
I. In the school room he has exclusive control of his pupils, subject only to the direction of the school committee.
2. He may rightfully exercise the same full control over his pupils at any time while they are on any part of the school premises.
3. While the pupils are on their way to and from school, the authority of the teacher may be considered as concurrent with that of the parent or guardian. If the pupils in coming to school or in going from it to their homes, commit an offence against the civil laws, it will be well to leave the offenders in the hands of judical or parental authority. But if the children quarrel on their way, or are willfully tardy, or use indecent and profane language,
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or in any way by their conduct injure the good order and discipline of the school, the teacher may take notice of such conduct by subjecting the offender to such wise and judicious treatment as will have a tendency to prevent a repetition of the offence. In such cases the teacher should exercise great caution not to use any doubtful authority, or any questionable modes of correction."
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Sec. 46 of Chapter 43. Every town not divided into school districts shall provide and maintain a sufficient number of school houses, properly furnished and conveniently located for the ac- commodation of all the children therein entitled to attend the public schools ; and the school committee, unless the town other- wise directs, shall keep such houses in good order, and shall pro- cure a suitable place for the schools, where there is no school house, and provide fuel and all other things necessary for the comfort of the scholars therein, at the expense of the town. A town which for one year refuses or neglects to comply with the requirements of this section shall forfeit not less than five hundred nor more than five thousand dollars, to be paid, apportioned and appropriated, as provided in sections nineteen and twenty.
CENSUS OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Chap. 46, Sec. 4. Whoever having under his control a child between the ages of eight and fourteen years, withholds informa- tion in his possession, sought by a school committee or its agents for the purposes of the preceding section, or falsifies in regard to the same, shall be punished by fine not exceeding twenty dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding thirty days.
CHILDREN BETWEEN 8 AND 14 YEARS OF AGE MUST ATTEND SCHOOL.
"Every child must be in school for at least twenty weeks of the year, from the time he is eight until he reaches the age of four- teen years. It is not to be assumed, however, that the legal rights of children are limited by the Statutes in regard to the time of attendance. The school committees have authority vested in them of admitting pupils to the schools before they are eight and after they are fourteen years of age. But it is the imperative
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duty of the truant officers of a town, acting under instructions from the school committees, to secure the attendance of all chil- dren between the ages of eight and fourteen years upon some approved school for at least twenty weeks in every year."
WHEN CHILDREN MAY ATTEND IN ADJOINING TOWN.
Sec. 6. "Children living remote from any public school in the town in which they reside may be allowed to attend the public schools in an adjoining town, under such regulations and on such terms as the school committees of said towns agree upon and prescribe ; and the school committee of the town in which such children reside shall pay the sum agreed upon out of the appro- priation of money raised in said town for the support of schools."
CONVEYANCE OF PUPILS.
Chap. 132 of the Acts of 1869 provides "that any town in the Commonwealth may raise by taxation or otherwise, and appro- priate money to be expended by the school committee in their discretion, in providing for the conveyance of pupils to and from the public schools."
PUPILS MUST BE VACCINATED.
Sec. 9. "The School Committee shall not allow a child who has not been vaccinated to be admitted to or connected with the public schools.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
Chap. 198 of the Acts of 1885, provides "that the School Committees shall not allow any pupil to attend the public schools while any member of the household to which such pupil belongs is sick of small pox, diphtheria, or scarlet fever, or during a period of two weeks after the death, recovery or removal of such sick person, and any pupil coming from such household shall be required to present to the teacher of the school the pupil desires to attend, a certificate from the attending physician or board of health, of the facts necessary to entitle him to admission in ac- cordance with the above regulations."
In addition to the above the local Board of Health prescribe the following regulations :
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Reg. 26. "No teacher or scholar who has been sick with small pox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, shall return to school within thirty days from the beginning of the disease, and not then till said teacher or scholar presents a certificate from the physician in charge that thirty days have passed and the disease is no longer contagious. This rule will apply to all children living in the same house and using a common passageway. Children who have been sick with measles, shall not return to school within fifteen days from the appearance of the eruption."
Reg. 27. "No scholar shall attend school while suffering from whooping cough."
PENALTY FOR DISTURBING SCHOOLS.
Sec. 23, Chap. 207, Public Statutes. "Whoever willfully inter- rupts or disturbs a school or other assembly of people, met for a lawful purpose, shall be punished by imprisonment in the jail not exceeding thirty days, or by fine not exceeding fifty dollars."
MALICIOUS INJURY TO BUILDINGS.
Sec. 78, Chap. 203. "Whoever willfully and maliciously or wantonly and without cause destroys, defaces, mars or injures a school house, church or other building erected or used for pur- poses of education or religious instruction, or for the general diffusion of knowledge, or an outbuilding, fence, well or appur- tenance of such school house, church or other building or fur- niture, apparatus or other property belonging to or connected with such school house, church or other building, shall be pun- ished by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or by impris- on ment in the jail not exceeding one year." By the foregoing we see
I. That teachers do have jurisdiction over pupils to and from school.
2. Towns must provide and maintain a sufficient number of school houses for the accommodation of all children therein en- titled to attend the public schools.
3. A census of school children must be taken yearly, and any person withholding information, or who falsifies to the committee or their agent in regard to the same, is punishable by fine or im- prisonment, or both.
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4. School committees may permit pupils to attend school before they are eight and after they are fourteen, but all children from the time they are eight until they reach the age of fourteen years must attend school for at least twenty weeks of the year.
5. Children living remote from schools may attend in adjoin- ing towns under such regulations as may be agreed upon by the committees of said towns.
6. Towns may raise money by taxation or otherwise to pay for the conveyance of pupils.
7. Children must be vaccinated before they will be allowed to attend school.
S. Children living in a house where there is any contagious disease cannot attend school for a specified time, and then only by permit from the Board of Health.
9. A penalty cither by fine or imprisonment is imposed for disturbing schools, or for defacing, maring or injuring a school house or other public building.
SCHOOLS AND CHANGES.
At the beginning of the school year in September, the Lincoln school building being ready for occupancy, several changes were made in the Centre schools. The Centre First Grammar school was transferred from the third story of the High School building and the Hamilton First Grammar from the Hamilton building to the Lincoln school house. The first change was made because the Committee did not consider the third story of the High School building a suitable place for a school, especially of young chil- dren. The second change was made for the purpose of relieving the crowded condition of the West Ward. The Centre Second Primary school being much too large for one room, was divided, making two schools of this grade. Owing to the crowded condi- tion of three other rooms it became necessary to fit up the two recitation rooms for the overflow from these schools and to pro- vide assistants. These changes filled all the rooms of the Lincoln building.
A new school was established in the Hamilton building, con- sisting of the Third Grammar grades of the West Ward and Franklin street districts, both of these schools being much crowd- ed and Miss B. I. Cooper was placed in charge of the new school.
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Miss Kalaher was transferred from Woodville to the West Ward and Miss Emma Bateman was appointed to the vacancy at Woodville. There being a vacancy at the North Ward, Miss C. H. Monroe of North Reading was appointed to this position. During the summer Miss C. S. Russell resigned as teacher of the Franklin Street Grammar school and Miss F. C. Burnham of Boston was appointed, but before the opening of school in Sep- tember she was obliged to resign owing to sickness in her family, and Miss E. A. Scanlan, another experienced teacher, was appointed and did very acceptable work until November when she was practically stolen from us by a neighboring town, and for the third time within a few weeks, and on very short notice, it became necessary to procure a teacher for this school. Mrs. I. T. Cornell, who came well recommended, has since had charge of the school.
This stealing of teachers by one town from another is a most unjust method of obtaining good teachers. Teachers' agencies are largely to blame, and school boards and superintendents as well as teachers themselves are not free from criticism. Teachers cannot be discharged without just cause, but they can leave when they please and the Committee must make the best of it. It is surprising that so many teachers, after having accepted a year's appointment, have no conscientious scruples, apparently, in breaking their contract. As we stated in a previous report school boards are not inclined to stand in the way of a teacher's advance- ment, and would seldom refuse to release them when so requested and upon proper notice, but instead of such request to have pre- sented a peremptory resignation, is anything but agreeable to say the least.
As we have heard the same complaint from other towns the trouble must be quite general and we believe a law should be passed to remedy the evil.
We have several other cases in addition to the above, two of which particularly we wish to mention. Miss Martha Sprague an efficient teacher in the High School and Miss E. K. Nott, a ·very capable primary teacher were both stolen from us, not, however, by any School Committee or Superintendent, but in each case the theft was committed by a young man, each of whom previously had borne a good reputation for honesty. As in the
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other cases mentioned we know of no law to prevent such thefts but while we deplore the loss of two good teachers, we can but congratulate the young men in their selection of such worthy companions for their life's journey.
Miss C. E. Emerson was granted a year's leave of absence in September and Miss C. L. Burrill, assistant in the Advanced Gram- mar school, was appointed as substitute for the year, and Miss L. Wilkins of Lynnfield, a graduate of our High School, and later a graduate of the Boston University, was appointed as assistant in the Advanced Grammar school.
There have been but few changes in the High School. Miss Grace Weston was appointed in March as temporary assistant to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss H. J. Folsom, an excellent teacher whom we were sorry to lose, but an increased salary with probable advancement in the Newton High School was an irresistable inducement. Miss Weston's work proving acceptable she was later appointed as permanent assistant. In our report of last year we spoke of the need of another assistant in this school and during the summer Miss F. M. Locke, an ex- perienced teacher, was appointed, and we believe the results in the school work have justified us in making the increase.
It is of great importance and especially in a High School, that the teachers should be not only well fitted for their work, but that they should be congenial, working well together without friction, and we are happy to say that such is the present condition in our High School. The question of omitting the graduation exercises is still an open one. Teachers are almost unanimous in their disapproval of these exhibitions, a former principal pronouncing them a nuisance and wishing they might be discontinued. We believe school boards would be glad to omit them but for the fact that the public practically demand them.
HIGH SCHOOL CADETS.
The Cadets, though not standing quite so high in the School Regiment as in previous years, still hold a commendable position, and we believe would have stood higher except for circumstances over which they had no control, a rule being in force allowing schools to pick the best men from their different companies, which was manifestly unjust to the smaller schools. We are glad to learn that the Principals have rescinded this rule.
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The study of military tactics in our country schools is of too recent adoption to expect perfection in all details, but one can see much improvement since the first field day in our town in 1890. Gen. Dalton believes that field work would be preferable to the present annual parade ; that the boys would learn more of actual military life and tactics which would prove of real value.
High School Principal's Report.
MR. A. H. THAYER, Chairman of School Committee,
DEAR SIR :- At your request I again present a few thoughts in regard to the condition and needs of the Wakefield High School.
The work of the year has been a busy one, and, in general, quite satisfactory. In my report a year ago, attention was di- rected to the fact that more teaching force was urgently needed. This want was supplied during the spring term by the appoint- ment of an additional assistant teacher, and the regular work of the school was put upon its proper basis. Longer recitation periods were allowed, the work was carefully arranged into de- partments, useful studies, for which there was no place in the crowded program of the earlier part of the year, were once more taken up, and the school was again running along smoothly and orderly. The new course, which was mentioned in last year's report, has been in operation for a year and a half, and is surely proving the wisdom of its adoption. More systematic arrange- ment of subjects, former courses of study properly lengthened and new ones added, supplemented by the aid of the newest and most scholarly text books, have certainly raised the grade of the school during the past two years. The amount required of a pupil for graduation today is on an equality with the best High Schools of the state. The course of study is printed elsewhere in this report, and it is not my purpose to write further in regard to it, except to speak of the College Course.
Four years are given for a student to complete his preparation for college. This requires a great amount of work during the last two years. If a pupil is in good health and is determined to
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accomplish the full preparatory work, the school is ready and willing to render all the aid in its power for that end ; but unless the conditions are very favorable I strongly urge that pupils spend five years in regular preparation. That amount of time is re- quired in the best schools, and without question a better prepa- ration, together with a strong body and a sound mind, is of more service to any student than the apparent gain of a year in time.
The higher institutions are crowding the secondary schools with more and more work. As an illustration, the Institute of Technology, in its catalogue recently issued, announces that " in June, 1894, and thereafter, applicants will be required to pass an examination in Solid Geometry or in Advanced Algebra. It is the intention of the Faculty to require both of these subjects at no distant date." Under such conditions it will be necessary for students to do extra work and for the school to find room and teaching force for two more subjects in its curriculum.
As the higher institutions necessarily set the standard for the High School, so the latter should in a measure receive as much support as possible in elementary preparation from the lower schools. A great deal is being said today at educational meetings and in our great reviews and papers about the possibility of en- riching the courses of the Grammar grades by adding elementary science, language, and mathematics, studies which are continued in the High School, and weeding out much that is unnecessary for the practical use and actual needs of the pupil. Certain it is that something must be done to relieve the pressure on the four years of High School work.
Pupils who have taken the examinations to enter higher insti- tutions, have been successful in every instance. Perhaps it is not generally known how many students from Wakefield attend higher institutions. At the present time graduates of the school are to be found in Harvard College, Harvard Medical School, Lawrence Scientific School, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts College, Smith College, Massa- chusetts Agricultural College, and the Salem Normal School. One of last year's graduates, who had not taken any special work for such a purpose, and who had not informed his teachers even that he intended to seek a higher education, not only successfully entered college last fall, but even passed the first year's examina- tion in one course of science, the only member of the class to do
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it. These facts are mentioned in no spirit of self-praise but as a just statement of the exact work of the school.
The work of a teacher is of so peculiar a nature, that it often brings discouragements, due to the fact that he can not see any marked results of his work from day to day. In fact some days it seems as though pupils had lost what had been gained in pre- vious lessons. At such times the schoolmaster envies the rattan worker, who sees an artistic chair before him as the result of a few hours labor, or the builder, who, as the last sounds of ham- mer and chisel are heard, gazes with satisfaction at the day's advance toward the completion of some beautiful stone edifice. Therefore, the teachers of the High School were pleased recently, when Mr. McDonald, an agent of the State Board of Education, spoke in high terms of the general work in English in the school, in comparison with what he had noticed in other High Schools. Words of encouragement aid greatly when results are dimly seen from day to day.
The whole number of pupils enrolled during the year is one hundred and twenty-nine, an increase of twenty-one during the past two years. Attention must again be called to the average daily attendance of scholars. For a school showing progress in other departments, it seems strange that general attendance does not improve. Doubtless an unusual amount of sickness has been the cause of a considerable portion of absence, and yet many cases occur every week, where it seems that little or no excuse is given for failure to attend to duty. The average daily per cent. of attendance is nearly one per cent. lower than the average a year ago. I consider that school is the scholar's daily business, and that there is no more reason for non-attendance upon these duties than there would be for a young man to be asking for per- mission to be away from some commercial establishment. Pupils who after graduation are obliged to work throughout the year from 7 a. m. to 6 p. m., are frequently tardy and dismissed in a school session which extends only from 8.30 a. m. to 1.30 p. m. I respectfully request that the matter be given due attention by the parents of the pupils. It is not simply an annoyance to the teacher. but a great injury to the pupils themselves and a positive detriment to the best interests of the school.
The physical department of the school has been kept up to the standard of the past. The military company is still a member
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of the Second Massachusetts School Regiment, which serves as a stimulus for the best efforts of the Cadets in healthful competi- tion with other institutions. The girls in their exercises are worthy of favorable notice, although they work at a disadvantage. They are obliged to drill in the school-room, and are greatly hampered in dumb-bell exercises and in marching by the desks and other furniture of the room. Some regular system of physi- cal education might well be introduced into the schools through- out the town. It surely should not be confined to this grade, for in many instances the body has been trained to its permanent form and condition, while in the elementary schools.
When speaking of a wide-a-wake school in a growing town, whose citizens expect as good schools as in neighboring cities, at a time, too, when the science education is making greater strides than ever before, it is unnecessary of course, to claim that the High School does not have increasing wants. Reference books are especially needed,-encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases. The latest and best tools are needed in the workshop in these days. Apparatus for science work wears out and must be repaired or replaced. Much has been added during the past year or two, as illustrative helps, and yet much more is needed. This may seem strange to those who have not had an opportunity to watch the swift advance of educa- tional methods, but the keynote of the educational expert today is object lesson and experiment. Concrete illustration takes the place of abstract statement, and the school that fails to meet the issue is living in the past, not in the present.
The large room on the third floor, formerly occupied by the Centre First Grammar school, should be converted into a large recitation room or hall for immediate use. A better purpose than that, how- ever, might be for the introduction of Manual Training. Sooner or later, Wakefield, well-known for its high class of industries, must see its way clear to put this important branch of study into its school curriculum. A splendid opportunity for a beginning is presented in the vacant room on the third floor in the High School building.
The school continues to receive presents for its walls. A fine portrait of the late Cyrus Wakefield, Esq., an appropriate gift, was presented to the school by Mrs. Harriet N. Flint ; and on Columbus Day a bust of the great discoverer was donated by the entering class. The school itself has recently purchased a Miller Parlor Grand Piano to take the place of the old instrument, which had become worn-out
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from service. This will be paid for from the receipts of exhibitions given by the school.
The discipline of the school was never better. The system of moral obligation and of just treatment of others has certainly gained a signal victory. The best of feeling seems to exist between pupil and instructor, and it is the endeavor of the Principal to foster this spirit.
History, science, language and mathematics are taught faithfully, it is believed, and with some success in the Wakefield High School, but grander and nobler thoughts cluster around much of each day's teaching. The nobility of high character must be emphasized, the love of justice and truth honored, and the grandeur of patriotism ingrafted into the minds of the pupils. Surely, the proper education today of the boy and girl in the Wakefield public school is a "prepa- ration for the duties and responsibilities of life."
Respectfully yours, C. T. C. WHITCOMB, Principal.
PROGRAMME.
CLASS MOTTO,-"Faith, Courage and Endeavor Guide to New Worlds."
GRAND MARCH. "The Iron Cross." Emil Isenman. Wakefield Orchestral Club.
MUSIC. "High School March."
Veazie.
SALUTATORY.
Carrie Etta Packard.
ORATION. "Political Corruption."
Charles Herbert Sweetser.
RECITATION. "The Whistling Regiment." J. C. Harvey. Jennie Elizabeth Draper.
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