USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1900-1902 > Part 63
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When those who criticize become perfect in their business and family relations, then, and not till then, should they expect perfection in teachers and in results of school work. If a year were to pass without complaints and criticisms, I should think my last days were at hand, or that the Millennium had arrived,
Our teachers are invariably conscientious and careful al-
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though, in common with other mortals, liable to mistakes. I urge parents to visit the schools as often as possible and see the good work that is being done by our excellent corps of teachers. Give them your sympathy and cooperation, help them in every way possible to understand your child and his needs, and I am sure you will have greater respect for the teacher and a higher appreciation of her work. Re- member that her work is hard and exacting, that she has a thousand things to contend with that few parents realize anything about, and then help her all you can.
The exhibitions of school work which were held in the various school buildings last June were, on the whole, very satisfactory, reflecting credit upon teachers and pupils. The interest in these exhibitions evinced by the large number of parents in attendance was especially gratifying.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
During the present year there has been considerable crowding in various buildings. At the Greenwood school the number of pupils has been so great that it has been necessary to employ three extra teachers as assistants in the overcrowded rooms. At the Lincoln building the pressure was so great that we were unable to accommodate the fifth grade from the Franklin school as has been done heretofore, and these pupils were sent to the Hamilton building. In some of the other buildings, however, the schools have been smaller than last year so that the increase in attendance for the town is not so great as might be in- dicated from the congestion in certain schools.
When schools opened in September a difficulty arose over the order of the committee to send the fifth grade from the Franklin to the Hamilton school. Parents objected on account of the danger, real or imagined, at the railroad crossing. The only way out of the difficulty, satisfactory
242
to the parents, was to have the children transported in a barge.
A contract was made with Mr. James G. Hunt to do this work, the matter was presented to the town and an appro- priation granted.
Overcrowding and transportation difficulties will cease with the opening of the new Junction school and the com- pletion of the addition to the Greenwood school, and I think that these improvements will solve the problem of school acccommodation for several years. Wakefield will then have ample accommodations for all her school children in their respective districts, accommodations of which, on the whole, she may well be proud. The buildings are all in good condition and, in most cases, possess all the modern improvements so necessary for the comfort and pleasure of the pupils.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK.
Perhaps no habit of greater importance to the boys and girls can be cultivated than that of thrift. It is very easy for children to earn a little money. Some have spending money given to them regularly to do with as they please. In the majority of cases the small change thus at the free dis- posal of children is spent in a way to bring no lasting bene- fit, while often in a way physically harmful. How much better it would be for the children to learn to save a portion of this money. Better because it would cultivate a habit which would be of incalculable benefit to them in the future, and better because they could thereby accumulate a little capital to be invested in something greatly needed. The value of school savings banks has long been recognized, and public spirited and philanthropic people have established such savings systems in many schools in various countries. wherever such a system has been established it has invaria- bly proven successful.
In the city of Lynn the savings of the children through
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the stamp saving system amounts to nearly $9000 annually. The population of Lynn is nearly seven times that of Wakefield, and if the same proportion held good here, the success would not only be very gratifying, but of great im- portance to individuals and to the community.
We hope soon to see a stamp savings system in operation in some or all of our schools. The Educational Association and the Kosmos Club are interested in the venture. Mrs. Tingley, president of the Kosmos, and others have offered to advance sufficient money to make a small beginning in this matter through the stamp savings society of Boston, if no provision is made to raise money to establish our own system.
THE STORM SIGNAL.
To ring or not to ring is a very perplexing question to the superintendent. If he rings the signal for no school on stormy days he is sure to be criticised by those who think that the schools should not be interrupted for any reason. If he does not ring, he will be criticised by those who do not wish their children exposed to inclement weather. Just how severe a storm should be a warrant closing schools is a matter of judgment, and the question would be decided differently by different individuals.
I sometimes wish there was no such thing as a storm signal ; then, as in former years, parents would be obliged to assume the responsibility of deciding whether or not it was prudent for their children to go out. Now if the sig- nal does not ring when they think it ought, the superin- tendent is held to be culpably negligent.
My practice is to close schools only when the necessity seems obvious. Even then it is easy to make a mistake, for it is always difficult and sometimes impossible to correct- ly forecast the weather an hour in advance. It is em- barrassing to strike the signal and an hour later have the storm cease and the sun shine. If there is much doubt I
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prefer to keep the schools open and leave the responsibility with the parents, either to send or keep their children at home. I know such days play havoc with our record of attendance, a matter in which all teachers take pride, and in which the majority of pupils are interested. On such days when half or more of the pupils are absent it is difficult to accomplish much as the same work has to be taken up the next day with the other children. On the other hand if the schools are closed a large number of children are sure to be found on the streets who would be better off at school. It is also a serious matter to close the doors to two thousand pupils and stop a work that costs over $200 a day. I shall endeavor to be conservative in the matter and shall expect parents to at least share the responsibility, even though the attendance is poor on stormy days.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The efficiency of the high school has never been greater than at the present time. The departments are all running smoothly and the interest and earnest application of the students are worthy of special commendation. Here it is that so many young men and young women are fitting them- selves for the active duties of life or preparing for more advanced school work. Whatever be the object striven for I believe that the opportunities for reaching the desired re- sults are of the very best. I further believe that these opportunities are fully appreciated by nearly every pupil enrolled. It should be the duty of all interested to see that the present high standard is maintained. This can only be possible by exercising the utmost care in selecting teachers and in liberally furnishing the necessary equipment.
Mr. Howe's report contains a very complete statement of the work and needs of the high school and should be care- fully read by all interested.
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EVENING SCHOOL.
The large number attending the evening school last year led us to believe that such a school was very much desired in this town. Accordingly an evening school was opened October 14. The attendance was rather disappointing as to numbers. Only 48 have been enrolled and the average membership has been less than 30. Three rooms were opened, one for book-keeping, one for mechanical drawing and one for the common school studies. These were con- tinued up to the Christmas vacation, when the bookkeeping class was stopped. The other two rooms are still kept open three nights a week but will probably be discontinued soon. Considering the number attending the work has been satis- factory. Very marked improvement has been manifested in many individual cases.
The school committee deem it unwise to ask for an appropriation to continue this school another year.
MILITARY INSTRUCTION.
Lieut. Walton, in his report calls attention to present conditions in military instruction and makes certain recom- mendations which to him seem desirable.
His desire for more time for drill is natural and I think justifiable if the drill is to be continued and best results expected.
The question is can we, or ought we, to take any more time from other school work and increase the time for mili- tary drill. It partly depends upon how important this matter is in the minds of the people of this town and partly upon the value of the training. Its value is something I cannot pretend to estimate, for an agreement would be hard to reach in this matter; but the question of its importance to the people of this town is one I should like to have answered. As a means of physical training and develop-
246
ment it can never approximate, in value, a good system of physical training. It does have, however, some value, yes, considerable value, in giving a boy control of his muscles, in making them respond quickly and to act in harmony with his mind. With this training a boy ought to walk more erect and carry himself with greater dignity. It should also lead him to recognize the need of definite and absolute authority in certain conditions of life, and to understand the necessity of unquestioned obedience when under such rightful authority. In other words it ought to conserve the interest of good government at school and render the individual obedient and submissive to the neces- sary regulations and restraints by captains and managers of athletic teams. If military instruction does tend to pro- duce these and other desired results, then it doubtless has a rightful place in the high school. Failing to produce sub- stantial evidence of good it is entitled to very little time and consideration.
Some question arose last fall as to the wisdom of con- tinuing this instruction. It was finally decided to make it elective for all classes instead of for the senior class alone as heretofore. A little fear was experienced at the time by those interested in the matter that by making it elective not enough would take the drill to make a battalion of two companies. The result proved these fears groundless. A large per cent. of the boys elected drill so that the bat- talion, with one exception, is the largest in the history of the school. In this way only those interested take drill and the result is better work by all, for even a few who are not interested and who are careless render the appearance and work of the whole battalion less satisfactory and efficient.
It is uncertain just how the elective feature will affect future battalions. It may lead to smaller companies and finally to an abandonment, of the work. Should such be
247
the case it would prove that there was not sufficient interest in and demand for military drill to warrant continuing the same. On the other hand if there is no falling off in num- bers and interest, the question settles itself in a way satis- factory to all.
Lieut. Walton and the officers of the battalion all report an unusual interest in the work and we expect to see a very fine showing at the final drill this year.
MANUAL TRAINING.
Under this head is included the wood work given to the boys of the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, and the sew- ing for girls in grades five to seven inclusive. I am pleased to report great interest by those in charge as well as by the pupils taking the work. Of course it would not be strange that among so large a number of pupils some would be found who were not interested. We have a few such among the boys, but they are from those who have to come from another building to the manual training room for the work. This is a matter that causes considerable annoy- ance. Three classes come to manual training from the Warren school, and one each from the Greenwood and Hurd schools. So far as possible these classes have their work in the afternoon, coming directly from their homes to manual training and being dismissed for home from the same. As the teacher in charge of the work is employed only for part time, but three afternoon classes can be accommodated. At present two forenoon classes come from the Warren school and it is necessary that the trip be made one way by each class in school hours. The teacher cannot accompany the class and I am sorry to say that we have had many complaints as to the unsatisfactory conduct of some of these pupils. The annoyance from this cause would be reduced to the minimum if all the outside classes could meet in the afternoon. This would be possible only by employ-
248
ing a teacher full time. A manual training room in the different buildings would do away with the difficulty alto- gether, but the cost of equipping these rooms precludes the possibility of such an arrangement.
The work that the boys and girls are now doing along the line of manual training is, to my mind, as important, if not the most important work undertaken in the graded schools. The results are extremely satisfactory as to fin- ished products, and the benefit to the individual student is unquestionably large. It is a benefit apparent not merely in ability acquired to make articles like or similar to those made in the school, but all this hand work, which must be done carefully and accurately, has a definite iufluence upon the intellectual work of the pupil, making him more observ- ing and more correct. It often becomes the means of keep- ing pupils in school who would otherwise drop out, for a pupil deeply interested in one thing will, through that in- terest, frequently become interested in other lines of school work which before possessed little attraction.
At present no opportunity is offered in any branch of manual training beyond the grammar school. Probably the time is not ripe for an extension of this work upward, but sometime in the future a demand will undoubtedly be made and an opportunity given for pupils in the high school to elect work in manual training. This should consist of ad- vanced wood work in the line of joining and wood carving and turning. A more advanced stage would include iron work. In some places an equipment for such work is ob- tained from private sources. It is possible that there are those in this town deeply interested in this work who would be glad to give some very substantial and tangible evidence of their interest.
There is a slight expansion of the manual training work that I would recommend : Namely, some simple and light hand work for the boys of the fifth and sixth grades to
249
occupy their time while the girls in those grades have sew- ing. An equipment for this would be comparatively trifling in cost. The work would be in charge of the manual train- ing teacher but carried out in part by the regular teacher. This would make a good foundation for the shop work which begins later and also interest the boys at a time and age when school interests often begin to lag.
The reports of the manual training teachers are appended. I heartily commend their work and ask your consideration of their reports.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
The work in music and drawing this year has been fully up to the standard of previous years. A good degree of interest has been maintained in each and in some cases par- ticularly fine results obtained.
The specimens of drawing presented at our exhibit last June clearly demonstrated that good work was being done in this subject. Many individual specimens were finely ex- ecuted and prove that it is possible to develop to a consider- able degree, whatever talent a pupil may have in this direction.
To fully appreciate Mr. Wilson's work in the schools one needs to accompany him as he goes from grade to grade. The results are uniformly good and the value of the train- ing thus received cannot be overestimated in the life of the child.
Your attention is directed to the reports of Miss Parker and Mr. Wilson which are appended.
Respectfully submitted, U. G. WHEELER,
Superintendent of Schools.
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High School Principal's Report.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
Sir :- I herewith present my seventh annual report, and the tenth in the series of high school principals' reports.
The work of the past year has presented no particularly marked features. Good, steady work has been done in all the departments of the school. If any feature were to be selected for mention, perhaps the introduction of a new and revised course of study would be the most important. A copy of this course is incorporated as a part of this report, together with a circular note sent to the parents of all pupils in the school except the seniors and also to those of the ninth grade or incoming class. The new course allows a much wider choice of studies than hitherto, especially in the third and fourth year classes. In the first two years, when pupils are younger and more immature, the range of choice is more limited, though less so than under the course that has been superseded. It is possible for a pupil who chooses to do so to enter at once the commercial depart- ment, although all the subjects of the first year's work are not distinctively commercial branches.
I shall be curious to note what effect, if any, the greater freedom of choice of studies will have upon the member- ship of the school, whether or not a larger percentage of pupils entering the school will remain to graduate. As à basis for comparison, I have prepared a table showing the loss of pupils as they have passed from class to class in the school. This table covers a period of six years when the range of choice was more limited and the courses less flex- ible than now. Your attention is called to the fact in every year with a single exception more pupils have left the
251
school after being in school two years than at any other time, and that those pupils who complete the first three years' work, are quite likely to remain in school and finish the course.
LOSS OF MEMBERSHIP AT END OF
First year.
Second year.
Third year.
1894, 46 percent.
19 percent.
30 percent.
1895, 24
26
10
66
1896, 23
37 66
20
66
1897, 25 66
32
9
1898, 16 66
21
3
66
1899, 17
23
11
The new course went into effect September, 1901, and the figures for this year are as follows :
First year.
Second year.
Third year.
1902, 18 percent.
22 percent.
4 percent.
The statistics upon which these percentages are based are as follows :
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
Number graduated,
21
26
16
20
31
39
33
50*
Average age of senior class at graduation, .
19
1811
19
191 12
18
OC 12
1810
Senior class, Feb. 1,
26
16
20
30
40
33
50
Senior class, when en-
tered,
. 54
48
53
51
62
78
57
84
Junior class, Feb. 1, 29
20
22
31
45
34
52
61
Junior class, when en-
tered,
48
53
51
62
78
57
84
105
Second year class, Feb.1, 27
35
46
57
44
64
78
74
Second year class, when
entered,
53
51
62
78
57
84
105
94
First year class, Feb. 1. 46
60
76
52
77
67
90
105
First year class, when
entered,
51
62
78
57
84
105
94
115
12
12
21
.
.
* Estimated.
It will be interesting to observe the choices made by the pupils and parents at the beginning of this school year, as they appear in she following tables :
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NUMBER OF PUPILS PURSUING THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF STUDY, SEPTEMBER. 1901.
Subjects.
year.
year.
Third Fourth year. year.
Total.
English
113
75
65
51
304
Latin .
32
40
25
21
118
Greek
. .
19
6
8
33
French
. .
48
39
20
107
German
20
11
33
Algebra
113
75
18
S
101
Commercial Arithmetic
52
24
19
95
Book-keeping .
27
22
19
68
Botany
81
. .
. .
81
Civics
81
. .
. .
9
44
Chemistry
. .
. .
. .
17
17
Geology
. .
. .
PERCENTAGE OF PUPILS PURSUING THE DIFFERENT BRANCHES OF STUDY, SEPTEMBER. 1901.
Subjects.
First year.
Second year.
Third year.
Fourth year.
English
100
100
100
100
Latin
28
53
38
41
Greek
. .
25
9
16
French
64
60
39
German
31
22
Algebra .
100
37
. .
Geometry
·
100
28
16
Commercial Arithmetic.
46
36
34
37
Botany
72
. .
. .
. .
Civics
72
. .
.
. .
·
68
52
43
Stenography
. .
. .
40
24
Penmanship
46
. .
45
45
Correspondence
. .
45
45
Singing
100
100
100
100
Drawing
53
31
9
2
Typewriting
. .
. .
42
43
.
Singing
113
75
65
51
304
Drawing
60
23
6
1
90
Typewriting
. .
. .
27
22
49
. .
35
34
22
168
Stenography
. .
. .
26
12
38
Penmanship
52
. .
29
23
104
Correspondence
29
23
52
History
61
51
24
. .
137
Geometry
. .
.
. .
. .
. .
37
37
Book-keeping
Physics
47
15
Chemistry
31
Geology
20
. .
History
54
13
13
81
Physics
First Second
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SIZE OF SCHOOL.
The largest number of pupils in the history of the school has been in attendance during the past year, the number rising above the three hundred mark. The large increase over the number in attendance in the past is due to the size of the entering class and the comparatively small class to graduate last June. I estimate that there will be little or no increase in number next year, inasmuch as the graduat- ing class is a large one, numbering fifty at the present time, and the incoming class will probably be small. Further- more, no new Lynnfield pupils are expected to enter.
TEACHERS.
Our experience in securing and retaining teachers has been at once singularly fortunate and decidedly unfortu- nate. I have been interested to make a study of the changes that have come annually in our corps of teachers and present the following table :
Percentage of NEW teachers in the corps in
1895, 80 percent. 1898, 43 percent.
1896, 50
1899, 44 66
1897, 38
1900, 30
1901, 54
The average of these seven years is 47%. This means that the corps is practically a new one every other year. In other words the teachers whom you employ remain in the service of the town only two years. Of the present corps of eleven teachers, only four have been in service more than a year and half, while six were new to Wake- field last September. The effect of this constant change of teachers is well known to those connected with school work. It is a great obstacle to the highest efficiency, as is well understood. The faculties of the colleges are permanent
254
bodies, as also are those of the great schools. Whether such towns as Wakefield can afford to allow conditions to remain such that constant change is the rule rather than the exception is a problem well worthy of consideration.
The reasons for the condition of things as indicated above in the table are not far to seek. In the last seven years, twenty-eight different teachers have been employed in the school. Of these, eleven are now in service. Of the remaining seventeen, three are married, the schools of Boston have claimed the services of three and others have left us for positions in such schools as the Lynn High School, Newton High, Robinson Female Seminary, Whea- ton Seminary, Troy High (New York), and Auburn High (Maine).
We have been fortunate in securing teachers such that authorities of schools like the above deemed them desirable additions to their forces and we were equally unfortunate in being unable to retain them any material length of time, owing to our inability to overcome the greater financial attractions offered by larger and richer cities.
Coming years will see no change in the situation. It is quite probable that each year will bring a large percentage of change, until present conditions are materially modified.
GIFT TO THE SCHOOL.
The Faneuil Hall Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, at its December meeting, presented the school with a beautiful solar print of Old Ironsides under full sail. The frame, as well as the picture itself, is of historic inter- est, being made entirely of wood taken from Admiral Dewey's flagship, Olympia. The presentation address was made in fitting words by Mrs. Ida Farr Miller, chairman of the picture committee, and the thanks of the school are due Mrs. Miller and the Fancuil Hall Chapter for their noble and inspiring gift.
255
MISCELLANEOUS.
The prizes given by the Wakefield High School Alumni Association for best essays written by seniors were awarded as follows : First prize, Harold D. Paine, second prize, Miss M. Lillian Smith and honorable mention, Arthur A. Howard.
The following members of the class of 1901 entered college last fall : Helen W. White, Vassar; Alice C. Per- ley, Wellesley ; Grace M. Mason, William F. Furbush, Boston University ; M. Lillian Smith, Radcliffe ; J. Thomas Keady, Dartmouth ; Arthur A. Howard, Brown University ; Lee T. Carleton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ; Lillian F. Worth, Salem Normal School ; Edward F. Brani- gan, Tufts College Dental School ; Dana B. Mayo, Boston University Medical School; Harold D. Paine, Robert F. Preston, Lowell Textile School ; Thomas A. Reardon, Bos- ton College.
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