USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual report of the officials of Oakham, Massachusetts 1906 > Part 6
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Fifteen lots have received especial care, the expense being borne by the individual owners.
LOTS NOW PROVIDED WITH PERPETUAL CARE.
Gould lot in West cemetery.
Fobes lot in West cemetery.
S. Lincoln lot in West cemetery.
Ripley lot in West cemetery.
Kimball lot in West cemetery.
Edmund Dean lot in South cemetery.
Cheney Reed lot in South cemetery.
Sumner Reetl lot in South cemetery,
Andrew Spooner lot in South West cemetery.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE ALLEN, J. P. FAIRBANK, MASON S. DEAN, Cemetery Committee.
REPORT OF The School Committee.
STATISTICS.
Number of pupils enrolled, 105
Average membership, 88.9
Average attendance,
83.8
Percentage of attendance, 93.2
APPROPRIATIONS AND OTHER RESOURCES.
School fund of 1907,
$964 99
Support of school, 1200 00
School superintendent, 60 60
State return for school superintendent. 187 50
Education of state children, 34 00
Education of Boston children,
185 00
Education of Lyman school children,
22 50
High school tuition refunded,
136 00
Sale of school supplies. 2 02
----- $2792 01
School Expenses. · SALARIES.
Paid Superintendent H. J. Jones, $240 00
Miss Florence E. Bothwell, 320 00
Miss Ethel Braman, 300 00
Miss Julia E. Connelly, 330 00
24
Paid Miss Ruth E. Butterfield,
$320 00
Mrs. Effie T. Swindell, 320 00
1
Mrs. George Edson, 20 00
Miss Dorothy D. Keyes, musical in- structor,
25 00
Mr. S. E. Rich,
20 00
- -$1895 00
TRANSPORTATION.
Paid Mrs. George Edson, $42 40
SUPPLIES.
Paid for supplies,
$100 80
FUEL.
Paid William Gaffney,
$19 50
W. R. Dean,
27 00
M. S. Dean,
15 00
O. D. Tottingham,
21 00
Walter Bullard,
23 00
S. F. Fairbank,
18 00
J. P. Fairbank,
24 00
$147 50
TUITION.
Paid town of Barre,
$136 00
Town of Rutland,
8 00
-
$144 00
CARE OF HOUSES.
Paid Morton Butterfield,
$9 75
Francis Gaffney,
6 00
Harlan Angier,
39 52
May Robinson,
10 15
$65 42
,
25
REPAIRS.
Paid for repairs,
$10 16
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid Jesse Allen, services, $38 00
M. L. Woodis, services, 17 00
Postage and telephoning, 2 25
$57 25
$2462 53
It is with feelings of the deepest sadness that we are obliged to record the death of our associate on the school board for so many years, Dea. Horace W. Lincoln. Our schools will greatly miss his genial presence and wise counsel.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE ALLEN, MINNIE L. WOODIS, School Committee.
26
ROLL OF HONOR.
The pupils named below were neither absent nor tardy for the number of terms specified :
CENTER SCHOOLS. One term : Mildred Burt, Annie Chris- tiansen, James Garland, Evelyn Clifford, John O'Donnell, Walter Hennick, Joseph Massison, George Grimes, Orton Butler, Charles Christian, Joseph Cowan, Mary Elliot, Charles Keep. Agnes Woodis, William Morse, Alice Bullard.
Two terms: Orvis Banks, Allie Swindell, John O'Donnell, Raymond Thresher. Lavander Clifford, Hazel Grimes, Rose Rymill.
Three terms: George Dean, John Marshall. Arthur Rymill, Orvis Banks, Harold Dunham, Nellie Hale, James MacDonald. Blanche Yeo, Ida Yeo.
COLDBROOK SCHOOL. One term : Henry Blake, Earle Par- ker, Lester Howe, Earle Lawless.
Two terms: Doris Bruce, Ralph Cody, Marion Winslow, Le Roy Monroe.
Three terms: Evelyn Cody, Beatrice Monroe, Susie Wins- low.
SOUTH SCHOOL. One term : Donald Rutherford, Minnie Rutherford, Marion Rutherford, Louis Glover, Hazel Robinson, Ruby Bullard, Fred Kenney, Lottie Thresher, Robert Luce, James Kenney. /
Three terms: Bernard Dean, May Robinson, JJohn Robin- son.
WEST School. One term : May Scott, Willie Moran, Thomas Moran.
Tico terms: Edward Gaffney.
Three terms: Francis Gaffney, Annie Gaffney, Willie Gaffney.
.
27
REPORT OF AUDITOR.
This is to certify that I have examined and approved all original bills and vouchers of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, school committee, road commissioner, library trustees, cemetery committee, tree and fire warden, and find them to be correct. I have also examined the accounts of the treasurer and collector, and find them to be correct.
W. M. ROBINSON, Auditor.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT OF
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
For the Year 1907.
BIRTHS.
DATE. CHILD'S NAME. PARENTS.
January 16, daughter, Marie Clarinda, to Joseph and Clarinda Greenwood.
March 20, son, James Kiernan, to James and Mary V. Leyden. May 16, daughter, Mary Gertrude, to John C. and Lillian Ruth- erford.
October 4, daughter, Dorila Rosalma, to Albert and Telerise Chagnon.
November 8, daughter, Grace Adelia, to Patrick and Kate O'Donnell.
MARRIAGES.
July 20, Charles L. Hall to Gertrude V. McDonald. October 29, Henry U. Crawford to Edith L. Bartlett.
29
DEATHS.
DATE.
Y.
M.
D.
May 25, Lewis N. Haskell,
79
11
0
June 5, Eliza J. Kimball,
63
8
5
July 7, John P. Gaffney,
38
11
19
July 25, Joseph B. Dwelly,
73
7
0
October 26, Ruth B. Clark,
96
9
29
Average age, seventy and one-half years.
BURIED IN TOWN.
March 29, Lucy B. Henry,
91
April 22, Benjamin Nourse,
79
May 9, Bertha M. Fobes.
47
5
June 30, Frank E. Burt,
41
August 18, Thomas A. Loring,
79
6
Nov. 6, George Duffy,
81
4
27
Population, 519.
Number of voters, male, 131; female, 10.
Number of dogs licensed, 69; male, 62 ; female, 7.
JESSE ALLEN. Town Clerk.
Warrant for Town Meeting.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
WORCESTER, SS.
To Walter R. Dean, or either of the constables of the town of Oakham, in the County of Worcester,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Oakham, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, known as "Memorial Hall," on Monday, the sixth day of April next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, to wit :
Article 1st. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2d. To hear the annual report of the several town officers and act thereon.
Article 3d. To bring in their votes for one Selectman, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee, for three years, one School Committee for two years, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, Highway Surveyor, three Fence Viewers and six Constables, for one year. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" all on one ballot. Ballot to be folded as received, when presented for deposit in the ballot box. The polls to be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
31
Article 4th. To choose all necessary town officers and committees for the ensuing year not required to be elected by ballot.
Article 5th. To see what compensation the town will allow their Treasurer and Collector.
Article 6th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any money for the relief of poor and needy soldiers, as required under Chapter 79, Revised Laws, Sections 18 and 19, 1902.
Article 7th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for bonding their officials.
Article 8th. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for ensuing year.
Artiele 9th. To raise such sums of money as may be nec- essary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
Article 10th. To see if the town will authorize the treas- urer, with approval of the selectmen, to borrow such sums of money in anticipation of taxes as may be necessary for the ensuing year.
Article 11th .. To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as prepared by the selectmen.
Article 12th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes the ensuing year.
Article 13th. To see if the town will employ some person to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock and Library Building for the ensning year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 14th. To determine the manner of supporting paupers the year ensuing.
Article 15th. To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lamps the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 16th. To see if the town will vote to have their valuation by the Assessors printed the ensuing year.
32
Article 17th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the proper observance of Memorial Day.
Article 18th. To see if the town will appoint some person or persons as agents to prosecute and defend all suits that may be brought for or against the town for the ensuing year.
Article 19th. To see if the town will take any action towards purchasing any chemical fire extinguishers, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 20th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate any money to complete the grading around the Fobes Memorial library building, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 2ist. To see if the town will vote to accept a deed of the Green Hollow Cemetery and take perpetual care of same, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 22d. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate any money to purchase a new road scraper, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 23d. To see if the town will accept the provision of Chapter 346 of the Acts and Resolves of 1902, to elect a Moderator to preside in all town meetings, except those for election of State officers during the year. or pass any vote rela- tive thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up three attested copies thereof, one at each of the Post Offices, and one at the Congregational meeting house, in said town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this twenty-first day of March, in this year one thousand nine hundred and eight.
HARRY B. PARKER, ) Selectmen JOHN P. DAY, of GARDNER M. DEAN, S Oakham.
EIGHTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Superintendent of Schools
FOR THE
CENTRAL WORCESTER UNION TOWNS : HOLDEN, OAKHAM, PAXTON, RUTLAND WORCESTER COUNTY, MASS.
MARCH, 1908
THE CENTRAL WORCESTER UNION.
The union was formed July 16, 1900. The services and salary of the superintendent are shared as follows: Holden, one-half; Rutland, one- fourth; Oakham, three-twentieths; Paxton, one-tenth. The superintendent's year begins August 1. Thirty-three teachers are employed in thirty schools. The chairman of the joint committee is Jesse Allen, of Oakham, and the secretary is Mrs. Addie M. Holden, of Holden. The members of the various committees, with the expiration of their respective terms, are shown below:
HOLDEN.
Mrs. Addie M. Holden, secretary,
Term Expires. 1908
William J. Powers,
1908
James A. Holden, chairman,
1909
Mrs. Martha E. Graham,
1909
Mrs. Anna P. Fay,
1910
T. Walter Howe,
1910
RUTLAND.
Term Expires.
Dennis E. Smith, chairman,
1908
William C. Temple,
1909
Louis M. Hanff, secretary,
1910
OAKHAM.
Term Expires.
Mrs. Minnie L. Woodis, secretary, Jesse Allen, chairman,
1908
1909
H. W. Lincoln,
1910
PAXTON.
Term Expires.
Walter E. Clark,
1909
Mrs. Susie E. Flint,
1910
Lewis S. Clapp,
1911
.
ANNUAL REPORT.
To the School Committees of Holden, Oakham, Parton, and Rutland:
In the terms of the statute, your towns constitute "a union for the purpose of employing a superintendent of schools." The superintendent has found it practicable to treat his entire field as a unit in all essential matters, and therefore reports to you as the "joint committee" who employ him.
The more important phases of the school enterprise are of common interest to the citizens of all the towns. A few things of local interest are treated under the title "Town Notes." Your agreement regarding the distribution of the superintend- ent's time and effort among the towns corresponds approxi- mately to the relative amount of work to be done, and no serious difficulty has been found in carrying out the agreement.
This eighth report, like its predecessors, is furnished to the several town printers to form a part of the annual pamphlet issued before the town meeting. The early meeting in Paxton makes an exception necessary there, and the superintendent's report goes to the citizens of that town in separate form.
ATTENDANCE.
Attention is called to the "Summary" below and to the tables which follow. The latter give the facts of attendance
SUMMARY OF ATTENDANCE.
HOLDEN.
OAKHAM.
PAXTON.
RUTLAND.
TOTAL.
No. enrolled since September 1, 1907,
478.
105.
97.
246.
926.
Average membership for year,
435.5
88.9
79.7
211.7
815.8
Average attendance for year,
391.8
66.3
189.4
731.3
Per cent. of attendance for year,
89.7
83.8 93.2
84.5
89.2
88.8
Per cent. of attendance for last year,
89.8
94.9
89.0
88.0
90.3
4
STATISTICAL TABLES.
HOLDEN.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS, 1907-08
No. Weeks
in Term.
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Attendance.
Per Cent.
for Year.
Tardiness.
High School.
A. K. Learned, Prin ... Marion E. Bascom ... Anjenette Newton,
Spring. Fall
12 12 15
60.9 61.6 59.0
51.8 57.6 51.5
89.9 93.4 87.2
90.2
79
Assistants
Margery A. Rice
12
43.3 35.4 37.4
3S.5 30.4 30.9
88.5 85.9 82.7
85.7
44
Center Grammar ..
Elizabeth A. Brown ... Elizabeth A. Brown ..
Winter
12
35.5 38.8 39.3
35.7 33.7
86.9
89.5
97
Jefferson,
Laura L. Chenery Laura L. Chenery
Spring_ Fall
12 12
29.7 21.5
27.0 19.7 14.6
90.7 91.7
17
First Primary
Laura L. Chenery
Winter
9
21.1
68.7
83.7
33 15
Jefferson,
Ella O. Petersen Rena E. Perkins_
Spring. Fall
12 12
31.8 36.3 32.8
29.0 34.1 27.3
92.0 94.1 83.5
89.9
61 75
Jefferson
(
Esther C. Hendricks. Esther C. Hendricks_ Esther C. Hendricks.
Spring Fall
12 12
32.9 27.1
30.3 26.3 25.5
92.8 93.6 88.5
91.6
29
Jefferson Grammar
Clara K. Bascom
12
Spring. Fall
12 12
29 3 23.5
25.4 21.5 20.4
86.7 91.4 88.8
89.0
4
Chaffin Grammar.
L. Ula Skelton Dagny Lindgren Dagny Lindgren
Winter
11
23.7 26.9 26.9
21.2 25.5 25.5
90.0 93.4 94.6
92.3
0
Quinapoxet Primary
A. Florence Kirby Martha E. Clark Martha E. Clark
Spring. Fall
12 12
20.0 17.5 16.0
18.4 16.8 16.5
92.1 83.1 87.2
87.5
31
Quina poxet Grammar
Winnifred P. Gregg Winnifred P. Gregg
Winter
12
13.7
16.5 16.4 13.2
89.4 93.3 90.7
91.1
3
(
Margaret Tracy Margaret Tracy Laura B. Desmarais
Spring Fall
12
13.6 15.2
10.6 14.3 13.2
77.0 94.0 91.7
87.6
17
(
M. Alice Morong. M. Alice Morong. M. Alice Morong.
Winter
12
14.0
9.2 14.0 13.7
91.9 99.2 98.0
96.4
14
1
Mary Early Mary Early. Ethel G. Ward
Winter
12
19.9
19.9 23.4 17.8
89.3 89.4
91.2
5
South
1
Sadie I. Packard Sadie I. Packard Sadic I. Packard
Spring. Fall
12 12
19.7 22.0
18.9 20.9 16.7
95.0 95.0 88.1
92.7
42 9
Unionville
Agnes L. Kirby Margaret Balcom. Mary F. Donovan.
Fall
12
48
Winter
12
26.6 26.3
21.2 22.7 21.0
79.8
84.1
40
1
Clara K. Bascom
12
25.5 33.6 32.0
23.3 30.7 27.9
87.2
89.9
41 20
Chaffin Primary
Elsie H. Crawshaw Annie C. Buck
Annie C. Buck.
Winter
11
23.0
12
Spring Fall
12
2
0
7
Winter
12
Spring. Fall
12
1
24
North Woods
1
Winter
12
14.3
12
Spring. Fall
12
2
Spring. Fall
12
12
21.0 26.2
94.9
10
Dawson
1
46
Winter
11
19.0
Spring
12
24.3
86.7 85.7
No. Cases of
21 42
Winter
Spring. Fall
12
38
Center Primary.
Margery A. Rice .. Margery A. Rice
Winter
12
Spring. Fall
12
31.8
89.5
92.0
68
10
Second Primary
Rena E. Perkins
Winter
12
Winter
9
28.9
91.3 91.3
20
Clara K. Bascom.
Winter
12
12
18.5 16.6
10.2 14.1
10
Springdale
1
Ethel H. Crowe
7
12
19
3
·
0
13
25
Intermediate
Elizabeth A. Brown
62
12
Spring Fall
4
38
-
39
.
5
PAXTON.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS, 1907-08
No. Weeks
in Term.
Average
Membership.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Attendance.
Per Cent.
for Year.
No. Cases of
Tardiness.
Primary
1
Anna F. Finnerty
Winter
5
33.9 40.9 33.2
28.5 33.9
83.7 82.9 67.0
77.9
0
Intermediate
M. Alice Conversc. M. Alice Converse.
Spring. Fall
19
25.7
21.9 26.2
85.4 87.3
41
M. Alice Converse.
Winter
6
30.0 28.0
23.5
83.5
85.4
20
Grammar.
Jennie R. Burnham Jennie R. Burnham Agnes W. Welche.
Spring. Fall
13
6
16.4
14.9
87.8 90.9
90.2
26
-
RUTLAND.
William S. Dunn,
Spring ...
13
28.6
27.0
94.4
22
Principal
George H. Boyden,
Principal Fall
12
28.4
27.2
95.9
'39
High School
John V. Jewett,
Principal
Louise Marcley,
Winter
15
28.9
27.0
9.35
91.6
56
Center Primary
Marion Kelleher
Marion Kelleher
Winter
10
30.8
81.4
86.8
61
Intermediate
Martha E. Bemis.
Fall
12
40.3 43.4 39.9
38.1 40.1
91.5 92.2
38
Martha E. Bemis
Winter
10
33.5
81.0
90.2
25
12
38.3 44.4
35.5 40.8
92.4 91.9
63
Grammar
Alice F. Dodge Beulah Higgins. Beulah Higgins.
Winter
10
41.9
37.1
SS.5
90.9
9
North Rutland.
Georgiana K. Fiske. Nellie K. Bishop_ Nellie K. Bishop.
Spring. Fall
12
36.0
25.1 33.0
87.1 91.8
32
Winter
10
34.0
25.2
73.9
84.3
52
West Rutland.
Marion Kelleher Joanna M. Kilmain Alice E. Buck
Spring. Fall Winter
12
10
25.8
21.5
83.6
SS.6
OAKHAM.
Center Primary
Ethel Braman. Ethel Braman. Ethel Braman.
Spring. Fall Winter
10 11
21.0 23.0 19.0
20.0 22.0 16.0
94.0 92.0 82.0
89.3
10
11
21.5 22.0 02.8
20.8 20.8 21.9
96.0 95.0 96.0
97.7 99.2
Coldbrook
|Ruth E. Butterfield.
Winter
11
16.4
15.8
96.1
97.7
10
13.8
13.6
South.
Mrs. Effie T. Swindell. Mrs. Effie T. Swindell. Mrs. Effie T. Swindell_
Winter
11
18.0
16.2
90.3
94.3
15
West.
Julia M. Connelly Julia M. Connelly Julia M. Connelly
Spring. Fall
12
14.0 17.0 12.6
11.2
SS.0
92.0
5
Winter
10
3 1 4 3 0 5 GOTO INNO COCOCO CONIA
Center Grammar ..
Florence E. Bothwell Florence E. Bothwell Florence E. Bothwell __
Spring Fall
Winter
11
10
13.3
13.0
Ruth E. Butterfield Ruth E. Butterfield
Spring Fall
11
13.5
13.4
98.6 93.9
Spring Fall
11
18.7
17.5
95.0
0
11
13.3 15.9
93.0
0
12
32 1 32.9
20.6 29.7
92.2 90.0
30
Assistant
Beulah Higgins
Spring. Fall
12
45.3 35.3
41.6 31.0 25.2
91.8 87.2
41
Martha E. Bemis.
Spring
12
Spring Fall
12
159 163
12
2S.S
19
15.0 15.8
13.8 13.9
91.8
53
38
Winter
Spring. Fall
19 12
47 37
Sarah T. Britton Ethel G. Tolman
22.4
102
13
12
53
26
11
95.7
1
6
in the various schools, together with the names of the teachers employed during the year.
Columns of figures are not particularly attractive, but let me ask some attention to these. The next to the last column shows the ratio of the actual attendance at the schools of those who belong to them. Probably five per cent. is sufficient allowance on the average, in usual conditions, for absence on account of sickness or other strictly unavoidable causes. Where the per cent. of attendance falls below ninety-five, there is likely to be a good deal of absence which has not been neces- sary, but only convenient.
The figures in the last column show the number of cases of tardiness occurring in the various schools in the several terms. If a pupil can get to the school at all, he can usually get there on time, if his parents care sufficiently about his doing so. Where the cases of tardiness are more than a half dozen or so each term, it probably indicates that many parents are too in- different about forming habits of punctuality in their children.
In order that full value may be received for the expenditure of the town on its schools, there must be regular and prompt attendance of the pupils. All parents are asked to co-operate with the school authorities in their efforts to make our losses less.
"MEDICAL INSPECTION."
Under the law of 1906, the second annual tests of sight and hearing have just been completed by the teachers, and the required reports made.
In June last, the teachers were asked for a special report regarding the results of the first tests made earlier in the year. A few quotations from these reports will indicate some of the beneficial effects secured :
"A. C. was found defective in eyesight, and was suffering from a severe throat trouble. After the report was sent home, she was taken to the Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston and treated." "E. and A. have glasses now. They are not so slow about their work and show a stronger interest in it." "R. C.'s parents have had his eyes treated by a physician." "Five pupils in my school have been provided with glasses."
7
Other quotations illustrate a serious difficulty in securing the full benefit of the tests:
"D. H. was found defective in eyesight, but his parents re- fused to do anything." "The parents were notified of the defects, and requested to consult a physician. So far as I know, nothing has been done." "The boys' parents were form- ally notified, and spoken to several times, with no result. The excuse was 'So many ways for the money to go.'" "One ear was found very poor, and the parents were notified, with no result. When I found the trouble was growing worse, I sent word to the parents, and obtained the promise that something should be done this summer."
The law requires that children suspected of contagious or infectious disease shall be referred to the school physician "for examination and diagnosis," and also provides that the school physician shall make "such further examination of teachers, janitors and school buildings as in his opinion the protection of the health of the pupils may require." For the actual work done by the school physicians, the reader is referred to the "Town Notes."
"The protection of the health of the pupils" is a matter of supreme interest. A thorough and complete inspection of the entire physical condition of every pupil at least once each year would be worth many times its cost, as has proved to be the case elsewhere. One of the most noted students of the subject, Dr. Frank Allport, writes as follows :
The public schools are a public trust, through whose portals all parents should confidently lead their offspring, feeling that when the care of these young lives is transferred to the supervision of the school authorities they are safe from harm, and will at least be handed back to them in as good condition as they were at first. Until the annual and proper physical exam- ination of all school children shall have been accomplished, those having the interest of the coming generation at heart should press on.
HOME AND SCHOOL.
A multitude of forces determine the development of the growing human being. Of these forces, the earliest and most powerful are those connected with parentage and home environ- ment. The process of consciously applying and directing the
---
-
8
forces which form character is education. A parent is the first and may be the strongest of educators. The school is a device which applies the principle of the division of labor for the sake of higher efficiency, in a portion of the work of education. But in the very nature of the educative process, there can be no lack of unity of aim and harmony of effort between home and school without disaster both to the efficiency of the process and to the value of the product.
.
These statements are trite and commonplace, but are all too little understood and acted upon. The teacher is called to be the helper of the parent in the noblest and most difficult task in the world, the education of the children. Yet many cases have come to my notice in which the parent seemed to regard the teacher not as a friend and helper, but as an enemy to be resisted and thwarted. I could relate instances of positively cruel treatment of teachers by apparently intelligent parents. On the other hand, many teachers very unwisely fail to use adequately their opportunities to establish and maintain right relations with parents.
The editor of a current popular magazine has this to say on the subject :
To the mother, Johnny is an individual, and sometimes the only indi- vidual in the world. To the teacher, he is Johnny Smith, set in the circle of the class, and to be considered no more than the other boys. Each really needs the point of view of the other to correct her own. The teacher needs to talk over Johnny occasionally with his mother, to know what ways and developments his single little personality has. The mother needs the larger view of Johnny as a unit in a group. Meanwhile, Johnny, from his own point of view, is quick to perceive any disunion between the powers that be, and to take advantage of it. Half the troubles that arise between mother and teacher might be replacd by peaceful understand- ing, if Johnny were only talked over by both of them amicably before he did anything, instead of afterward. It is the unusual parent who goes to see the new teacher as soon as Johnny enters the class. The ordinary mother, alas! waits till Johnny is punished or sent home, and the possible cordial understanding is shattered forever. Probably it will always be thus. But it is very unnecessary and very stupid.
We have a standing invitation to parents to visit the school at any time to observe its work; we have our special "patrons' days" and "visiting weeks"; twice a term we send the "School
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Record" to parents; we have our school exhibits and holiday exercises. All these are useful. But what we need is per- sonal and intimate acquaintance of parent and teacher, as partners and co-workers in training the children for efficient living and good citizenship. This relation may be established most quickly and fully through the parent's initiative.
I am glad to know several schools which illustrate very fully the desired state of things. In these schools parents and the teacher are friends. The children find at school a second mother, and respond to her strong and loving guidance with earnest effort. Friction being eliminated, the school work moves on with ease, and superior progress is made.
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