USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1876 > Part 2
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to be somewhat wanting in this respect, when aroused to that de- gree where they are led to say " I will." What some have done many others might do; so that in their case poor scholarship is their fault and not their misfortune. It is the earnest wish of those who supervise the schools, whether as teachers or commit- tee, that parents would do what they can to inspire their children with this thought.
With the exception of reading, the Upper School closed its term of sixteen weeks, Dec. 30, to the entire satisfaction of the committee. And the question now arose, what shall we do with these scholars in the future? To put them into the Grammar School was altogether out of the question. That department is already too much crowded. The circumstances seemed to require the same number of schools as heretofore. Shall we dismiss Mr. Marshall, who has thus far proved himself master of the situa- tion, and risk the substitution of some other teacher at a less cost to the town? or shall we retain him and present the case to the town at their next meeting? Your committee decided upon the latter course, and it remains for the town to say whether they de- cided wisely. We make our appeal to the town, and it is one founded upon a careful examination of existing facts, for an ap- propriation which shall be adequate to what are regarded the ne- cesities of the schools. It seems to your committee that if there must be curtailment, it would more properly fall elsewhere than in the means for educating the young. But we are persuaded that there is no need of special pleading in this direction ; and that, the facts being known, there will be a ready and cheerful re- sponse. After a careful estimate of the cost of the schools for some years past, we find that an appropriation of Two thousand, Three hundred dollars ($2,300.00,) will be needed to continue them the ensuing year, and therefore recommend that this amount be appropriated for this object.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
The Spring Term opened under the care of Miss Susan J. Woods with pupils of such divers attainments, on account of the discontinuance of the High School, that it was found necessary to organize eighteen classes : too many, of course. for one teacher ;
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and the committee appointed, as an assistant, Miss Olive B. Young, who was also engaged to give instruction in vocal music. Both this school and the Primary received great benefit from her labors with them ; and it would be an advantage to all the schools if the town could furnish a permanent teacher in this department.
From Note Book. "May 7, Grammar School, good order ; classes interested ; this school is doing splendidly." "July 2, entire satisfaction." Thus ends the first term. The succeeding terms have been in charge of the same teacher who has prose- cuted her work laboriously, faithfully, successfully. Thorough- . ness of scholarship is aimed at, and in a good degree secured. The room occupied by this school is not sufficiently large for the present number of pupils ; and there are others in town whose at- tainments would place them here. The crowded state of the room renders the teacher's work harder than it would otherwise be. Miss Young's services in connection with this school ceased at the close of the first term.
THE CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL,
under the government and instruction of Miss Esther Emerson, has done all that could be expected of children of their tender age. It requires no small amount of skill and patience so to di- vide the time of these little workers as not to overtax and so in- jure both the body and the mind. While the books appropriate to this grade of schools, occupy a large part of their study hours, much use is also made of the crayon and pencil. Drawing is a branch of study required by law in our public schools, and the pencil should be put into the hand of the child as soon as he en- ters the primary department, not only that he may be able to use it skillfully when he becomes older, but as a means of recreation, to take the mind wholly off, for the time, from the more difficult studies. We notice in this school that the youngest pupils are re- quired to read their lessons backwards. The practice is adopted for the purpose of securing a knowledge of the words at sight, so that they can be pronounced in any other connection as well as in this particular lesson. While the advantage of this method is apparent, the chief object should be to teach the children to read naturally, just as they would converse.
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The signs of language must first be learned. and then the les- son should be so read as to give the sense. When a child has spelled out a sentence he should repeat it after the teacher until he can give the emphasis and all the inflections correctly. It is with reading as with singing. We are told that ninety-five per cent of children can be taught to sing, if they begin when very young. It cannot be less important to be able to read. but in or- der to do so intelligently. the process must commence in the primary school. And too much stress cannot be laid upon the importance of securing good readers here, before they are pro- moted to the next grade of schools. We are happy to know that the teacher of this school has correct views upon this most im- portant subject.
NORTH SCHOOL.
Miss Sarah H. Wight continues faithfully toiling for the benefit of this school. She has given special attention to reading and spelling, and not without success. Particularly in the latter branch great improvement is manifest. In nearly all their studies many of the pupils have done well. The general studiousness of the school has been quite noticeable whenever we have visited it. It would be a great improvement, however, if the ambition, seen in some. could be communicated to the whole school. While some are eager to master every lesson. by others much valuable time is lost. No motive proves sufficient to arouse the mind to active effort. If the child would send thought forward twenty, thirty years. and see himself a man, unable to read intelligently. scarcely able to transact necessary business, unfit to fill any sta- tion of trust or honor, so many hours would hardly be spent in listless idleness.
While the fidelity of the teacher has been rewarded with marked success. there is not a little room for improvement on the part of some of the pupils, both in their deportment and their studies. Some are lingering upon the rudiments of science, whose age should give them a place in a high school, mastering the more difficult text books.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
During the First Term this school was under the care of Miss Ella F. Crocker. It was found to be laboring under the serious
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disadvantage of having text books too hard for most of the schol- ars. A partial reform was effected by a change in the Reader used by the first class, substituting the " Intermediate " of the " Franklin Series," for the " Fifth"; and, later in the year, by removing from this and all the other schools in town, Miss Hall's Geographies, " Our World," Nos. 1 & 2, and restoring Warren's revised text books, an earlier edition of which was withdrawn inany years ago. The former work was found so difficult that seldom if ever a good recitation could be secured from any of the classes. This was especially true of those who were studying " No. 2." The South School is so small, and the pupils general- ly so young, that it is difficult to excite much enthusiasm in study.4 The teacher tried various expedients to secure this end and not without success. Her instructions were not confined to text books, but a tax was levied upon other sources which yielded much valuable thought, and proved the means of no small benefit to the school.
One serious hinderance to the order of this school has long ex- isted in the presence of one or two of the largest pupils who have very much tried the patience of their teachers. Their influence over associates has been bad. But notwithstanding this most of . the pupils have been studious and made good improvement in their studies ; and the order of the school never appeared better than at the closing examination.
The second and third terms have been in charge of Miss Ida C. Whiting, a recent graduate of the Normal school at So. Fram- ingham, who proves a successful teacher. Ambitious to excel, in this her chosen profession, she is doing what she can to interest and profit her pupils. In order, however, to secure such disci- pline as was thought needful, it became the painful duty of the committee to remove one boy from the school, whose influence over others could no longer be tolerated. The school is now quiet, and enjoying a good degree of prosperity.
In what has been said we have given special emphasis to the importance of learning to be good readers. This stands first in importance in the catalogue of studies. But while we would im- press this thought, we would not have other branches under- valued. We have been much pleased with the improvement in map drawing. This has been apparent in most of the schools,
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but especially so in Mr. Marshall's department. Apgar's system has been adopted, which appears to us superior to any other with which we are familiar. Its introduction into Warren's text books was a leading motive for placing his series in the schools.
It gives us pleasure to find so much interest in the study of Physiology. By this means we become acquainted with the house we live in, and shall be better able to keep it in repair. The knowledge gained by the study should be carefully applied in practice. A sound mind in a healthy body is ready for vigorous and successful work.
An early inspection of the school buildings revealed the necessi- ty of considerable repairs, which were made during the Summer vacation. The desks were badly cut, and otherwise marred, which offered a strong temptation for the further use of the boy's knife. These have been thoroughly repaired, and the pupils are made re- sponsible, through their several teachers, for their preservation.
The ceiling in the North School house was so extensively broken as to require entirely new plastering. The register in the upper room of the Centre building has also been removed from directly in front of the teacher's platform to a more central posi- 'tion, so as to secure a more equal circulation of the heated air through the room.
This building, for many years, has been peculiarly exposed to take fire from the furnace. Last Winter the event occured and only the most prompt action saved it from complete destruction.
Such alterations have been made that it is now regarded as safe.
Early in the year a promise was made which we now gladly hasten to fulfil.
1 SCHOLARS WHO HAVE BEEN NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING THREE TERMS.
Lewis H. Guild, Orra E. Guild, Arthur W. Wight, Willard A. Newell, Carrie L. Wight, Emma L. Richards, Willie R. Marshall, Maude A. Curtis.
NOT ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING TWO TERMS.
Nellie M. Quincy. Arthur Guild, Allan A. Kingsbury, Lottie R. Mason, Mabel Braman, Jennie F. Wight, Jacob Clark. Eddie Babcock. Harry S. Mason. John P. Coltman, Affie Hanks.
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NOT ABSENT NOR TARDY DURING ONE TERM.
M. Addie Turner, Thomas Rourke, Emmie L. Noyes, Matilda Weiker, Loa E. Rolerson, Carrie E. Taber, Alice A. Tufts, Blanche E. Curtis, Herbert Babcock, Lizzie McFeat, Marcia Merrill, Nellie Parker, Sarah Sullivan, Abbie Marrion Gould, Horace G. Bussey, Willie Hewins, Gertie Hamant. Nettie Hamant absent one day.
During the year Laura Hewins has been absent two and one- half days ; Ada Richardson absent one half day, and tardy once.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES C. SEWALL, JEREMIAH B. HALE, J. M. R. EATON, ALVIN M. CRANE, SAMUEL ELLIS, WM. F. GUILD,
School Committee.
STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
TERMS.
Number of
Scholars.
Average
Attendance
Under 5
years of age
Over 15
years of age
Upper
Wm. E. Marshall,
2d Term 16 weeks. 3d *
39
34 24
0
22
Gram- mar.
Miss S. J. Woods, Ist Term 14 weeks.
49
39
0
6
2d
11
42
36
0
1
3d
15*
42
36
0
2
Centre Miss E. Emerson,
1st Term 14 weeks.
38
29
0
0
Prim'y
2d
66
11
30
25
1
0
3d
15*
30
26
0
0
North Miss S. H. Wight, 1st Term 14 weeks.
34
24
0
1
Mixed
2d
11
34
29
0
2
3dl
15* "
35
34
0
2
South
Miss E. F. Crocker 1st Term 14 weeks.
14
12
0
0
Mixed Miss I. C. Whiting 2d 66 66
66
11
15
14
0
0
3d
15*
14
13
0
0
* Yet in session.
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0
12
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