USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1883 > Part 2
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SALARIES.
The Committee, by a unanimous vote, raised the salary of the Primary, Intermediate, and North teachers, who have remained with us so long, doing good service, to ten dollars per week, the price formerly paid, thinking it but an act of justice to them for long and faithful service. While this increase has been made, it has been saved at other points, so that the balance to the credit of schools will be found to be a trifle larger than one year ago. No increase of appropriation will be needed.
SUPERVISION.
Very much is said and written on the matter of supervision in our schools. Many are the plans suggested and in practice.
No one will deny the necessity of a large manufactory, mercan- tile, or other business needing a head who can plan for and direct systematically its operations. In no other way can the best results be attained in return for the outlay. Neither will many deny that the cities and large towns can show greater improve- ment and efficiency by the employment of capable superintend- ents. It is brought forward by those who are earnestly laboring for the best good of all our schools in the State, that the smaller towns, equally with the larger ones, need this supervision ; and, inasmuch as the expense for capable men (if they are to be found) would be too heavy for each town to have one, that the difficulty is to be overcome by having one man supervise the schools of several towns, going from one to another. If teachers were all cast in one mould, all seeing, thinking, and acting alike, an occa- sional visit might keep them running in the groove they were placed in; but this could only be by sinking all individuality, enthusiasm, and love for their work into mere machines, to follow directions. Should any credit pertain to the schools, it is plain who would claim it instead of the teacher, thus sinking all ambition.
. Again, in order that this machine work should be perfect, it would need that all the pupils should also be cast in the same uniform ways of thinking and acting, which (unfortunately for the machine) they are not, and cannot be.
Notwithstanding all the wisdom of the fathers who framed our laws, and that of their successors, it still takes about so long every year to tinker up old, and pass new laws to meet the circum- stances of the differences in human nature.
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We need supervision to secure oneness of purpose in all our edu- cational endeavors.
Each town makes its appropriation for schools, which, generally, they are not niggardly in.
Each town has citizens in it who are capable of knowing what their town wants and demands in the education of the young. Let them be induced to take the direction of the schools, well sustained by the community, by visiting the schools and assisting the teachers; and, with the facilities we have for providing an abundance of good teachers to select from, who shall say each town is not capable of doing for itself in this respect all it desires to have done, without outside interference ?
If the town demands good schools and is willing to sustain them, with the right men on the boards of School Committee, it would have them.
A well-arranged "course of study," adapted to the wants of the town, and conformed to as closely as circumstances will allow, furnishes a point to which all the teachers may direct their labors, and still be free to pursue their own course, under reasonable supervision, in reaching it.
Why may not this supervision be made by home talent, living among and understanding the wishes of the community, as well as by some one who will have no local interest in any town he may labor in, unless it may be to retain his own position over all ?
PRIMARY.
This school has been fortunate in retaining the services of Mrs. Dunn, and, in its new quarters, is doing excellent work, meeting fully the expectations of the Committee, as well as of the parents who intrust their little ones to her care. Too much importance cannot be placed upon the work in this, the starting-point, in acquiring the knowledge which is to aid so largely the pupils in our schools to whatever of usefulness they may attain to in after life.
INTERMEDIATE.
This school, under the experienced eye of Miss Richards, is making very commendable progress. Especially is this so, since they have had the room entirely to themselves. The teacher is earnest and faithful in her work, and we feel justified in expecting the best results from her labors. The improvement in reading. spelling, and geography is noteworthy.
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This school suffers from non-attendance of pupils, as do others ; and the results, when they come to the examination for promo- tion, will not be satisfactory to some who so gladly absent them- selves from school on the slightest pretext. There can be but one course : if scholars fall behind their classes, they must drop back to the one below, while their classmates go ahead.
UPPER.
Mr. Bentley closed his connection with this school at the end of the spring term.
The fall term opened with Mr. C. E. Griffin as master, who came to us well recommended. While this school has been doing good work, there is room for improvement in some respects, which ·we have no doubt will be remedied in a measure, if not entirely, with a few weeks more time. The scholars in this school, being many of them the oldest in our schools, we hope, by the aid they may receive from parents at home, will heartily second the efforts of the teacher to make this, what it should be, the best school in town.
NORTH.
This school maintains well its reputation of former years, under the continued labors of Miss E. Bowers. The Committee were pleased to be able to secure the services for another year of one who unites in herself so many of the elements needed to make up the good teacher. No effort seems to be made in government, and yet there is not a better governed school in town.
SOUTH.
This school commenced the year under Miss Jennie Clark, with good anticipations of success; but, at the close of the first week, she felt she must resign. The services of Miss Ellen Clifford were, very fortunately, secured to complete the term without any interruption, and to the entire satisfaction of the Committee and parents.
Miss Clifford's services not being available for the winter term, Miss Lucy A. Russell, of Brookline, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School, was employed. While regretting the change of teachers so often, although unavoidable, we are glad to say the school has continued through the year in a prosperous condition, and is doing good work,
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PARENTS VISITING SCHOOLS.
Parents have often been reminded of the advantage there is in frequent visits, on their part, to the schools. It is not generally considered how much this has to do with the proper culture of the young. It is a real and efficient help. It cultivates confidence. It tends to punctuality, studiousness, and induces good conduct. Where schools are frequently visited by parents and friends, the children feel under a certain wholesome restraint, while at the same time they learn to throw off that painful bashfulness and diffidence which is such a drawback in later life, if not early over- come. Moreover, in the presence of others besides teacher and companions, they come to acquire an ease and freedom of expres- sion and manner, which is so much more to be desired than the awkwardness and confusion manifested in schools which are not so visited.
If parents have any interest in the improvement of their chil- dren, let them make the sacrifice of spending an occasional hour in visiting our schools, not officiously, but with the interest of a wise parent and a good citizen. Do this : kindly enforce the attendance of your children on every session of the schools, unless there is a necessity for them to be out, and you will assist Committee and teachers in attaining better results than ever before.
INSTITUTE.
The Institute held here in the fall, under the auspices of the State Board of Education, was well attended by teachers and committees from surrounding towns, and was the means of much good in the very able presentation of means and methods of instruction by the Honorable Secretary of the Board, Hon. Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Walton, and others.
The lecture by the Rev. Mr. Mayo was one to interest all in the community. We regret that sufficient notice was not given to induce a larger audience to hear him.
We take this opportunity to thank all who so generously assisted in providing the entertainment for the many strangers who ac- cepted the invitation of the Committee to be present.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Names of those not Absent or Tardy for the whole of One Term.
Edward Abell, Lizzie Cromwell, Cassie Sullivan, George Payson, Gracie Parker, Harry Marsh, Lillie Adams, Flora Crane, Annie
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Morrill, Ellen Meany, Essie Thompson, Bennie Crehore, Eddie Franks, Daniels Hamant, Josie Roberts, Eddie Bingham, Irving Crosby, Guy Hartt, Freddie West, Lena Allen, Eva Howe, David Miller, Henry Ellis, Minnie Strang. Eddie Lambert, Willie Smith, Fannie Babcock, Mary Callahan, Hattie Baker, Vesta Allen, Thomas Lambert, Delia Lambert, Maggie Callahan.
Names of those not Absent or Tardy for Two Terms.
Fred Wood, Alex Daniels, Willis Ricker, Pearl Brigham, Cora Crosby, Marion Leeds, Agnes Ord, Orra Guild, Alice Wight, Charles Ellis, Amos Mason, Alick Wight, Clara Munroe, Waldo Kingsbury, Freddie Phelps, Allie Clark.
Names of those not Absent or Tardy for Three Terms.
Affie Hanks, Arthur Morrill, Annie Guild, Samuel Guild, May Hamant, Mary Babcock, Delano Hamant.
SCHOOL STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1882-83.
Length of School in Weeks.
Wages of Teachers Whole No. of per Month. Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Schools.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
No. of different Scholars over 15 years of age.
Upper,
14
12
12
$90.00 $65.00 $65.00
4 [
40
33
30
33
27
S
Grammar,
14
12
12
36 00
40.co
40.00
50
38
37
36
34
34
0
Primary
14
12
12
36.00
40.00
40.00
54
4 1
36
34
36
27
O
O
North,
12
12
36.00
40.00
40.00
30
32
36
22
27
29
2
2
South.
14
12
I2
36.00
36.00
36.00
23
28
29
20
24
27
O
O
J. B. HALE, ( School WM. F. GUILD, ¿ Committee.
No. of Scholars under
5 years of age.
WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN-MEETING.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, SS.
To HINSDALE F. BULLARD, one of the constables of the town of Medfield, in the county of Norfolk, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall in said Medfield, on Monday, the fifth day of March next, at twelve o'clock, noon, then and there to act on the following articles : -
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers for the year ensuing.
ART. 3. To hear the Annual Reports of the Selectmen and other town officers, and act thereon.
ART. 4. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations of the same.
ART. 5. To determine the manner of repairing the highways, town ways, and bridges for the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To determine the mode of collecting the taxes for the year ensuing.
ART. 7. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to charge interest ; and, if so, what interest upon all taxes remaining unpaid after the first day of December next.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use all such means for the collection of the taxes as the Treasurer might, if appointed Collector.
ART. 9. To see if the town will approve of the list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen for the ensuing year.
ART. 10. To see if the town will authorize the Overseers of the Poor to hire a keeper of the Almshouse for the year 1884.
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ART. II. To see if the town will, or will not, authorize licenses to sell intoxicating liquors to be granted for the ensuing year.
ART. 12. To see if the town will make any appropriation for the expenses of Decoration Day.
ART. 13. To see if the town will make any appropriation for the Public Library for the ensuing year.
ART. 14. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to hire a night-watch for the ensuing year. .
ART. 15. To see if the town will determine the compensation of the Fire Department during the ensuing year.
ART. 16. To see if the town will authorize the purchase of one or more road-scrapers for the use of the town.
ART. 17. To see if the town will change the place for posting town warrants to the Town House.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up an attested copy thereof in the usual place for posting warrants in said town, at least ten days before the time for 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 meet- ing, as aforesaid.
Given under our hands this sixteenth day of February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
B. F. SHUMWAY, Selectmen of OLIVER CLIFFORD, > Medfield.
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