USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1899 > Part 3
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ORGANIZATION.
At the first meeting of the Committee for the year Albert A. Lovell was chosen chairman, George Washburn secretary.
TEACHERS.
There have been no changes in the corps of teachers during the past year, except at the North School. Miss Isabel D. Bailey, who was in charge, declined a re-election at the begin- ning of the fall term. Miss Rosa S. Allen was chosen her suc- cessor, and taught a few weeks, but owing to ill-health tendered her resignation ; and Miss Mabel F. Melcher was elected to fill the vacancy, and has continued in charge of that school.
COURSES OF STUDY.
The regular courses of study prescribed have been followed, and special work has been performed as indicated below.
NORTH SCHOOL. Mabel F. Melcher, Teacher.
SIX GRADES.
Attention has been given to oral and written expression in connection with all studies. Interest has been shown and en-
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couraged in the observation of natural phenomena. A weather record has been kept, also reports of the moon's phases and the constellations seen. Daily calisthenics have proved very bene- ficial.
SOUTH SCHOOL. Wilma E. Bowden, Teacher.
SIX GRADES.
The work of last year has been continued, and nature study has been added, taking through the winter months the common animals. New physiologies, histories, and geographies have added much to the interest in those branches.
RALPH WHEELOCK SCHOOL.
GRADE I.
Mary B. A. Dunn, Teacher.
Regular work has been done in reading, arithmetic, and writing. The alphabet has been taught a little earlier than is usual, and more has been done in spelling both by letter and sound. Dicta- tion exercises have been begun, hoping to gain thereby in spelling and correct forms of expression. Observation talks are quite frequent on objects and animals.
GRADES II. AND III. Susan M. Chase, Teacher.
The work of caring for a large school has been lightened by two circumstances,- excellent attendance and enthusiasm. At two different times no one was absent during an entire week, thus making the attendance 100 per cent. for those weeks. Care has been taken in the arrangement of written work. Language work has been made prominent as heretofore. Special attention has been given to having the children tell a story in connected lan- guage from one which they have heard or read. The simplest rules of punctuation, followed by sentences illustrating them, are copied into blank books. The spelling this year has been better than ever before. This end has been kept in view, -- to have the child know a word by sight, by sound, and by letter.
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GRADES IV. AND V.
Ida Pearl Brigham, Teacher.
The course of study has been followed with lessons in physi- ology from a chart once a week. In arithmetic, pupils have had drill in mental work in addition, to secure rapidity as well as accuracy. A new feature is the ten-minute morning talk, the subject-matter taken from daily environment, the object being to lead the pupil to observe and think for himself, and so increase his interest in, and love of nature.
GRADES VI. AND VII. Jeannette E. King, Teacher.
In addition to the work carried on last year we have intro- duced the use of the modelling table as an aid in the study of geography, in Grade VI. Grade VII. has a weekly lesson in United States history. The latter part of the spring term the children drew from life, not with the expectation of obtaining likenesses, but with the idea of securing correct proportions.
GRADES VIII. AND IX. Carrie A. Smith, Teacher.
In Grade VIII. the work done during the past year has been almost the same as in the year preceding. Special attention has been given to English composition, with good results. In Grade IX. it was thought best in September to drop Latin from the course of study and substitute rhetoric. In United States history special lines of reading are followed according to suggestions by John Fiske, the author of the text-book in that study.
HIGH SCHOOL. Walter L. Van Kleeck, Principal.
In general, the work has been carried on along the same lines as last year, the chief difference being in the increased emphasis laid upon the work in English and the introduction of book- keeping.
French and German are taught as heretofore, four terms being
49
spent on the former, and three terms (one school year) on the latter.
In Latin the pupils entering the school have had one year's work; and they go on through the study of Cæsar, Cicero, and Virgil. Increased importance has been attached to the work in Latin composition, in order that the pupil may acquire that under- standing of Latin constructions which comes only from the con- stant use of them by the pupil himself.
The course in general history has been shortened by omitting the study of various parts of medieval history ; and the time thus saved will be devoted to geometry, which will thereby be made to extend through one school year.
The most notable change in English has been the introduc- tion of the practice of writing daily " themes," short sketches on various subjects, sometimes assigned by the teacher, sometimes of the pupil's own choosing. The habit of writing something every day, if only a single page, cannot help being of benefit to the pupil in increasing his ability to write smooth, accurate English. Another important addition to the work of the school has been the introduction of book-keeping, in which the scholars have shown a marked interest. Of course, in the brief amount of time that can be given to the subject, it is not possible to give a thorough training in the science of accounts ; but it is pos- sible to lay a foundation upon which it will be easy to build the later practical knowledge, by giving the pupil a good idea of the theory and principles underlying the subject. This the school can and does aim to do.
SCHOOL SUPERVISION.
Several years ago the town accepted the act of the legislature in relation to the formation of districts comprising two or more towns, of a given valuation and number of schools, and the employment of a Superintendent who, under the direction of the Committee, should supervise the work in the schools. The town of Medfield has never availed itself of the provisions of this enact- ment. The Committee, while having, as individuals, their own opinions as to the merits or demerits of this law, are desirous of carrying out the will of the town as it shall be expressed. The good of the schools and the expense to the tax-payers are the
50
factors in the problem. If the people of the town are convinced that supervision is advisable, and are willing to make the appro- priation necessary, the Committee is ready to carry out their will in the matter. If, on the contrary, the town is not willing to adopt supervision, the Committee will be as obedient in this direction. A large majority of the towns in the Commonwealth have accepted and adopted the provisions of this law,- in many instances, with great and admitted advantages. In other in- stances, serious defects and disadvantages have presented them- selves. As this matter of supervision may, in some form or other, come before the town for action, it is hoped that parents and all concerned in the welfare of the schools will consider the matter so as to act intelligently either for or against such super- vision.
In this report the Committee would call attention to the need of greater interest on the part of parents in the schools, and hope they will acquire the habit of visiting them often and see for themselves what is being done. Intelligent criticism is always welcome. What interest can scholars or teachers manifest when parents are indifferent ? These children are your children. You owe it to them to take a personal and painstaking part in their education. It is a great stimulus to teachers when parents visit the schools frequently, and make it known that they know and appreciate good teaching and will insist upon having it. Look back over your own school days, and do you not observe that those scholars whose parents visited the school generally excelled in scholarship? The schools of any community will always be just as good as public sentiment demands,-no better, no worse.
The prudential affairs connected with the schools have been managed with such a regard to the welfare of the scholars as the means at hand would admit, and the Committee have borne in mind that strict economy is required. But demands are con- stantly arising which call for outlay, some of which cannot always be foreseen. Among the demands in the near future will be the painting of the North School-house, and a proper water supply for both the North and South Schools, this being at pres- ent very unsatisfactory. During the past year the South School- house has been shingled, the blackboards in four of the rooms at the Ralph Wheelock School have been redressed, concrete walks
5I
have been laid in the yard of the latter school, and lightning rods have been placed upon the new part of the building, and the old rods inspected and repaired. Measures are under way to secure proper inspection, care, and insurance of the boilers in this building ; and the fire alarm drill has been perfected, in so far that the entire building is vacated without disorder or con- fusion, in one and one-fourth minutes, at the maximum, and in a great majority of instances in less than one minute. These pre- cautions have been taken by the Committee with a realizing sense that parents intrust their children for thirty-six weeks in every year to the care of the town ; and it is the duty of the town to protect and guard them as far as possible from sickness, injury, or harm of any kind, so that, when a child is sent to school, the parent at home or at his business can feel that proper vigilance is exercised to protect the child.
The Committee desires to recognize the kindness of the Trus- tees of the Public Library in furnishing the principal of the High School with keys, so that he can obtain books that will be helpful to the scholars in their studies at any time.
The text-books in use are in a generally fair condition. Some are badly worn and much soiled. Pupils should never be re- quired to use filthy books. The town, under State law, is required to furnish pupils with text-books and school supplies; and this should be done with decent liberality. Economy should be practised in providing these necessaries, but it would be mean- ness to require a child to use a book that no self-respecting man or woman would touch except with a pair of tongs. In this matter the teachers have endeavored to instill into the minds of the pupils the principle that public property is to be used more carefully than private property, and to practise a strict economy in the use of supplies. In spite of the utmost endeavor on the part of the teachers there will be some waste, but we believe it to be in our schools at the minimum.
This report has been extended and is somewhat in detail, that the people may know the condition of the schools, and in the hope of a stimulated interest of them. It matters not what efforts may be made by school boards, superintendents, or teachers, or what educational views any or all of them may entertain : it is the general sentiment of the community which will determine what
52
the schools shall be. Our school system should be devoid of the false, the glittering, the showy, but full of healthy moral and mental training, teaching the true dignity of the labor of the hands as well as of the brain, not omitting the gentler affections of the heart.
Length of School in Weeks.
Whole Number of Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Percentage of Attendance.
Number over 15 Years.
Salary of Teachers
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter
High,
10
15
25
25
22
22.76
19.37
19.50 | 93.5 . 94 .7
91.4
24
19
16
$1,000
H. Grammar, .
IO
15
28
28
27
27.35
26.29
24.80
94.8
95.6
89.5
14
S
S
425
L. Grammar,
IO
15
II
32
35
28.69
30.74
26.93
91.4
94.2
90.3
2
2
2
425
Intermediate,
IO
15
IT
42
48
47
38.80
42.87
38.96
95.4
96.2
84.7
O
I
425
H. Primary,
IO
15
46
43
42
40.90
37.43
39.20
93-9
95.0
95.6
O
425
L. Primary,
10
15
35
26
2I
28.15
21.16
19.50
90. 5
91.3
93. 5
North,
10
15
II
24
27
25
19.34
20.25
18.9
, 80+
75
75+
O
400
South,
IO
15
27
30
29
26.2
20
27.8
97+
96.6
95+
O
425
-
-
ROLL OF HONOR.
Not absent nor tardy for two years : Clarence Grant, Mabel L. Clark. Not absent nor tardy for one year : Edith Blood, Arthur F. Kingsbury, Illian Grant, Chester Dyer, Florian Downing, and Lewis A. Clark.
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Committee,
ALBERT A. LOVELL,
Chairman.
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SCHOOLS.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Trustees respectfully submit the following report : -
Donations of books have been received from Colonel E. V. Mitchell, Mr. Nathaniel T. Allen, Mr. Bracey Curtis, and Mrs. Mary Fitch.
One hundred new books have been added during the year. There are now 4,234 books in the library ; and 12 periodicals have been subscribed for, for the use of the reading-room. The libra- rian reports a circulation of 7,889 volumes during the past year.
We have delayed the issue of a new catalogue in order not to exceed our appropriation. The expenditures for the year will be found in the Selectmen's report. There remains to the credit of the library an unexpended balance of $104.85, which, with the usual appropriation of $100 and the dog tax, will, we think, be enough to pay the running expenses and provide for a new catalogue.
STILLMAN J. SPEAR, GEORGE H. SMITH, WILLARD HARWOOD, BRACEY CURTIS, WILLIAM H. BAILEY, ISAAC B. CODDING,
1 Trustees.
TOWN WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
NORFOLK, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Medfield in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall, in said Medfield, on Monday, the sixth day of March, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles : -
ARTICLE I. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose the following-named town officers, under the provisions of Chapter 548 of the Acts of 1898, namely: one Town Clerk, one Treasurer, one Collector of Taxes, three Selectmen, three Assessors, three Overseers of the Poor, three for Cemetery Committee. three Trustees of School and Trust Funds, five Constables, one Sexton. one Auditor, all for one year; one School Committee for three years : two Trustees of Public Library for three years; one for Board of Health for three years. Also to vote on the following question : Shall license be granted to sell intoxicating liquors in this town for the ensu- ing year? The vote to be Yes or No. All of the above to be voted for on one ballot. The polls to be opened at half-past nine in the fore- noon and to be kept open at least four hours.
ART., 3. To choose Tree Wardens, Fence Viewers, Pound Keeper. and Field Drivers.
ART. 4. To see if the town will accept the reports of the several town officers for the past year.
ART. 5. To grant and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To see what action the town will take in relation to hiring money for any purpose.
ART. 7. To determine in what manner the taxes shall be collected for the ensuing year; also determine what percentage shall be allowed the Collector for the ensuing year.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use all
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such means in the collection of taxes as the Treasurer might, if elected to that office.
ART. 9. To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as prepared by the Selectmen and posted according to law.
ART. IO. To see what compensation the town will allow the mem- bers of the Fire Department for ensuing year.
ART. II. To see how much per hour the town will allow for work on the highways for the ensuing year, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 12. To hear and act on reports of committees.
ART. 13. To see what action the town will take in relation to the bill of F. M. Ballou & Co. for concreting gutters and crosswalks.
ART. 14. To see if the town will unite with other towns in the em- ployment of a Superintendent of Schools, and appropriate money neces- sary therefor, or do or act anything relating thereto.
ART. 15. To see if the town will adopt the provisions of Chapter 264 of the Acts passed by the General Court of Massachusetts in the year 1890, entitled " An Act relating to Public Cemeteries."
ART. 16. To see if the town will appoint a committee to confer with the officers of the Medfield Electric Light and Power Company, with view of obtaining the rates and terms upon which said company will light with electricity the streets of Medfield, or do or act anything relat- ing thereto.
ART. 17. To see if the town will contract with the Medfield Water Company for hydrant service or water supply, or do or act anything relating thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up an attested copy thereof in the usual place for posting warrants in said Medfield. ten days at least before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, unto the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting afore- said.
Given under our hands this twentieth day of February, A.D. eighteen hundred and ninety-nine.
BENJAMIN F. SHUMWAY. Selectmen WILLIAM F. GUILD, of
HERBERT W. WIGHT, Medfield.
A true copy.
Attest : M. HOWARD BLOOD, Constable of Medfield.
BY-LAWS OF THE TOWN OF MEDFIELD.
ANNUAL MEETING.
SECTION I. The annual meeting of the town shall be held on the first Monday in March.
TOWN MEETINGS.
SECT. 2. Town meetings shall be notified by posting an attested copy of the warrant calling the same in the usual place on the Town House seven days, at least, before the day appointed for the meeting.
DUTIES OF TOWN OFFICERS.
SECT. 3. The several boards of town officers shall, so far as prac- ticable, transact all business coming under their supervision at meetings of the several boards at which a majority of the members are present : and they shall also keep a record of all contracts. payments of money. votes and appointments, and all other transactions had by them, includ- ing schedules of all town property under their care or control, and at the close of each fiscal year prepare a report of all their doings, with a statement in detail of all their payments and expenditures, and all lia- bilities incurred by them, including all outstanding orders and claims against the town, the valuation of all property of the town in their hands or under their care, and all debts due to the town, and submit an esti- mate of the probable expenses of the town for the ensuing year in their several departments.
SECT. 4. The Town Treasurer shall give bond to the town in such sum, not less than ten thousand dollars, as the Selectmen shall require and with sureties to their satisfaction, for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
SECT. 5. The Collector of Taxes shall give bond to the town in such sum, not less than six thousand dollars, as the Selectmen shall re- quire and with sureties to their satisfaction, for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
It shall be the duty of the Selectmen to take charge of the bonds of the Treasurer and Collector of Taxes, see that they are deposited in a safe place, and cause a record of the same to be made.
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SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS.
SECT. 6. No appropriation for any special improvement, change, repair, or purchase of property not included in the usual or ordi- nary appropriations, exceeding three hundred dollars in amount or value, shall be made until some board of officers, officer. authorized committee, or agent of the town, shall have obtained and submitted to a meeting notified to act thereon proper plans, specifications and esti- mates of the probable expense or cost thereof, as near as can be reason- ably ascertained, considering the nature and character thereof.
TOWN CLERK.
SECT. 7. It shall be the duty of the Town Clerk to safely keep all books. papers, and plans, and all records belonging to the town. He shall, when requested, furnish all boards and committees with copies of all votes affecting them.
He shall fold uniformly all papers and documents within his depart- ment, and shall indorse them in a manner to indicate the contents of each paper, and shall file and arrange them in a manner convenient for reference and examination.
He shall have the custody of the town seal.
SECT. 8. The Town Clerk shall publish in the annual printed report of the town a copy of his record of all town meetings that have been held during the preceding year.
SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS.
SECT. 9. The Superintendent of Streets shall keep an accurate account of all moneys expended and all work done under his supervision upon the public ways and bridges of the town, and a daily record of the number of men and teams employed, the extent and nature of the work done, and the time spent in doing such work.
A pay-roll shall be kept of the employees of the street department and of the owners of teams employed therein, and a detailed account of all parties furnishing materials therefor, the time for which payment is to be made, the rate of wages, the amount and cost of materials fur- nished, and the amount done in each case.
FINANCES.
SECT. IO. The fiscal year shall begin with the first day of February and end with the thirty-first day of January, annually.
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SECT. II. The Town Treasurer shall have the custody of all funds belonging to the town, except funds for which other provision is made by law ; and he shall pay no money from the treasury except upon a warrant signed by a majority of the Selectmen.
SECT. 12. All town officers, whether elected or appointed by the Selectmen, unless otherwise expressly ordered, shall on or before the fifth day of each month pay to the Town Treasurer all sums collected by them during the month previous, to the custody of which the Treas- urer is entitled.
SECT. 13. All bills, pay-rolls, vouchers, cancelled notes, and other evidences of indebtedness of the town which have been paid from the treasury, shall be filed and safely kept.
ASSESSORS.
SECT. 14. The Assessors shall publish with the Town Officers Report for the year nineteen hundred, and at least on each succeeding fifth year thereafter, and whenever at other times the town shall instruct them so to do, the full valuations and tax lists, both property and polls, assessed within the town or upon which taxes are paid to the town; and each year the usual summary thereof.
COLLECTOR OF TAXES.
SECT. 15. The Collector of Taxes shall append to his annual report, in the annual printed report of the town, a list of all unpaid tax levies. giving the names of the parties assessed, the amount due from each, and the year in which such assessments were laid.
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
SECT. 16. The Overseers of the Poor shall have the general charge and management of the Town Farm, and the property of the town con- nected therewith, and may employ a Superintendent and other neces- sary servants and agents, subject, however, to specific votes of the town in relation thereto.
SELECTMEN.
SECT. 17. The Selectmen shall have the general direction and man- agement of the property and affairs of the town in all cases not other- wise provided for by law.
SECT. 18. The Selectmen may appear either personally or by coun- sel before any Committee of the Legislature or Board or Commission ..
59
to protect the interests of the town, but are not authorized by this By- Law to commit the town to any course of action.
SECT. 19. The Selectmen shall, in their annual report, state in detail what action they have taken in the year preceding. They shall state specifically what town ways, county ways, and sewers have been laid out, altered, or ordered, what damages have been assessed and paid, what claims are outstanding and what claims are in suit against the town, and what assessments remain to be made and collected for sewers at any time previously constructed. They shall give full reports in regard to all suits commenced by or brought against the town, with all the circumstances relating thereto. They shall also make a detailed statement of the repairs made upon public buildings.
SECT. 20. The Selectmen may, in all cases not otherwise provided for by law, bring suit in the name of the town against the principal and sureties, or either or any of them named in any bond given to the town, by any officer, agent, contractor, or other person, for breach of the con- dition of such bond.
They shall cause the appearance and answer of the town to be entered and made in all suits brought against the town at law or in equity, and may employ counsel to defend the same. They may com- mence and prosecute suits at law and in equity, in the name and behalf of the town, in all cases not otherwise provided for by law, and may employ counsel therein. They shall consider all claims made against the town and may settle the same, provided that in no case shall a set- tlement be so made by a payment of more than three hundred dollars, without authority from the town.
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