USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1900-1909 > Part 39
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Respectfully submitted,
C. H. WILLIAMS, For the Committee.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
My second annual report is herewith submitted.
ENLARGEMENT AND MODIFICATION OF SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Kindergarten. Public sentiment is in favor of allowing children to attend school at a very early age. Parents insist that the schools receive children who are under five years of age. At the opening of the fall term ten or twelve children whose birthday would not occur until November or later presented themselves for enrolment. The Superintendent, after consultation with the Committee, deemed it unwise to receive pupils of kindergarten age in schools which are not equipped for sub-primary instruction.
The ordinary primary teacher finds quite enough to test skill and patience and powers of endurance in teaching those who are farther removed from babyhood. Children under five who are old enough to be away from home may receive great benefit in a kindergarten or sub-primary school. This kind of school, once established, would quickly demonstrate its usefulness. The pupils denied admission, last fall, if taught in a kindergarten, would have come into the primary school next year prepared to make rapid advancement.
The town that adopts the kindergarten is in line with modern practice. The incorporation of the kindergarten into the Medfield school system would harmonize the popular feeling concerning early admission to school and the accepted doctrines of educators con- cerning preparation for formal school work.
High-school Extension. The number of pupils attending school in Dedham and Walpole has been reduced as a result of the addition of the third-year studies in the high-school. Two pupils go to Dedham, and one to Walpole. This extension of the high-school course was made in September.
State Aid. Soon after the schools opened in the fall, the State Agent for High Schools was informed that the ninth grade had been taken from the high school and placed in the grammar school,
64
and that the necessary conditions for obtaining the high-school State aid of $500 per annum were being complied with. A visit from the agent followed, and the Superintendent was told that the town would receive the amount allowed by the new law.
Policy of School Authorities Approved. The agent strongly in- dorsed the changes that have been made, and expressed a wish that the present policy of the school authorities of furnishing high-school instruction at home would end in having a full four years' course. He thought it town suicide that a community which cares to be more than a suburb of a larger town should so manage its school affairs as to force parents to choose between sending their children out of town and taking them out of school.
Plea for a Full Course. Now that the school is to receive from the State an amount equivalent to the wages of one teacher, the present seems a favorable time for recommending the employment of a third teacher and the addition of the fourth year. There are two ways of carrying out this recommendation: first, to construct a new building; or, second, to enlarge the present building, and make such interior alterations as high-school requirements would neces- sitate. Which solution of the problem is the better one might be determined by a committee representing the school authorities and the tax-payers. The interests of education and sound economy ought to be united, shunning extravagance, on the one hand, and parsimony, on the other. It is well to remember that the most costly school may not offer the best education, likewise that a low charge per pupil for schooling may not be conclusive proof of eco- nomical management.
Changes in the Grades. Education at home will do away with charges for high-school transportation. The saving made ought to go far toward maintaining a grade of school lower than the custom- ary first grade, call it by whatever name we may, sub-primary or kindergarten.
Where there is no kindergarten, nine grades below the high school are much in vogue. The present tendency is to substitute for the nine grades the kindergarten and eight grades. The cost of the schools under either organization is practically the same.
Our schools have nine grades, taught by five teachers. Probably no exception will be taken to the statement that there is great need of another teacher in view of the fact that there are 100 pupils in grades 4, 5, 6, and 7, and only two teachers. There is now no
65
room for another teacher, but in the near future a way should be found for relieving this congestion.
The Outcome an Efficient System. In the judgment of your Super- intendent both education and economy demand a smaller number of pupils to a teacher, more teachers and schooling in town from the kindergarten to (and including) the fourth and last year of the high school. A system of schools thus completely organized will be in a position to cope on equal terms with the schools of other progressive towns.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
At the last session of the legislature an act was passed providing for the physical examination of all pupils in the public schools. The requirements of the law are to be carried out by the teachers and school physicians appointed by the School Committee. The teachers conduct the tests for sight and hearing by means of cards and other appliances furnished by the State Board of Education. The physi- cian makes the required examination and diagnosis. The purpose of the law is best given by the following section :-
"The School Committee of every city and town shall cause every child in the public schools to be separately and carefully tested and examined at least once in every school year to ascertain whether he is suffering from defective sight or hearing or from any other dis- ability or defect tending to prevent his receiving the full benefit of his school work in order to prevent injury to the child or to secure the best educational results. The tests of sight and hearing shall be made by the teachers. The Committee shall cause notice of any defect or disability requiring treatment to be sent to the parent or guardian of the child, to be kept in such form as the State Board of Education shall prescribe."
SPECIAL TEACHING.
Music and drawing are directed by special teachers. The music teacher has entered on her second year of service. She has the hearty co-operation of teachers and pupils, and is much encouraged by the results achieved thus far. Good music in all the grades will come in time if the present favoring circumstances are continued. No report of the music is made at this time, as the teacher deems it better to observe the working of her present methods for a consider- able period before reporting.
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Teachers and pupils are taking a new interest in drawing now that a supervisor has charge of the study. This specialist began her duties in September. She visits the schools each Tuesday. Her report is worthy of a careful reading. It is to be found in succeeding pages.
PENNY SAVINGS.
Pursuant to a vote of the School Committee, the school banking business has been discontinued. The withdrawal of deposits may be made through the Superintendent, but no new accounts are to be opened, nor additions received. Money in the general fund, credit for which is recorded on folders, will be paid at an early date.
LOWELL MASON SCHOOL.
The enrolment of this school is 32, 8 less than the membership contained a year ago. There has also been a reduction in the num- ber of grades. The highest grade is now the fifth. The school will be much easier to teach if this change is made permanent. The advantages of a graded school ought to repay one for the longer walk to school.
The old double desks are a hindrance to good conduct and an orderly school, and should, therefore, give place to modern single adjustable desks. I trust the displacement may be made the com- ing year.
CONCLUSION.
The recommendations contained in this report are thought to be of sufficient importance to warrant early consideration. Where all the claims are strong, it is difficult to arrange the needs in the order of their urgency. As these needs are so closely related to one an- other, a solution of the one will immediately open the way for taking care of the others. Especially should the plea for more room and more teachers be thoroughly investigated. If it is found reasonable, there can be no question as to the inadequacy of present appropria- tions.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC W. KINGMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
To MR. F. W. KINGMAN, Superintendent of Schools :
It is with the aim of interesting in drawing the parents and all others who are in any way concerned about the welfare of the schools that this report seeks to consider the purpose and value of drawing.
In determining the purpose and value of drawing, we will find that drawing, like any other study which is important, is of worth, as it recognizes the educational system as a whole and makes for the aim of that system. This aim, briefly, is twofold: to give knowledge and to create a love for what is right and a hatred for what is wrong. If these two-wisdom and righteousness-are found sufficiently in individuals and communities, good health and beauty, the necessary accompaniments, will follow, and individual and community life will be abundantly happy and serviceable. So those studies are most essential which best minister to the intellectual, moral, and physical needs of the pupils.
Thus drawing must contribute toward this end. It must so exercise the mind, body, and heart that they will acquire, in a way, better than any other study can give, necessary knowledge and discipline.
Drawing is often made an isolated and special study, of value to only a few. Many relate it to picture-making, and appropriate it to chil- dren who are to become art students. Although a course in drawing should give those who care to become art students an efficient foun- dation for future study, it is not for them that drawing exists as a public-school subject. It is for all, and from it all should gain knowl- edge, skill of hand, and an interest in doing that which is essentially uplifting to others.
With this general aim in view we can emphasize its special function, which is, first, to teach the use of drawing as a common, convenient means of expression; and, second, to lead the coming generation to be art appreciators and producers. The activities of drawing directly relate to the mechanical, industrial, and fine arts. These arts in one or several forms concern the home and personal life of every person. They affect the business life of many persons. The majority of persons are directly engaged in the productive industries
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of agriculture and manufacturing,-in making things. The large number of those who go to our schools are to be active in making objects which can be more clearly and accurately described by drawing than by words. In order to intelligently and thoroughly understand their work, these persons need to obtain skill in graphic expression. Drawing is a necessity as a means of expression to carpenters, ma- chinists, engineers, surveyors, scientists, and naturalists, who de- scribe and construct by drawing their ideas, observations, and in- vestigations; to designers, including architects and craftsmen, who express the forms and plans which their minds have created; to artists, who represent by drawing their real and imaginary visions.
All pupils should learn to think clearly and express their thoughts and observations by free-hand sketches and working drawings, and they should ultimately understand what the ideals of the activities of the mechanical, industrial, and fine arts are. They should know what the use and power of drawing is among the people who use it professionally. The discipline which comes to the mind, eyes, hand, and heart from these expressions is most valuable for any future work which required close attention, accuracy, consecutive thinking and seeing of relations, a discerning eye and skilled hand.
Although it should be realized that the ability to make pretty pictures is not the object of teaching drawing in the public schools, any more than is the object of writing to teach children to compose poetry and write magazine articles and books, it must be known that the drawing lessons should stimulate a desire for beauty and give power to determine what is beautiful. Unless the heart responds to the mental, sensual, and manipulative efforts, work becomes dead and dull. Force without aim and lack of happiness in doing result. So honest, worthy work must appeal to the æsthetic as well as to the mental and physical feelings. Drawing is to the eye what music is to the ear. As music leads to the recognition and appreciation of the harmony of sounds, drawing leads to the knowledge and appre- ciation of the beauty of form and of harmonious color combinations. As English seeks to cultivate a taste for the best in literature, a liking for written expression of fine, noble thoughts, drawing aims to create a love for the true and beautiful in art. The mechanical, industrial, and fine arts, as related to architecture, sculpture, and painting, touch every individual. All persons use objects of utility and ornament. Every person looks at pictures. Many are engaged in industries and manufactures which produce these objects of art for utilitarian
69
or ornamental purposes. Those who are to produce must, while they are in school, be inspired to make good, useful objects or beautiful, pleasure-giving objects. Those who are to buy and own must be taught how to distinguish the useful from the useless, the true from the false, the beautiful from the ugly. Every person for his own and the community need should acquire this power of discrimination. If our interests are too strongly commercial to give time for taking delight in nature and art, we will get only goods and money. If we sacrifice beauty for that which has a mere practical money value, we will have selfish, stunted personalities, unworthy citizens. Mean thoughts, jealous feelings, coarse natures, associate with what is ugly, unrefined, and repulsive. High ideals, generous social natures, belong to those who desire real, noble beauty as it appears in art, music, poetry, and nature.
It is impossible to reach all children so that they will care to exert themselves to see and hear masterpieces of art, and be stirred to genuine emotions in the presence of these masterpieces, if they are seen. But we can educate all to judge and choose for themselves. We can give knowledge which will enable all to know when beauty exists. This must be done by encouraging children to make their own performances as true and beautiful as it is possible for them to make them. And there must be an acquaintance with good original examples and good reproductions of masterpieces of architecture, painting, and design, both as it is seen in form, as in a chair or vase, or in a pattern as applied to a space, as in wall paper and a cushion cover.
If drawing is taught in the schools because it has a definite value to the life and work of people at large, its purpose can only be ac- complished when it relates to the life and work of school and home. Other studies must recognize it as a means of expression, and, when facts and forms can be better represented by drawing than by words, they should thus be expressed. A spirit of beauty instigated by the drawing lessons should pervade every school exercise. The school- room, as far as possible, should illustrate the orderly appearance, neatness, and harmony which the drawing lessons strive to teach.
Instruction is profitable when it demands independent effort. If we remember that only those who become responsive to their own perceptions and efforts contribute anything valuable to life, we will insist upon children having a chance to do a large amount of work which requires personal thinking, seeing, and acting. Thus the
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drawing lessons present real and imaginary objects instead of copies, and the use of mediums which will best encourage expression of discriminating, truthful observation. Simple, accurate drawings are what we should require. As the work progresses from grade to grade, it should show closer observation, more accurate expression, and better control of the mediums.
Huxley, in one of his essays on "Science and Education," says: "I should make it absolutely necessary for everybody, for a longer or shorter period, to learn to draw. Now you may say there are some people who cannot draw, however much they may be taught. I deny that in toto, because I have never yet met with anybody who could not learn to write. Writing is a form of drawing. Therefore, if you give the same attention and trouble to drawing as you do to writing, depend upon it there is nobody who cannot be made to draw more or less well. Do not misapprehend me. I do not say for one mo- ment you would make an artistic draughtsman. Artists are not made : they grow. You may improve a natural faculty in that direction, but you cannot make it; but you can teach simple drawing, and you will find it an implement of learning of extreme value. I do not think its value can be exaggerated, because it gives you the means of training the young in attention and accuracy, which are the two things in which all mankind are more deficient than in any other mental quality whatever."
FRANCES L. SWETT.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Population of Medfield, census 1905 1,689
Number of all ages attending within the year ending in June, 1906 :-
Boys, 139; girls, 130; total 269
Number under five years of age 4
Number between five and fifteen years of age :-
Boys, 123; girls, 119; total 242
Number over fifteen years of age :-
Boys, 13; girls, Io; total
23
Number between seven and fourteen years of age :-
Boys, 93; girls, 92; total
Average membership I85
241.5
Average attendance
225.2
Per cent. of attendance (highest since 1896)
93.3
Number of children in town Sept. 1, 1906, between five and fifteen years of age :- 236
Boys, 125; girls, III; total
Number of children Sept. 1, 1906, between seven and fourteen years of age :-
Boys, 89; girls, 83; total I72
Number of schools
7
Number of teachers 8
Number of special teachers I
*Exclusive of patients in Medfield Insane Asylum.
72
SYNOPSIS OF TEACHERS' REPORTS FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1906, AND FALL TERM, 1906.
Total Member- ship.
Average Member- ship.
Average Attendance.
Per Cent. of Attendance.
Ralph Wheelock School:
Grade I.
44
37.5
33.I
88.2
Grades II .- III.
41
35.4
33.3
93.4
Grade IV.
29
25.9
24.2
93.7
Grades V .- VI. .
48
45.2
42.6
94.3
Grades VII .- VIII.
3I
29.7
28.I
95.2
Grade IX. and high school, two years
43
35.
33.I
94.4
Lowell Mason School:
Grades I .- VI.
39
32.8
30.8
93.9
Total .
275
241.5
225.2
93.3
Ralph Wheelock School, fall term:
Grade I. .
40
32.6
31.3
95.8
Grades II. and III.
38
36.8
35.02
94.8
Grades IV. and V. .
5I
50.3
47.9
95.2
Grades VI. and VII.
50
48.5
45.9
94.6
Grades VIII. and IX.
29
27.6
26.4
95.6
High school, three years
3I
29.9
28.7
95-9
Lowell Mason School, fall term
36
33.2
31.3
94
275
258.9
246.5
95
TEACHERS' DIRECTORY, JAN. 1, 1907.
Salary.
Where Educated.
High School
Eloise H. Crocker, Ass't,
500
Hyannis Normal.
-IX.
Bethia R. Paine,
475
Hyannis Normal.
Grades VI .- VII
Margaret E. Doyle,
450
Bridgewater Normal.
Grades IV .- V.
Helen A. Hammond,
475
Bridgewater Normal.
Grades II .-
Mrs. Susan M. Chase,
450
Worcester High.
Grade I. Mabelle F. Gilman,
450
Plymouth (N.H.) Normal.
Lowell Mason M. Louise Spencer,
450
Lowell Normal.
Supervisor of Music, Emma A. Perkins,
150
Weaver Institute.
Supervisor of Drawing, Frances I. Swett,
200
Massachusetts Normal Art.
RESIGNATIONS.
NEW POSITIONS.
Agnes E. Abbott, Grades V .- VI.,
Norwood.
Bertha C. Folsom, Ass't High,
Not teaching. Brockton. New Bedford.
Grace Alexander, Grade IV.,
Grace E. Bent, Lowell Mason,
Thos. H. Kenworthy, Prin., $900
Brown University, Boston University.
Grades VIII.
III.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Under the skilful management of the Librarian, Miss Lucretia M. Johnson, the Library is fulfilling its mission to the satisfaction alike of the Trustees and the public.
Finding an increased demand for magazines, we now have the following: Harper's, Scribner's, Century, Review of Reviews, Cur- rent Literature, Cosmopolitan, Bookman, Illustrated American, Munsey, System, Business Man's, Technical World, Lippincott's, Overland, Smith's, Outlook, St. Nicholas, Pearson's, New England, McClure's, Critic, Good Housekeeping, Country Life in America, and American Homes and Gardens. All the above, after being upon the tables in the reading-room for one month, may be taken out upon the same terms as books.
In weeklies we have Harper's, Leslie's, Scientific American, Sat- urday Evening Post, and Woman's Journal. In dailies, the Globe, Transcript, and Journal.
The reading-room is open each evening, except Sunday, from 6.30 to 9. Books exchanged Tuesdays, 6 to 8; Saturdays, 3 to 4, 6 to 9.
Our statistics are: whole number of books, 5,086; loaned to individuals, 7,120; loaned to schools, 98; total, 7,218.
The Woman's Education Association has loaned travelling libraries on Greece and Rome, 150 pictures with each, and also pictures of Switzerland and the Yosemite Valley. The accompanying books are circulated as regular library books.
We call attention to the following special additions to our standard works: History of All Nations, 24 volumes; Young Folks' Library, 20 volumes; Travelogues of Burton Holmes, 10 volumes; Cyclo- pedia of Modern Shop Practice, 4 volumes.
We have also kept abreast with current fiction, weeding out what we considered unfit for general circulation.
A magnificent engraving of the Signing of the Peace Commission Treaty at Portsmouth, Sept. 5, 1905, has been presented by Colonel Edwin V. Mitchell.
The financial statement follows :-
74
Received.
Balance unexpended $138.37
Dog tax 251.86
Interest on trust funds
211.00
$601.23
Expended.
L. M. Johnson, Librarian $1I2.00
G. E. Pettis, janitor 65.00
DeWolfe, Fiske & Co., books 82.82
McClure, Phillips & Co., books . 36.10
American School of Correspondence, books 10.80
E. B. Hall & Co., books . 29.00
H. L. Mitchell, periodicals 53.00
F. J. Barnard, binding 25.80
E. M. Bent, fuel 36.00
L. M. Johnson, supplies and extra cataloguing 31.00
S. J. Spear, printing and cash paid for labels
14.15
C. F. Read, expressing . 2.85
6.30
R. W. Baker, sign for reading-room
Library Bureau, supplies . 5.65
N. F. Harding, labor and supplies 4.05
G. G. Babcock, painting . 1.25
J. H. Baker, supplies and labor 3.58
Virtue & Co., books 96.00
Expended
$615.35
Received . 601.23
Balance due town from Library Fund $14.12
Respectfully submitted,
STILLMAN J. SPEAR, Chairman, GEORGE WASHBURN, Secretary,
WILLIAM H. BAILEY,
HERBERT L. MITCHELL,
ISAAC B. CODDING, J. HERBERT BAKER,
Trustees.
Examined and found correct.
T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
STATEMENT OF THE MEDFIELD WATER COMPANY.
Nov. 1, 1905, TO NOV. 1, 1906.
TO THE SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF MEDFIELD:
Capital
$50,000.00
CASH RECEIPTS.
Water rates and service pipe
$2,028.81
DISBURSEMENTS.
Maintenance, construction, taxes $1,289.16
C. T. Frost, note and interest 1,139.22
ASSETS.
Construction of plant $30,497.00
Unpaid water bills 1,500.8I
Cash on hand
866.00
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock issued $24,000.00
Due E. V. Mitchell & Co. to May 29, 1903 8,473.55
Due E. V. Mitchell & Co. from June 1, 1903, to Nov. I, 1906 . 2,730.00
Due officials of the company 435.00
S. E. LAVERTY,
Treasurer.
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 in town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall, in said Medfield, on Monday, the fourth day of March next, at fifteen minutes past six 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 pro- visions of Chapter 2 of the Revised Statutes of 1902, namely: one Town Clerk, one Moderator, one Treasurer, one Collector of Taxes, three Se- lectmen, three Assessors, three Overseers of the Poor, five Constables, one Tree Warden, one Sexton, one Auditor, all for one year; one School Com- mittee, for three years; two Trustees of the Public Library, for three years; one Cemetery Commissioner, for three years; one member of a Board of Health for three years. Also to vote on the following question: "Shall license be granted to sell intoxicating liquors in the town for the ensuing year?" the vote to be "Yes" or "No." All the above to be voted for on one ballot. The polls to be opened at half-past six o'clock in the forenoon, and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
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