USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1910-1919 > Part 23
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295.82
Miscellaneous Expenses
276.56
Auxiliary Agencies .
340.75
$9,171.44
73
RECEIPTS.
Town appropriation .
$7,300.00
Received for Trade School .
45.00
State, tuition of children
125.08
Boston, tuition of children
34.00
Dover, tuition of children
18.50
Received from State Treasurer for High School
500.00
Received from State Treasurer for Superintendent 260.41
Income of Town School Fund
141.60
Income of Mass. School Fund
1,022.51
Sales of old material
3.52
$9,450.62
Received from Treasurer Mass. School Fund
$1,022.51
Paid for teaching
880.73
Balance unexpended
$141.78
Balance unexpended from other receipts
137.40
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD C. LINCOLN, Clerk.
74
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The annual report of the School Committee is respectfully submitted.
At the last annual town meeting, Richard C. Lincoln was re-elected, and committee organized with Allan A. Kingsbury as chairman, R. C. Lincoln, clerk.
The regular monthly, and a few special meetings have been held, one in conjunction with the committees representing Norfolk, Millis and Westwood at Millis, April 19, 1913, the usual business pertaining to the welfare of the schools was transacted. The work in our schools during the past year has been very satisfactory, a natural result, following the harmony existing, between Superintendent, teachers, and scholars. The pupils have given very good entertainments, and it is encouraging to see their efforts appreciated by the townspeople, to have them conducted in such a wholesome and acceptable way. We plead for such high standard in the future as much as in the increase of the genuine school spirit, which has rapidly developed in study, and athletics. The attendance has been excellent; the scholars are becoming each year more interested in the High School course, and - with the present number, including a larger entering class than usual, makes the necessity of another teacher apparent. An additional sum of $600.00 will be required for this pur- pose, but will be money well invested. The school buildings are in good condition, and no extensive repairs are needed at present. The standard of all the grades is being raised, and schools rank very favorably with others in this vicinity. We are very anxious to study out the arrangement of studies in such a way, as shall make us more positive, as to whether we are preparing fully in the grades, in penmanship, English, and spelling, which shall prepare scholars for more rapid and correct work, when reaching the Commercial Department.
75
We see no reason why we cannot reach a greater degree of efficiency each year by a still more particular method.
We emphasize this line of work, it being not only most essential to one's future, but something we can make no excuse for not attaining.
The reports of Superintendent and Principal are full of knowledge as to conditions and do not necessitate any repeti- tion on our part.
Respectfully,
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY, RICHARD C. LINCOLN, TIMOTHY F. KENNEDY.
76
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MEDFIELD :
My sixth annual report, which is the fifteenth in the series of annual reports of the Superintendent of the Med- field Public Schools, is herewith submitted for your con- sideration.
No school system can produce the desired results in effi- ciency unless the executive control works from the standpoint of a definite policy. No policy can be effective without cer- tain elements of stability in its application. This stability depends largely upon the harmonious co-operation of the ex- ecutive and the working force, all with a uniform purpose in view. It is the duty of the executive to point out the policy to 1 adopted, but the very best policy possible to conceive m / become ineffective through an unstable teaching force. ', jis unstable condition prevails in our small towns to such .. . ] extent that, often, nearly all, if not all, of a teaching force is changed within a year. It takes but little thought to understand the demoralizing effect of such changes upon a school system. Some changes are sure to come, even under the most favorable circumstances, but we should co-operate to work for the minimum in this respect. We should aim to secure the very best teachers possible to obtain, within our means, and then aim to make conditions favorable to retain them.
The popular view of the way to retain teachers is to do it by raising salaries. This is an important element, but those of us who know teachers intimately recognize that there are other influences which are sometimes greater inducements than a mere matter of more money. Of course the teacher who is worth retaining at all will constantly be making her- self of more value to her school and more useful to the com- munity. Such teachers are sought by the school officials of
77
other communities who usually hold out an inducement in the form of salary, but this alone without better environment and prospects of future advancement may not cause a change. A sensitive teacher may be tempted to leave a position where she is doing good work, on account of the thoughtless and unjust criticism of the public. The constant nagging criti- cism and false reports circulated by some one parent, and allowed by the public to appear to be the general attitude of all, may so dishearten a good teacher that her usefulness may become lessened and she soon be put into a mood which may cause her to accept the first opportunity for a change. When we hear parents, as we sometimes do, deplore the loss of a good teacher, we wonder if they have really considered the perplexing problems which teachers must meet in the management and teaching of so many children, and if they have made any effort whatever to enable that teacher to adapt herself happily to the community.
We deplore the unprofessional attitude of some superin- tendents who induce teachers to leave positions when it is known that they are under contract, and are especially needed in the schools where they are located, and we fail to see Wow any teacher with self respect can break her contract and ¿ - 3- regard her moral obligation by leaving a position without a release by the superintendent and school committee. It is a well known fact that school committees are so lenient towards teachers that they seldom dismiss, ever an incompetent teacher though the children are being deprived of their right- ful due by her retention, yet in spite of this, there is much agitation from some quarters to pass a law to restrict school committees in their power to dismiss teachers, while no power is given committees to prevent a teacher from leaving a position at a time when her going would cause serious detri- to a school.
Two teachers resigned at the close of the school year in June, but this did not cause so much loss because the promo- tions had been made and many of the pupils would change teachers anyway, with their change of grade. We hoped to continue our September force throughout the year, but were disappointed by the resignation of two before the close of the fall term. Their resignations caused a distinct loss to the
78
schools, but fortunate selections of teachers for the vacancies seem to justify the belief that the year will show profitable results.
If we are to work for the best advancement next year, it would seem to be a wise policy for the town to provide funds to enable the school committee to make such increases in salaries as would, in their judgment, be for the best interest of the children and consequently for the benefit of the town.
On account of the lack of funds small towns are sometimes obliged to experiment with young teachers who have not proved their worth. Generally, however, these young teach- ers become valuable acquisitions to a school system after they have had the training which comes with experience and super- vision. When they have become of value in this way they owe something in return to the schools. On the other hand the town should recognize their additional worth and be willing to furnish a corresponding recompense.
A very hard problem before us, and one which deserves the most earnest attention, is how to provide for the best and most efficient development of the high school. The number of pupils who were members last June, but who did not re- turn in September amounted to about twelve per cent of the whole. The number who completed the ninth grade, but who did not enter the high school amounted to about thirty- one per cent of the whole of that grade. If we make an esti- mate on the same basis on the present number in the high school, and in grade nine, we shall have fifty-five pupils for the high school next September. This seems to be a conserva- tive estimate for a canvass of the pupils shows a larger num- ber who intend to be in the high school next year, therefore, I feel that we may safely count on sixty. As the present high school room has seats for but forty-eight, it can be readily seen that it is a question of how to find desk room for the pupils. The large class to enter will naturally continue larger than previous classes through the coming four years. The other classes coming along are of good size, consequently we can expect a crowded condition for four years, at least.
Our program of studies has been curtailed this year to meet the requirements of the State Board of Education in regard to the number of subjects, also the number of recitation
79
periods per week, allowed to each teacher. If efficient work is to be done the needs of the pupils must be met, and next year a wider program of studies must be made. This, taken in connection with the larger school, will require another teacher. In fact the agent of the State Board of Education has stated that another teacher will be required next year.
I have studied the matter from the standpoint of an eight grade system which would allow us to dispense with our ninth grade and make our present eighth grade a part of the high school next year. If you should decide to do this we could then use the room now occupied by the ninth grade for high school purposes and thus seat all of the high school, but in two rooms. The adoption of the plan would result in a very large entering class to the high school, and the difference in the ability of the present eighth and ninth grades to do high school work would require them to be worked in separate divisions, and would also make necessary two, instead of one, additional teacher in the high school, but would make one less teacher in the grades.
Many educational authorities favor the eight grade plan and it is recommended by our own State authorities. The plan must also carry with it some way to have the eighth grade more mature than our eighth grades are. The starting point to accomplish this result is to raise the age of admission to school from five to six years. The plan may be worth your consideration for adoption in future years if not at the pres- ent time. If you decide not to make any change in our sys- tem of grading, and if the high school must remain in the Ralph Wheelock School, the children will have to submit to many inconveniences. We can take up the desks in the high school room and place them together as double desks, thus reducing the number of aisles and providing more room for desks which can be purchased for the purpose. While far from desirable, this can be done in a case of necessity.
The principal, Mr. Taylor, submits further information in regard to the high school, and I refer you to his report. Your attention is also called to the reports of the supervisors of music and drawing and manual arts. The piano now in use is in a dilapitated condition and should be replaced by one which would not take up so much room. Miss Allan
80
feels the need of a sewing machine, and I think in addition to that we should furnish one or more work benches with tools to aid in her work. It would be a material advance along the line of interest, if we could have a work room for the boys. The good results which would come from such an addition, I know from my experience in other towns, would be far above the cost of the equipment.
The school reference library was catalogued during the summer vacation and has become a very useful department. Only a few books have been added this year, on account of lack of funds for that purpose. The general stock of school text-books is fairly well kept up, but needs replenishing in some particular places. More money will have to be spent for books next year.
The new child labor law has added to the work of the superintendent. While not so very much in one town alone, it amounts to considerable when multiplied by four. Of course the time given to work of this kind must be taken from the time which otherwise would be given to supervision. A full compliance with the law would require the attendance officer to investigate the cases of children who are between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, and who are at home. If they are remaining from school for a suitable reason they should be furnished with a certificate of permission, if not, they should be placed in school. The superintendent does not have the time to look up all these cases.
Last spring the children were encouraged to do home garden work through the co-operation of the Massachusetts State Agricultural College, which furnished seed and allowed a . choice of potatoes, yellow corn, sweet corn, garden beans or tomato. Forty-nine children asked for and received seed, and some very good results in the form of harvested crops were shown at the Grange Fair. The Grange is a very help- ful factor in this respect and its usefulness might be further extended, if it could be arranged for a committee from the Grange to supervise and encourage the children in their garden work through the summer months. If every child knew that his garden was to be inspected, at least once, be- tween the time of planting and harvesting by such a commit-
81
tee, it would not only encourage him, but it would also serve to induce him to feel a responsibility to put forth his best efforts.
The life of the high school has been saddened by the illness and death of Edith Heard of the Freshman class, and the long illness of Alice Lynch of the Sophomore class. Our sympathy has been with their parents at this time of trial and we hope for the speedy recovery of Alice. Otherwise the children have been generally free from illness and the at- tendance has been comparatively good.
The teachers are working with a fine spirit and your super- intendent appreciates the support he is receiving.
Respectfully submitted,
M. J. WEST, Superintendent of Schools.
Medfield, Mass., January 31, 1914.
Medfield, Mass., January 25, 1914.
To MR. M. J. WEST, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
This is the fifth annual report of my work in Medfield. Some changes have been made at various times but at present the work continues the same as last year.
The drawing lessons are planned with certain subjects in each grade. Additions and changes are made whenever it seems beneficial to the pupils.
The sewing classes are continued as usual. More advanced work would be done if a sewing machine could be obtained for the school.
Several kinds of baskets have been made and twelve chairs are being caned by the sixth and seventh grade boys. The work is slow owing to short periods, but it is useful and in- teresting.
Altogether the work is progressing favorably and proves helpful.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. ALLAN.
82
Medfield, February 1, 1914.
MR. M. J. WEST, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
DEAR SIR :- I herewith present my second annual report of the work in music in the public schools.
The work is being carried on along the same lines as last year. Always there are some who do excellent work, and many whose work this year shows marked improvement.
The system we employ gives much individual work in all the lower grades. This helps to overcome selfconsciousness in the child, and gives splendid training in accuracy and quick-thinking. It also gives the teacher and supervisor a chance to judge of each pupil's ability, and is used as a basis for credit.
Much written work is required, and in the upper grades written tests, with questions covering the theory studied each week, are given several times during the year. We are striving by this process to make each pupil realize that school music not alone means to sing songs well, but it does mean, also, a mastery of its signs and symbols, and some knowledge of theory and fundamentals.
In April the high school chorus, assisted by a soloist, very creditably presented the cantata, "The Building of the Ship," by Henry Lahu, to a small audience in Chenery Hall. Thus far this year, short choruses, only, have been sung.
The success of our work throughout the schools depends largely on the co-operation of the teachers in their potent daily work with the individual pupils. I wish, here to ex- tend to them my appreciation of their generous support in the furtherance of the work.
Respectfully submitted,
CARRIEBELLE E. THAYER.
To MR. M. J. WEST, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit my second annual report as Principal of the Ralph Wheelock School.
83
The steps which were taken last year to re-organize the High School curriculum have proven most valuable during the year's work, and point the way to further beneficial re- form. The lengthening of the class-room period, the con- centration of the teacher's energy upon fewer courses, and the centering of the pupil's work upon four unit courses in the year, has produced more efficient work throughout the school. Such restriction of recitation periods, however, necessitated the omission of several courses for a year which must be re-introduced for Normal School and college prepara- tion, thereby requiring an enlarged teaching force.
The large grade to enter next fall from the grammar school will also increase the difficulties of program and teaching arrangements, because of large classes and limited equipment. For some time past the matter of providing for this increase in numbers has been under discussion and need not be taken up here. Conditions at best will be cramped and awkward. Recitation rooms will be too small, and commercial and scientific provision necessarily too limited through practical- ly the entire high school course for this class. The serious contemplation of a new high school building should be taken up at once,-which even under normal conditions is very much needed to give the Medfield boys and girls of to-day and to-morrow educational advantages which are peculiar to the advance in practical secondary school training. This ad- vance represents the response to the present day educational needs of communities such as ours, and gives particular attention to the Practical Arts. It provides for directive and foundation courses for the trades and industrial life ; courses in domestic science and economy ; courses in applied science designed to aid the prospective farmer or town house- holder to understand and improve sanitary and hygienic conditions, and to study intelligently the circumstances and agencies of his labor. Such training must be resultant in broader citizenship. Every boy should become a practical artisan ; every girl should be efficient in the domestic arts. The present has very generally shifted the responsibility of this training to the schools. We have no power to supply it in our present cramped quarters, but could make such provision in a new building.
84
There is urgent need of additional science equipment. The college preparatory work in Physics, which will be given again next year, will be very incomplete and below require- ment, unless a generous appropriation is made for the pur- chase of apparatus. If possible this should also cover the cost of a sloyd-bench to be located in the laboratory and to be used as a science "work-shop"; many simple pieces of ap- paratus could then be made by members of the classes, lessen- ing subsequent expenditure, and affording further utilitarian training. The bench could also be employed in the grade work in practical arts. The "hood"-one of the most essen- tial of laboratory accessories-which was added last year, has been most valuable to the chemistry course, and has per- mitted a more complete treatment of that science in college preparatory work.
The scholastic atmosphere of the high school is excellent. The pupils are interested and faithful in their work, and the teachers, painstaking and wholehearted in their service. A good spirit is evident. The restrictive re-organization of the school's social events has been loyally supported, and effectively proved best in securing school unity and adequate funds.
Grateful acknowledgment is made of the counsel, encour- agement, and aid, which has been so generously rendered by those who share with me the responsibility of the school and its work.
Respectfully submitted,
RALPH W. TAYLOR.
January 28, 1914.
85
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Total membership of the schools for the year 1912-13 . 290 Number enrolled in other schools of the State first 7 Number over fifteen years of age; boys 15, girls 31; total 46
Number between five and fifteen years of age; boys 122; girls 135; total 257 Number between seven and fourteen years of age; boys 83; girls 88; total . 171
Number given certificates from the grammar school; boys 8; girls 11; total . 19
Number graduated from the high school; boys 0; girls 7; total .
7
Number of children in town, Sept. 1, 1913, between five and fifteen years of age; boys 117 ; girls 107 ; total
224
Number of children in town, Sept. 1, 1913, between seven and fourteen years of age ; boys 82 ; girls 76; total 158
Total membership this year up to Dec. 19, 1913; boys 137; girls 138; total . 275
Number enrolled this year over fifteen years of age; boys 16; girls 25; total . 41
Number enrolled this year over fourteen years of age; boys 29 ; girls 39; total . Number enrolled between seven and fourteen years of age; boys 76; girls 82; total 158
68
Number enrolled under seven years of age; boys 23; girls 17; total . 40
Number enrolled under six years of age; boys 7; girls 7; total 14
86
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES, DECEMBER 19, 1913.
Total
Ralph Wheelock School :
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII.
23 20 21 18 14 19 26 19 34 12 12 11 7 236
Lowell Mason School :
I. II. III. IV. V. VI.
3
7 3 - 6 5 24
260
EYE AND EAR TEST.
Number of pupils tested
268
Number found defective in eyesight
44
Number found defective in hearing 22
Number of parents and guardians notified
11
SYNOPSIS OF ATTENDANCE FROM SEPT. 1911, TO JUNE 20, 1912.
.
Calls on Teachers
by Parents
Calls by School Physician
Ralph Wheelock
High
18
30
47
42.58
40.77
95.75
47
68
12
10
26
VIII-IX VII-VIII
Louise S. Crocker Geraldine E. White Bethia R. Paine Anna McCrillis
16
27
42
38.78
36.22
93.40
43
29
16
43
1
21
20
40
37.12
35.13
94.63
42
15
62
22
( Calla Rowell
29
27
54
45.92
42.36
92.25
36
56
73
29
V-VI
¿ Mabelle A. Douglas
Edith L. Bartlett
19
17
35
32.81
31.09
94.76
20
27
10
6
Grace H. Carleton
26
18
43
40.34
37.43
92.79
26
77
22
3
22
Lowell Mason
I-V
Dorothy Holden
12
10
22
20.21
18.96
93.81
22
63
24
8
1
Totals
141
149
283
257.76
241.96
93.87|
236|
335
219
92
79
Schools
Grades
Teachers
Total
Membership
Enrollment
Membership Average
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Calls by
Superintendent
on Specia Days Calls by Others
Calls by Others
on Regular Days
Boys
Girls
Ralph W. Taylor
87
III-IV
I-II
SYNOPSIS OF ATTENDANCE FROM SEPT. 1912, TO DEC. 20, 1912
Total
Membership
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Calls by
Superintendent
Calls by Others
on Special Days
on Regular Days
Calls on Teachers
by l'arents
Calls by School Physician
Ralph Wheelock
High
Ralph W. Taylor Louise S. Crocker § Geraldine E. White ) Irene H. Corkery Bethia R. Paine
17
29
46
44.04
42.67
96.89
22
0
3
6
17
1
S
14
19
33
33.37
32.14
96.31
19
0
6
6
0
VII-VIII
Agnes E. O. Burns
24
22
46
44.25
42.41
95.84
23
4
13
0
0
V-VI
Marion Wheeler
17
17
32
31.92
30.44
95.36
11
8
3
1
0
III-IV
Edith L. Bartlett
21
21
40
39.17
37.40 40.97
95.48 93.47
8
0
28
2
0
28
19
41
43.83
I-II
Lowell Mason
I-VI
Dorothy Holden
16
11
27
24.93
23.52
94.35
11
39
15
0
2
Totals
137
138
268
261.51
249.55
95.43
110
57
124
15
31
Schools
Grades
Teachers
Boys
Girls
88
›
56
0
12
S Grace H. Carlton ¿ Katharine E. Brown
16
6
Calls by Others
IX
89
TEACHERS' DIRECTORY, JAN. 1, 1914.
RALPH WHEELOCK SCHOOL.
Grades
Names
Where Educated
High
Ralph W. Taylor, A. B., Prin. Louise S. Crocker, A. B., Ass't. Irene H. Corkery, Assistant
Boston University Mt. Holyoke College. Rochester Business Institute.
IX
Bethia R. Paine
Hyannis Normal School.
VII-VIII
Agnes E. O. Burns
Salem Normal School.
V-VI III-IV I-II
Marion Wheeler
Framingham Normal School.
Edith L. Bartlett
Gorham Normal School.
Katherine E. Brown
New Britain Normal School.
LOWELL MASON SCHOOL.
Grade
Name
Where Educated
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