USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1920-1929 > Part 31
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Article 8. To see if the Town will install one electric light on Janes Avenue, and grant and appropriate money therefor, or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, that one light be installed.
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Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to install twelve electric lights on South Street beginning at High Street, grant and appropriate money therefor, or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, that twelve lights be installed on South Street be- ginning at High Street, and that the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00) be granted and appropriated for the same.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to grant and ap- propriate a sum of money for the purpose of cleaning "Baker's Pond" so called, or do or act anything relating thereto.
Voted, that the meeting be adjourned to next March.
Attest:
WILLIAM H. EVERETT, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1925
121
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Town of Medfield for the Year Ending December 31, 1925
Members and Organization
FRANCIS H. KINGSBURY, Chairman Term expires 1926 ORION WIGHT. Term expires 1927
SUSAN M. CLARK, Secretary Term expires 1928
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
I. Superintendent of Schools
Mr. Theodore W. King of Taunton, Mass., has continued as superintendent of schools for the Norfolk, Westwocd, Millis and Medfield Union, and his report is appended to the report of the committee.
II. School Health
Dr. Frank H. Clough has been retained in the capacity of school physician and has been assisted in his work by Mrs. Emma C. Newcomb, school nurse, Mr. Wesley G. Spencer, an instructor experienced in physical training, and by voluntary assistance from Miss Beatrice Wilkins.
III. Teaching Staff
During the summer vacation the resignation of one teacher was received and her place filled. One additional teacher was engaged to supplement the staff of the High School. Since September two resignations have taken place and the positions have been filled. The committee have found it desirable to in-
:
122
crease the salary of one of the high school teachers,-Mrs. McMurray, in recognition of her continued and conscientious satisfactory service.
IV. Extra-Curricula Activities
The Norfolk County Agricultural School Extension Service has been granted the use of the school building after hours. During the summer a class in cooking was carried on and during the fall and winter months a class in sewing has been in progress, both with satisfactory results.
V. Junior-Senior High School
During the past fifteen or twenty years many changes have been taking place in teaching methods. First, several years ago the ninth grade of grammar school was dropped out, leav- ing eight grammar school grades and four years of high school. Of late years it has been found of advantage to teach the seventh and eighth grades of grammar school by much the same methods as are used in the high school, that is by having a teacher specialize in certain subjects which she teaches to all grades. This has developed what is known as the "six-six" system or Junior-Senior High School and Elementary School, each having six grades. This system was started in the Medfield Schools last September and has worked out to the satisfaction of all concerned. Any provision for future building should consider this phase of the teaching problem.
VI. Overcrowding
The conditions of overcrowding are this year worse than last and as the number of pupils increases will force the committee to adopc the two-platoon system whereby some of the pupils will attend school during the morning and the others during the afternoon. It may be said that the state building inspector may condemn the two rooms on the third floor at any time. The committee feels it unnecessary to go further into this
123
subject at this time since the whole problem of school housing is being investigated by a special committee appointed for the purpose.
VII. School Calendar, 1926
Winter term 8 weeks, opens Jan. 4, closes Feb. 26
Spring term, 8 weeks, opens Mar. 8, closes A.pr. 30 Summer term, 7 weeks, opens May 10, closes June 24 Fall term, 16 weeks, opens Sept. 8, closes Dec. 23
At the beginning of school in September the teachers will be at the schoolhouse on Tuesday, September 7th, and any parents who wish to consult them may do so on that day. The pupils will be enrolled and start their school year on Wednesday, September 8th.
VIII. Summary of Cost
The net cost of operating the schools of the Town for the year 1925, after crediting rebates from the state, interest from the To n School Fund, and certain receipts from miscellaneous sources shown in the financial statement, was $24,838.86.
The committee requests an appropriation of $29,000 for the year 1926, which includes an estimate of $1,000 for new ad- justable seats and desks for the lower grades.
Respectfully submitted by the Committee,
FRANCIS H. KINGSBURY, SUSAN M. CLARK, ORION WIGHT.
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FINANCIAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town Appropriation . . $28,000.00
From Town Treasurer, Interest on School Fund . 137.63
$28,137.63
Expense of General Control
School Committee
Francis H. Kingsbury $ 35.00
Orion Wight.
35.00
Susan M. Clark .
35.00
Susan M. Clark, Clerk
50.00
Wright and Potter, printing
2.00
Theodore W. King, Supt. of Schools . ..
625.00
Theodore W. King, travelling expense. .
77.32
Lawrence Dewar, Att. Off.
63.00
Newell's Stable, car to Millis for meet- tings of Union Committee
11.00
Ambrose Press. 2.50
$ 935.82
Expense of Instruction Salaries of Teachers
High
Alton H. Hartford
$2,500.00
Theresa E. MacMurray
1,400.00
Margaret E. Dolan.
1,400.00
Ida M. Johnson .
1,340.00
Janet W. Macdonald
1,340.00
Marion A. Bagley
480.00
Madeline Appleby
780.00
Alice V. Donahue . 480.00
$9,720.00
125
Elementary
Christine McLeod
$1,140.00
Elizabeth S. Buck
1,200.00
E. A. Maude Craig
1,200.00
Dorothy F. Jones.
1,200.00
Helen A. MacDonald
1,040.00
Mildred A. Kingsbury
820.00
Grace E. Whelan
200.00
Mary Griffin 40.00
$6,840.00
Special
Nettie F. Hamant.
$304.00
Alfreda M. Dean
176.00
Evelyn A. Judd .
110.00
Wesley G. Spencer
119.80
$709.80
Text Books
High
Elementary
Ginn and Co ..
$ 9.87
$100.77
Edward E. Babb & Co
51.22
1.38
The MacMillan Co.
83.81
1.60
Gregg Publishing Co.
23.98
American Book Co.
15.50
Iroquois Pub. Co.
19.90
D. C. Heath & Co.
9.27
Thorp and Martin .
2.98
F. E. Compton Co.
.70
Silver, Burdett & Co.
115.83
Benj. H. Sanborn
35.57
Nat'l. Education Association. .
1.00
$213.55
$259.83
$473.38
126
Supplies
High $141.07
Elementary
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$176.54
Milton Bradley Co.
35.48
77.82
Masury, Young Co.
4.17
8.35
E. H. Abell.
1.47
1.50
Daniel O'Neil
2.32
4.63
Dowling School Sup. Co.
9.74
9.74
Ginn and Co.
3.99
Isaac Pitman & Sons.
2.33
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins.
9.14
American Book Co.
11.76
J. L. Hammett
1.64
C. C. Birchard .
1.60
Oliver Ditson Co.
15.20
Cambridge Bot. Sup. Co.
4.80
W. M. Welch
49.58
Underwood Typewriter Co ..
135.00
Office Appliance Co
114.17
Library Bureau
47.62
Irene K. Wight.
5.00
Walter L. Coulter.
8.00
$585.64
$297.02
$882.66
Expense of Operation
John Dyer, Janitor
$1,404.00
Janitor Supplies
Blood Bros ..
$ 4.25
Masury, Young Co.
70.32
Walter A. Gilbert.
7.90
F. R. Schools and Son
.97
$ 83.44
127
Fuel
Blood Bros.
$1,958.75
Water
Town of Medfield Water Department for 1925: $ 80.00
Expense of Maintenance
Allan A. Kingsbury
$535.10
Francis H. Kingsbury
1.50
Edgar Kingsbury
31.00
Edwin F. Penniman
106.08
Iva F. Penniman.
22.88
Edison Light R. W. School
56.12
N. E. Tel. and Tel. Co.
42.55
Frank V. Weaver
4.00
Henry H. Clark
2.95
C. E. Simpson
8.00
C. F. Read.
1.35
Walter A. Gilbert .
5.50
Weiker's Express.
9.15
$
826.18
Expense of Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health
Dr. Frank H. Clough $ 100.00
Jessica Mitchell, Nurse.
315.00
Emma C. Newcomb, Nurse
200.00
Supplies for School Nurse
12.85
$ 627.85
Transportation.
Amie Newell
$2,181.00
Harry Dewar
716.00
Harry Dewar, Insurance
90.00
Geo. J. Ehnes.
227.75
L. W. Wheeler, Insurance
270.00
128
Pederzini and Sons.
15.00
Medway and Dedham Bus
82.36
$3,582.11
Summary
Expense of General Control
$ 935.82
Instruction .
17,269.80
Books.
473.38
Supplies
882.66
Janitor, salary
1,404.00
Janitor, supplies.
83.44
Fuel
1,958.75
Water
80.00
Expense of Maintenance
826.18
Health
627.85
Transportation
3,582.11
$28,123.99
Unexpended balance.
13.64
$28,137.63
Respectfully submitted,
. SUSAN M. CLARK, Clerk of Committee.
Correct :
W. E. GARDNER, Accountant.
SCHOOL RECEIPTS
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
For Superintendent .
$ 468.50
For High School Tuition
1,250.00
For General School Fund.
1,425.00
For Unused School Tickets
1.80
For Telephone Calls .
2.20
Interest on Town School Funds
137.63
Net Cost of Operating Schools
$ 3,285.13 $24,838.86
129
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Medfield;
In accordance with the customary procedure I hereby have the honor to submit my second annual report.
Plan of Organization
The plan of organization, which includes the grouping of the two upper grammar grades with the first year of High School and thus forms the Junior-Senior High School, has all the grades organized on the sixty-six plan.
This plan of organization has already become well established in many places and has been found to meet the needs for which it was instituted. It makes the transition from the grades to the high school more gradual and permits of making the work better adapted to the advancement and development of the pupils. It has been adopted in a constantly increasing number of places, evidently wherever it is possible to do so.
The increase in the number of pupils reached the group consisting of the seventh and eighth grades this year so that there were to be more than fifty pupils in these grades. It therefore became necessary to secure the services of one more teacher. With the continuance of a greater number in the high school and the need of assistance in the work of the com- mercial department, it seemed advisable to organize the school on the six-six plan, combining the seventh and eighth grades with the high school.
This form of organization was established at the beginning of this school year. It has met the needs and already fulfilled the purposes for which it was instituted. The pupils of the seventh and eighth grades have the advantages of the departmental plan and are taught by teachers who have specialized in the different studies. It permits of a more elective course and develops greater progress.
The transition from the eighth grade to the high school has always required many adjustments. With the present plan the change is more gradual with no decided break in the course,
130
and there is greater possibility of the pupils continuing in school. The present arrangement seems to have received the approval of the pupils and the enthusiastic endorsement of the teachers and parents.
Commercial Department
The efficiency of the commercial department has become known through the effective instruction of Miss Dolan. The extent of this work had so increased as to require some of the time of an additional teacher. The new plan of organization permitted of this arrangement. The department was strength- ened by securing a teacher from the same normal school and with the same training as Miss Dolan. It has, through the earnest and continued efforts of Miss Dolan, become a sub- stantial part of the high school course.
In that Miss Dolan resigned to take a different position, we are very fortunate in having Miss Donahue to take up the ad- vanced work, and at the same time to secure still another teacher with the same education and training as these two teachers have had, so there is every indication that there will be the continuance of a high degree of excellence in this department.
Attendance
The importance of regular attendance in its effect upon the work of the pupils in relation to the advancement seems to be well recognized as is indicated by the co-operation of the parents for this purpose It has been the object of the schools to develop the incentive.
The attendance for the last year was the same as the year previous, which was in the first third in the state. This school year it has been slightly in advance each month than the cor- reponding month last year. There has not been the need of the services of an attendance officer.
Health
The problem of health is vitally connected with education. Health education is fundamental in the problem of human
131
welfare. Health is mainly a matter of educ tion since it is affected by habits which are acquired during the time when the pupil is in the lower grades.
Definite instruction in health is a part of the regular course. It is the purpose to develop proper health habits and a knowl- edge of conditions that are conducive to health. The four- book course written by Dr. Andress and Dr. Evans has been adopted for use in grades three to six inclusive.
The object of the law requiring the employment of a school nurse is to reduce the number of exclusions from school for illness, to co-operate with the parents in cases of sickness so that there is the least possible loss of time from school, and to work toward improving the health of school children.
The general health condition of the pupils that has existed during the fall and still continues, as well as the attendance, indicates the advantage and effectiveness of all the health work.
Use of Building
The continuance of the use of the present building for the number of pupils now using it depends upon the permission of the state inspector. The number at present is greater than the number specified in the present certificate. Besides it does not include approval of the use of the two rooms on the third floor.
The consideration that has already been given to the building problem in relieving the crowded condition probably has helped to defer any decided refusal to use the present building for the number now housed in it.
The rearrangement of the seating in the primary grades last year and the new plan of organization this year helped very much to accommodate the number to the use of the building. The only way left now is the use of the platoon system, which is to have part time for some of the grades. This plan usually applies to the lower grades, but even then it deprives them of schooling to which they are rightfully entitled.
132
Conclusion
The advance that has been made and the progress that has resulted with the better adaption to meeting the needs of the schools has been possible through the thoughtful consideration and keen interest of the school committee. I wish to express to them my appreciation for their support and encouragement, and to the teachers for their faithful application to their work.
Respectfully submitted,
THEODORE W. KING, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In accordance with your request, I submit the following roport for the Medfield High School.
In a pamphlet entitled "The Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education," published by the United States Bureau of Educa- tion, the following "Goal of Education in a Democracy" is set: "To develop in each individual the knowledge, interests, ideals, habits, and powers whereby he will find his place and use that place to shape both himself and society toward ever nobler ends." . With this goal in mind, the following "main objectives of education" are defined: (1) Health-the body should be developed and the knowledge of how to keep physically fit should be gained. (2) Command of fundamental processes- reading, writing, arithmetical computation, oral and written expression. (3) Vocation-some education toward earning a living. (4) Worthy home membership-development of those qualities which make the individual a worthy member of the family. (5) Civic education-development of such qualities as civic pride, good citizenship, etc. (6) Worthy use of leisure time-some instructions or suggestions as to how spare time should be used. (7) Development of ethical character.
"Each subject taught in school should be so organized that it may contribute to these objectives, and its place in secondary education should depend on the value of such contribution.
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In accordance with the principles listed above, the scheme of high school education has changed a great deal in the past decade. Educators now agree that the learning period is best divided into an elementary school of six grades, designed 'to meet the needs of pupils from six to twelve years of age; and a secondary school of six grades, designed to meet the needs of pupils from twelve to eighteen years of age. This secondary school may well be broken ino two periods of three years each- the Junior High School in which the pupil is led "to explore his own aptitudes and make provisional choice of the kind of work to which he will devote himself;" and the Senior High School in which "emphasis should be given to training in the fields thus chosen."
In a town the size of Medfield, a separate Junior High School is inadvisable, but the combined Junior-Senior or Six-Year High School as organized this year promises to be successful. A great fault in our school system as previously organized was the break between the grades and the high school. Many pupils who made excellent records in the grades failed the first year in high school because the change from the restraint of the grades to the greater freedom of the high school was too abrupt. The new organization should remedy this. A pupil now passes from the sixth grade to the seventh, where he finds the same studies, viz., reading language, history, geography, arithmetic, penmanship, and spelling. He has the same teacher for most all these studies; he does not change from his own room for reci- tations. But he is introduced to a new time schedule, under which he is assigned regular study periods and in which the length of the periods is changed from the thirty-minute period of the grades to the forty-five-minute period of the high school.
Passing into the eighth grade he meets two new conditions -- departmental teaching and promotion by subjects. He has a different teacher for nearly every subject. He starts Latin, Commercial subjects, and work in Algebra and Geometry as well as in Arithmetic. At the end of the year he should know whether he wishes to continue the Latin course or the Com- mercial course, and he is promoted in any subject in which he has passed. By this time he has become familiar with high
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134
school procedure and can pass easily to the work of the next grade.
By organizing our school on the six-year basis and employing another teacher (who would have been needed for the eighth grade this year, anyway) we have been able to improve our school in the following ways: (1) The Commercial Department has been strengthened by the addition of a course in Com- mercial Law, a course in Office Training, an additional year of Typewriting, and a course in Elementary Commercial Geog- raphy. In addition to these a course in penmanship and spelling is given three times a week to all pupils in grades seven, eight, and nine. The purchase of an additional type- writer, a four-drawer filing cabinet, and a new Edison Dick Rotary Mimeograph has given us much needed accommoda- tions for he commercial work. (2) Latin is now started in the eighth grade and two years will be spent on Elementary Latin, thus laying a foundation for advanced work in the subject. Caesar, Cicero, and Virgil are taught as formerly. (3) French will be started hereafter in the ninth grade instead of the tenth, thus allowing four years for the subject instead of three as at present. (4) General Introductory Science will be given in the eighth grade. (5) Progress into and through the high school will be no different than progress through the first six grades.
During this year, the first under the new organization, the principle seems to be working out well. The pupils seem pleased with the idea and are working to make it a success.
In working for the other objectives of education much progress is being made. For physical education, two periods of twenty-five minutes each per week were set aside during the fall and will be again in the spring, while during the winter one half-hour period will be given. In this work we are greatly hindered by the lack of a large room without desks which might be used as a gymnasium. Assemblies are held at least once and frequently twice a month, in which short programs are presented by the pupils and sometimes talks are given by someone outside of the school. All class meetings and class elections are held under the supervision of the home room teacher, who acts as adviser for the class. An English Club
135
has been formed. A. school paper, "The Peak," is being published. A school council of fifteen members, two from each class and three from the faculty, helps to decide matters of school policy. Extra credit is given for work outside of regular school courses. For example, successfully holding a class or school office, playing in the orchestra, helping in the lunch room, appearing before the public in any school entertainment or exhibition, etc. Last spring we entered two contestants in the Tri-County League Prize Speaking at Sherborn. Although we were not able to win a prize, this was a start in the right direction and we are planning to enter the contest again this spring.
With seven teachers holding classes during several periods of the day and only six rooms available for high school classes, the working out of this six-year plan is handicapped. Small classes can use the office on the lower floor, but the number of classes small enough to be accommodated here is limited and, another year, might not exist at all.
In conclusion I wish to thank the teachers for their en- thusiastic acceptance of the new plan and their determination to make it succeed in spite of difficulties. I wish also to ex- press my appreciation for the assistance received from you and the school committee during the year.
Respect fully submitted,
ALTON H. HARTFORD. Principal.
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Report of the Supervisor of Music
To Mr. T. W. King, Superintendent:
I submit the following report of music in the schools of Medfield.
Music gives spirit and mood at school.
The period for music should be one of the happiest and most enjoyable of the day.
Part of this period is given to the singing of songs and part to the study of music. And the study part may be as inter- esting and pleasing to the children as the songs, if so presented.
The supervisor being the same, the method of teaching music, according to the so-called Modified Weaver System, has not changed.
The graded work of this method has been explained in former reports.
The number of pupils, who haveremarkable musical ability, is unusually large.
Music is elective in the High School. The class has between fifty and sixty members.
The orchestra loses a few members each year with the gradu- ating class, but new members come each season, keeping the number about the same.
There should be a girls' glee club and a boys' glee club and would be if there were more time.
Respectfully submitted, NETTIE F. HAMANT, Supervisor of Music.
137
Report of Penmanship Supervisor
To Mr. T. W. King, Superintendent of Schools: Dear Sir:
The following is my first annual report of the work in pen- manship in the Ralph Wheelock School:
Supervision of penmanship has been carried on since Sep- tember in the grades, beginning with the third, and continuing through the ninth.
The emphasis in the lower grades is centered on the proper position of body, arm, and pen, and the use of arm movement in writing. As the pupils advance in proficiency in the use of arm movement, the stress is placed more on the form of the letters, after which attention is drawn to the correct slant. The use of victrola records helps to keep the writing rhythmical, and promotes ease and rapidity of movement, which are im- portant factors in penmanship. Commencing with drills on the simpler letters, practice is then applied to the more diffi- cult, with the aim in view of building up sentences and para- graphs which are the written form of expression in life.
With the co-operation of the teachers the work in penman- ship has been carried on throughout the week, and penmanship thereby co-ordinated with the written work in all subjects.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE V. DONAHUE,
Supervisor of Penmanship.
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Report of Drawing Supervisor
Mr. Theodore W. King, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I submit the following report of my work as Supervisor of Drawing in Medfield.
Although I have not been able to accomplish a great deal in two months, I am very glad to have this opportunity to ex- plain what I am trying to do here.
My aim is to make all the work interesting and useful to all the children, as well as the talented ones. Children draw naturally and easily in the beginning, as they write or talk, until we squelch it all out of them by demanding too much. It is what the child gets out of the lesson that counts; not what we save for exhibition.
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