USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1894 > Part 4
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It was thereupon voted that the Town Clerk be instructed to present said by-laws to the Superior Court, or some Justice thereof, for approval, and, if approved, to cause the same to be published, as required by law, and also to cause the same to be printed in convenient form for distribution, and five
*Disapproved.
69
hundred copies thereof to be distributed among the inhabi- tants of the town.
A true copy of record.
Attest : GEORGE W. WIGGIN, Town Clerk.
SUPERIOR COURT, APRIL TERM, 1877. NORFOLK, SS.
The foregoing by-laws are approved, with the exception of Section two of Article five, which is disapproved.
WALDO COLBURN, Justice of Superior Court. April 10th, 1877.
A true copy of by-laws as approved.
Attest : ERASTUS WORTHINGTON, Clerk.
TRUANCY.
Habitual truants, and children wandering about the streets, having no lawful occupation or business, not attend- ing school, between the ages of seven and fifteen years, may, at the discretion of the Trial Justice or Court having jurisdic- tion of the case, be committed to the Truant School provided by the County Commissioners of Norfolk County for a term not exceeding two years, and said Truant School is made the place of detention for such truants.
Sect. 10, Art. 1, Sect. 9, Art. 3, and Article on Truancy approved by the Norfolk County Superior Court, May sitting, 1890, to wit : May 13, 1890.
ERASTUS WORTHINGTON, Clerk.
A true copy of approval.
Attest : HENRY E. RUGGLES, Clerk.
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WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, MARCH 5. 1894.
NORFOLK, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Franklin, GREETING :
You are hereby required. in the name of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts, to notify and warn the qualified voters of the town of Franklin to assemble in their Town Hall on Monday, the fifth day of March, A. D. 1894, at 8 o'clock in the forenoon. then and there to act on the following articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose by ballot a Moderator to preside over said meeting.
ARTICLE 2. To vote by ballot "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town?"
ARTICLE 3. To choose by ballot the following named town officers for the term of one year, viz: "Three Select- men. a Town Treasurer, a Town Clerk, an Auditor, three Assessors of Taxes, three Overseers of the Poor, a Collector of Taxes. three Constables. three members of the Board of Health, and two School Committee for three years, three Fence Viewers and three Field Drivers.
ARTICLE 4. To choose all other necessary town offi- cers for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 5. To see in what way and manner the town will collect its taxes the current year.
ARTICLE 6. To hear a report of the town officers and act thereon.
ARTICLE 7. To see what action the town will take rela- tive to a pound.
71
ARTICLE 8. To vote a suitable number of names of per- sons into the jury box for the year ensuing.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the town will authorize the Treas- urer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipation of taxes for the current year.
ARTICLE 10. To see if the town will instruct the Select- men to suppress the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors in the town for the current year.
ARTICLE 11. To see what sums of money the town will raise and appropriate for the repairs of roads, bridges and sidewalks ; for the support of schools, repairs of school build- ings, school books and supplies and miscellaneous school expenses ; for the support of the poor ; for the support of the Fire Department ; for water supply ; for the payment of town officers ; payment of town debt and interest ; abatement and collection of taxes ; street lights ; printing and stationery ; suppression of illegal liquor traffic ; payment of police ; State and military aid; support of the library of the Franklin Library Association ; decoration of soldiers' graves and mis- cellaneous town expenses.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the town will vote to require the School Committee to employ a Superintendent of Schools and appropriate money therefor, or act or do anything therein.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the town will appropriate any and what sums of money to construct concrete sidewalks in town, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 14. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to sel! the Mount schoolhouse and lot, or do any- thing relating thereto.
ARTICLE 15. To see if the town will vote to reduce the number of School Committee, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the town will appropriate one hundred dollars for the care and planting of shade trees, to be expended under the direction of the Selectmen, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 17. To see what action the town will take towards
72
putting an arc light at head of Summer street, so-called, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 18. To see what action the town will take towards putting in an arc light on McCarty street, or do any- thing relating thereto.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the town will take any and what action in relation to placing a hydrant at the corner of Rug- gles and Bullock streets, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 20. To see what action the town will take as regards the engineers using the town horses in the case of a fire, or do anything relating thereto.
ARTICLE 21. To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to move the lockup on to the southwest corner of the Town House lot and attach an open shed to the barn of sufficient size to hold their carts, road scraper and other road supplies, or do anything relating thereto. .
ARTICLE 22. To see if the town will vote to make the taxes payable October 1st, instead of December 1st, or do anything relating thereto.
The polls will be opened at eight o'clock A. M. and may be closed at twelve o'clock noon.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before the hour of said meeting.
Given under our hands at said Franklin this twenty-third day of February, A. D. 1894.
EDGAR K. RAY, EDWIN A. MASON, JESSE B. HOPKINS,
Selectmen of Franklin.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1894. .
J. CUSHING GALLISON. MARGARET L. RAY.
Term expires March, 1894
1894
EDWARD C. ABBOTT.
.6
..
1895
REBECCA M. FARNUM.
66
1895
MARY A. WIGGIN.
. 6
.6
1896
CHARLES KINGSLEY.
66
66
1896
ERNEST D. DANIELS, SUPERINTENDENT.
A 10
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN :
In the report of the Superintendent of Schools will be found the information regarding our public schools which was formerly embodied in that of the School Committee, but by there are some few statements which may properly be made by the Committee.
1. First, as to
SUPERINTENDENCE.
The Committee found themselves at the close of the annual March meeting without sufficient funds to warrant them in employing a Superintendent, who should give his whole time to the oversight and direction of the public schools. Under these circumstances the Committee decided that the best arrangement that could be made would be to employ a teacher for the High School who could act also as partial Superintendent. They were fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Ernest D. Daniels, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School and also of Amherst College, who had supple- mented his courses of study at home by some months of travel abroad. He has shown himself capable and energetic in his new and difficult position, and he has been in their opinion so successful that the Committee feel their decision to have been wisely directed.
And here it should be said, in simple justice to all con- cerned, that the able and efficient assistants of the High School,
76
Miss Whiting and Miss Goodwin, have so conducted the business of the school during the necessary absence of the Superintendent that he has been able to carry out the plans of the Committee to their entire satisfaction.
HEATING AND VENTILATION.
2. Although the new and somewhat intricate system of heating and ventilating may not be all that could be desired, yet it has been found to work well in the building on School street. The constant endeavor of the janitor in the Horace Mann building to economize in the matter of fuel has produced results much more satisfactory than last year.
The health and comfort of both teachers and pupils are greatly improved by the present system as compared with the old method of heating without proper ventilation. The Com- mittee hope to make some change as to the draughts of air, which are so strong that they cause inconvenience to those sitting on the platforms, but which are not felt in other parts of the rooms.
CHANGES IN SCHOOLS.
3. The. establishment of a parochial school in town has necessitated a reduction in the number of schools, of which the Superintendent will give the particulars.
One change has been made against the best judgment of the Committee. There were three sub-grammar schools, containing about thirty pupils each. That number is sufficient for one teacher, who can thus give to each scholar that atten- tion which is especially valuable to those attending that grade of schools. Many of the best educators are urging the neces- sity of lessening the number of scholars under one teacher and deploring the crowded condition of many schools, insisting that though there may be a certain kind of drill in which most can join, there can be but little thorough individual instruc- tion which is worthy the name of teaching.
The change to which objection has been made is the put- ting of the pupils of these three schools into two rooms, with one teacher each, thereby hindering the progress of the scholar. In proof of this statement it may be mentioned that in one of these schools there had been as much work done
77
previous to the last Christmas holidays as had been accom- plished in twice that time the year preceding.
CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS.
4. If the parents of the scholars could realize how much more might be accomplished by their children they would certainly insist that, since school and its duties are of the first importance at their age, nothing should be allowed to inter- fere with close attention to those duties. A marked improve- ment in this direction is greatly to be desired, and it must be brought about if the schools of this town are to take the posi- tion which they should occupy.
For the Committee : R. M. FARNUM.
M. L. RAY, MARY .A. WIGGIN, CHARLES KINGSLEY, J. CUSHING GALLISON, Committee.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COM- MITTEE :
I have the honor to submit to you my first report as Superintendent of Schools. In beginning work last Septem- ber in the two-fold capacity of High School Principal and Superintendent I found my time completely occupied, and it was only by the kind assistance of the individual members of the Committee, and the willing help of Mr. Longworth, that the results attained were rendered possible.
My predecessor's course of study has mainly been fol- lowed. My attention was first given to reading, and a course was outlined, with the help of the Committee, on so broad and literary lines that we felt sure that future changes would be to enrich, not to remove it. It is in line and fully abreast of the courses followed in the best educational centres. Lack of funds, however, has prevented the use of all the books approved.
In spelling, the schools have been very deficient, due partly to the language ; partly, perhaps, to the method of teaching. We have recommended that all the teachers take a few minutes every day for the sounding of letters, or the science of phonics, then combining these sounds into syllables, and finally for the precise articulation of the word. After such drill the analysis of the word into its elementary sounds and and the naming of these sounds, either in speech or writing, is largely a matter of thought and care, not of memory purely.
The right use of the organs of speech has been sadly neglected. The pupils mumble their words or speak too faintly. To correct these faults more attention must be given
79
to the position of the body, the action of the lungs, movement of intercostal and abdominal muscles, control of breath and all the organs of throat and mouth. These faults both demand and limit the physical exercises of the schools.
In writing, the copy-books published by Ginn & Co. have been introduced, and special instruction given by their agent. In writing, as a whole, our schools are only fair. I believe the vertical style will be eventually introduced, since it is more practical and natural.
For arithmetic the Committee readopted Sheldon's. In this subject, as well as in language or grammar and geography, we have followed the plans of last year with but slight modi- fication, encouraging the teachers to do the best possible under the circumstances. I believe we get better results by encour- agement than by fault-finding, and saying "You must do it this way."
The reports of the special teachers in music and drawing are added below. I hope that both teachers may be secured for the coming year.
That there is need of change in many of the above sub- jects is apparent to all interested in the schools. There should, however, be no change for the mere sake of change. The scholar's welfare is too vital to be experimented with. Every permanent good is of slow growth. In making these changes and improvements we can afford to go slowly. There should be only such changes as are founded on broad educa- tional principles and approved by experience. A graded course of nature studies for all the lower schools, manual training for the High and Grammar, algebra in the latter and sewing in the lower ones are among the needed improve- ments.
In nature studies we are far behind the times. Even in the High School, until very recently, there has been little real scientific work. The laboratory method can be successfully used in the lowest forms if the objects of study are carefully graded. To introduce the course we need only a few sup- plies, but trained and interested teachers. The results will be for the pupil, because of his handling and testing objects, clearer perception. increased power of observation and, if
80
rightly taught, greater power of thought and memory result- ing from forming his own inference from his own experiment.
Language is no longer meaningless, geography no longer dull ; all is brightened because the scholar is doing.
The experience of Northampton, Boston and Waltham proves the value of manual training. A room in the Horace Mann building could be fitted for a workshop with slight expense. The practical benefits are knowledge of tools, essen- tial in a manufacturing town ; finer control of the muscles by the will ; greater exactness in observation, and increased in- terest in all studies. There is a time when the youth is hardly a man that "schooling" becomes irksome. To such a one science work and manual training is a boon. In Waltham, pupils who had left the High School tired of books, when this course was introduced returned, begged to be readmitted, labored hard in the workshop, and in that found a new inter- est for their former lessons. The time may not be ripe yet for this course, but I believe it is near at hand.
The subject of morals in our schools is a question that has occasioned much private discussion among those who have a right to be interested. Some believe that great laxness has been the rule; others maintain that our pupils have been maligned. Without going into some details within my personal knowledge, I would respectfully remind the parents that a more faithful oversight on their part of the associates, leisure hours, reading and thoughts of their children, in co- operation with the teachers, cannot but result in a higher moral tone throughout all grades. There will then be better lessons, better progress. I suggest that instead of denouncing evil we all labor to substitute and engraft the good.
The system of repairing followed during the summer and fall has put our buildings in better condition. But they need painting both inside and outside. Soiled ceiling and dingy walls have a depressing influence upon both scholars and teacher, while the white ceiling and tinted walls the contrary. Some of the rooms have been adorned by the pupils with pic- tures. This should be encouraged, for from some pictures come the highest incentives to a nobler life. They are not mute teachers. The last contributions of Bishop Brooks
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were in this line. The tendency today is to make the school- room more like a refined home and less barn-like. If we could realize that to many a little fellow these are the only six years of his life that can be subjected to such influence, would we still be remiss?
In some of the German schools there is no sweeping, but the rooms are washed every day to remove all possible germs of disease. I would advise the washing of the rooms each vacation, not merely during the summer.
Ventilation by some means other than an open window is needed in the district schoolhouse and most of the pri- maries. The "Chapel" has been closed. In my opinion it is entirely unfit for a schoolhouse with its present means of light and ventilation.
The plan of transporting the pupils from the Mount dis- trict has been continued. The advantages are better instruc- tion, better influences upon the pupils and a slight reduction in expense. I hope to see the plan extended to other districts.
In buying new supplies the strictest economy has been followed to keep within the balance of the appropriations.
Teachers' meetings have been held once in three weeks with benefit, I trust, to all. I find that the teachers are anx- ious to attend and all are willing to take part in discussion with questions and in preparation of essays on special subjects.
The meetings of the Superintendent, drawing and music teachers have been arranged to come on the same day. It would be better if we could have a half-day for these exercises.
The moving of a few families from town and the opening of the church school made necessary the consolidation of the schools. The Superintendent and a minority of the Commit- tee were in favor of closing three schools at once. This plan did not prevail. But at the end of the fall term, when the change did occur, I believe the best possible at that time was done. We believe that the best citizenship is produced by all classes supporting and sending their children to the public schools. We invite visitors at all times and frank criticism.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
was found in a critical condition-lax in discipline, disgrace-
A 11
82
ful in attendance and poor in power of study. Of the im- provement, others can best judge. Great praise is certainly due the two assistants for their faithful co-operation. We have reduced the tardiness from forty-nine on an average a month to but two during January, 1394. The course of study has been both enlarged and enriched, and if the course ap- proved by the Committee is followed it will fit for any college. Bookkeeping is to be finished in the Grammar and several new features in the science department have been added. A Lyceum has been formed by the young men for debates, and a paper edited by Miss Lena Tower of the junior class for train- ing in composition. The electric bells facilitate our exercises greatly. Still the school is lacking in enthusiasm, in persist- ent application or in power of HARD WORK, and is hampered by lack of apparatus and book supplies. The standard of ex- cellency is not a whim of any one person, but a requirement placed upon the High School by its relation to the college. With too many parents and scholars the school is but a sec- ondary affair in their lives. And I find this heedlessness common to our schools.
Contrary to many so-called progressive ideas, I believe that Latin RIGHTLY STUDIED is essential for all liberal educa- tion. Of the following approved courses of study the best results will come from the study of mathematics, Latin and the sciences.
In conclusion, let me quote as an ideal for all teachers, Prof. Huxley, who says : "That man has a liberal education who has been so trained in youth that his body is the ready servant of his will ; whose mind is stored with the great funda- mental truths of nature and of the laws of her operations ; one whose passions are trained servants of a vigorous will and a tender conscience ; who has learned to love beauty, hate vile- ness and respect others as himself."
And again : "The secret of Thomas Arnold's success in moulding the character of his pupils is found in his deep love for them. He entered heartily into their amusements, as well as into their mental occupations. He brought his own culti- vated mind near to their minds and awakened in them a love for the truth and good conduct ; and the boys who graduated
83
from his school went away into life bearing with them some- thing of the spirit of their great teacher. Dr. Arnold owed his success as a teacher to the insight he had into the inner life of his pupils and to his knowledge of the springs of human action."-JOHN W. DICKINSON.
Respectfully submitted.
ERNEST D. DANIELS.
APPROVED COURSE OF STUDY, HIGH SCHOOL.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
Latin
Latin
Latin
Algebra Greek History Elocution Composition
Algebra
Algebra
Roman History
Mediaeval History Elocution
Elocution Composition
Composition
SECOND YEAR.
Latin Geometry Elective :
Latin Geometry Elective :
Latin Geometry Elective :
Greek or
Greek or
Science Required :
Science Required :
Greek or Science Required :
Elocution Composition
Elocution
Composition
Elocution Science
THIRD YEAR.
Latin Rethoric Elective : French German Greek Science Required :
Elocution Composition
Latin Rhetoric Elective :
Latin Rhetoric, with Eng. Lit. Elective :
French
French
German
Greek
German Greek Science Required :
Science Required :
Elocution Composition
Elocution Composition
84
FOURTH YEAR.
Latin
Geometry
Reviewed
Latin Algebra
§ Reviewed Advanced
Latin Arithmetic
Reviewed Advanced
Elective :
Elective :
Elective :
French
French
French
German
German
German
Greek
Greek
Greek
Science
Science
Required :
Required :
Elocution
Elocution
Composition
Composition
Drawing, Music and Spelling weekly
ENGLISH COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
Algebra Greek History Physical Geo.
Elocution Composition
Elocution
Composition
( Physiology or Zoology Elocution Composition
SECOND YEAR.
Geometry English History
Chemistry Elocution Composition
Geometry Half Eng. Hist. Term / Civil Gov't Chemistry Elocution
Composition
Botany Elocution Composition
THIRD YEAR
Rhetoric Botany or Astronomy Elective :
Rhetoric Mineralogy Geology Elective :
French
German Required : Elocution
Composition
Rhetoric, with Eng. Lit.
Geology Elective :
French German Required :
Elocution Composition
Algebra
Algebra
Mediaeval History
Roman History
Element. Physics
Geometry
Civil Government
.
French German Required : Elocution Composition
Science Required :
Elocution Composition
Solid
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FOURTH YEAR.
English Literature Physics Elective :
French
French
German
German
Geometry
§ Reviewed
Solid
Algebra
Reviewed
Advanced
Required :
Required :
Elocution
Elocution
Composition
Composition
Drawing, Spelling and Music weekly.
English Literature Physics
Elective :
French German
Arithmetic
Reviewed
Advanced
Required : Elocution Composition
APPROVED COURSE IN READING.
Year.
1. Riverside Primer, Cyr's Primer, Stories of Child Life.
2. Fables and Folk Stories, Davis' Second Reader.
3. Hans Andersen's Stories, Davis', Lippincott's Third.
4. Hawthorne's Little Daffydowndilly. Longfellow's Children's Hour, and other Poems. Stories Mother Nature Told Her Children.
5. Hawthorne's Wonder Book, Tanglewood Tales. Song of Hiawatha, Longfellow.
6. Hawthorne's True Stories, New England Histories.
Dickens' Christmas Carols, Burroughs' Birds and Bees.
7. Whittier's Snow-Bound, Among the Hills and Songs of Labor. Hawthorne's Tales of the White Hills. Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare.
8. Longfellow's Evangeline. Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburgh Speech, and other Papers. Tom Brown at Rugby.
9. Longfellow's Miles Standish. Scott's Lady of the Lake. Merchant of Venice. Story of Our Continent.
SUGGESTIVE OUTLINES FOR READING.
FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES.
Fairyland of Flowers, M. L. Pratt. B 30
Country of Dwarfs, P. B. Du Chaillu. G 19
A Flight Through France, E. E. Hale. G 118
English Literature Physics
Elective :
86
Japanese Girls and Women, A. M. Bacon.
253
Childhood's Song, Lucy Larcom. L 45
Timothy's Quest, Kate T. Woods. Boyhood of Great Men.
F 617
Boys' Book of Science, J. H. Pepper.
F 46
Child Pictures from Dickens.
F 423
Letters from a Cat, H. Jackson.
F 555
Little Lord Fauntleroy, F. H. Burnett.
F 504
Litttle Women, Į L. M. Alcott.
F 23 and 21
Little Men,
SIXTH GRADE.
Snow Images, N. Hawthorne.
I 23
Travels in Africa, D. Livingstone.
C 257
Canoe Rob Roy, J. MacGreggs.
C 225
The Golden Legends, Longfellow.
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