USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1886-1895 > Part 20
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FORGE VILLAGE.
These schools were taught for the spring term by teachers who had been there several years-Grace Lawrence and Mrs. Wyeth. At the close of the term both these ladies resigned. Miss Mabel Baldwin and Miss Bessie. Prince were employed to take their places. Both these ladies gave satisfaction ; but Miss Prince declined to remain, and in the winter the higher depart- ment was given to Flora A. Whitcomb, Miss Baldwin staying in the primary room. These schools are large and difficult. They have done better than was expected with so many changes. Enrollment, primary 65, grammar 35; average attendance, primary 42.41, grammar 24.96.
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NASHOBA.
This has been one of the happy schools of the year. Same teacher as for several years ; no sickness. "All is well." Teacher, Clara Smith ; enrollment, 23 ; average attendance, 15.97.
PARKERVILLE.
School very small, some bright children ; Flora A. Whitcomb, teacher for two terms; Marion Fuller, for one term. Miss Ful- ler is well qualified, and gave, we judge, good satisfaction. En- rollment, 9 ; average attendance, 5.72.
MINOT'S CORNER AND NABNASSET
Have both been fortunate. The same teachers - Miss Drew and Miss Winship-have been retained throughout the year, and "La Grippe" did not disturb them. Result, profitable schools, though not large in number. Enrollment, Minot's Cor- ner 17, Nabnasset 19; average attendance, Minot's Corner 14.44, Nabnasset 14.25.
LONG-SOUGHT-FOR.
Another unfortunate. Three teachers in three terms. Rena Prescott, in spring, resigned ; Alice Bean, for fall term Miss Bean does not like the work, and resigned soon after; winter term opened. Miss Mary L. Herndon completed the winter term. This school is small but it has been one of our bright and pleasing schools. There is no reason why it should not keep its reputation if it will. Children are regular and punctual generally. Enrollment, 13 ; average attendance, 11.98.
LYON.
Josephine Dane has taught for the year, but sickness delayed the opening of the winter term. Enrollment, 12; average at- tendance for year, 8.45.
GRANITEVILLE.
Enrollment for the four schools, 139; average attendance, 90.43. There have been changes here. Miss Hewitt, after
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twenty years' service, resigned at close of spring term. So also did Miss Sargent. Their places were supplied by promoting Miss Parker to the first grammar grade, and Miss Wilson to the place left vacant by Miss Parker. Miss Annie Carmichael and Miss Blanche Craven were employed in the two lower depart- ments, where their work was quite creditable. These young ladies are recent graduates of our Academy, who came to their work with no special preparation except what was obtained from a three weeks' course at the Martha's Vineyard Summer School of Methods. The Superintendent is confident, however, that he saw the benefit of those three weeks' study in the after- work of the school-room. This leads us to say a word con- cerning
TEACHERS AND THEIR PREPARATION FOR THEIR WORK.
There is a growing sentiment that all who engage in teaching should make their work one of the study of methods and prin- ciples ; thatthey should prepare for their work as for a profes- sion ; come to it as to a profession ; that there is the same need for training in the work of teaching as in the work of other professions-law, medicine, theology. That sentiment, we be- lieve, is a right and just one. It should grow till the public will demand, and insist upon, such preparation. Surely we should se- lect with quite as much solicitude and intelligent forethought those who care for the minds and develop the intellectual powers of our children, as we do the nurses and physicians who care for and develop their physical powers. At present far too many teachers are without professional knowledge or training,-young and inexperienced,-many of them persons who come to their work as a means of earning a livelihood,-a passing occupation till something better, more lucrative, shall offer. Of course, such teachers are not to be blamed. Not all can take profes- sional training at first ; for "one must live." But, we repeat, the sentiment in favor of trained, skilled teachers is growing. Bye and bye such will be demanded, and others not accepted.
Meantime, untrained teachers can do much to remedy defi- ciencies if they will, by reading, private study, attendance at conventions, institutes, and summer schools, provided they
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think and study in such a manner as to grasp the theory and principles involved in their work.
With this desire to better understand their work and to im- prove its quality, four of our teachers, with the Superintendent, attended the Summer School of Methods, last year, at Martha's Vineyard. These teachers deserve special commendation, for the expense was considerable-from thirty to forty dollars, and salaries here are not large. But the weeks were full of sugges- tion and profit, and the committee hope that in the year to come more will avail themselves of such opportunities of im- provement as these summer schools furnish. Even if one brings away only the inspiration one catches there, the benefit will be much. But one will gain more than inspirations; one will find knowledge.
Of course, it is true that the determining force-the mould- ing power-the prime factor, in the school-room, is the teacher; and that a good teacher who loves her work,-and no one is a really good teacher who does not love her work,-will return a larger product of good result, even working without much method or hampered by a poor method, than will a poor or in- different teacher with the best system and method.
But it is equally true that, given the good teacher, he or she will return much better results if working in accordance with recognized principles, and by well tried and proven methods.
NEW FEATURES.
Not many new features have been introduced during the year. At its beginning a new course of study was adopted, ar- ranged to advance pupils a little more rapidly than the former course, though requiring more of the teachers, and so designed that each study shall receive its due amount of attention and none be overlooked. Special time was also assigned to "nature studies." It is believed this course is better than its predeces- sor, though more may be required in some departments than can be accomplished by all. If so, trial for a year or two will determine what changes need to be made. Also, at the begin- ning of the year certain Rules and Regulations were adopted by the Committee.
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RULES AND REGULATIONS
REGARDING TARDINESS AND ABSENCE, ADOPTED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1891.
The purpose of our public school system contemplates and requires, in order that the largest benefit may be obtained, the regular and constant at- tendance of the pupil, and his punctual presence in the school-room. In order the more effectually to secure such punctuality and regularity, the following rules relative to tardiness and absence have been adopted by the Committee. Parents are respectfully asked to aid in their enforcement.
TARDINESS.
I. A pupil once tardy shall have his (or her) attention called to the fact, and if there be found a sufficient reason, this may be excused, though the fact must be recorded in the Register.
2. A pupil twice tardy shall be reprimanded.
3. A pupil three times tardy may be suspended and the matter referred to the Committee. And if a pupil be tardy four or more times, without ample reason, the matter shall be referred to the Committee, and reinstate- ment shall be at their option.
ABSENCE.
I. A pupil absent from school for one day shall bring from the parent or guardian an excuse in writing, stating the reason for such absence.
2. If a pupil be absent for two successive days, the teacher shall inves- tigate the cause for such absence, and if the cause is not sufficient, the mat- ter may be referred to the proper Truant Officer.
3. A pupil absent three successive days shall be referred to the truant officer. And if, after notification by the officer, he continues absent (being absent in all four or more days), he shall be regarded as having withdrawn from the school, and reinstatement shall be at the option of the teacher or the Committee.
4. Any pupil who shall be absent six or more half days in four succes- sive weeks without excuse shall be regarded as having withdrawn from the school and the matter shall be referred to the proper Truant Officer or to the Committee.
AUTHORITY OF TEACHERS OVER PUPILS.
(Extract from the School Laws of Massachusetts.)
"Section 1 of Chapter 44 of the Public Statutes imposes upon teachers of the public schools the duty of instructing their pupils in good behavior.
"The Constitution of the State makes it the duty of all institutions of learning to train those committed to them in the practice of every virtue. To attain these ends it is necessary that a wise government over the pupils shall be uniformly and persistently maintained. The teacher is, therefore,
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vested with the authority of the parent in the control of the children in their relations as pupils of his school.
" I. In the school-room he has exclusive control of his pupils, subject only to the direction of the School Committee.
"2. He may rightfully exercise the same full control over his pupils at any time while they are on any part of the school premises.
"3. While the pupils are on their way to and from the school, the author- ity of the teacher may be considered as concurrent with that of the parent or guardian. If the pupils in coming to the school, or in going from it to their homes, commit an offence against the civil laws, it will be well to leave the offenders in the hands of judicial or parental authority. But if the children quarrel on their way, or are wilfully tardy, or use indecent and profane lan- guage, or in any way by their conduct injure the good order and discipline of the school, the teacher may take notice of such conduct by subjecting the offender to such wise and judicious treatment as will have a tendency to prevent a repetition of the offence."
A word as to these may be necessary lest they be misunder- stood. They are not meant to be oppressive. It will be seen that much discretion is left with the teacher. These regula- tions are designed simply to put the parents, the teacher, and the Committee into a little closer connection with each other. It was found that some few pupils (see report of Truant Offi- cers) were running away from school, playing truant, while the parents believed them to be in school where they had been sent. Also, some were carelessly and needlessly tardy, habitually so. Now the Committee took it for granted that parents did not de- sire this any more than did the teacher or Committee. They assumed that the parent desired to know it, if his child was playing off, or was on the street when he was supposed to be in school
It was to give just this information, that these rules were adopted. They do not say that a pupil can not be out of school. They only ask, that, if a parent desires a child out, he or she will send a note to that effect to the teacher. This is only just to the child, who is not then suspected of any wrong. It is only just to the teacher, who desires to know, and ought to know, that, if a pupil is absent, it is for good reasons and with the parents' knowledge. And it is just to the parent who thus places himself in alliance with the school to make it as
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good as possible. And it is not exacting much to ask the writing of a line of explanation to the teacher.
Probably in most of our schools these rules have not made, and will not make, any difference. To many of our schools they will not apply. In some few, however, they have been productive of good. We feel sure the sound sense of our cit- izens will approve them when rightly understood.
At the beginning of the year, too, a change was made in the drawing work, "Prang's Shorter Course" being put in the place of the course then in use. This involves form drawing, clay modeling, paper cutting, and the use of forms in design. Form models, such as the cube, sphere, cylinder, half cylinder, etc., are supplied the children. These forms are then drawn, moulded in clay, cut in paper, and used in design; and this course of drawing, construction, representation, and decoration is carried through all grades. Miss Clara Fisher is receiving instruction in this work from Boston, and is instructing our other teachers. The new drawing books are much liked, and the results this year have been quite satisfactory. It will take a year or two to see the full results; but it is believed that the change was a wise one. The Superintendent would suggest that some time next summer, perhaps, there be an exhibit made at the Town Hall of the work of the children in drawing, mould- ing, and representing, that all who care to do so may see what is being attempted.
A portion of our teachers have been receiving, at their own expense, instruction in the "Swedish" or "Ling" system of gymnastics from Mrs. E. P. Barker, of Ayer. We are glad to speak of this and to commend it, and we wish this subject might be introduced into all our schools. Physical culture is receiving much attention in all parts of the land. Westford ought not to be found wanting in so good a cause. Many cities and towns are furnishing free instruction to teachers, who im- part the instruction thus received to their pupils. The " Swedish" system of gymnastics is based upon a careful study of anatomy, and an intelligent purpose lies behind each set of movements. The system is especially suited to the needs of young children, as its exercises are comparatively gentle and
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require no apparatus, at least for most of the tables. This system is now being introduced into the schools of Ayer, Little- ton, Pepperell, and other towns about us. The Superintendent has seen the exercises in Ayer and Littleton ; also in other places, and feels confident of the value of the system. It is said, of course, that children in the country do not need gym- nastics; they have exercise enough. It is probably true that they do not need exercise simply; but it is noticeable that many children in country schools are growing round-shouldered and hollow-chested because proper positions are not main- tained. This system of physical culture aims to correct such tendencies, and to develop normal and healthy bodies. Those teachers who have tried the exercises in our schools find that the children like them, and it is believed that five minutes per session devoted to carefully taking these exercises would not only prove an aid to discipline, but would exert a beneficial in- fluence upon the health, especially of weak or nervous chil- dren.
WORK OF THE SCHOOLS.
With the exceptions already indicated, the work of the schools has run along in about the usual channels. Where con- ditions have been favorable the results have equalled those of other years. So far as the quality of the whole is below the standard, it is due to causes already mentioned, viz., sickness and frequent change of teachers.
SUPERINTENDENT'S WORK.
The Superintendent has made about the usual number of visits to the schools, 190, and his work has not differed much from the work of past years, save that less written test work has been given this year than in some others. Such work was prepared, but owing to the many new teachers, and to the broken condition of several schools at the time when such work would have been given, it seemed best to omit it. Most schools did well with the oral work given them. Two or three days were spent by the Superintendent in visiting the schools of other towns.
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SCHOOL PROPERTY-CARE OF, REPAIRS, ETC.
There is little to be said as to the condition of the school property which has not been said in former reports. It is gen- erally in good condition. A new fence has been erected at No. 4, and the school carpenter has attended to such matters as have come to his knowledge.
It will be seen from the report of the Treasurer that the cost for repairs, broken locks, etc., is greater than usual this year, while very little has been turned into the treasury in payment for damage done. This may be owing to the fact that those teachers who have come to us during the year have not under- stood that pupils were expected to pay for all injuries done above the ordinary wear. Generally pupils and parents have shown a creditable willingness to make compensation for acci- dental injury. We would, however, call attention to the rule which holds teachers responsible for injuries to school property, and to the fact that if the requirement is not heeded the amount due for injury is liable to be deducted from the teacher's wages. It is hoped there may be no occasion to enforce the rule, but the matter should be carefully looked after.
With one or two exceptions books have been well used and cared for. The Committee require all books to be kept cov- ered, and generally a book lives out its natural life period before it has to be discarded. Most schools try to be careful, but No. 7 still heads the list for neatness and carefulness in the use of books. In two instances the Superintendent has seen teachers using books improperly, and has spoken of it But books will wear out, and many will have to be replaced by new ones next term.
We are glad to commend once more the services of our faithful janitor at Graniteville. His school-house is always a credit to him. Few neater can be found. Four school-rooms have, however, been found in an unsatisfactory condition. We will not specify, but we regret the fact. Our pay for such service is small, we know, but we appeal to the feeling of pride. A dirty, disorderly room is a credit to no one. How to make
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our janitor service more acceptable and without too great cost will be one of the problems for the new year.
No. 9 school-house (Lyon) sadly needs whitening; it is very dingy and dirty.
VENTILATION.
In regard to the system of heating and ventilating put into the school-house at Forge Village under orders from the State, your Committee can only report that the matter remains much the same as one year ago. The system has not yet been ap- proved by the State.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
With the $150 appropriated for the purpose by the Town, your Committee have maintained an evening school at Graniteville, for twelve weeks, at an expense of $148.65. Two teachers be- ing employed, and two rooms occupied. (See details elsewhere.) The attendance was smaller than one year ago, and the interest not so great. This may, however, be owing to the prevalence of sickness and the same causes which affected the day schools. Such a school is in many ways desirable, and your Committee would advise its continuance for another winter at least, and would respectfully ask that the same sum as last year be raised and appropriated for that purpose, viz., $150.
COST, LENGTH, NEEDS.
The cost of the schools have been about the same as in other years. Wages have been generally the same ; only incidentals have varied. Owing to a decrease in the school appropriation last year we have been able to have only thirty-five weeks' schooling instead of thirty-six as usual ; one school only thirty- four weeks, on account of sickness. No portion of the "dog money" was last year appropriated to schools as has been cus- tomary.
Our schools are greatly in need of new and better maps. Our present ones are poor and not up to date. To supply the schools
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properly would cost perhaps $150 or more. The Committee have hesitated to purchase these, hoping to be able to use some of the money from the tax on dogs for this purpose. They should be bought early in the spring. It will also be necessary to purchase text-books on physiology and hygiene, as we are not at present fully complying with the law which requires such instruction in all grades, one hour per week for fourteen weeks of the school year, with text-books in the hands of all those above the third grade, or who use text-books for other studies. We have probably given this study the required amount of time, but not all have been supplied with proper text-books to answer the law. This remains to be done.
THE FUTURE.
By comparing our wages with wages of teachers in some of the towns around us-Littleton, Ayer, or Chelmsford, for in- stance-it will be seen that our prices are less, sometimes con- siderably so, than what is paid elsewhere for the same grade of work ; and it must also be evident that in teaching, as in other work, one gets about what is paid for. We intend no reflection on our teachers. We have some good teachers, who, for the sake of home associations, have accepted, and perhaps will con- tinue to accept, our low wages. But when we are obliged to look for good teachers to fill vacancies, and to go out of town to find them, experience has shown that we are not able to com- mand what we want for our prices. In two instances, this year, we have been obliged to increase salaries slightly, in order to secure teachers of experience and skill. In other instances we have been obliged to give up teachers whom we desired, because others could and would pay more.
We do not state this as a basis on which to recommend any such increase of salaries as would entail a higher tax rate, but that the true situation may be understood in the consideration of a financial policy. The question now is whether our schools shall advance, remain at their present standard, or possibly retrograde. That question the people must answer. It is evi- dent that the quality of a school and its work will always depend
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upon the character and quality of the teacher. That good schools are not made by the resolutions of school boards or the edicts of superintendents, wise or unwise, experience has fully shown. The school will never be better than the teacher who has charge of it.
Now your Committee take for granted that our citizens desire the best, as it is certainly the wish of the Committee to give the best possible, under the conditions and circumstances. They also take for granted that our people are willing to pay for the best when they clearly understand the need.
The efficiency and value of our schools can be increased in either of two ways: First, by such an increase of salaries as shall enable the Committee to command more thoroughly skilled teachers, which would mean increased appropriations and ex- penditures; or, secondly, this can be done without additional expense provided the Town will allow some of its smaller schools to be combined, thus leaving fewer teachers and allowing high- er wages to be paid from the same appropriation. The Com- mittee would like to suggest that the latter method be tried.
Your Committee have tried to act fairly toward all, and to do their best according to their wisdom. But they are not infalli- ble; they may make mistakes. These they regret ; but wisdom comes only with experience. If, after the fashion of political parties, your Committee might draw up a "platform " on which to stand, the following would constitute its principal "planks":
Ist. That, among the various objects which call for an ap- propriation of the Town's money, few, if any, are more import- ant or pressing than the schools.
2d. That we recognize that the Town's income is necessarily limited, and that our plans must be limited accordingly. But,
3d. That the Town desires to have its school system placed upon a progressive basis, and is willing to support its schools upon such a basis.
4th. That on this basis, and while the present number of schools is maintained, since the better service always costs the more money, the school appropriations will tend to increase from year to year rather than decrease.
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5th. That much care should be exercised in the selection of teachers, and that all encouragement should be offered teach- ers looking to more careful and faithful preparation for their work, and to cultivated persons to enter the ranks of teachers, by the prospect of fair remuneration and of permanent service.
It is believed this is a platform on which all best citizens can unite, and in its support the Committee would very respect- fully ask that the appropriation for schools be restored to $4,800.
A. J. ABBOT, J. S. MOULTON, A. R. CHOATE, A. G. POLLEY, FRANK H. HILDRETH,
School Committee.
J. S. MOULTON, Secretary.
BOOK ACCOUNT.
The cost of books and supplies for the school year 1891-92 has been as follows :
Appropriation for books
$ 0 00
Received for books sold.
3 17
Paid for books and supplies : American Book Co
$46 35
Geo. S. Perry ..
43 17
Prang Educational Co
28 05
Lippincott & Co
31 98
D. C. Heath & Co.
16 30
Lee & Shepard
13 87
J. L. Hammett
8 46
Silver, Burdette & Co
7 00
Ginn & Co. 6 95
Wm. Ware & Co.
4 75
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn
3 33
Boston School' Supply Co
3 40
Interstate Publishing Co
1 80
King, Merrill & Co.
1 20
C. W. Clarke. ..
1 00
Huntley & Turner
7 50
Express on books, etc . .
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