1851-1852 School Committee Report

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6 7 of the list of Town Schools. Any one at all acquainted with the condition of the several Schools, would not pronounce this an unwarrantable statement, had he been present at the last examination. �►y CENTRE DISTRICT. Two departments are also embraced by this School. The Primary, under the care of Miss Sarah E. Richardson, has given, as the Committee think, entire satisfaction throughout the District. Indeed, few Schools of that grade have so quiet and respectful an appearance, and the Committee are unitedly of the opinion that the lady who has had charge of the School the last year, is peculiarly fitted for the station. With regard to the Grammar School the Committee regret that they cannot speak so encouragingly. A series of misfor- tunes seem to have attended it the past year. Four different Teachers have had charge of it in that time ; and, as a matter of course, it has made no marked degree of progress. Added to the disaster which befell the School soon after its commence- ment, in the sickness of Mr. Whittemore, was his final resigna- tion about the middle of the winter term. Stranger teachers were of course introduced, who could not, from the nature of the case, produce much alteration for the better during the brief period of their labors. Although Mr. Raymond, who kept the winter term out, evidently labored to improve the School, and in the opinion of the Committee did accomplish some good. With all due deference to the District, the Committee would suggest that there be less officious meddling with the interests of the School, and more unanimity of feeling and active sym- pathy in the cause of Education. Respectfully, and in behalf of the School, they would ask for a heartier interest in the la- bors of the teacher, which is not to be suppressed by the in- dulgence craved for restless and malcontent children. With earnestness they request that there may be no repetition of what occurred just previous to the last examination — the with- drawal of a large proportion of the scholars. Unless there is a better reason given for it than we have yet heard, we hope for the honor of the District, and the cause of education, the thing will not be repeated. Let some such obstacles as there are, be removed, and in view of the elegant and commodious school -rooms, and the good material for scholars, we see not why the Centre School should not take a position in the front ranks of our Town Schools. Already we anticipate brighter days for it, when, under the charge of an efficient teacher, sus- tained by the united sympathy of the parents, this School shall answer to the most flattering expectations. Before closing this Report, the Committee would say, that, in view of the liberal appropriation made by the Town for the support of Schools, it becomes the inhabitants to use all due vigilance to see that the intention of the thing is not defeated. An equivalent for the money, as is well known, is characteris- tic of us as a people. By our guilty indifference this may not be obtained, when our alert habit of economy will cry out be- cause of the shameful waste. With regard to the choice of teachers, the Committee are decidedly of the opinion, that the present method of entrusting it to Prudential Committees is not the best. Accordingly, they would recommend that, sooner or later, the thing be left as an experiment, where the law leaves it — in the hands of the Gen- eral Committee. They feel confident that it would remove some of the more serious obstacles in the way of obtaining good teachers. With the sincerest desire that the cause of Common School Education may be promoted by the wisest measures of the Town, this report is respectfully submitted. J. A. COOLIDGE, For the Committee. JOSIAH A. COOLIDGE, School Committee IRA LELAND, of FISKE BARRETT, Lexington.