1857-1858 School Committee Report

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L 4 and industrious. At the closing examination, the exercises were very good, and the demeanor of the school such as to indicate the exertion of a very happy and salutary influence by the teacher. There was an obvious improvement in the general state of the school. The Winter Term was under the charge of Mr. EDWARD H. SHERMAN, of Wayland. The visits of the Committee, at the beginning and in the course of the term, did not produce on their minds a favorable impression, either as to the thoroughness of instruction, or the general influence exerted by the teacher upon the deportment and feelings of the pupils. At the closing examination, there was decidedly a better state of scholarship evinced than had been expected. Some of the recitations, especially in Arithmetic, exhibited the results of very thorough drill. There were still the evi- dent marks of the teacher's lack of those refinements and proprieties of manner which are becoming in every one, and especially to be desired in the teacher, who, by his own personal habits, is unconsciously moulding the manners, and even the character, of his pupils. It should never be forgot- ten, that instruction in the elements of science is not the whole of the work to be accomplished by our schools ; but, with that, the exertion of such an influence, both by precept and example, as will promote refinement of manners and of feeling. The SOUTH SCHOOL, during the Summer Term, was under the charge of Miss RHODA STEARNS. At the beginning of the term, there was an appearance of disorder, and want of inte- rest in study ; but, in both respects, the Committee noted a decided improvement during the term. The closing exami- nation was creditable. During the winter, this school was taught by Mr. F. 0. ELLIS. This gentleman produced a very favorable impres- NPfir fr 5 sion upon the Committee at his examination, and their ex- pectations were proportionately raised. These expectations were not fully met. Mr. Ellis appears to be a person of good education, refined feelings, and• gentlemanly manners, but not prepared by previous experience for the various elements of difficulty met with in this school. There was a want of good order; nor was the progress made in studies such as might have been reasonably expected. The appear- ance and performances of the school at the closing examina- tion were no more than respectable. This is more a matter of regret, because this school contains some of the best material for good scholarship in the town. Whether an excess of amusements during the winter, of a nature to attract largely the interest of the older pupils, had an unfa- vorable influence on the school, the Committee will not assume to decide. The Summer Term of the NORTH SCHOOL was under the instruction of Miss FRANCES M. PARKER, until Miss Parker's illness compelled her to leave, several weeks before the end of the term. The school was taught till its close by Miss AUGUSTA WHEELER, of Lincoln. In Miss Parker's care the school was in a most satisfactory condition ; but the inter- ruption and change proved a serious detriment, and its appearance at the close was not so good as it would other- wise have been. The Committee wish to award to Miss Wheeler the credit of earnest and diligent efforts to fulfil the duties of the place so unexpectedly assumed by her. The Winter Term was taught by Mr. CHARLES TIDD. The connection of Mr. Tidd with the Board renders it inappro- priate for the Committee to speak in terms of approval or criticism of his labors. His colleagues cannot deny them- selves the pleasure of alluding to the excellent deportment of the school during the examination, to the neatness of the