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<br />The BOWDITCH SCHOOL.— At the last annual examination,
<br />the Committee felt called on to comment somewhat point-
<br />edly on the inferiority of this school in respect to scholar-
<br />ship. It has made an evident improvement, approaching,
<br />if not reaching, an equality with the other schools of similar
<br />grade ; and deserves credit, therefore, for an unusually
<br />good year's work. As to numbers, the school continues to
<br />show a tendency to increase. At one time, the number of
<br />pupils has exceeded the seats. The discipline of the school
<br />has also improved ; and, at the close of the year, it made
<br />an appearance in all respects pleasant and commendable.
<br />This school has prepared four for admission to the High
<br />School.
<br />The HOWARD SCHOOL was taught by Miss CLARA WIN-
<br />NING during the spring and fall, and continued to show the
<br />traits of quiet good order, and thorough scholarship, for
<br />which it has been for years distinguished. At the close of
<br />the fall term, Miss Winning resigned her office of teacher,
<br />to the regret of the Committee, who cherish for her a high
<br />respect as a faithful, persevering, and very successful in-
<br />structor, always alert to improve herself, as well as aid her
<br />pupils. Miss MARY E. BLODGETT of Billerica, a young lady
<br />who brought evidence of long and successful practice in
<br />her calling, was appointed to fill the vacant place. The
<br />school has been well governed and well taught through
<br />the winter term ; and made, in all respects, as good an
<br />appearance at the close of the year as could reasonably be
<br />expected so soon after a change of teachers. In the matter
<br />of attendance, there has been a loss as compared with pre-
<br />vious terms. This, we trust, will soon be changed to a
<br />gain. We regret that the teacher who has made so good
<br />a beginning in this school is not to remain.
<br />HANCOCK SUB -PRIMARY. — This school has been esta-
<br />blished, since the beginning of the year, to meet the
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<br />exigency presented in the last Annual Report ; viz., an
<br />unmanageable excess of pupils in the Primary School.
<br />The room which was left unfinished in the Hancock School-
<br />house was finished, and furnished in accordance with votes
<br />of the town, so as to receive a school of thirty-six pupils.
<br />The expense of preparing the room for the actual sessions
<br />of the school was two hundred and seventy-one dollars.
<br />The arrangements were made with especial reference to
<br />the wants of the little people who were to occupy it ; who
<br />were to be learners in the elements of good manners, of
<br />neat, regular habits, and all the proprieties of the school-
<br />room, at least as much as in letters. Miss SUSAN E. SI-
<br />MONDS, who was appointed to the charge of this school,
<br />seemed to the Committee to be peculiarly gifted with the
<br />qualities most desirable in one who is to have the care of
<br />very little children. Her success justifies the opinion ; and
<br />the company of beginners in the long path of mental and
<br />moral training have been wisely and firmly governed by
<br />the gentlest means, and in the spirit of sympathy for them
<br />which most surely wins at once love and respect.
<br />HANCOCK PRIMARY. — Thus brought down from its em-
<br />barrassing wealth of eighty pupils to the more suitable
<br />size of fifty, this school has most rapidly improved in order
<br />and learning. In the former respect, it is capable of still
<br />farther improvement, and will, we hope, realize it: but, as
<br />it is, it is entitled to the name and praise of being a lively,
<br />cheerful, and successful school ; and its teacher, Miss ELI-
<br />ZABETH D. PARKER, deserves the approval and gratitude of
<br />parents and Committee. In this school, ten pupils were
<br />neither absent nor tardy during the last term.
<br />HANCOCK GRAMMAR. — At the close of the preceding
<br />year, the teacher, who had most ably conducted this school
<br />for four years, left. Urged by some considerations besides
<br />their high estimate of her ability, the Committee appointed
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