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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1857-1858 School Committee ReportREPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON, FOR THE YEAR 1857-58. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1858. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON, FOR THE YEAR 1857-58. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1858. L REPORT. THE School Committee have no facts or incidents of pecu- liar interest to report. The year has been one of quiet progress in the school affairs of the town. The means pro- vided by the liberality of the citizens, and in accordance with the requirements of the law, have been expended, with a fair and fully average result in the improvement of the children attending the schools. The task assigned to us we understand to be that of preserving in harmonious and useful operation plans already formed, rather than to devise new ones ; to draw from existing institutions the largest amount of good, rather than to achieve new undertakings. It is proper to notice, in the commencement of our Report, the departure from town, and consequent withdrawal from the Board, of Rev. Mr. LELAND, whose services for some years past have been so highly and justly appreciated by the friends of our schools. The Committee will endeavor in frank and brief terms to give their impressions respecting the state of the schools during the year. The NORTH-EAST SCHOOL was taught in the summer by Miss SABRA A. RUSSELL. So far as the Committee had opportunity for personal observation, the school was orderly • 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 6 writing -books, and the good scholarship displayed, especially in Grammar. The WEST SCHOOL was taught in the summer by Miss ABBY H. BROWN. At the different visits of the Committee during the term, the school appeared orderly, and the pupils attentive to their studies. At the closing examination, it presented a highly satisfactory appearance. The Winter Term was under the instruction of Miss ABBY B. TUFTS, and, both at the opening and closing examination, presented pleasing evidence of diligence and general inte- rest, both in teacher and pupils. Miss Tufts is a teacher of good abilities and great energy. If the Committee were to qualify their praise of the school, it would be by suggesting that there was a tendency to that which is striking and attractive, rather than to thoroughness in the common branches. There appeared in Arithmetic some want of clearness and accuracy both of statement and operation, while yet there was abundant evidence of diligent and inte- rested study. Considerable attention had been given to declamations and compositions ; perhaps too much. We think, however, that this school, as compared with the South and North-east Schools, illustrated the advantage of employ- ing female rather than male teachers in the winter terms of our district schools. EAST VILLAGE. — The PRIMARY SCHOOL remained for the first part of the year in the charge of its former accomplished teacher, Miss DOWNING, and fully maintained its previous standing. At the end of the first term, Miss Downing left, and the school was put into the charge of Miss ELLEN L. NASH. It suffered no harm in the change. Miss Nash pos- sesses just the qualifications which are required for complete success in this important department of common -school 7 education. All the exercises at the closing examination of the year . were good ; most of them excellent. The oral lessons in Grammar seem to indicate the possibility of so presenting this science to quite youthful minds as to make it both interesting and intelligible. Miss Nash unites firmness and gentleness so perfectly as to secure at once the love and obedience of her pupils. This school affords a striking proof of the advantage of a graduated system ; the pupils receiving a drill in the elements far more thorough and complete than would be possible in a school where their exercises were in- terrupted and narrowed by the recitations of older classes in more advanced stages and studies. The GRAMMAR SCHOOL remained throughout the year in charge of Mr. ARTHUR T. SMITH. It is a school devolving on the teacher a great amount of labor both in discipline and instruction. The number of pupils is but little under sixty ; and of a considerable portion it is no injustice to say, that they do not readily submit to good discipline. The number of classes is quite large ; not less than twenty. It is almost impossible to keep so many classes in a high state of effi- ciency ; and it is only moderate justice to the teacher to say, that his success was quite up to all reasonable anticipations. He labored faithfully and indefatigably. The deportment of the school was fair, and the recitations generally good. The CENTRE PRIMARY was taught through the year by Miss ISABELLA J. CUTLER. To a considerable portion of the pa- rents the school was satisfactory ; to others, not entirely so. Miss Cutler's taste and culture indicate that a higher class of studies and more advanced pupils would afford a field of labor better suited to her. The Committee estimate very highly the general influence exerted by her on the minds and hearts of her pupils. They regret that she was not entirely successful in securing their diligence and orderly 8 behavior. The recitations and general appearance of the school at the closing examination were fair. Miss Cutler carries with her the warm affection of her scholars, and the respect and goodwill of the public. The CENTRE GRAMMAR SCHOOL began the year in the charge of Mr. A. J. HUNTooN. The results of his labors were not satisfactory, and he left at the end of the first term. Under Miss DUDLEY'S care, the school has since advanced steadily and rapidly in the public esteem and in real excellence. The discipline of the school is of the most complete character ; the style of instruction thorough, and at the same time attractive to the pupil. With perhaps one or two exceptions, all the performances at the closing examination were entirely successful. Miss Dudley acts on the principle, of undoubted value, of confining the attention of her pupils to a limited extent of ground in each study, in advance of their previous acquisitions, within which limits she aims to make their knowledge such as to preclude the necessity of future re- viewing ; thus avoiding the tedious process, so well known to scholars in former times, of going over the same ground again and again in successive terms or years. The HIGH SCHOOL.—In reference to this school, the Com- mittee feel the difficulty of speaking so as to do simple justice both to facts and persons. It is certain, that, during the past year, the school did not secure the confidence and good -will of all even who were once friendly to it, and who might be supposed to desire its perpetuity. It did not come up to the requirements of public opinion. Why it did not we do not feel called upon to decide. Of the teacher, Mr. DAVID W. HOYT, we think it just to say, that his deportment was that of a Christian and a gentleman ; liis conduct to the scholars just and kind, if not cordial ; and that he was a fr 9 well informed and entirely adequate instructor in all the branches in which, at coming, he agreed to give instruction. Of the want of geniality of manner, which has been urged against him, a part was probably due to constitutional tem- perament. Is it not fair to suppose that a part was due to his consciousness of the ill -will of some, and the indifference of more to the school and himself ? Few, who have not tried it, can conceive the depressing power of such a consciousness upon one occupying a place where success must largely depend on the good -will and sympathy of others. The Com- mittee have the assurance of some parents, that their chil- dren were interested in the school, and found all desired help in their studies. We think, also, that while there was a degree of heedlessness and inattention in some of the pupils, yet, in the main, they studied with a fair degree of diligence, and, at the close of the year, gave evidence of a deep interest and of substantial progress. Without the High School, or one analogous to it, a considerable number of the rising generation would be precluded from very great advantages which have been enjoyed by their predecessors for some years past, and are enjoyed by the youth of such towns as Lexington generally. Tliis consideration is not conclusive of the expediency of maintaining the school ; but it is at least adapted to confirm in their convictions those already in favor of it, to conciliate to its support an honest pride in the good name of the town, and to diminish any unfavorable feeling which arises from the idea that the High School has been of no substantial utility. All the pupils of that school, we think, would bear witness to its value to them ; and this testimony would be most emphatically given by those whose regular conduct and studious habits approve them most worthy to enjoy the privileges of such a school. Upon a general survey of the year, the Committee judge that there is reason for much satisfaction in the condition 2 10 and prospects of the schools. The large attendance of parents and others at the examinations displays a general interest in the subject. There has been no failure to carry the schools through in a quiet and reputable manner. In most of them, there has been a very happy degree of dili- gence and effort on the part of both teachers and pupils. If some of this work has been expended in ways not the most practically valuable, it still must have its useful results in promoting good habits ; and, under proper direction, may be made more useful hereafter. In respect to what are sometimes called the ornamental branches, readings and declamations, compositions, singing, map -drawing, &c., it should be remem- bered that the time so spent is by no means all taken from other pursuits more solidly useful, but, in a large degree, is redeemed from idleness, or worse than idleness. They give variety, and serve in part for recreation ; and, as such, may even increase the proficiency made in the more regular studies. They are only injurious when allowed to distract attention from other branches of culture, and to degenerate into a mere means for display, of which there is perhaps danger in some of the schools. In view of. the recent action of the town in respect to the High ' School, it may be considered a point finally settled, that there is to be no retrograde movement in this town in matters pertaining to the common schools. It is not to be supposed that those who voted against the continuance of the High School were generally actuated by an unwillingness to grant to the young all practicable opportunities for education, but by an honest difference of opinion as to the means by which the object can be secured in the most equitable, economical, and efficient manner. The question is decided for the ensuing year ; but, for com- ing years, it still remains open, and is to be decided by the light of farther experience. It can hardly be supposed that Ile 11 a majority of the town will ever be willing to recur to the system which is opposed to all the tendencies of the age, as well as to the settled convictions of the most zealous and well-informed friends of popular education, — that, namely, which gathers all ages and stages of scholarship into the same school, where, if the elements are taught as they ought to be, the more advanced studies can receive but hurried attention .; or, if these higher branches are suitably taught, it is at the expense of that which ought to be absolutely insisted on, — thorough instruction in the elements of learning. To graduate the schools, as far as is rendered practicable, by the nature of the population and its distribution, is as clearly for the advantage of the younger and less -advanced pupils as for the higher classes. Each class is far better attended to in a school devoted to its own appropriate pursuits, than where the time of one teacher is taken up by a range of studies from the alphabet to algebra. The advantages of a graduated system are quite as much on the side of the pri- mary department, as of either of the higher grades. But, th for all, ey are important, and beyond question. The greatest defect almost universally in school instruction is the want of that thoroughness which renders it certain that what is once learned will never be forgotten ; and there is no doubt that the chances of securing thoroughness are great in proportion to the completeness with which the schools are classified into successive departments. So far, the Commit- tee feel it right to express their convictions ; and they com- mend the subject to the candid consideration of the citizens, hoping that not only will the wisest course be finally adopted, but adopted by the harmonious and cheerful action of the whole community. L. J. LIVERMORE, CHARLES TIDD, Committee. JONAS GAMMELL, 12 TABULAR VIEW. NAMES OF SCHOOLS. NAMES OF TEACHERS. i P1 P. cd 4,. 4 U O. g E 4 a m .. a O. a C C 4 y p .21., is U to 4 + " 1 .E La wo m 0 .2 z,z m t--,:1 w g2, zv Al ., , v ;wa yiD M m al a q y i -i wQ g' E. a HIGH SCHOOL... S. -EAST GRAMMAR S. -EAST PRIMARY ,, „ . CENTRE GRAMMAR „ „ . CENTRE PRIMARY NORTH-EAST " " ' NORTH pMiss ,, WEST SOUTH „ Mr. D. W. Hoyt Mr. Arthur P. Smith Miss L. A. Downing . Miss Ellen L. Nash Mr. A. J. Huntoon Miss M. A. Dudley Miss Isabella J. Cutler Miss Sabra A. Russell . Mr. E. H. Sherman ... Miss Frances M. Parker Augusta Wheeler . Mr. Charles Tidd .... Miss Abby H. Brown .. Miss Abby B. Tufts ... Miss R. A. Stearns ... Mr. F. 0. Ellis $85.00 47.86 28.00 21.00 47.20 33.331 24.00 20.00 40.00 24.00 24.00 40.00 22.00 24.00 24.00 40.00 38 31 44 34 57 51 50 41 35 30 58 42 24 ' 18 34 23 34 23 27 18 29 ! 21 32 54 45 56 56 28 36 27 39 27 50 41 44 44 23 31 23 32 27* 27 27 16 12 28 22 16 1110' 20 i 20 15 15 15 17 17 13 155 20 13 .82 .77 .88 .82 .85 .72 .75 .68 .67 •72" .84 .92 .91 .78 .78 .82 .86 .85 .82 * The Summer Term includes the whole number of weeks the schools have kept in the year, excepting the Winter Term. } i►