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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1861-1862 School Committee ReportREPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1861-2. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1862. REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1861-2. BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON AND SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1862. A YEAR of almost uninterrupted quiet in the schools affords little matter of comment.. been 1 • change • teachers 1 any of the schoolsduring 1 ' year. 1 1 • instance has there been reason to censure any teacher for want of fidelity or diligence in the discharge of duty. Differences • to • • expected, and • / not necessarily 11 • any- seemson the part of those who are less successful than others. It , /necessary,1 / 'circumstances, • make , particular . 11 1t respecting each 1 • / 1 teachersthe FRANKLIN, WARREN, and HANCOCK SCHOOLS, the same // /.• charge of them before have continued to abun- dantlyfulfil all reasonable expectations, and are entitled to full , 1 SCHOOL, who was 1 11 1 . , , beginner . year . • • has 11.1 rapid .I/ most commendableadvances in all the traits of , good • . 1 . • the school1 • " stands equal• any in town of similar grade. To Miss CRAFTS, who taught the BOWDITCH SCHOOL,► . / our commendation for careful, • laborious efforts1 • regret that1 should have arisen so great . want of synapathy,between the teacher and a portion of those with whom her office put her in connection, as to induce her to decline being considered . candidate for./ /• / 1 1 the ADAMS 4 PRIMARY SCHOOL, Miss HOWE has fully met our anticipations. The examination, at the close of the year, was truly de- lightful, both for its own merits, and as giving assurance that this interesting school is to be retained at the point of excellence which it reached under the two preceding teachers. The grammar -department of this school was under the care of Mr. S. H. NICHOLS. He found it in a poor condi- tion, and he left it so. During a part of the year, the appearances were considerably encouraging; and it was not beyond hope, that this school was about to recover some of the good standing of former years, and which it is fully entitled to by the good material regularly supplied to it from the school below. What the malign influence is which persistently intervenes to hinder so desirable a re- sult, it would not be profitable to discuss in this place, or to endeavor to distribute it in proper proportions to the several sources which may be supposed to contribute to it. It will do more good for all concerned to continue in cor- dial and harmonious endeavors to remedy the evil, with a confidence that there is no obstacle that may not be over- come in the way of the good order and general success of this school. We feel it only just to say, that, in our opi- nion, the teacher was possessed of many of the most essen- tial qualifications of his office in a high &gree ; that he endeavored to exercise a beneficial moral and religious influence ; and labored, in general, with diligence and con- scientiousness. It can be no special reproach to him that he did not fully succeed, where so many have failed before. We feel that the HIGH SCHOOL needs no eulogy from us. Itself is its own sufficient commendation. It is well, how- ever, to call attention to the fact, that its numbers have much exceeded those of any previous year. At the begin- ning of the year, there were sixty-seven pupils. This number was soon reduced to about sixty ; which remained the number to the end of the year. During the Fall 5 Term, the number was just sixty ; and but one left during the term, fifty-nine being present at the examination. The average attendance was a fraction over fifty-nine. In the Winter Term, there were also sixty pupils. Again, one left in the middle of the term ; and the other fifty-nine were all present at the examination. The average attend- ance was a fraction over fifty-nine. In other words, the average attendance for the last two terms was more than ninety-eight per cent of the whole number of pupils. The interesting and important fact thus appears, that the attendance at this school is, by a large difference, more constant than in any other school in town ; showing that distance of residence from the schoolroom is not ne- cessarily a hinderance to regularity in attendance. We mention a single example. One pupil, who lives two and a half miles from the school, has been a member two years and a half, and has not been absent or tardy once ; and this instance differs only in a small degree from many others. Moreover, the same fact shows that distance is no detri- ment to the health of the pupils ; since one reason of the constant attendance is, of course, their general exemption from illness. In accordance with the intimation given in the last year's Report, those pupils who had completed the studies pre- scribed for a three -years' course, and who yet wished to remain and prosecute their studies farther, were allotted to the several lower classes as assistant teachers, with such arrangements as best secured the supervision of the princi- pal in every class. It is not supposed that the results have been altogether as good as might have been attained by the employment of an experienced assistant, giving her whole time to the work : still they have been very good. We have no doubt that this portion of their work has had its own peculiar and special advantages as to those who have performed it, or that the classes intrusted to them have done better than they would, with the limited time the teacher could have given to them, if he had been 6 obliged to distribute his labors among all the classes and recitations of the school. In this connection, it may be well to bring to the atten- tion of the town the following provision in the General Statutes, chap. 38, sect. 9 : " In every public school having an average of fifty scholars, the school -district or town to which such school belongs shall employ one or more female assistants, unless such district or'town, at a meeting called for the purpose, votes to dispense with such assist- ant." In the absence of any such vote, it is, of course, the duty of the Committee to provide one or more assistants for the HIGH SCHOOL. SCHOOL DISTRICTS. It is well known that the school -districts of this town are not, and for some years have not been, determined by metes and bounds in such manner as is requisite to give them full legal standing and authority. For many years, the town has sustained the charge for which, more than any thing else, districts are created ; namely, that of build- ing and maintaining schoolhouses. For the last two years, the duty of contracting with teachers (another of the func- tions formerly assigned to district -officers) has been im- posed on the General Committee ; and, at the late annual town -meeting, the town refused, in a contested vote and by a decisive majority, to return to the former course. Two of the districts last year omitted the choice of a Pru- dential Committee, or the persons so chosen declined to serve ; and the remaining duties of that office in those districts devolved on the General Committee. Another district, this spring, failed to hold any meeting, though one was regularly notified ; and the clerk has surrendered the records to the General Committee. And still another dis- trict has voted, at its regular meeting, not to appoint a Prudential Committee. By a provision of the General Statutes, chap. 39, sect. 4, the town will be required, at the • 7 next annual meeting, to vote on the question of abolishing the district -system. The facts just recited will serve to show how small a relic of that system is left in this town, and may aid the citizens in making up their minds whether to retain what is left, or to bring the whole school -business of the town into a compact and united form. We have no wish in the matter but to bring the subject in the plainest way before the peoj le whose rights and interests are con- cerned. STUDIES. The School Committee have received a copy of certain proceedings had in the annual school -meeting of the east district, by which it appears that an article was brought before the meeting to the following effect : " To see if the district will adopt any measures which will cause the stu- dies usually taught in grammar -schools to be taught in the Grammar School in this district." The article was referred to the General Committee. This reference is to the Committee for the year now beginning; but as the article implies, if it means any thing, that the studies usually taught in grammar -schools have not been taught in the Adams Grammar School, it seems proper that the Committee of the past year should notice it. The statute which provides for the maintenance of public schools (Gen. Stat., chap. 38, sect. 1) prescribes the following branches for such schools : " Orthography, read- ing, writing, English grammar, geography, arithmetic, the history of the United States, and good behavior." All these studies have been taught in the Adams Grammar School hitherto, unless an exception is asserted in refer- ence to the branch last named. The statute goes on to. say that " algebra, vocal music, drawing, physiology, and hygiene shall be taught, by lectures or otherwise, in all the public schools in which the School Committee deem it expe- • dient." The Committee have not deemed it expedient to ►+ 8 9 direct the teacher in that school to give instruction in these or in any other branches not prescribed by law, believing that there is full occupation for his time in attending to the studies that are required by law. On the other hand, they have not forbidden the introduction of any of them. The article refers to what is " usually " taught in grammar - schools. We suppose that the custom varies according to circumstances. In towns where no other opportunity is provided for attending to higher branches, some instruction in them is crowded into the grammar -schools; while in those towns where a higher school is maintained expressly for advanced studies, according to the second section of the same chapter of the statutes just referred to, the cus- tom is to confine the pursuit of these higher studies to the school that is devoted to them. Whether it is the custom or not, we have no doubt this is the course that is most expedient. Some persons have expressed an apprehension, that the effect of the institution of the High School is to de- grade the grammar -schools. It degrades them in precisely the same way that they degrade the primary -schools, and in no other sense. The whole tenor of observation and experience indicates the truth of this statement, that schools accomplish their work best when they are most completely divided into successive departments, each pre- paring the pupil for the next, and each being limited to its appropriate and specified work ; and also when each de- partment is most completely classified, each class forming a unit, and having its own fixed field of study for each term or year. All attempts to retain in any department the studies which are allotted to a higher are just so much done to impede, embarrass, and confuse the schools. There may be reasons for permitting this to be done in some instances ; but the Committee are thoroughly agreed in considering it an injury to the schools, and, of course, not expedient. Nevertheless, as there will always be some scholars, that, for good reasons, will not or cannot become members of the High School, and as it is important that all should have the opportunity to gain a good elementary education, it is to be desired that the studies should be so arranged, that those branches which are prescribed by law for the public schools generally should be completed in the grammar -schools. For this reason, as well as others, the Committee believe it to be expedient to carry the standard of admission to the High School considerably forward, so as to include in it a knowledge of the whole circle of elementary studies. This is already done with reference to geography and grammar. In arithmetic, as announced last year, the Committee of the present year require those who enter the High School to pass examination on more than half of that part which has heretofore occupied the first year in that school; and we are of opinion, that, as soon as may be deemed expedient, the remainder of arithmetic should be added, with some specified portion of the history of the United States, and a suitable increase in knowledge of grammatical analysis and parsing. GYMNASTICS. Those who attended the two examinations of the High School could not fail to be delighted with the physical exercises in which the pupils have been trained. In many of the remarks we have heard in relation to this matter, by those especially who take a more or less unfavorable view, there has appeared to be a misapprehension in regard to the objects aimed at in them. We suppose no one is in- clined to doubt that some bodily exercise is of real and very great importance to all, but especially to the young : there is no need to discuss that point. The question is, What kind of exercise is best adapted to the circumstances in each case ? What may be most practicable and useful in one would not answer in another. In the school, then, what kind of exercise will secure in the best way a proper amount for all the pupils, and with the least liability with 2 10 11 incidental harm ? Some considerable muscular exertion is needed, in order that the few minutes devoted to this ob- ject may be sufficient to counteract the effect of confine- ment to close air, to one position, and, above all, to pretty severe intellectual exertion. The scholars may be simply let out to play, run, and shout, according to their own incli- nation. This has been the more common method hitherto, and is far better than nothing ; but no one is ignorant of the drawbacks ; that such play is often rude and boisterous, too violent for the best results, and, what is more impor- tant, that it does not secure any exercise for all, and as a uniform thing. In unfavorable weather, many will not, and ought not to, go out at all. In the best weather, some of both sexes, and of those who need the exercise most, a large part are disinclined to join in rough, irregular play. In cold weather, many, if left to themselves, will rather keep around the fire than take any kind of exercise ; a practice that is positively bad, though perhaps less so than to suffer severely from cold feet or from general chilliness. In view of these considerations, see what is gained by the gymnastics. All the scholars are engaged in them. The room is set open, so that all gain the great advantage of fresh air, not only for the time, but after study begins again. They go through exercises that are severe enough to try the muscles, to quicken respiration, circulation, and transpiration, and secure a general glow of warmth ; that are so orderly and otherwise attractive as to be a real plea- sure to a very large proportion of those engaged ; that incidentally create the habit of attention to the word of command, and of moving in exact time ; and yet, while they do all this, do not produce in any the violent heat and exhaustion, with which, in the old way, scholars often re- turned from their out-of-door play, unfitted, for a length of time, for any mental exertion. These good results are not all ; are, in fact, rather incidental to the chief end aimed at. The system of muscular exercise which is partly carried out in these performances at the High School has been 6 carefully and scientifically devised to secure the most com- plete exertion of all the muscles, giving a predominant share of attention to those that are more nearly related to the motions of respiration, and is thus specially adapted to counteract the tendency to contracted chests and dis- eased lungs ; which is the commonest form of imperfect vitality among us. It is not as mere amusement these exercises are introduced ; though, if it were, that would be no reason to condemn them ; for we need amusement, old and young, as truly as we do food and drink : but, in a way which partakes of the character of amusement, they are intended to secure well-developed muscles, erect forms, healthy lungs, and, in a word, sound minds in healthy bodies. There is no reason for confining these exercises to the High School : they are equally well adapted for all schools. The apparatus is not indispensable. Especially for little children, the motions of the hands, arms, and feet, are suffi- cient. They have been used with success, during the past year, in the Adams Primary School. No better plan could be adopted, by one having the charge of a school of little children, than to cause them, several times each half-day, to rise all together, and go through a series of these move- ments. It would relieve the restlessness which childhood cannot but feel, when kept for a long time in a position so contrary to its natural disposition as that of the school- room, and which is often punished as a fault, when the absence of it would only indicate a low state of health, and be a subject of well-grounded anxiety. We should be glad to see these exercises introduced into all our schools. Those who witnessed the gymnastics must have felt how much of the charm of perfect order and time depended on the music of the piano. A still deeper impression, we think, must have been produced by the sweet singing, in which the pupils were aided by the same delightful accom- paniment. We think it right to mention, with the expres- sion of our gratitude, the service rendered by Miss DAMON, vof 12 13 who has cheerfully used her fine acquirements as a musician to contribute to the enjoyment and improvement of the school. Whatever differences of opinion there may be as to the proper method of meeting the expense, no one who has heard it will differ with us as to the great addition the piano affords to the advantages of the members of this school, and in hoping that so pleasant a part of the appara- tus of the school may be permanently continued to it. w REPORT OF BOOK—AGENCY. The Assessors returned three hundred and eighty-six persons, between the ages of five and fifteen years, resi- dent in Lexington, May 1, 1861. At the Annual March Meeting, 3d instant, this town ap- propriated, for the support of schools the ensuing year, the sum of three thousand four hundred dollars, to be apportioned substantially as last year. The Report of the Book Agent, and the usual tabular statement, will be found appended. L. J. LIVERMORE, CALEB STETSON, Committee. HOWLAND HOLMES, A r Book -Agency to Town of Lexington, Dr. To Cash, balance on hand, April 1, 1861 . „ Amount of Books . . $24.53 22 29 - $46.82 Cr. By Books furnished indigent children $7 79 „ Books furnished teachers' desks 3 70 „ Amount of Books on hand, March 21, 1862. . 30.61 „ Cash in hands of Agency 4 72 - $46.82 This Agency has been conducted by the Secretary for the last three years : during which time, books to the amount of about six hundred dollars have been bought, and furnished to the scholars, — it is believed, at least twenty-five per cent less, on an average, than the prices formerly paid; thereby making a saving to the town or its scholars of a hundred and fifty dollars for the three years. The Agency began with an advance from the Town Trea- sury of $75 00 Which is accounted for as follows; viz.: -- Cr. By Books furnished indigent children (for three years) $26.83 „ Books furnished teachers' desks . 12.84 „ Books on hand 30 61 „ Cash on hand 4.72 - $75.00 The Agent has received the cash discount on the purchase -money (about five per cent) for his compensation. H. HOLMES, Agent. • r TABULAR VIEW. SCHOOLS. TEACHERS. No. of Weeks in Summer. No. of Weeks in Winter. Total number of Weeks. No. of Scholars in Summer. c d D No. of Scholars in Winter. Average. Wages per Month. Amount paid for Instruction. HIGH SCHOOL . . . Augustus E. Scott . 26 14 40 64 63 60 59+ $80 $800.00 HANCOCK GRAMMAR Lucretia M. Hoytt. . 26 14 40 40 33+ 45 41+ 32 320.00 HANCOCK PRIMARY . Sabra A. Russell . . 26 14 40 73 51+ 54 40 24 240.00 ADAMS GRAMMAR . Samuel H. Nichols . 26 13* 39 49 43 49 43+ 40 390.00 ADAMS PRIMARY . . Mary B. Howe . . . 26 14 40 54 42+ 56 45+ 20 200.00 BowmmTcH . . . . Emily C. Crafts . . 25.6 14 39.6 48 37 52 39 24 237.60 WARREN Isabella Cutler . . . 26 14 40 37 28-1- 40 28+ 24 240.00 HOWARD Clara Winning . . . 26 14 40 37 31 39 30 20 200.00 FRANKLIN . . . . Frances M. Parker . 26 14 40 25 21+ 25 21+ 24 240.00 * Sickness deducted a week. :le