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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1867-1868 School Committee Report • REPORT OF THE i SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. -FOR THE YEAR 1867-8. BOSTON : PRINTED BY T. R. MARVIN & SON. 1868 . i j� REPORT OF THE i i SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE G� TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1867-8. BOSTON : PRINTED BY T. R. MARVIN & SON. ! 1868. [Extract from the General Statutes of Massachusetts, Chap.40.] SECT.6. The School Committee shall annually make a detailed report of the condition of the several public schools,_which report shall contain such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools as the Committee deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof. The Committee shall cause said report to be printed for the use of the inhabitants,in octavo,pamphlet form, of the size of the annual reports of the Board of Education;and transmit two copies thereof to the Secretary of said Board, on or before the last day of April, and deposit one copy in the office of the Clerk of the city or town. i To THE INHABITANTS or LEXING}TON In accordance with the above.provisions, the undersigned herewith submit the annual REPORT . Y THE FRANKLIN SCHOOL. Teachers.—Miss ELLA L. BACON, (re-appointed March, 1867;) Miss LAVINIA M. ALLEN. 1 Miss Bacon remained in charge of the school till the last of February, (1868,) when she resigned .her place for a better one in Boston. Her administration was, in our opinion, very advantageous to the school. The pupils were prompt in their performances and quite studious. The instruction was more than ordinarily skillful and comprehensive. We regret that a little difference between the teacher and some of the parents prevented the harmonious union of all the elements in this institution. We gave this subject'our earnest attention; and cannot say that we attached any blame to the teacher, without declaring our conviction that much more ought to be attributed to the persons who promoted the dissension. Miss Allen, employed to complete the year, taught the school only two weeks and three days,. She seems to have managed 4 5 it easily and well. Though the performances of the pupils at The school has maintained its standing in most respects. In the last examination were not brilliant, the interruption of the ability to take down problems in written arithmetic from the school so near the end of the term would seem sufficient to teacher's' dictation, and work them without reference to the text-' account for it. We consider their habits well formed for suc- book, a decided improvement has been observed. We think cessful work during next term. !" . there \should be, in such a school, equal progress in all the branches taught. The personal relations existing between teacher and pupils appear to have been pleasant, as well as THE WARREN SCHOOL. advantageous to the school. Teacher.—Miss ALicE A. TUFTS, (re-appointed March, 1867.) While the pupils of this school were perhaps not behind others in diligence, their style of reading and reciting, including THE, HOWARD SCHOOL. to some extent their habits of thought, stood in need of a Teachers.—Miss EMILY A. PEIRCE, (re-appointed March, 1867;) Miss thorough reform. In this respect the work of the teacher has - CLARA E. BACON. been difficult. She has shown ability in effecting some change Miss Peirce continued to teach here during the whole of the in the habits of the pupils, in accordance with our suggestions, first and -second terms. The school was large, the classes and has accomplished a fair year's work. At the last examina-• numerous, and the work difficult. The teacher appeared to tion some of the recitations in arithmetic were particularly good. labor faithfully, but without much improvement in the condition A general advance in all the branches taught ought to be made of the school. About the beginning of the winter term, Miss during the coming year, if the parents will secure the regular Peirce resigned her place. We had previously examined Miss and constant attendance of their children.. Bacon, a graduate of our High School (see Hancock Primary Some of the boys in this school recently violated the truant School), and understood that she had taught with success in regulations of the town to such an extent, that if these and the another town. She was appointed without delay. During the truant laws had been understood by the offenders, we should one term that the school has been under her care, we think she have felt obliged to .enter complaint against them before .a has displayed rare ability as a teacher. She has eliminated such magistrate. We have endeavored to acquaint them with a just faults in the pupils as we have brought to her notice, and has view of the subject of truancy. Their future course will show ; ` merged whatever discordant elements existed in the school in a in what frame of mind the year's experience leaves them. happy•union of gentleness and diligence. Fortunately the pupils Miss Elizabeth S. Parker, with the consent of the Committee, and their parents seem ready to avail themselves of the advan- had charge of this school two weeks during the spring term as tages offered them under her administration. a substitute, Miss Tufts being detained at home by indispo- sition. THE HANCOCK SUB-PRIMARY SCHOOL. THE BOWDITCH SCHOOL. Teacher.—Miss MARY F. SMITH,,(re-appointed March, 1867.) Teacher.—Miss ELLEN W. STETSON, (re-appointed March, 1867.) Miss Smith has conducted this school with energy, and success The house occupied by this school has not been supplied with through the year. Her work has been in one respect not alto- warming apparatus sufficient to make it comfortable during the gether agreeable. Some of the pupils have not come to the unusually severe weather of the past season; and some inter- sehool-room in the cleanly condition befitting the place. We ruption to the school exercises -and some discomfort, if not invite the attention of the parents also to the necessity of a more injury, to both pupils and teacher, have been the consequence. regular attendance by the children. ° .� 7 6 did not diminish during the first and second"'terms of the last THE HANCOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL. year. One instance, occurring near the end of the fall term., Teacher.—Miss EMMA J. SPAULDiNG. merited some criticism. t Mr. Bonney, who is a gentleman of character and gave'evi- At the beginning of the year we advertised for a teacher, and deuce of ample scholarship and other qualifications, was cautioned examined eleven applicants, from whom we selected Miss Spauld- against permitting so much license as had been usual during ing, a graduate of the State Normal School at Framingham, and school hours, and endeavored to cheek it. Many of the pupils well qualified to instruct far beyond the limits reached in this � were prone to resent this invasion of their wonted liberties:. The school. She readily brought her pupils into an orderly condi- nice distinctions which are sometimes made between whispering tion, and has pursued her work throughout the year with,a good to another pupil and repeating audibly what is unavoidably heard measure of success. The examination exercises at the end of by him, were here drawn in framing answers to the teacher's the year were not, perhaps, as good as the character of the investigations. He in some instances conceived that the pupils school would have led us to expect. Another year of the same had denied the truth, and told them so. Forgetting that their training will doubtless make the school as zealous and prosper- conduct had been such as to lead to the suspicion, some of them ous as the most sanguine mind could hope. took serious offence. Their willing compliance with the teacher's reasonable regulations would, we think, have saved them from this disagreeable experience. One of us brought this view of THE HANCOCK GRAMMAR 'SCHOOL. the case-to the notice of the school late in the year. Probably Teachers.—Mr. FRANK G. STAPLES, (re-appointed March, 1867;) Mr. this kind of difficulty is at an end. OTIS L. BoxNEY. This school needs the earnest effort of all concerned in its Mr. Staples taught during the spring and summer terms. A r welfare, to bring it up from its present position to a consider- the end of the fall term he tendered his resignation, stating that \ ably, higher level of activity and acquirement, he was not satisfied with the salary. We accepted his resigna- tion, and advertised for a new teacher. From six candidates examined, we selected Mr. Bonney, who taught the whole of the winter term, completing the year. The result of Mr. THE ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL. Staples' teaching may be stated as follows : The pupils read Teacher.—Miss MARY B. HowE, (re-appointed March, 1867.) understandingly, and advanced over a goodly number of pages Miss Howe has taught and governed this school' with her of the text-books,—the apter of them acquiring knowledge well, wonted success. (See late Reports.) We believe the pupils particularly in arithmetic. On the other hand, the dull and _ have studied zealously and learned rapidly. They appear to indolent were not brought forward satisfactorily. The recita- appreciate the favorable influences under which they are here !i tions were not always a fair test of study and scholarship, because developing their intellects. Probably the opinions and influence r a considerable liberty of communication was allowed, even in of their parents have much to do with this state of feeling. Con- ' classes on the floor; and there was a general want of dignified tentment, promptness, and a generous desire to excel, could propriety in the conduct of the pupils. Most -of these seemed a hardly be more universal in any school. A genuine progress is contented enough, because (as it would seem) so free at all times the result. We have observed in the performances of the ad- to act 'their own pleasure. We do not;%upon the whole, think ' vaned arithmetic class remarkable instances of clear reasoning, the wants of a good school were fully supplied. The tendency, - combined with ease of manner and facility of expression. amid all this laxity, to occasional harsh treatment of the pupils, R' Younger classes have improved the talents committed to them. . t 8 g At the fall examination but two words were misspelled out of nearly two hundred words selected promiscuously from the spell- ing book and put to the different members of the several classes. THE HIGH SCHOOL, These flattering results' have been Obtained notwithstanding a Principals;—Mr. Loz ix L. DAME, (re-appointed March, 1867;) Mr. considerable irregularity in attendance caused by sickness. SOLOMON H.BRACKETT. Assistant.—Miss CLARA M. SIMONDS. Mr. Dame accepted our appointment with the reservation that he might leave us.in quest of a larger salary than we could offer. He remained in charge of the school only through the spring term. THE ADAMS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. His administration was always vigorous and beneficial to the Teachers.—Mr. T. D. BAUER; Mr. SILAS PEABODY. school. His executive ability was very great.: The influence of Before the close of the term ending March, 1867, we had re- the school on the pupils was at once strong and healthful. Mrs. appointed Mr. Armington teacher of this school. During the Dame continued to add to their interest in school affairs by assist- vacation following, he went to another town for a higher salary; ins at their musical exercises. and we were Obliged to_postpone the beginning of the spring Mr. Dame notified us of his resignation during the summer term one week, to obtain a new teacher. From four candidates vacation. who submitted themselves to examination, we selected Mr. We examined with care five applicants for the place thus Bauer, a teacher of considerable experience, and well quali- vacated, and selected .from them Mr. Brackett, a graduate of fled to instruct the pupils. But his ideas.of the best means of Harvard College, who gave us evidence of character, scholarship, assuming and maintaining the requisite control of the pupils and experience. He completed the year, teaching faithfully and under his charge, did not seem well adapted to his situation; and skilfully throughout. In some branches of natural science we he failed to secure the co-operation of many of the persons most think the instruction superior to what it had been before. In interested in the success of his labors. His school, like the Han- other respects the standard appears to have been well kept up. cock Grammar, stood in need of a more exacting discipline. We But the interest felt by the pupils in the school, waned to some so instructed the teacher. He tried the power of reason, and to extent. Among the reasons for this, we may mention that a some extent the use of force; but the latter.was distasteful to considerable number of pupils decided to withdraw, upon the him, and he resigned near the close of the fall term. ' resignation of Mr. Dame; and that some of the interesting We examined several applicants for the vacancy, from whom adjuncts to the literary exercises were dropped. We fear, how- we selected Mr. Peabody, a gentleman of much experience. He ever, that the pernicious idea that the place of a popular teacher soon dispelled all ideas of insubordination. It was not so easy cannot be supplied, influenced a few of the pupils to set their to break up habits of idleness and listlessness. Mr. Peabody faces against good order in a manner not altogether befitting wrought with zeal and patience to the end of the year. Much their position as members of this school. Certain it'is that the appears to have been accomplished in exact instruction. The opportunities of the place were not fully improved. Near the school has a bright prospect before it, if the pupils will devote close of the year Mr. Brackett signified his purpose not to be themselves with tenacity of purpose, in and out of school, to the re-appointed. best method of improving their whole time during their school Miss Simonds remained in this-school as Assistant till the end days. of the fall term, and with the same benefit to the school as during, the previous year. She then resigned her office, to seek a more lucrative position. Her fidelity during the whole period of her ill-requited service, seems to demand the expression of our 33 10 I opinion that much of the interest with which the school was of punishment by the rod as a means of correction? If not, invested, was due to her scholarship and good judgment.* then a Committee must either require the punishment of a per- At the close of the year, the annual public examination was sistent offender by the rod, or subject a school to almost any followed by interesting graduation exercises, by members of the h little disturbance which the ingenuity of a mean disposition might retiring class. Diplomas were presented to Misses Annie H. :^ contrive. There seems to be little room for any difference of Coolidge, Julia F. Coolidge, Carrie F. Fiske and Georgiana L. opinion on this subject: A Committee who should, regardless Parker. of this dilemma, expel a child without any attempt to- reform j, him by force, might expect the courts to pronounce their doings yn unlawful, whenever any litigious person should stand ready to GENERAL REMARKS. avail himself of the child's right of action. The best method of Our detailed report of the condition of the several schools dealing with misconduct in a school is, of course, if possible, to ;{ quell it by weight of authority and without force. What we will give some idea of what we might otherwise suggest. We have endeavored to say above is, that we think the laws of will add that most of our school rooms stand in need of better u� heating apparatus. Good coal stoves would furnish more heat, Massachusetts intend that force should be used rather than expul- in case of need, than those at present in use, and with a saving t) sion, in any case where either would remove the evil. The of fuel. Such stoves might also be supplied, as most of those {y officers in charge of the public schools are expected to keep them. Twe now have cannot be, with water dishes for hydrating the air. free from such defiant misconduct as will interfere with their Air heated without an addition of fi is not it . usefulness. These officers have the power to exclude the mis- chievous;water but they cannot'exercise the power lawfully, we fear, We offer a few suggestions on the subject of corporal punish- until the have tried what in some cases must be injurious and meat in the public schools. The laws of Massachusetts provide y that "A child unlawfully excluded from any public school shall Y � �° perhaps useless force. This state of things we deprecate. It seems rather behind the age. We can see no practicable escape recover damages therefor in an action of tort, to be brought in from the difficulty but by the enactment of a law somewhat in the name of such child by his guardian or next-friend, against the the following form:—Corporal punishment for past offences shall city or town by which such school is supported."—Gen. Stat., be unlawful in any public school, or any branch or class thereof, jChap. 41, Sect. 11. Suppose a pupil to be so insubordinate so far as the School Committee of the city or town supporting that the prosperity of his school requires relief from his miscon- the school may have voted to exclude it.—With such a law on. duct. Such a pupil might doubtless, if necessary, be lawfully �� the statute book, the Committee of this town might,for example, excluded for the sake of other pupils. But is it lawful to ex- ,I lawfully exclude corporal punishment for past offences from the clude him without first employing all the means given by law to the teacher :to control the pupil within the school? In other A+ High School; and then present to the unruly the plain alterna words, the rod being one of the means which the teacher has the r, tives, good behavior or expulsion. Good behavior would, in our right to use, can the proper authority lawfully expel a child from opinion, be universal. a school for insubordination, without first requiring a fair trial f Parents sometimes undertake to instruct teachers not to strike �j their children, but rather to send them away from school if they * In the remarks following the graduation exercises, it was stated that one will not obey the rules prescribed for all the pupils. A moment's of these contained an expression which the teacher, in revising, had cancelled reference to the section of the laws cited On the previous page with his pencil. The young lady who read the exercise referred to,says she T will be sufficient to reveal the fact that the right of action for 9f was not aware of the teacher's purpose to erase the expression, and disclaims all intention to evade his decision in the matter. The expression, of itself,was unlawful exclusion is given to the child, and not to his parent Or not seriously objectionable. We take pleasure in giving publicity to this { guardian. This fact makes it at least probable that the parent explanation. 7 12 13: 00 0 00 koko O 00 00 O C. O O has no right; in Massachusetts, to trifle away his child's opportu- o 0 00 o ci t o o I �� o o � o •aorl�nxlsar . sOJ plied 3ua'M o o eq t M eo M C o t e4 L o 0 00 .+ pities in attempting to realize the theory which a parent usually v o o �C o�+ �as � aq t- t cherishes, viz. that his particular child can be persuaded, but not _ _ 0000 O O O O O O O driven. If we are not mistaken, an understanding between.the •glaolu 0000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Tod sagoual o o e6 06 O X6 4 4 4 4 ci 06 00 � parent, teacher and committee, that a child is to be sent away GM Jo gOSU.& ri o­4 r-q. t- 1.0 T4 04 01 G14 M GM from the school rather than punished with the rod for miscon- duct, cannot affect the right which the law secures to the child t3gl a�np ;-f- ; } + } { s a0aepuallg :w � .0 � 8 himself, of attending a public school if his character be such as Jo a8slaaa gad not to make the school unfit for other children. If one parent had a right to a voice in the management of affairs in a school _ •Jalar&ar aaas + paalle a 3szan� m ,-t 00 t t d+ room, every other parent might claim the same right. There `�' d' `� M c' Gq aq `Q N could be no uniformity of government—hardly any system of 0 instruction in some neighborhoods. -ivas ut a u� ;ti o � to Cq � o X W ,0 As we have intimated before, we think there should be some paa118 a�saan� : �n w �, �, b' escape from the rigor with which the laws of the State seem to talulm nr s�,; I :o t t C� M M t Cr, �0 u, -logos Jo aagmnx CQ m 04 = 10 sr 0v A, insist upon corporal punishment rather than exclusion. •aacatuns L[r sd8 tc� 00 MO C\l to GrJ rn rn r-t -logos Jo aagcunx •<H u0 dt d+ d� cal d1 co c� In conclusion, we take the liberty of reminding all persons d, �, ; 4+ ; o interested in the public schools of the town that the res onsi- Jo jaq nujuj j, :o 0, O o C� o 0 0 M 00 co bility of selecting and directing the teacher belongs to the Com- salarm ur q c M cl mittee; while the duty of making the most of the advantages Y 100g0s;o gj2u9rj* ;� IQ10 >A 10 � A offered pertains to the pupils. If any real cause of complaint •sawums nr a d+ � m Cq : d+ or criticism respecting the affairs of any school exists, all persons loogaso g19aa7* u, 11it affected by it might without hesitation or reserve remonstrate with the Committee. That Board will probably always bear in mind that they are the servants of the town, in duty bound to inquire into all matters committed to their care. �tr,Jj 5t,'L 0 ty 4�''i •r- U O Qi 67 ed �' 0 A We append the usual tabular statement and the annual report A x 60 g� ` 0 E i P"as A �,9 of the Committee's Book Agent. Pi w04 Respectfully.submitted, a U E4 I w o w Q P a wP11 w A JOHN W. HUDSON, JONAS GAMMELL, : a LUKE C. CHILDS, School Committee for 1867-8. °o a a C l*7 H m p p m m tC z a Z .i't REPORT OF BOOS: AGENT. BOOK AGENCY IN ACCOUNT WITH TOWN OF LEgINGTON. Cry. DR. To books op hand April 1, 1867, $ 75 00 By books furnished indigent children, 1867-8, $12 83 teachers' desk, . 19 84 " ink, crayons, &c., furnished schools, 12 25 " amount of books on hand March 31, 1868, . 125 00 Balance due Book Agency, 94 92 $ 169 92 $169 92 H. HOLMES, AGENT. '