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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1868-1869 School Committee Report i REPORT OF THE SCROOL COAIMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1868-9 . B O S .j O LEI PRINTED BY T. R. M'ARVIN SON. 1869 . 'i R E PORT 1 �{ OF THE '9 i i i� SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE I TOWN OF LEXINGTON. FOR THE YEAR 1868-9. } BOSTON : PRINTED BY T. R. MARYIN & SON. 4�t 1869. f: t '1i1+ TO THE INHABITANTS OF LEXING}TON We are required at this time to present in print, for your use, a detailed report of the condition of the several public > 1 schools containing such statements and suggestions in relation to the schools, as we deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof. Intending to confine ourselves strictly within these limits, we herewith submit the annual REPORT . THE FRANKLIN SCHOOL. Teachers,—Miss LAvINIA M. ALLEN, (re-appointed March, 1868;) Mis® ELLA F. STROELIlN. Miss Allen, who, it will be remembered, was appointed just before the close of the school year 1867-8, had charge of this school continuously till about the first of November, when she resigned her place to accept a position in another town. Here resignation cut short the fall term of the school, which was summarily closed without an examination by the Committee. Her school was a good one. The enthusiasm of all the pupils was not aroused as effectually as in some of the school-rooms; we believe, however, that the teaching was always faithful and . accurate, and the interest of the pupils in their work generally well secured. Miss Stroelin was appointed to the vacancy, after being care- fully examined with several competitors, and commenced her work with-the opening of the winter term. She brought to her 4 5 duties a good degree of preparation, and an evident earnestness improvement, yet in a prosperous state. Late in the winter of purpose. The progress of the school was somewhat inter- term, the occurrence of a few serious cases of scarlet fever rupted by her illness; but after a ten days' recess caused by among the pupils of this school, led us to the conclusion that it this misfortune the term was resumed, and was continued till would be best to suspend its sessions for the rest of the year. the usual number of weeks were completed. The examination C r It would be greatly overstating the case to say that the school exercises showed much kind feeling toward the teacher on the was, or would have been, broken up. Perhaps the attendance part of the pupils, and a laborious effort on her part to advance would not have been affected more than it actually was in cer- them in all the branches taught. What is required to improve tain of the other schools by the distempers of the season. Still the condition of the school, is a little more impetuosity. We we thought that two or three weeks of instruction, for such as are aware that it is not always safe to attribute to a teacher a might attend the school, would be a poor compensation for the want of vigor and promptness on the part of her pupils at an possible needless loss of a single human life. examination. The personal peculiarities and fixed habits of the pupils themselves, or even of a part of them, often exercise a controlling influence in the matter. But whatever the cause of such a want, the remedy for it, when the want exists, is to be THE $OWDITCH SCHOOL. found mainly in the teacher's skill and power; and hence we so Teacher,—Miss ELIZA J: NoRRIs. plainly suggest the needs of this school. Parents will, without A vacancy in the position of teacher of this school having doubt, gladly contribute to the desired improvement, by assist- occurred, several competitors were examined by the Committee at ing their children in the cultivation of alacrity and habits of the beginning of the year, and one of them, Miss Norris, was application. The temporary illness of several of the pupils has been the appointed to fill it. During her year the sessions of the school have been interrupted by some unusual circumstances. First, principal cause of the irregular attendance. having obtained an improved coal stove for the school-room, we did not, at once, find it an easy thing to secure'skill in the man- agement of it; and hence a succession of conflicts with a cold THE WARREN SCHOOL. and smoky room. Secondly, sickness in the family where the Teacher,—Miss AmcR A. TurTs, (re-appointed March, 1868.) I teacher was residing seemed to demand her attention, even to the temporary exclusion of her public duties. She pursued, as In the Report of 1867-8 it was stated that the style of read- we think, the proper course, and a brief suspension of the school ing and reciting practised by the pupils of this school had been was the consequence. faulty, and the attendance too irregular. Great success has The attainments of the school have not been altogether what since crowned the teacher's endeavors to correct both these evils. we desired. At the last examination, the pupils were more defi- We think the work of the year has been well performed. The cient in promptness of reply and accuracy of expression, than in tendency to lawless behavior among some of the boys, while the general correctness of their statements. Here, as in the on the school premises, which was, to say the least, a proper Franklin School, we think a more vigorous performance by the subject for criticism a year ago, is much improved. ^ pupils, of their part of the daily routine, 'ought to be secured at, We lost our expected opportunity to test the work of the last whatever sacrifice of time and labor. The teaching seems to term at a regular examination, by reason of circumstances stated have been faithfully, done, and the moral influences exerted in below, and are not, therefore, prepared to speak as positively as the school have been good. we could desire; but we believe the school to be, while open to 6 � As one or two brief suspensions of the regular sessions have THE HOWARD SCHOOL. occurred during the year, the cause of which might not other- wise be understood, we will add that it is within the personal Teacher,—Miss CLARA E. BACON, (re-appointed March, 1868.) knowledge of one of us that the teacher's presence was required This school has completed its three terms under the young „N at the Superior Court in Boston, to which she was called to tes- lady who was teaching it so successfully at the close of the year tify concerning an accident she had chanced to witness. 1867-8. The school-room has, at times, been crowded with more than its proper complement of pupils, and the task of the teacher has become more difficult with the increase; but we are THE HANCOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL. sure it has been thoroughly and faithfully performed. The Teacher,—Miss EMMA J. SPAULDING, (re-appointed March, 1868.) school is in excellent condition, and the good work accomplished by it continues, happily, to be appreciated by the parents and This school has now been under the instruction and care of friends of the pupils. ' the same teacher for two years. The pupils who have gone The attendance, at certain periods of, the year, has been very from it to the Grammar School during this time have been irregular. We beseech those who have charge of children at generally well grounded in the essentials of an elementary prep- their homes, not to deprive them of the good instruction here aration,—showing accuracy and painstaking on the part of the offered, unless for the most cogent reasons. teacher. The moral influences exerted upon the school, also, have deserved commendation. But upon one point we must qualify our approval. It is never too early to make the pupils THE HANCOCK SUB-PRIMARY SCHOOL. in a primary school sprightly and orderly whenever they are Teacher,—Miss MARY F. SMITH, (re-appointed March, 1868.) upon the floor, whatever may be their short-comings when under orders to sit quietly in their seats. In respect to this important This school has,, in our opinion, been managed and instructed part of the work to be expected of a teacher, we must admit with more than the usual skill and success throughout the year, that the condition of this school has caused us some disappoint- We believe the little children who have attended it, have come ment. from their homes in a more uniformly tidy condition than for- merly. In fact, we have heard of no complaints on this subject recently. Pupils have been advanced to the next higher school THE HANCOCK GRAMMAR SCHOOL. when their acquirements seemed to warrant it., instead of being Teachers,—Mr. OTis L. BONrrEY, (re-appointed March, 1868;) Mr. required to wait till the end of the year. Those who have been ELISHA H. TowLm, put into the Primary School have gone well prepared, while - those who remained have made fine progress. Mr. Bonney worked faithfully for this school,retaining charge We suggest that parents who do not wish their children to of it, however, for only one term. We think he laid a good attend the school regularly, should not occasionally send them foundation for its subsequent prosperity. He resigned during for the mere purpose of being rid of the care they require at the Summer vacation, to accept an appointment elsewhere. The home. If, however, a real advantage accrues to a child from Committee thereupon appointed. Mr. Tower to the vacant place, attending a part of the year, in any particular case, future com- a majority of the board having carefully examined him on a pre- 3 'a large vious occasion. The school has become somewhat remarkable mittees will probably cherish no such desire, to report percentage of attendance as to wish to deprive any young mind for the zealous efforts and orderly conduct of its pupils. Their of the advantages this school will afford. progress in the several studies pursued has been very gratifying. A li g �J Though not without its faults, we think the school has been well worthy the confidence of the most fastidious parent. THE. ADAMS GRAMMAR, SCHOOL. , Mr. Tower deserves our thanks for his successful exertions in leacher,—Mr.I SmAs PEABODY, (re-appointed March, 1868.) allaying the evil of truancy. This school has been profitable to its pupils for several reasons. First, the instruction has been unusually perspicuous and thorough. Secondly, the persons most deeply concerned in its THE ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL. prosperity have done their utmost to lend the helping hand of Teacher,—Miss MARY B. HowE, (re-appointed March, 1868.) popular favor. The classes have covered the ground laid out for Promptness and general accuracy in the performances of the them at the beginning of the year. The pupils have not, appa- pupils, continue to be the rule in this school, while the children rently, become listless, or tired of the school. If they have not appear, as heretofore, lively, and happy. There have been many, J all progressed alike, it must be remembered that they are not all cases of irregular attendance, due to the inevitable attacks of gifted with the same abilities, and that the same influences bad children's distempers upon the pupils. Such a state of things not, before the year's work was begun, prepared all alike for its thwarts;to some extent, a teacher's best efforts. The school completion. ` The advanced classes in this school are.large, and it is no light has, however, flourished, and has completed the year with great J � cause of satisfaction to all concerned in its welfare. labor to take one of them through a recitation with the requisite , despatch. If it is desired, in the recitation of a given amount in The school-room occupied by this school needs better means of ventilation. The valve-window, over one of the doors, is .w written arithmetic,that each member of the class should work useful. It would be more so, probably, if it were farther dis- at the blackboard, it is easy to see how justice can be done to a tant from the floor. But this window, together with the door- class of-ten much more easily than to a ,class of twenty. If ways of,the stove and the single ventilating register in the other means of instruction are substituted for the daily work of pupils at the blackboard, then ingenuity and great readiness on chimney, are by no means sufficient to renew the atmosphere of s the part of the teacher are required, to make these means a the room as rapidly, as the lungs of sixty children require it to substitute in reality. In the same way large classes in other be renewed. Opening one or more windows for fresh air, tends branches demand more time and labor than small ones. For ¢; to chill the heads and shoulders of the pupils, and endangers these and other reasons this school is more difficult to teach than their health. Opening a door—the worst possible device for ' the corresponding one in the Centre Village. It is not so easily, ventilating, in cold weather, a public room warmed by a stove chills the feet of the little sufferers, without even the excuse brought into a homogeneous condition. But we think faithful which might be urged for dropping a window; for it furnishes pupils can make it as profitable to themselves, even thoughthe unfaithful may not, with the same facility as in the other little or no fresh air to their faces. It endangers their health school, be compelled to enjoy its privileges. more than opening the windows. Narrow apertures (from two to three feet long, and from five to eight inches high,)-cut quite We take pleasure in commending the liberality of the friends through the walls, on one or both sides, and at the back of the of this school, which more than a year ago furnished a piano for room, near the ceiling, with closely fitted valves for cutting off the school-room, and in expressing the opinion that the musical and regulating the supply of air, would probably enable these exercises of the pupils are very useful to them and to the school. 2 children to occupy their school-room in comfort, and without injury to their health. r 10 11 THE HIGH SCHOOL. all been made with due reference to the work already done by Principal,—Mr. WILLIAM H. KNIGIiT. Assistant,—Miss ELLEN W. the several older classes, and with the intention of not depriving STETSON. any class of the study, during its four years' attendance, of any branch in the prescribed course believed to be essential. The It will be remembered that a new Principal was to be appoint- principal reason for most of these changes, was the fact that,for ed before the opening of this school for the year. We conferred causes considered satisfactory when the course was established, with many teachers, and after due advertisement, examined geology, botany, and some other similar branches, all preceded several competitors with care. From these we selected Mr. chemistry, which was the last study in the course of natural Knight, a graduate of Middlebury College and a teacher of science. We have thought that the text-books in the branches experience. He was instructed, first of all, to dispose of the first above named, could not be well understood and remembered insubordination which had the year before rendered the school without some previous knowledge of chemistry. r unpopular and less than ordinarily prosperous. The desired On this point—of learning and remembering the facts of sci- �1 improvement was effected. Without the use of force and by ence, not as separate and independent items, but in their mutual no harsher means than those to which the had been accus pupils relations—we venture to suggest by way of a single illustration tomed, that undivided authority which the people of Lexington that the composition of granite, as given in any text-book on consider essential to the usefulness of the school, has been geology, is but dimly comprehended by it person who does not steadily maintained. know what quartz, feldspar and mica are, chemically. Once Miss Stetson, a graduate of the school, has assisted during / having learned these things, however, the pupil is not forced to the whole year. She has been constant in her attention to tier the alternative of failing in his lesson, or committing to memory duties, and the acquirements of her classes have borne testimony "' the words of it without understanding them; he may have the to her care and culture. ha s as performed, out o school S p � f l happiness of recalling the substance of it to mind with clearness, hours, a large amount of labor in averaging the marks given for and to some purpose. the several exercises of the pupils, and in recording the result Merely committing to memory the words of the book, in any upon the slips exhibited to the school,'and in the book long since of the branches of natural science, is nearly as useless as the procured and used for the purpose. This labor has at times, in same kind of exercise in mathematics. For example, to refer J previous years, been done in part by the pupils themselves. We again to geology, some of us have known a pupil's mental pow- cannot recommend such a practice. The pupils have (or should ers lavished on a pretty good imitation of the language of the have) enough to do without any such dull task to perform; and, book in reference to boulders, when it finally appeared that the besides, a record made wholly by the teachers is rather more pupil giving it had no definite idea of what manner of thing a satisfactory than any other, considered as evidence of scholarship boulder might be. and merit. We think this systematic record of the perform- We make these statements so fully, because it has been antes of each pupil, tends to impress upon the mind of each thought by some persons that a less amount of natural science member of the school the great practical doctrine that unflag- was being taught to the members of this school, than in former ging industry is an essential element of a complete character. years. On the contrary, it has been our aim that more natural We have not discovered any of the evil effects sometimes thought science should be learned by them. to result from the competition which such record may induce. The result of the year's work we understand to be a gain over During the past two years the order of studies in the school the previous year, both in the amount of matter learned and in has been considerably modified, but without any great change the manner of learning it. There is a greater proportion of in respect to the branches to be taught. The modifications have recitations based upon an understanding of the subject in hand. 12 13 To the study of Latin we think as much, or nearly as much their personal friends and other citizens, with an exhibition of attention has been given as formerly, and the classes in this their powers in declamation, recitation of poetry, music* and branch have improved in the matter of condensing their per- English composition,—the graduating class reading their own formances into a smaller number of well chosen words. A large productions. Unqualified diplomas were presented to the mem- increase in.the amount of Latin translated during the year has bers of this class, viz. : Misses Sarah M. Graham, Alice W. been observed, without any apparent falling off in the exactness Peirce, Celia Russell, and Ellen M. Underwood. ' of the rendering, or in the pupil's understanding of the Latin text. And lest it should be feared that the functions of the memory have been slighted, we will add that the vocabularies GENERAL REMARKS . have been uncommonly well remembered by the classes in both Latin and French. It would be a good thing for our schools if parents and The demeanor of a large proportion of the pupils has been r others, (except young children,) would visit them more generally highly creditable to the school. Dignity, courtesy and gentle- and more frequently. The manifestation of interest which such j4 ness are the rule in the school-room. A tendency to injure the a visit implies, gives additional dignity to a school, and is an house and furniture, both.before and after the daily sessions and incentive to good conduct and faithful study on the part of the at night, (and we fear, by certain persons not connected with pupils. For the accommodation of persons who may practically the school,) has occasionally been manifested. It has been agree with us on this point, we add, that the Hancock Primary, promptly checked, and no serious harm has resulted from it. / Adams Primary, Hancock' Grammar, Franklin, and High This school is in a prosperous condition, and we believe its school-rooms, are not sufficiently supplied with settees. members, as they enter upon the new year, will realize more Since the establishment of the High School a considerable i fully what their privileges are. The old.zeal for punctual and quantity of good and expensive-philosophical apparatus has been regular attendance, seems unabated. Instances of truancy on obtained for it. The case provided to protect this property from the part of boys who attended for a short time, and cases of injury, is not large enough to contain it, and is, besides, par- sickness have, however, affected the percentage of attendance, tially occupied by small packages of chemicals. Some of this which is calculated by the strict directions of the Board of Edu- apparatus is already slightly damaged by vapors of chemicals, cation, as given in the registers and in the blank returns fur- while that portion which is not enclosed, is injured by dust and nished to the Committee. frequent handling. All such articles should be protected from Finally, all those children who could satisfy us of their quali- these injuries, and at the same time should be always within the fications, have been admitted to the school, and we think there teacher's reach. There is no separate room for the purpose. has been no tendency to drive away any pupil for mere dulness One more capacious case is necessary for the philosophical appa- or inability to bear the full measure of study prescribed. A ratus. The present small case should be left wholly to the reference to the printed Rules of the Committee, (hereafter chemical ware and drugs. More of the last named means of referred to,) will show that a member of the school who is not instruction, (by far the cheapest and most useful,) might then be able to accomplish all the work laid out for his class, may yet, obtained, and the study of chemistry be made, as it always with permission, remain with his class, pursue a part of the should be, and always may be, practical and interesting. studies of the course, and have the benefit of the instruction and refining influences of this institution. +�The Committee having no means at their disposal,the instruction in music In the evening of the day succeeding the last examination of given to this school,has been suggested by Mr.Knight's desire to cultivate the the High School, the pupils entertained a crowded audience of tastes of the pupils, and has all been provided by him. I'! 14 15 consent of the Committee shall have given, in a particular case, A very moderate appropriation by the town, would supply both of the above deficiencies. authority to deviate from them. The High School room (Town Hall,) is provided with two Some slight repairs of the schoolhouses and outbuildings will ventilating pipes. But both these lead from the ceiling of the probably be required soon. These can be provided for at the room, whereas they ought to lead from some points near the floor. town meetings, without being further mentioned here. The cheapest way to heat a room warmed by a furnace, is to We believe we have not, in this Report, failed to acquaint the displace all the cold air, and supply its place with warmer. The citizens of the town with the defects, as well as the merits, of stream of warm, fresh air from the furnace rises, because it is the several schools. These nurseries of republican institutions light, to the top of the room. Open some exhaust drafts at the are mever all in a perfectly satisfactory state,—any more than floor, and you remove the heavy cold air as fast as its place is the Commonwealth is always quite free from discord and corrup- supplied by the warm. In this way it does not take many tion. We can, however, conscientiously express the opinion minutes to fill a large room with warmed air. If a hall is not that our schools are, as a whole, by comparison with those of sufficiently heated as soon as might be expected upon this the- other places similarly situated, excellent institutions, and very ory, it is because the ceiling and walls are cold, and chill the creditable to the town. first supply of warm air; notwithstanding which, this method is We append the usual tabular statement, and the Report of the most approved. In the Town Hall the tendency is for the the Book Agent. supply of air from the furnace to rise to the top of the room, and then escape at once, through the ventilating pipes, to the J Respectfully submitted, outer air. To prevent this waste, these pipes are sometimes JOHN W. HUDSON, closed in the coldest weather, and then there is no sufficient CHARLES TIDD, escape for the air from any part• of the room. We recommend JONAS GAMMELL, the extension of both these wooden pipes from the ceiling down- School Committee for 1868-9. ward to the floor, with valves at the floor and others near the LEXINGTON, March, 1869. ceiling—the last for use when the room becomes more heated. Pretty good air has been furnished in this school-room during the past year, but at a needless expense. The plan proposed, we believe, might be adopted with economy, and at the same REPORT OF BOOK AGENT. time, something might be done to impress upon the minds Of BOOK AGENCY IN ACCOUNT WITH TOWN Or LEXINGTON. the pupils of the school the practical methods, as well as the CR. DR. abstract propriety, of ventilating human habitations. To books on hand April 1, 1868, $125 00 At the April town meeting in 1868, permission was given to By books furnished indigent children, 1868-9, $22 93 this board to publish the Truant Regulations of the town together << teachers' desks, 6 71 with their own Rules, and extracts from the laws of the State " crayons, ink-wells and erasers furnished schools, 14 44 relating to the schools. Under this authority, we have recently 4' amount of books on baud March 31, 1869, . 110 00 printed, for circulation with this Report and for future use, a " 6611 cash " 15 00 small pamphlet embracing the subject matters voted upon by the Balance due Book Agency, _ 44 08 town as above. It will contribute, without doubt, to the system- $169 08 $169 08 atic working of the schools. Teachers will know better what to do in all cases. They will conform to the Rules until the special TABULAR VIEW. ok ❑ ❑ w.,. w.ti �,y .S y d o.p •�G w d 0 o m. reps: �o ao=.y 1. Py to SCHOOLS. TEACHERS. °o o a a°o a m d y ao ra 0 a°'»e d ° °Q.° F a .a 8 a.,. 4 G 8 a.,, �y� , en n o dmm ,�m3 ooro ammm6 �°3m p 36 0cso� wk8.ny®. Wks.nye: 1,200.00 HIGH............... William H. Knight. 25 2 15 . 40 2' 42 32 35 30 8'8.5 $120.00 Ellen W. Stetson .. 24.00 242.40 ADAMS GRAMMAR .. .... Silas Peabody....... 25 15 40 49 44 37+ 37.4 80+ 100.00 1,000 00 ...Otis L. Bonney. 260.00 HANCOCK GRAMMAR.. 25 . 15 „. 40 51 45 �4.4 37.2 75 }- 80.00 Elisha H. Tower... � 540.00 Lavinia M. Allen .. 144.00 F-+ FRANKLIN ........... Ella F. Stroeln ... 24 15 39 21. 21 16 17 78.5 24,00 90.00 WARREN .............. Alice A. Tufts....... 24 2 12 36 2 28 28 26.5 25 90 26.00 236.60 26.00 BOwDITCH............. ElizaJ. Norris...... 23 15 2A 38 2A 38 36 26.5 26.1 71+ 28.00 258.00 HOWARD .............. Clara E. Bacon...... 24 3 15 39 3 39 44 30 36 80- 25.00 292.20 32.00 ADAMS PRIMARY ....... Mary B. Howe ...... 25 15 40 58 50 42.5 40 76.5 36.00 360.00 HANCOCK PRIMARY..... Emma J.Spaulding 24 4 14 4 39 3 34 32 27 28.5 84+ 32.00 316.80 ' HANCOCK SUB-PRIMARY. Mary F. Smith ...... 23 4 14 1JI 38 &1 39 40 30 .27.5 73.5 20.00 1 190.50 Time for which teachers were paid,and exclusive of recesses and vacations,but inclusive of holidays,half-days,allowed in term time to teachers, and days when regular sessions were prevented by storms,sickness,or other unavoidable causes. The average attendance for the year,for the whole town,is a little less than 80 per cent. The whole number of persons in tows between 5 and 15 years of age is 410.