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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1869-1870 School Committee Report R P O R T OF THE SCHOOL COATMI '1"1 EE I 1 OF THE i I I i TOWN, OF LEXIN TON. . i J . FOR THE YEAR 1809-70. i i y I y' 1'RKSS OF T. It. til:�i.�'I� � �(f\. t:it l h70. I 4 S REPORT OF THE r� SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON. A 1i�. • FOR THE YEAR 1869-70. Y . f i ,r BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN & SON, 131 CONGRESS STREET. 1870. TO THE INHABITANTS OF LEXINGTON: " According to the requirements of - the General Statutes of Massachusetts, the undersigned herewith submit the Annual ItEP0RT . i THE FRANKLIN SCHOOL. Teacher,—Miss ELLEN M. UNDERWOOD. r I The most-noticeable feature in this school is-the small number t. t of the pupils. There seems to have been a steady decline in the attendance for several years past; yet the facilities for instruction afforded here are fully equal to those in the other districts. The present teacher entered upon her work at the beginning of the school-year, immediately after graduating at the High i School; and by her faithful and persevering efforts she has done much to promote the interests of the school. The improvement was manifest to all who attended the recent examination. It is hoped that there are no children in this neighborhood who will voluntarily deprive themselves of the excellent advantages which are here offered to all. THE WARREN SCHOOL. Teachers.—Miss Amon A. TUFTS, (re-appointed Mareh, 1869.) Miss M. E. RUSSELL. During the first part.Of the year, this school continued to h enjoy the valued services .of.Miss Tufts,. who Eby considerable experience here, had become well-acquainted with the condition 4 5` and wants of the pupils. Shortly after the opening of the Fall and consequent irregularity Of attendance. During the winter Term Miss Tufts resigned, in Order to accept a position else- there was some insubordination and mal-treatment of the build- where; and Miss Russell was appointed to fill the vacancy. ings, which called for the special interference of the Committee. The new teacher, a graduate of our High School, had already Since then, a radical improvement has appeared in the conduct taught with much satisfaction in the adjoining town of Burlington of the offending pupils; and it is hoped that tbere will be no and she entered upon her duties here with commendable energy, further occasion to publish misdemeanors of this kind. Owing The difficulties, usually attending a change of teachers, seem in to these and other circumstances,he school did not appear quite this case to have been largely obviated; and the progress of the as well as usual at the closing examinations. scholars in their respective studies was not sensibly affected. The manners of some of the children in this district would be One or two cases of truancy and rudeness caused the teacher a greatly improved, if they.would imitate the exemplary bearing little trouble; but after some expostulation with the offenders, of their teacher. they confessed their fault, and promised to give no further cause of complaint. . THE HANCOCK SUB-PRIMARY SCHOOL. Teacher,-Miss FLORENCE W. DAVIS. THE BOWDITCH SCHOOL. This little school has been conducted with much zeal and Teacher,—Miss M. A. JACKSON. i 1 discretion throughout the year. The children have evidently At the examination of this.school at the close of the previous appreciated the kindly interest which the teacher has taken in year, it was evident that there had not been as much progress as their welfare; and they.have steadily improved in the simple was reasonably expected. In assuming the duties of the school, rudiments, which constitute the chief part:of.their early educa- therefore, Miss Jackson found it,necessary to meet the peculiar Lion. Their general behavior has been very good; and they requirements of her new position. It was the -work of time to have enjoyed the various exercises Of singing, marching,printing introduce the improved methods, which,we think, have now been and drawing on the blackboard,,which have been wisely consid- established here. ered an important part of their sebool-training. The teacher has labored conscientiously to improve the condi- The number attending this school it will be observed, has been tion and elevate the scholarship of her pupils. A good degree quite large; although many have been frequently absent on of success has followed her efforts, and a steady improvement account of the weather.. is anticipated during the coming year. THE HANCOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL. THE HOWARD SCHOOL. . . Teachers,—Miss E. F. STROELIN; Miss M. F. PATCH. Teacher,—Miss CLARA: E. BACON, (re-appointed March, 1869.) During the -two terms in which this school was under the This school has, for the most part, maintained its good repu- administration. of Miss Stroelin, the general. deportment was tation, under the kind and efficient management of its well-known thought.to be good, and the recitations.were in many respects teacher.. It.has suffered more than the other schools by sickness, satisfactory. The teacher took a personal interest in her scholars, -R 6 7 advantages of awell-ordered school-room; and the good habits, And endeavored to make the work of instruction as simple as possible. Her successor, Miss PATCH, was a graduate :of the both in study and in behavior, which are formed thus early,. will Lynn High School, and recently came from the Bridgewater not forsake them as they advance to higher and more responsible Normal School. Though with limited experience, the new sitions n poIt has beef noticed that the amount of work accomplished in teacher•was well qualified by study and discipline, to assume the q y management of the school; and while she was here, she gave this school is note equal to that in man of the others although in point of thoroughness it certainly yields to none. Perhaps it promise of much success in the work to which she devoted all would not be necessary to sacrifice the latter in order to add her strength. At the close of the term, however, she resigned, something to the former. in order to take a position.as teacher in her native town. It is gratifying to notice the deep interest taken by the resi- dents of this district in the general welfare of their:schools. THE HANCOCK GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Teacher,—Mr. E. H. TOWER, (re-appointed March, 1869.) THE ADAMS GRAMMAR,SCHOOL. This school has, in a great measure, Icontinued to meet the Teacher,—Mr. SILAs PEABODY, (,re-appointed March, 1869.) expectations which are cherished by the community in regard to it. The instruction appears to have .been systematic and thorough. The condition of this school has been very,prosperous through- The various subjects of study have been unfolded with a slue r s out the year. .Nothing has occurred to retard the steady progress regard to the capacity and attainments of each scholar. The of the pupils in their several studies. The cordial sympathy standard has been high; and it is believed that the 'members of existing between them and their teacher has been a mutual help this school have not only been-acquiring positive knowledge, but in,all the work of the school. The teacher.seems to understand have also enjoyed a good degree of mental training, by which the the importance of developing the various faculties of the youthful powers of original thought-have been called into active exercise. - mind as well as of storing it with knowledge from the books;.. The deportment has generally been excellent: We should be glad to see the principles underlying all study The school has not been kept quite the fall number of weeks, more fully taught in every school. in consequence of the necessary absence of'the teacher, occa- Speeal attention has been given here to penmanship and sione'd by'family affliction. composition and the specimens shown at the examination were remarkably good.. THE ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL. Teacher,—Miss MARY B: HowE, (re-appointed March, 1869.) THE HIGH SCHOOL. There has been-no change in the efficiency and personal care Teachers,—Mr. W. H. KNIGHT,.(re-appointed March, 1869;) Mr. NA- THANIEL CHILD$. ASSiStant,—Miss E. W. STETSON, (re-appointed with which this pleasant .school has been uniformly managed. March, 1869.) The teacher appears to be thoroughly acquainted with the pecu - liar traits of all her pupils, and At the beginning of the. year, seventeen new pupils were adapts her .instruction to the � admitted to the school upon examination. wants of each. The.youngest here soon learn the pleasures and 8 g A small class commenced the study of Greek, in order to be materially from the change, and with the special assistance which prepared for admission to College, Under Mr. Knight, the was kindly rendered by Miss Stetson, the wonted order and same good order and general proficiency were noticed as during industry, of the school was soon apparent. the previous year. The first term closed with a written exami- Those who were-present at the recent examination had an nation upon all the studies which had been pursued. opportunity to inspect for themselves, the attainments' and disci- During the Summer vacation, one of the Senior Class, Charles pline visible under the new direction. It was observed, in some W: Wellington, a scholar of much promise, was suddenly cases, that the explanation of certain rules and examples did not removed by death. seem to be well apprehended; but great allowance must be made Early in October, Mr. Knight tendered his resignation, in for a broken year, and the usual difficulties of a verbal' exami- orde'r.to accept another position. The vacancy thus occasioned nation. was duly advertised, and quite a number of candidates.presented A new work in Philosophy was introduced during the year, themselves at the time appointed for the examination. The as an experiment, but a fair trial does not warrant its adoption Committee carefully considered the qualifications of several of as a text-book. the gentlemen who applied, and they also took pains to visit The graduating-class, near the close of the year, studied with towns at some distance, to assure themselves of a judicious much interest and profit a valuable work upon English Literature. appointment. The preference was, on the whole, given to Special attention has been given to rhetorical and musical exer- Mr. J. H. NOYES, Principal of the High School at .Marble- cises, and the pupils have made good progress, with the help of head, a teacher of many years' experience and well-known' the Principal, in correcting many current errors in oral and writ- character. ten language. Many of the compositions were very, creditable. Mr. Noyes came to Lexington with his family, to secure a Miss Stetson has labored with unwearied fidelity, in teaching house, but not being successful, he informed the Committee with the several branches intrusted to-her charge, and she has always regret, that unless they could find him a suitable dwelling, or exercised an encouraging and genial influence among all the offer an increase of salary, it would be impossible for him to scholars. make the change. Accordingly, as there were no further means At the close of the year, a public exhibition was held, in at the disposal of the Committee, the place was declared vacant, which the graduating class had original and very creditable parts, and after further deliberation, another selection was made from assisted, in the general programme, by the other members of the several candidates who had been examined. the school. The hall was tastefully, decorated, and the perform- Mr.. NATHANIEL CHILDS', of Charlestown, a recent graduate antes gave much satisfaction to the large number of citizens of Harvard College, received' the appointment, .and entered at present. once upon his dutiesi, Though without any experience as a Unqualified diplomas were presented to teacher, Mr. Childs brought to his new position much enthu- Misses MARY IDA CADWELL, siasm, and a hearty-desire to cooperate with the scholars in all EMMA �''RANCEB PARKER, sARAH ELIZAEETH ROBINSON, the arrangements of the school. A feeling of mutual confidence AUGUSTA IJUREN SIMONDS. being thus early established, the school did not seem to suffer B i i :. At all the examinations there have been a surprising number of mistakes in spelling. Candidates for admission to the High GENERAL REMARKS. School ought to be well qualified in this respect, as it cannot be In the brief survey of our schools, presented in the foregoing expected that much attention will be given, in the last .stages of pages, w. e have been able to notice many excellent features, education, to the simple rudiments. And those who enter upon which indicate a fair and commendable progress. When we active life, immediately after leaving our grammar, and district d schools, will never be likely to repair the loss, when they aban- remember the difficulties which most of our teachers have to contend,with, we cannot but.be generous in our criticism of their don their chool-boos. arduous labors. They. will doubtless agree with us that there The matter of reading also and pronunciation needs to be more are many things in our schools which are not- precisely as we critically taught.. . .should like them. The attendance is by no means as uniform as And it surely is not beyond the province of any teacher io it should be. The indolence of some scholars works in every detect and forbid anything like vulgarity of language, sdch as is way to their disadvantage. The dullness of others is a great too frequently learned by our ingenuous youth on the street, and we fear also among their school-fellows. Let the whale hindrance to the progress of the class. The physical weakness of some, incident often to rapid growth, cannot be disregarded tone and influence of every, school be set against this injurious in the requirements of a faithful teacher. The great difference habit. t .We trust that the Practice of singing will become in home training and parental example is sure to appear in the p b more general than it has been. If teachers will employ their own talent, and school-room. The unfortunate m4nners which are contracted by some of our youth out of school, do not yield at once to the rules bring into use what may be found among their pupils, they will soon find it a most agreeable and useful exercise 'in which all and suggestions even of the best of teachers. These and other b considerations must affect our Judgment of the operations of the should be expected to engage. . In behalf of the teachers, we beg leave to request more year. frequent visits from parents and friends. Let their interest in ' There are some deficiencies, however, which are seen in all •' . the schools, and which the special efforts.of the teachers may do the welfare of the children be manifest in a personal and friendly inspection of the schools. It would be a great encouragement much to remedy. The common errors in speaking and writing to the teachers who are often wearied as much from the want o our own language are so numerous as to lead to the reasonable f inquiry whether our schools are doing as much as they ought to l" apparent sympathy among the neighbors, as from the actual inculcate a knowledge of pure English. It does not need a very labor of the;school-room. critical ear.to detect the faults of speech which prevail so eaten- The buildings.are in a tolerably good condition; but they will need some outlay in paint and furniture and fencing. sively'among us. This must be owing partly to a Lack of careful If the four schools, which' are located in the outer districts, and thorough instruction at school. Our children are expected were provided with horse-sheds, many person to speak and write better than their parents, since, in many s,would doubtless eases, they have greater advantages. take occasion to visit them more frequently. 12 13 In closing this Report, we have much pleasure in saying that the prospects of the schools for the coming year are very encour- aging; and in order that as much may be done as is expected, we bespeak the cordial co-operation_of all our citizens. We append the usual tabular statement of the Report of the REPORT OF BOOK AGENCY. Book Agency. Respectfully,submitted, BOOK AGENCY TO TOWN OF LEXINGTON. CR. DR. EDWARD G. PORTER, To amount of books on hand April 1st, 1869, $110 00 CHARLES TIDD, " " " cash. " " " 15 00 JONAS GAMMELL, $125 00 School Committee for 1869-70. By books furnished indigent children, 1869-70, 14 65 LEXINGTON, March, 1870. " " " Teachers'desks, . 17 33 " " " .School Committee, 5 17 r crayons, ink and erasers furnished schools, 15 19 " amount of books on hand March 31st, 1870,. 117 25 cc cc cc cash ", " " 7 75 To Balance due Agency March 31st, 1870, 52 34 $177 34 $177 34 H. HOLMES, Agent. LEXINGTON, March 31st, 1870. YT TABULAR V'2EW� ' ms - d dagi .d s: .d ed edi md2 w SCHOOLS. TEACHERS. ti Om O� o.' p .N ❑�' C�H yqq �'4.qm 90 • Z~ Zq. �...q. FO WE3 �i+m w'k.V.. WI..D's. Wks.Va. r William H. Knight....:.. ...... ..... .. .... .... ...... $120.00 HIGH ............... I Nathaniel Childs......... 22.3 .16 .38.3 46 44 42 39 94+ 90.00 Ellen W.Stetson.......... .... .. .... ...... 28.00 32.00 ADAMs GRAMMAR...... Silas Peabody.............. 24 16 40 38 32 33 29 86+ 100.00 HANCOCK GRAMMAR.... Elisha H. Tower........... 22.2 15.2 37.4 38 29+ -35 27 80- ,90.00 .'( Alice A. Tufts ............ 22.4. 144 873 30 25 32 25 81+ 28.00 WARREN............ jll M. E.Russell ................ ...... ........ ...... ...... ........ 28.00 FRANKLIN............. Ellen M. Underwood ....... 23.1 16 39.1 26 18 19 16 77 24.00 BOwDITCH ............ M. A. Jackson............. 23.2• 16 39.2 '35 28+ 34 23 71+ 32.00 HowAaD............... Clara E.Bacon ............ 22.2 15.4 38A 34 26 41 32 78+ 32.00 ADAms PRIMARY....... Mary B. Howe............. 23 16 39 50 40+ .40 32 80 • 36.00 Ella F. Stroelin........... 23.2 _ 15 38.2 40 32 38 31 80 28.00 HANCOCK PRIMARY ... { M. F. Patch.............. .............-... ........ ...... ........ ...... ....... ........ ' 28.00 HANCOCK SIIB'PRIMARY. Florence W. Davin......'... 24 16 40 36 26 33 24 71+. 20.00 The average attendance for all the Schools for the year is 80 per cent. The whole number of persons in town between 6 and 15 years of age is 380.