Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1873-1874 School Committee Report REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE , OF THE TOWN OF LEXINGTON , FOR THE YEAR 1873-74. WOBURN JOHN L. PARKER, PRINTER. 1874. i J7r T REPORT . THE School Committee of Lexington herewith present their annual report. Our report will be brief, and we ask for it candid consid- eration. In rendering an account of our management we desire to express our appreciation of the very liberal appropriation placed at our disposal, and our consciousness of the conse- quent greater responsibility devolving on us, of so adminis s, tering our trust as to increase the efficiency of our schools and merit this public confidence. We have proceeded carefully and endeavored to act with good judgment, and if we have erred, we cannot be justly —accused of not devoting sufficient time and attention even to the minutest details of school'and prudential service. APPROPRIATIONS. The town appropriated, at its annual meeting in March, 1873 For supportof schools . $9,500 00 For school buildings, apparatus,and incidentals. . 3,865 00 i In addition to these sums we have reeeived our share of the State School Fund for the years JMT and 1873, amount- ing to $336.48, three-fourths of which has been added to the school grant, and one-fourth to the, grant for repairs and w �i� incidentals, in accordance with the statute, making the total HANCOCK SCHOOL. amount at our disposal, $13,701.48. Instruction $1,831 25 We have expended these sums substantially in accordance Fuel and care of rooms 236 40 with the.. recommendations in our last report and the vote of Repairs, etc. 1,959 43 the town, and have scarcely exceeded the appropriations ex 1 $4,027 08 cept, as hereafter explained, where we -felt an emergency r justified us in so doing, and which we are confident you will HIGH SCHOOL. approve. Instruction $2,487 50 EgPENDITURES'. Fuel and care of rooms 255 18 The expenditures have been as follows: Repairs, etc. . 1,400 89 - $4,143 57 For:instruction, fuel, and care of rooms $9,755 92 Excess of appropriation 3 56 HOWARD SCHOOL. For repairs, apparatus, and incidentals 3,973 48 . Instruction $463 12 Excess of appropriation. 24 36 Fuel and care of rooms 112 37 Repairs, etc. . 231 02 ADAMS SCHOOL. , $806 51 Instruction . $2,050 00 Fuel and care of rooms . 195 00 WARREN SCHOOL. Repairs, etc. . 237 89 1 Instruction . } $475. 00 $2,482 89 Fuel and cane of rooms 49 45 Repairs, etc. . 33 41 BOwDITCH SCHOOL. $557 86 Instruction. $461 87 Instruction in music 600 00 Fuel and care of rooms 47 78 j Not classified 48 98 Repairs, etc. . 47 95 ' Total expense for the year $13,729 40 $557 60 FRANKLIN SCHOOL. I Certain sums which have been paid into the treasury for tuition of pupils from other towns will partially balance the Instruction $450 00 small excess, and if we had been allowed to draw the un- .Fuel and care of rooms 41 00 expended balance of last year's appropriation and use it for Repairs, etc. . . 13 91 "' $504 91 this purpose, we should have paid all bills we have contract- ed and had a surplus in our hands. There seems to .be no good reason why, when money is appropriated for the In the lower school-room the old floor and school furniture schools,it should not be used for that purpose,even if it laps were entirely removed and replaced with a floor of hard pine, over from year to year. It is assessed and used somewhere. and substantial single desks of oak, a case for the philoso- On examining you will find that in years past there has fre- phical apparatus built, and apparatus to the extent of the quently been such surplus, and we expect our schools have appropriation placed therein. been robbed to this extent, and that the amount has been The school-room has been made otherwise attractive by used in covering deficiencies in other directions tinder the maps and charts, purchased from our share of the State School somewhat convenient head of contingent expenses. Fund, as allowed by statute, by a number of beautiful i We will refer to the repairs and improvements of school pictures laced on its walls b the pupils, b a fine piano, s p p y p p� � y� p�` 9 1 property briefly,for they are well.known to our citizens, and purchased entirely by the result of their efforts, and a good we believe very'generally appreciated. barometer, also donated. In the Adams District, our means enabled us to do little The greatest changes have been made in the Hancock"Dis- else than build the fence suggested, and do some needed trice. The plan suggested by us in the last report contein painting. , .. plated the enlargement of the Primary School room by au In the Howard District, in addition to building the fence, addition to the building of a single story. We suggested this f we have set out a few trees, done some grading, and have on account of the expense of a second story, which was not thoroughly cleaned, painted, and whitened the walls and needed. Acting on the advice of many citizens and of ex= ceiling of the school-room, which were in a deplorable con- perienced mechanics, and finding that the expense of another dition. story would be comparatively small, we took the respo si- The High School house has been shingled, and we have bility of contracting for the full addition, and feel that the continued the improvement of the lot to.the extent of many result has justified our action. times the amount of the appropriation, being enabled to do The addition was very successfully made by moving the , so by the generosity of Mr. Prosser, who contributed nearly, rear wall of the building back fifteen feet, and finishing be- if not quite, as much as the town appropriated, and by the tween this and the main building. The improvement gives material assistance of other citizens. The teachers, pupils us two large rooms connected with the Grammar School and janitor of the school also took great interest in the work, room, of little use at present, but which, perhaps, may be furnishing trees and shrubs and many days' labor after our at some future time, and a room below for the Primary resources were exhausted,and caring for the trees during the School, about thirty feet square, so that in place of the con- season. The long-continued drought was especially unfa- tracted apartment, so many years a fit subject for indictment, vorable to the work; yet we think most of the trees have been we have now a commodious and cheerful school-room. saved, and that during the present year the grounds will pre- The enlargement in this manner necessitated the entire re- sent a very creditable appearance. The improvement has moval of the rear chimney, and exhausted the means at our been well begun, and the scholars themselves are so much in- disposal. Since there was to be no meeting of the town in terested in it that we doubt not it will be continued without season to give us authority'to act, and it being necessary to further assistance from the town. provide some method of heating the new room before No- 8 9 �. vember, we acted in a manner which we trust you will ap- tve. We are aware that the cry of economy is far more.. prove, and assume] the responsibility of contracting in popular at the present time than that for liberality, but it is anticipation of an appropriation. our duty to the schools, to the town, and to the statute to We had to do one of two things, either build a new chim- make such recommendations as the welfare of our schools and ney and purchase two large stoves, or use the remaining the preservation of the school property demand. chimney, which we could do by placing a furnace in the base- We shall make our suggestions and- recommendations as menu. The building had never been well heated by,the five 10plain as language will admit, and this report being placed in or six stoves previously in use, and we had little hesitation the hands of the citizens so long before they are called upon in deciding in favor of the furnace. to act, there seems to be little excuse for not acting promptly By a special arrangement with the Magee Furnace Com- and understandingly. We ask your personal attention to the pany, of whom we purchased the furnace, the bill is not clue recommendations, we make. Visit localities, examine for until after the March meeting. The increase in the size of yourselves, and we will be content with your action. the school, after the meeting.last year,.rendered it necessary It,seems to us particularly absurd to vote money for certain to procure considerable furniture, for which no estimate or d objects, give instructions to expend it -in accordance with appropriation was made. We increased the number of desks certain recommendations, and then continually accuse the to forty-eight. But much to our amazement, after the new committee of extravagance. Let us say in, this connec- room was completed, the number of pupils increased to fifty- 1 tion that we regret the tendency of many of our influential two. This additional furniture we were also obliged to buy citizens to criticise the schools ltnd the doings of the School on credit. Committee without taking pains to visit either schools or Besides the changes above referred to, the whole building school property, and without caring to inquire into the cor- has been Shingled; a new out-house for girls built, and, rear redness of the wretched statements which sometimes are yards so fenced as to avoid the use of the same building or thrust on the community. Judging or acting -on ex parte yard by both boys and girls, and to separate the primary testimony is unjust, and cannot fail to produce impressions boys from those of the other grades. We have also built which result in injury to the schools. new platforms and steps outside, and done considerable We referred in our last report to the condition of the roofs grading. of the school bµildings. As stated, two have been shingled These -are the important changes and improvements in during the year. Although doubting the economy, we were school property during the year. In addition to these., bun- compelled to carry others along to another year by patching. dreds of small repairs and lesser improvements have been The Warren and Bowditch houses are leaking, the Warren made which we cannot mention in detail. badly, and patching will no longer suffice. Little else, per- 3t, doubtless, seemed to many that the large amount of hags, is absolutely necessary at the Bowditch, but much more money set apart for the purpose would be sufficient to pint is needed. The fence is dilapidated, grading is required,and our school property in good condition for many years, and the furniture almost abominable, uncomfortable, and so cut we regret the necessity of calling your attention to many and carved that we almost wonder that parents allow their other needed improvements,and to repairs which are impera- children to sit with such powerful and pernicious instructors L2 14' 10 11 staring them in the face five hours per day. The furniture , nothing of'better ventilation and the comfort afforded, is A is in nearly the same condition in all the outer districts, and sufficient argument in its favor. It was the original plan to most of it should be removed and destroyed. put in a brick furnace sufficiently large to heat the whole At the Warren School house much damage has already building, but the agent of the Furnace Company,,sent from b J been done by leaking, and a considerable sum is required for Boston to examine the premises, strongly advised its to put repairs inside the building. The out-house here cannot fail _ in two smaller and portable furnaces, it being unwise to rely to attract your notice if you approach it, and is too vile and on one to heat four rooms so situated, and the cost being but decayed to be longer endured. Those at the Bowditch,and little more. As we have previously stated; we put in one of Howard schools are in much the same condition, and ought to the two recommended, at an expense of about two hundred be removed. and seventy-five dollars, in advance of the appropriation, and The Warren School lot, never very attractive, is neglected we now ask you to appropriate a sufficient sum to cover this and shabby. The north side appears to have been for many expense and to enable us to put in another of the same.kind. years a place of deposit for rubbish and stones from the We find difficulty, though not to such an extent, in heating adjoining lands, and a broken-down fence separates,it from the Adams School house, and are convinced that we cannot the adjacent pastures on they other side. We recommend properly or economically do so with stoves. We think one that a bank wall be built on the. north side, and a fence larger furnace here will suffice, and we strongly urge you to entirely around the lot. authorize us to put in such a furnace, and to appropriate We also recommend that a fence be built along the front therefor four hundred dollars. Unless this is done we shall of the Hancock School lot,with a gate convenient for the use need-to expend a large sum in the purchase of new stoves for of the Engine Company. We will remark; in passing, that this and other houses. we trust the town at no distant day will remove the Engine The liberality of.the town toward the High School during House to some other locality. This would improve the ap- the past year has been such that we hesitate to ask for any- j pearance of the grounds, and relieve the school from many thing beyond what is needed for its necessary expenses. But objectionable features which we will not particularize, 9 until last year there was such an utter dearth of those aids to Many other leaser-repairs will be necessary and: must be instruction with which every school-room should be furnished provided for. that the amount expended was but a drop in the bucket. We We will again refer to the question of heating the Hancock cannot afford to stop giving for the present. We think a and Adams School houses. The furnace which has been small appropriation should be made for this purpose every placed in the Hancock School house has worked better than year. The apparatus we now have has been thoroughly en- we anticipated, and although only . intended to heat the joyed. Almost every piece has been already used in experi- Primary School roam, and the recitation-room above when mental philosophy before the school, affording instruction needed, it has done far more than this. Up to December no such as can be given in no other manner; but many times fires were built in the other rooms, and after the first of, the. amount we have• is needed, and additional apparatus March we are confident the furnace will be sufficient. The should be considered another year. saving of fuel and labor during the fall and spring, to say What we especially desire now is a small library of books 1 13 of reference; such books are not in our Town Library, and Apart from the credit such improvements are to the town, if they were they would poorly answer the purpose. We and advantage, to, the immediate neighborhood:, who can tell need such books where the scholars can have access to them what the influence is on our scholars? Who: can tell how at all times. The pupils of the Hiolh School are: awake and much of the excellent deportment of the pupils of the High interested in their work, and eagerly consult such books as School is clue to their surroundings? Our school-room and are within their reach, in their investigation of the various >' surroundmgs are potent educators.for good or evil, and we subjects to which their attention is called. cannot do too much towards having them well ventilated, While such interest continues, we should not fail to fur- and heated, attractive and convenient. Dish all The appropriation for the regular school expenses was ask you tt assistance o makea beginning in ii kind th sediorectictin,tby an appro- large, and we hesitate to ask for a larger sum for the present y priation of one hundred dollars. year. But we see no possible manner of continuing the schools as the now are without a slight increase. We have thus given you in detail, a statement of wheat is I y desired for the various schools, apart from the regular school We are strongly of the opinion that the salaries of our expenses. We have not seen fit to discuss why so mach j fem le teachers should be increased. We cannot expect to more is required now than in previous years, —why the ce them, on salaries less than five hundred dollars.enretain our best teachers, unless family circumstances influ- ence need t so extensive repairs, or by the furniture is in such condition. Remissness in this regard is so remote, I salar Every year more or less are drawn from us by larger ies. But this is a mean argument. We should pay our that it is not profitable to discuss it. We should consider ' �, - matters as they are, put our school property in good repair, female teachers more, because they earn it.. remove everything that is unsightly or unseemly, and hold committees and teachers strictly responsible in the future. We desire every one, to go through the calculation :The argument that it is of no use to have nice furniture and surroundin We pay our male teachers $4,800 00 gs, because scholars will continue to mar and: �! The average salary of our female teachers is cut, seems to us to be weak. In the first place, scholars 460 00. We employ nine 4,140 00 will not do so; and, in the second place, if they should, no The cost of fuel cannot fall far short of 500 00 matter how often it may be necessary, everything objection And of care of rooms 350 00 able should be removed as soon as it appears. ;; , We are aware that we have suggested some improvements9,790 00 not essential to the existence of our schools, but we have suggested nothing not essential to their welfare. The above amount is required to continue our schools as` We can do without the fences for the Warren and H.au- they are, on the salaries paid during the past year, and we cock school lots; but is it desirable? We might have done ask you to add at least three hundred dollars more for the without the fences at the Howard,Adams, and High School, increase above referred to. The cost of fuel during the lots; but is there a single citizen who would vote to re- present year must be considerable larger than during the past move those fences, and cover back the money :nto the year, from the fact that at the beginning of this year our cel- treasury, were it possible? 14 lays were well stocked with wood, and at the close of the mistake • no blunders can be made by voting money in this present season they will be almost entirely empty. i direction. You can better afford to let your roads go merely The care of rooms also is a matter of no little consequence. passable, even neglect other needed improvements, — for in- As may be seen by the auditor's report we have done clean- convenience caused by such things is temporary and generally ing at considerable expense in every school-house,but we are local,—but if you allow your public schools to suffer, you frequently censured, and we think justly too, for not doing affect, not only the present, but the future welfare of the more. Health and decency demand a thorough scrubbing as whole community. often as four times a year. The amount asked for above, however, does not contemplate an more extended care than �EVIEIV OF THE YEAR. p y The annual examinations, just completed, were so fully we have previously given. attended by parents, that there seems to be little necessity To sum up, we need for the current year, and ask you to for referring to them at length. We believe that the results appropriate •— were very generally satisfactory. Certainly, we have never ✓'' before heard parents express their pleasure so freely, and in For instruction, fuel and care of rooms $10,100 00 behalf of the teachers and scholars we thank them for it. school incidentals and small repairs 500 00 Very much of the excellence of the schools in the Adams furnace and furniture purchased for the District is doubtless due to the generous encouragement and Hancock Primary School 375 00 support which the teachers receive from. the people. We shingling two houses 300 00 wish we might arouse the same interest in all parts of the We recommend, and strongly urge you to town. appropriate for additional furnaces at the We have had changes of teachers during the ear in the Hancock and Adams Schoolhouses 650 00 Hancock Grammar, Bowditch and Howard Schools. The fence at Hancock School house 150 00 Hancock had already .suffered so much from the frequent fence and repairs at Warren School house 250 00 changes, that the last change could hardly fail,to be for the books for the High School 100 00 better. Under the new principal the school has gradually 12,425 00 improved, and though falling as yet far below our ideal standard, it has been doing fair work, and must continue to If the town in continuance of its liberality shall vote to improve under a teacher so thoroughly devoted to his work. appropriate a considerably larger sum than this, there is no The Bowditch School has suffered much during the last question that it can be wisely expended in further carrying term from the alarm caused by the loss of one of its pupils by scarlet fever. out the suggestions we have made. There have also been two changes of teachers Miss Stur- We think we have good schools ; we should not, however, Levant, who had been a faithful worker with us, resigning at be content to rest here, but should ever aim to make them the close of the first turm for a better field of labor. Hdr better. Not to do this by liberal expenditures is a sad financial successor, also very successful, was soon appointed to a more I 1 17 lucrative position in Cambridge, and a second time in one Outside of the regular school duties, though never sup term we filled the vacancy. - We have been so fortunate in planting or trespassing too much upon them, so much has. our selections that the school appears to have suffered very been done that we are almost surprised when we recall it. little, if any, from this cause. *41 Early in the year the school entered into a; .friendly contest At the Howard School the change was caused by the resig- for prizes offered for excellence in declamation and recitation; nation of the teacher on account of ill-health. We have ever the contestants preparing with great care, and acquitting regarded Miss. Russell as one of our most painstaking and themselves with much credit before a large and appreciative excellent teachers, and we deeply regret her loss to our audience. The committee chosen for that purpose awarded schools. It.becomes the more painful from the reflection the first prize to Miss Annie E. Bryant, of the class of 1873, that she may have physically worn out in our service, and the second prize tq,Miss Edith J. Robinson, of the class We were again fortunate in securing the services of the of 1876. Later in the term, they entered into a contest for present teacher who returns to our schools, having added to prizes offered for the best essays or compositions on the her long experience the benefit of a year's practical study. subject of" Cruelty to Animals,"and still layer on the subject y The school suffered at first under the new teacher, from the of " Why should we abstain from intoxicating drinks, "The incursion of a rude horde, who, for a while, threatened to successful contestants on the first subject were Sarah E. carry everything before it, but, at the time of writing, is in Holmes, Minnie T. Brown, Grace H. Plumer, and Hattie E. excellent discipline. Blinn. And on the last subject,`the prizes awarded by a The remaining schools have continued under the charge committee chosen by the pupils were as follows: a first of the same teachers, all of whom have been deeply in- prize to Florence U. Damon, and second prizes to Carrie A. terested, and have given all their energies to the work. Bacon and Everett M. 1Vlulliken. At the close of the first The result has been a healthy discipline, systematic. study, term, the school united in an extended exhibition in connec- and continually improving methods of instruction. tion with the exercises of graduation, and during the past The character.of the High School has not only been well season have given the town the benefit of a highly satisfactory sustained, but it has made rapid strides towards the standard series of entertainments, managed entirely by themselves, one desired for it, under the very excellent instruction it has of which was another exhibition of much merit. And through received. The whole tone of the school is good, and its the entire year they have conducted a lyceum for debate, and discipline is almost above reproach. other literary exercises, relying on their own, members for At the close of the year, at the request of the principal, management and support. the examination was continued two days, which afforded time We have frequently been accused of desiring to make the for a fairer criticism of its work. High School "a model school;" a desire for which,perhaps, Such an examination could hardly fail to reveal some short. we -need not apologize,.but of which we have fallen so far comings, but it especially showed the extensive scope and short of a realization that the accusation seems to be . high character of the work which has been done by both especially absurd. � We have striven hard to make the teachers and pupils. Primary Schools models of their kind, but so much had crept into each of the higher grades, so unlike our ideals of a L3 i 18. 19 model, that we have been compelled to let matters take their far, and are confident that what we have laid down,improved course, relying upon our efforts in the lower grades to show by time and experience, will produce results more satisfac- their effects in due time in the High School. We think we tory than we have ever witnessed. cannot be misunderstood; it is a model school already in its We have more closely followed the course, and accom- deportment, in the interest_ which the pupils take in their plished more; in the Primary Schools;than elsewhere; but work, and in other particulars; but in scholarship it ff.11s far even here the work is but begun, and requires constant and short of what a school of such grade should be, and main- careful supervision. tains its position by harder work than the limited course of The possibilities of instruction in this grade are varied and study should require. extensive, and demand of teachers thorough preparation for If our scholars are allowed to pass ,slowly and thoroughly , their work, constant care and study, and the exercise'of the through the lower grades of school, we shall have fewer cone- best qualities of mind and hear, plaints of overwork; but there is a certain unhealthy pressure Instruction here should be chiefly oral and objective, and existing in every grade, for which parents are greatly respon- text-books used sparingly and with care. In this direction sible. Every, class'has been admitted to the High School we have yet much to learn. Teaching reading alone is an too soon • but,teachers and committee must submit to public art which is poorly understood, and, in view of the strong sentiment to a certain extent uninformed, and sometimes claims made by the advocates of the Phonic System of Dr. act contrary to good judgment. rY Leigh, it may be wise for us to give this careful attention. We are painfully aware that we cannot frame a course of The Primary Schools contain many children who are likely study in accordance with theories, but that it must conform. to grow tip without much instruction at home, even in in great measure to the various conditions of life and to the ' ordinary handiwork, and there is little question that, to such resources at our command. No course can be laid down • as these, instruction in plain sewing would be of great which shall meet the requirements of each pupil, or the de- service,and it is worthy of consideration. This would neces- ment of an additional teacher a few hours sitate the employment maads of every parent; and in a small town like ours, the p y course must necessarily be contracted .to meet our limited per week, at slight expense.. means of instruction. In this connection, let us call your attention to the size of Again, a majority of our pupils advance no higher than the Hancock Primary, already too large, and still increas- the Grammar School, many leaving even before completing ing. The time is not far distant when we must provide for a the Intermediate grade. di6sion of the school, and the plan suggested of establishing It becomes particularly important so to frame our course another school of this grade. near the railroad crossing on Woburn street, has its advantages',and is also worthy of your that those boys and girls who go no farther than the Gram mar School may have good, instruction in what are termed attention. common English branches, and pursue such other.studies as We are suffering also from lack of instructors in the shall the better fit them for every-day life, and to see that w, 'Y Grammar Schools, especially in the Hancock, and fear that it faithful work is done in each of the lower grades. is poor policy to continue much longer without furnishing We are much pleased with the working of the course thus l relief to the principal, a portion of the time at least. The i I 20 21 teacher of the Hancock Primary has rendered such assistance At the close of the first term also, fifteen applicants pre- during the year, but her increasing duties renders its continu- sented themselves for examination for admission to the High ' ante unwise. School and thirteen were admitted. We extended the exam- In the High School, too,another instructor could be profit- ivation through two days, not for the purpose of making it ably employed,and when the school receives its'full number of any more critical or formidable,but that the applicants inigbt classes this will be almost imperative. have sufficient time in which to prepare their papers, and to We have referred to our course there being necessarily con- avoid the great fatigue resulting from crowding too much tracted, on account of our means for instruction, and we are mental effort into one day. in full accord with those who entertain more enlarged ideas The examination, following as closely as practicable the of education, and demand a broader field for selection plan-of last year, was by printed questions, as follows,The only true plan is that which allows each pupil to a great extent to select a course for himself, which sball better ARITHMETIC. conform to his circumstances and to his intended career in life. This is .only possible where. a sufficient -number of Work to be left in full.) teachers and -proper conveniences are afforded. Until we W, 1. What two methods of Notation are-in use? What have relief in this regard, there appears to be no better plan • characters are: used in each? What are significant figares? than to follow our present course, with such modificationsWhen are numbers prime to each other? What is a compos- from time to time as the good of the greatest number seems r ite number? to demand. 2. Divide 0.00090478 by 9.43. Write the dividend, divi- The school year having been extended, as stated in our sor and quotient in words. last report, the exercises of graduation of the class of 1873, 3. Divide four thousandths by four thousands. Also, of the High School, took place at the close of the first term, four thousands by four thousandths, and write the quotients The graduating exercises,in connection with those of other in words, pupils, were held in the Town Hall, June 26. The original 4. What operations on the dividend and divisor, the terms parts of the graduates'were prepared with care and presented of a fraction, and the antecedent and consequent of a ratio with effect, and were as follows:— produce like results? Give examples of each. 5. How does reducing fractions to otbers having a common Essay.—"Hunger and Love the World's Ministers," with denominator affect them? Thy? Salutatory Address., Anna E. Bry�ynt• 6. If two-thirds of a ton of coal cost $8.331, how much Essay:.—Author and Publisher. Sarah L. Adams. will six-sevenths of a ton cost? Perform this by analysis and Oration. —Credit Mobilier. William H. Mulliken• by using a.proportion. Essay.—Higher Influences. Ellen E. Harrington. 7. What are the avails of a note for $8,426.84, due in 1 Essay.—Let there be Light. Minnie T. .Brow n' yr., 7 mo., 5 d, discounted at the Lexington Bank 'at 730 Oration. —Principia non Homines, with valedictory ad- per cent. dress. John E. A. Mulliken. 22x i 23 8. A, 13 and C trade in partnership. A furnishes 1 the 8. Correct, if necessary, the following sentences:— capital, and is to have J of the gain for extra services. B and Be careful whom you tru#t. C furnish $3,000 each, and the gain is $5,760. What is the share of each? Every one likes;their own machine best. i The peaches taste sweetly. 9. Sold cloth at$1.25 per yard,and lost 15 per cent. For It is I. what should I have sold it to gain 12 per cent.? i He writes better than me. 10. A cellar is to be dug 30 feet long and 20 feet Wide; You was there. at what depth will 50 cubic yards of earth have been re- Every one of the witnesses testify to the same thing. moved? She looks beautiful in her new silk dress. 11. A building 28 feet wide has the gable ends 15 feet They done the best they could. high; how long are the rafters? 9. Give the rule for final-y in spelling derivatives. 12. What is the measurement each way of a cube whose 0. Analyze the following, and parse the italicized contents are 2803221 solid inches? words •— GRAMMAR. Tell me not,in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream !" 1. Write and punctuate correctly the following business For the Soul is dead that slumbers, 110te : — And things are not what they seem. LE$INGTON MASS, Jan 16 1873. - - GEOGRAPHY.. Messrs Noyes Holmes&co M No. 219 Washington st, Boston j dear sir 1. Name the zones, their width in degrees, and the circles Please send me this P M by Worthleys Expres Reeves which bound them. Give the latitude of.these circles, and History of english law 3 vols and charge the same to the account of Cary tell why they are so placed. libar y ? �' r atest possible latitude? eon etude 2. What 1s the greatest p � respeAfally yours 3. The longitude of Boston is seventy-one degrees west A B ENDICOTT ' from Greenwich: give the longitude of two places—one;one 2. Mention the properties_of nouns, and what they show.' hundred degrees east; and the other, one hundred degrees 3. What is meant by personification? Give an example. west from Boston. 4. Give a synopsis of "lie (to recline), through'all the 4. Describe the islands on the east coast of North America moods and tenses in the first person. in their order, beginning at the north, and state to what na- 5. Mention, all the ways of comparing Adjectives. tions they belong. 6. Write sentences showing four methods of modifying 5. Mention the different bodies of water surrounding the the subject by words. British Islands, and the rivers flowing into each. 7. Write sentences showing two methods of modifying the 6. Enumerate the States through or by which the 1VIisss- predicate by clauses. sippi river flows. MR 24 25 7. What mountains and seas form parts of the boundary 3. If a line be drawn through a triangle parallel to one o between Asia and Europe? its sides, how does it divide the. other two sides? Illustrate 8. On what waters would you sail,in going from Chicago by a figure. to. Constantinople?- 4. State the Pythagorean proposition. Draw the figure. 9. Name the counties in Massachusetts. Which is farthest zn 5. What is a chord? How long i 'the chord of an arc of north? farthest west? What towns in Massachusetts are en- sixty degrees gaged in fisheries? in the manufacture of cotton and woollen 6. Show how to inscribe a triangle in a circle. goods? of boots and shoes? 7. How many more rods of fencing will it require to en- 10. Draw an outline map of North .America. What is close a field 36 rods long and 16 rods wide than a square the first step? field of the same area.? 8. How do ,you measure a circle? Pi being a little more HISTORY. than three? More exactly? Still more exactly? Illustrate. 1. From what continent did the first inhabitants of 9. What is a cycloid? The length of the curve? The America probably come, and what remains of these people are length of the base? The area between the arch and the base? found? Illustrate by a figure. 2. Give accounts of the English explorations during' the 10. What is the solid measure of a sphere? first epoch. 3. Give an account of the Puritans and their settlement. MUSIC. . 4. State some of the causes of the American Revolution. 5. Give accounts of the important events of 1775. 1. Make a staff; add G clef and scale in C with letters, 6. Why is the Fourth of July celebrated in this country? and F clef scale in C With letters. 7. Who was the second president of the United States? 2. How does a sharp or flat affect a note Tell something of his life and character. 3. Write the triad of every letter, commencing with C. 8. What presidents have died in office,and who succeeded 4. Write the signature and scale from the key of C to the them? key of E. 9. What was the Missouri Compromise? State the doc- 5. Write the signature and scale from the key of F to the trine of Squatter Sovereignty. key of A flat. 10. What are the thirteenth and fourteenth amendments 6. In the key of D write the trilad of the first, fourth and to the Constitution of the United States? fifth degrees. 7. In the key of A flat write the triad of the first, fourth GEOMETRY. and fifth degrees. 8. Fill a measure in three kinds of double time. 1. What are concentric curves? Illustrate by a figure. 9. Fill a measure in three kinds of triple time. 2. How large is each angle of an equilateral triangle? 10. Fill a.measure in three kinds of quadruple time. Why? 11. How would you sing music 'Marked P.-M.-F. L4 26 27 12. Write a musical phrase of four "measures in double not pleasant to contemplate the too general indifference of time. parents with regard to education. It is rarely the case that,a pupil leaves school on account SPELLING. It ill-health, and in our town necessity is equally rare. We Spell correctly the following words must therefore attribute this lamentable falling-off to a lack Parrallel, Cloriform, Judgment, Parteiple, Agreeable, of encouragement at home, and the consequent lack of in- Tuesday, Acheive, Fulfillment, Embarassment, Predjudice, terest and energy necessary for profitable mental labor. The Cemetery, Confectionary. time generally required for the course of our common schools is from five to eighteen years of age. For convenience of reference and for the information of Thirteen years prospective seems a long time; but in view many who are interested, we append to this report a list of of the end of school work, to lay a firm foundation on which those who have passed through a course of study and grad- to build the structure for which one's course in the school of uated from the High School together with the full number' !, life is pitifully short, it is but little adequate.. connected with each class during the course. The High School was established in September, 1854. DRAWING} AND MUSIC. There seems to have been no attempt made at distinct classi- In drawing we have slowly progressed during the year, fication or systematic work until 1860, when a course of study and in most of the schools good results are already seen. was adopted and existing classes made to conform to it as far We cannot expect the proficiency shown in places where as practicable. The class of 1861 was,maturer, and, in some professional teachers are employed for this alone; but most particulars, further advanced than subsequent classes, and of our regular teachers have had good success, and are some of its members were employed as assistants during the rapidly improving: We are especially pleased with the following year. We have no means of deciding how many books of the High and Adams Grammar Schools; Ad in the were connected with this class, or with the next to complete latter school the work shown at the examination was very the course, that of 1863. praiseworthy. The class of 1864 was the first to begin the course and pass In music we have the benefit of an energetic and.skilful thoroughly through it. This was the largest class to grad- teacher, and his continued success throughout the town, but uate, and yet it lost fifty per cent. of its full number. From especially in our graded schools, fully equals our expecta- that time the per centage of loss has increased, culminating tions. We think we cannot overestimate, music., as a means in the class of 1872, no member of whose whole twenty'- of education. Many things taught in our schools are for- one persevered to the end. gotten,, and many branches pursued laid aside but the mu- From the record appended it will be seen that during the sisal instruction received will not be forgotten, and will past ten years only twenty-eight per cent. of those who have ' carry much of happiness to the homes of many families. entered the school have continued through the four years. ATTENDANCE. From the unwritten history of these ten classes we may The whole number of pupils in our schools during the deduce facts instructive, but facts which are painful, for it is year is four hundred and eighty-four. Of these fifty-eight y b y= y- ht t d.` 28 29 were over fifteen, and seven"under five years of age. The ADAMS PRIMARY SCHOOL. number returned by the assessors is three hundred and For the year.—Elisha Lombard. - eighty-eight, leaving thirty-eight ,still to be accounted for. For the second term.—Florence Holbrook.. Our proportion of the State School Fund, depending on the number of scholars between those ages, renders it 'important HANCOCK GRAMMAR SCHOOL. that the official return should approximate the actual num- For the first term.—Annie Adair, William Reed." ber. For the second term. Addie Kneelanld,Alice Wright,Fred.. The average attendance of actual members in all the Butters. schools, for the year, has been 90.2 per cent, a gain of 4.2 per cent. over that of last year. HANCOCK INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. The average daily attendance in number has been three For the year.—Sylvia Read, Mary Brigham. hundred and twenty-one, showing the fact that one hundred For the first term.—Everett Emery, George Hodgman. and sixty-three of those who have been connected with the For the second term.—Alfred Adams,Frederic Saville,John schools some time during the year are, on an average, absent li►: 41 McDonell. daily. The increase above referred to is a source of some gratification, but the last lamentable fact renders it a grave HANCOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL. question, whether or not some more stringent measures • • For the first term.—Mabel E. Alexander. should be adopted to remedy the evil.. The "roll of honor," including those scholars who have For the second term.--Mattie C. Locke, Fred. L. Fowle, not been absent or tardy for a term or longer, is as fol- Ralph Edgar Lane. lows :- BOWDITCH SCHOOL. POLL OF HONOR. For the second term. —Emma Flint. ADAMS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. FRANKLIN SCHOOL. For the year.—Harry Pierce, Nellie Holbrook, Alonzo E. For the first term.—Kate J. Cashman. Locke. For the second term. Annie McCarthy. For the second term. —Joseph Buckley, Willie Barnes, Hi- ram Lombard, Harry Alderman, Ernestine White,,Hat- HOWARD SCHOOL. tie Adams. For the year.—Emily A. Ferguson. ADAMS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. ; WARREN SCHOOL. For the year.—Etta Smith, Jennie Smith, Amy Holbrook. For the year. —Lucy G. Porter. For the first term.—John Keefe, William D. Chisholm. For the first term.—Laura M. Kendrick. For the second term. —Willie R. Bass, Cora Alderman. For the second term. —Lottie Kendrick. a i y i 30 31 HIGH SCHOOL. r Be mindful of little things, and let nothing objectionable For the year.—Lilian F. Choate, Florence Damon, Leah Nunn,Nellie H. Parker, Edith J. Robinson; Clara Went- go unnoticed, for it is the little things that soon determine the character of the school. Be careful of your pronunciation, worth, Nathaniel Nunn, Frank Sumner, George Reed. your language, your expressions, .and your whole boating in For the first term.—S. L. Adams, Hattie Blinn, Annie Bry the school-room. ant, Abbie Holbrook, Sarah Holmes, Amelia Mulliken, Charles Adams, C. W. Bryant, J. E. A. Mulliken, W. Keep your school-rooms scrupulously clean; insist on the H. Mulliken. personal neatness of your pupils, and see to it that they have For the second term. —S. A. Adams, Maria /Butterfield, no reason to criticise you in this regard. Nellie Lunt, Carrie Underwood, Carrie Bacon, Georgie. Ab.,i e all VENTILATE 1 Have good fires in the season; and y at all recesses, and when scholars are in exercise, throw up Dunning, Clara Dennett, J. Donovan. your windows, not an inch here and there, but wide open, The following scholars from the various schools that the pure air from without may have an equal chance . . have not lob with the impurities within. been absent or tardy, as follows :— We append the usual tabular view and the list of graduates For three years.—Florence M. Damon, Leah Nunn, Alonzo referred to. E. Locke. Respectfully submitted, For two and one-half years. —Annie E. Bryant, Edith.J. A. E. SCOTT, Robinson, Kate J. Cashman. CHARLES TIDD, For two years. —Harry Pierce, Nellie Holbrook, Etta CHARLES A. WELLINGTON. Smith. LEXINGTON, February, 1874. For one and one-half years.—Lilian F. Choate, Lucy G. Porter. Previous to the last term — For*two and one-half years. —Amelia Mulliken. For two years,—Abbie P. Holbrook. For one and one-half years.—Laura M. Kendrick, William W. Reed. This list includes only those who have.been neither absent nor tardy. There are others in almost every school who have not been absent,but unfortunate tardy marks debar them. In closing, we would ask our teachers to continue their labors with renewed zeal. 32 GRADUATES FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL. aqi b °' rol P- M + q'a g. ti n co t- ti Oa , 0> = GD 0 oo co rn .— w ao 1861. A A M °° Ellen M. Brown Sarah B. Gould 0'.9 M M � 69 M r�-i M N N N M • � 9 �zw Helen S. Coates, Annie M. Knight, py Lusanna P.Damon, Abby C. Stetson, rQ M .+. 1� N W. a m m m M N Lucy M. Gould, H. M. Wingate. T Z863. + N m M N Mary C. Dellinger, Leonora Russell, co N a 8 eM 4 <n m ,-i W Ellen E. Goddard, Marietta G. Simonds, r, ti � Elvis A. Hutchinson, James E. Parker, off m m m N N m Emily A. Peirce, Theodore P. Robinson. o„ 1864. N b o off �. M o ti N N M Q M N Whole number, twenty-four. Twelve graduates. N M M eN W N V� �C z� Ella L. Bacon, Sarah J. Smith, h Anna I. Crafts, Clara M. Simonds, } O 119 Ellen I. Crafts, Alice A.'Tufts, t7 C7 q O a s O ,� Eliza R. Munroe, Eugene A. Brown, o 7. p a p O O m O b .0. O �+ q � � � E. Dora Peirce, Alfred D. Cutler, F W a b: M Abby M. Parker, Frank E. Saville. a m 6 o m a w U pi 1865. : o Whole number, thirty. Nine graduates. Elizabeth F. Brown, Ellen W. Stetson, • m Lucy A. Goodrich; o : ' w Ellen M. Gould, Charles S: Blodgett,. Allina M. Livermore, Wm. H. Robinson, b H Mary F. Smith, Winslow Simonds. o " b m 1 } 34 35 z 1866. a 1872. Whole number, twenty. Four graduates:. Whole number,twenty-one. Graduates none. Clara E. Bacon, Ella A. Fitch. Georgianna Munroe, Walter Blodgett. 1873. 1867,, 4 Whole number, nineteen. Six graduates. Whole number,fourteen. Six graduates. Sarah,L. Adams, Ellen E. Harrington, , Minnie T. Brown, John E. A. Mulliken, Abby E. Wright M. Ella Russell, Anna E. Bryant, Wm. H. Mulliken. Abby J. Simonds, Mary E. Whiting, _ y Adeline A. Winship, Dudley A. Dorr. 1868. Whole number, thirty-one. Four graduates. {Annie H. Coolidge, Carrie F. Fiske, , Julia F. Coolidge, Georgianna T. Parker y 1869. Whole number, twelve. Four graduates. Sarah M. Graham, Celia Russell, � J Alice W. Pierce, Ellen M. Underwood. o-� 1870. �y Whole number, fourteen. Four graduates. Emma F. Parker, Ida M. Cadwell, Sarah E. Robinson, Augnsta D. Simonds. 1871, Whole number, thirteen. Seven graduates. Frances A. Hutchinson, Eva C. Bacon, Isanna H. Page, Emma E. H. Wright, Gertrude Pierce, Hiram R. Mills, Ellen A. Stone, Herbert A. Tuttle, ti .