USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1854 > Part 1
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ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
Cowon Officers of Palmer.
For the Year ending March 12th, 1855.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
AND OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES,
OF THE
TOWN OF PALMER,
For the Year ending March 12th, 1855.
PALMER : GORDON M. FISK, PRINTER.
1855.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
One of the statutes of this Commonwealth wisely provides, that there shall be made by the School Committee an annual report of the state of public schools during the year. In compliance with this excellent re- quirement, the following is respectfully submitted :---
Among the first duties performed by the Committee, was that required of them by a special vote of the town passed at the March meeting one year ago. That duty was to confer with the proprietors of Districts Nos. 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11, to see if there could not be an arrangement made to change the boundaries of some or all of them, so as to reduce the number of the districts in Town, and make better provision for the schools tban they have before enjoyed. That the districts may be known by their numbers respectively, the names by which they are usually designated are here given.
No. 1. "Old Center." 56 2. "Three Rivers."
No. 8. "Dr. Shearer." 9. "Gamwell." .. 3. " Depot." 10. "Bondville." 16 4. "Mason." 66 11. " Hastings."
5. " Foster."
.. 12. "Thorndike."
6. " Burley." 7. "Shaw."
13. " Duckville."
The Committee spent several days in this service, and having made their investigations presented their report, as instructed, to the voters of the town, at the April meeting. They recommended that the districts be so changed as to dispense with Nos. 6, 9, and 11. The voters of the town saw fit to continue the districts as they were, and no change was made. To carry out the wishes of the town as thus expressed, $78 54, were appropriated to educate 7 scholars in No. 9, and #88 53 to educate 11, in No. 11. Had the Committee divided the amount in their hands, to distribute among the smaller districts at their discretion, as it has been divided in former years, namely, given to each of them enough to make their whole amounts respectively equal, these 7, and 11 scholars would have had about. $100. That is, $100 for the 7, and $100 for the 11. Instead of thus dividing the money, the committee adopted a kind of sliding scale, the results of which are exhibited in table No. 5.
The Committee are decidedly of the opinion that it will be for the advancement of the cause of common school education, to abolish the District system throughout the town. This course has been recommended by those who have served before us, and good reasons have been given for the proposed change, and, without stopping to discuss the subject, we renew the recommendation.
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$
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Another service rendered by one of our number is the procuring of a small amount of funds from the town of Monson for the education of a portion of the scholars of one of the districts of that town. These schol- ars have been for years in the habit of attending school in District No. 8, of this town,-the school house in that district being nearer their homes than their own. Upon being applied to for that purpose the citizens of Monson passed a vote to pay over annually a certain amount of their school funds to this district, and have paid the amount for the current year. Fifteen dollars and 57 cents have been received from this source. Though not a large amount, still, this sum enables the district to protract its terms of school through a greater part of the year than it could do without it .*
With these preliminary remarks, we proceed to the reports of the sev- eral schools, and make our suggestions and recommendations as we pro- gress.
HIGH SCHOOL.
'The former respected and successful teacher of this school, Mr. Daniel J. Sprague, having left us, it became the duty of the Committee to secure the services of a successor. To effect this, one of our'number was delegated to Amherst, the nearest town which is the seat of a Col- lege, to ascertain if a man of the requisite qualifications could be obtained from that place. Through the courtesy of the late President of Amherst College, E. Hitchcock D. D. LL. D., the acquaintance of Mr. Henry L. Boltwood, a graduate of the class of 1853 was made, and his services were secured. Mr. B. was very highly recommended by President Hitchcock, as a thorough scholar, a good disciplinarian, a successful teacher, and a de- vout christian. The committee are very happy to say, that, in their esti- mation, Mr Boltwood has fully sustained in each of these particulars, the high recommendation thus given him by the then President of his own Alma Mater. His mode of instruction is far superior to that of any other teacher whose services the town has had within our knowledge. His dril- ling is well calculated to make independent thinkers of his pupils. He takes them down to the first rudiments of the sciences they are investiga- ting, and upon these they are taught to erect their structures, and, as far as they have progressed in their work, they show that their foundation is well laid. It is vet however but a beginning. A good one it is, but stone after stone is needed to complete the edifice. And much more quarrying, and chiseling, and polishing is requisite for the materials using and to be used.
To drop the figure, without polishing or completing it, the Committee desire to recommend to their successors that the services of Mr. Boltwood be secured for the coming year, and to the people of the town to afford him a better opportunity to serve them than he has had the year past. Let him have more and more advanced scholars. The Committee have tried the experiment during the past year, of letting down the standard of scholarship requisite for admission. We did so because there were so
* The senior member of the Committee wishes here to explain, that the most of these labors have devolved upon him, and that this fact, together with the fact that the services for making out last year's report, together with his expenses to get it printed, (not to pay for printing, ) and also expenses to Amherst to obtain a teacher for the High School are brought into his bills this year; and further that he has had to make the visitations of different schools, amounting in all to ten terms more than he had charge of last year. These facts he presents as the reasons why his bills amount to so much larger sums than he received for last year's services.
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few "members of the school who were qualified. We are satisfied that this is not for the best, and recommend to our successors to elevate it again.
We recommend that the school be located for the coming year at some place, and suggest the Town Hall to try the experiment. From it + com- mencement, the school has been rolled from village to villag : until that experiment has been thoroughly tried. All of our predecessors with whom we have conversed upon the subject, have expressed their doubts as to the ultimate success of this course. We believe it would be far bet- ter to locate it. If it could be at the town hall for one year, that would illustrate, partially at least, the expediency of permanently loca ing it. In the mean time, the place of permanent location could be considered, and at length decided upon.
There are not suitable accommodations for the school at either of the places where it has been held at Three Rivers or the Depot village. At the Depot, the room is too small and too low. There are not sufficient black boards, and is not room for the school apparatus. At Three Rivers the room did well in the summer term of 1853, the room beneath it, then being unoccupied. But when it is occupied, the noise of axes, hammers, and saws is a very great annoyance; while the shrill whistle, the loud laugh, and sometimes the profane oath andobscene utterances of vulgarity shock the ears of both teacher and pupil. And here, it is rugge ted that there may be reasons for parents and guard ans ascertaining the kind of language to which their sons listen during the recesses of the'school. To take it away from the villages and locate it at the town hall would be to place it quite remote from all mechanic-shops, as places of resort.
In the winter season, the room at Three Rivers, last occupied, is a very uncomfortable one for the feet. The floor is not lined, and the floor- ing having shrunk, large crevices are left, affording free passages for both cold air, and the vapors often borne up with it in the form of tobacco smoke. If, however, the school is to be continued in its rotary mo- tion, and two of the four terms of the year are to be held at 'l'horn- dike, we recommend that those two be the second and third terms of the year. This will give Thorndike one of the terms which thus far has been more thinly attended, and one that has been more full. By reference to the reports of past years it will be seen that the first and second terms have been thinly attended and the third and fourth more fully. To thus arrange the times of location will be to divide both the advantages and disadvantages arising from this source among the several villages.
The Committee would also suggest that a course of study be establish- ed in this school for educating teachers of the district schools, and that at least three years attendance from the time of entrance be required for a certificate of graduation in English Studies, and at least five years for such certificate of graduation in both English and Classical Studies. They recommend that a preference be given to the graduates of this school in the employment of teachers for the other schools. Thus we may secure a uniformity of scholarship, and in the modes of conducting our schools, above, as we think, what can be attained in any other way. Some of our best schools during the year have been taught by those who have been connected with our High School. Of these we name Miss A. L. Smith, Miss E. J. Hastings, Miss J. Twing, and Miss J. C. Harvey. But each of them might have been far in advance of their present at- tainments, and would have spent their time more profitably, as we think, had they spent the entire year as pupils of the High School.
The first and second terms were held at Thorndike. In each, the whole
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number of scholars was only nineteen, with an average attendance in the first of twelve and a half and in the second of thirteen. The Committee were well satisfied with the school at each visitation, and at the examina- tion of each, conclusive evidence was afforded that both the teacher and his few pupils had been diligent, and that their diligence had been crown- ed with success.
The Autumn Term was held at the Depot Village. The largest num- ber of pupils during the year attended during this term. The whole number was 47, with an average of 39 7-17. During this term there was no District school in the village, and a large number of very young scholars were admitted. One of the most numerous classes spent the en- tire term with the ground rules of arithmetic, and did not then master them. The school as a whole did well. The more advanced classes, such as should have composed the entire school made excellent proficiency.
The fourth term was held at Three Rivers. A large number enter- ed at the commencement of the school, but, after a few days their num- ber was somewhat reduced by the departure of several at their own election. The spirit of " Young America," thus manifested, did not take its entire departure, but remained to the annoyance of teacher, commit- tee, and some others interested, during something more than half the term, when it exploded, passed away with a faint report, and it is hoped will be seen no more. Peace be to its-not ashes-but smoke.
The teacher labored very assiduously and successfully, and the term closed most satisfactorily. A larger number of the parents of the schol- ars were present at the close of the term than often attend. This the commit- tee were happy to see, and for it the teacher affectionately and handsome- ly thanked them. We suggest, nay urge, that all our schools be visited more by the people. Thus, if prejudices be raised by false reports, they may be removed, and thus may abused minds be disabused. Thus par- ents and friends may learn that, what is complained of by inexperienced youth, is, often, what they would highly approve. The whole number of scholars during the term was 33, with an average of 20 6-11.
On the evening following the examination, an exhibition in reading, declamation and composition was had at the town hall. Of the merits of this performance, the committee feel that there is no demand for them to speak, The gratified throng in attendance made their utterances at the time. With the manner that the pupils acquitted themselves, the Com- mittee are well satisfied, and the Teacher expressed himself well paid for all the labor it had cost him. It is due to him to say that several of the best performances were written by himself for the occasion. It cost him much extra labor, and, as he proposes to expend the net proceeds of the occasion to the purchase of more apparatus for the school, the Committee have unanimously donated to him $10,00 of the funds in their hands for the High School.
The Receipts of the Exhibition amounted to
$48,00
The Expenses to
23,37
Leaving a balance of
$24,63
The Report of March, 1854, states that there were in the treasury $19,81. The appropriation by the town was $525,00. $6,00 have been received for tuition, making, $550,81. The salary of the teacher was $500,00, wood and incidentals, $21,58, and $10,00 the Committee dona- ted to the teacher for a consideration already named, leaving on hand $18, 23. $1,50 is still due for tuition. The sum needed for the school the coming year will be equal, at least, to that of the last year.
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DISTRICT No. 1.
Summer Term .- Miss Phebe R. Lamberton, Teacher .- The examina- tion gave conclusive evidence that the order, training, and progress in the several branches of studies, were worthy of commendation. The classes of small children, especially, exhibited most satisfactory advancement.
Winter Term .- Miss Sarah E. Morgan, Teacher .- The teacher was an excellent one, and the school progressed finely under her charge, but after teaching about seven weeks she was taken sick and the school was sus- pended for a fortnight.
Miss Eliza Turner succeeded Miss Morgan, and taught the remainder of the term, her success being very commendable.
DISTRICT No. 2.
First Division .- Summer Term .- Miss Arvilla L. Mc Clintock, Teach- er .- Miss McClintock had earned the reputation of a good teacher, both in this and other schools, in former terms. During this term she had but few advanced scholars, but very commendable progress was made by the school in the various branches pursued. The teacher was earnest and faithful, and her success was good. An excellent teacher. The exam- ination was entirely satisfactory.
Autumn Term .- Miss McC., as she then was, having made special en- gagements with one who needed no committee to negociate for him, Miss Jane C. Harvey was engaged by the Prudential Committee, to take her place. At each visitation of the Committee, the school appeared well, and the term was, doubtless, a successful one. The average attendance of the school was not large. A few days before the school was to have been examined and closed, the bridge which divides the village broke down rendering it unsafe to attempt to get the scholars together, and the school was closed without an examination.
Winter Term .- Miss Sarah Sedgwick, Teacher .- Miss Sedgwick suc- ceeded well with this school. She complained of some obstinacy on the part of a few of the larger scholars, and of the labor of her charge being greater than she anticipated when she commenced, for the reason that there were more large scholars than she expected. Notwithstanding this, the term closed with credit, both to the teacher and that portion of her pupils who did not desert her on examination. day. Eleven of their number purchased a very neat volume at the expense of about one dollar, and, at the close of the school, took their places before her as a presentation class, when, one of their number very handsomely addressed her in behalf of herself and mates and passed to her their token of regard. A few of the pupils left on the last school day preceding the examination, and one or more of them, came on the morning of the day on which it occurred, took their . books and departed. Reference is made to this in this place, for the reason, that in other schools besides this, the teachers have complained to the Committee that some of their pupils leave them on examination day. The parents and guardians of the pupils in our schools are earnestly urged ยท to see to it that there be no cause in the future for any such complaint. It is further suggested to the parents and guardians of those who attend the schools in this district, that they require them not to approach the railroad track, or platform, at the time the trains of cars are passing. The teachers have forbidden this during the terms of the past year, but it has required a vigilant eye of both teacher and committee to prevent it, and even then there have been violations of the rule. One scholar during the past winter, is reported by the agent to have come very near losing his life.
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Second Division .- Summer and Autumn Terms, taught by Mrs. Lucia C. Putnam .- This school is composed largely of the children of foreign- ers, some of whom enter it unable to understand their names when pro- nounced by Americans. Mrs. P. by her kindness succeeded in appearing to gain their good will, and maintained very good order. The progress of the school during both terms was commendable.
Winter Term .- Miss Jane C. Harvey, Teacher .- The school was much larger during this term than during either of the preceding ones. The progress and order of the school is No. 2 of the schools of this class in town. By this class, is meant schools made up of so much of the for- eign element Miss Perry's at Duckville, (3 terms,) No. 1, Miss Har- vey's at Three Rivers, (Winter term,) No. 2, Mrs. Putnam's at Three Rivers, (Summer and Autumn terms,) No. 3, and Miss Howard's at Thorndike, (3 terms,) No. 4. Of the two terms of Mrs. Putnam's, the first was the most successful. Quite a number who commenced learning their alphabet during the term were able to read short sentences at its close.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
First Division .- Summer Term .- Miss Mary C. Atchinson, Teacher .- The teacher endeavored to perform her duties faithfully, and notwith- standing the very irregular attendance of a number of her pupils, there was a marked progress in many particulars. The indistinct utterance of pupils in this school had been complained of by Committees for several years. Miss A. set herself about remedying this evil, and so well did she succeed, that, at the close of the school, the classes excelled in the distinct- ness of their pronunciation and correctness of their reading. The recita- tions in gram:nar, geography and spelling were very commendable.
Winter Term .- Wm. B. Morgan, Teacher .- Mr. Morgan was faithful and diligent in his attentions to the school, but he had too many classes to do justice to them all. The appearance of the school was very good, though there was not that stillness among the pupils which the Committee desired to see. The teacher endeavored to make his pupils understand, as well as learn, their lessons, "one very commendable qualification in a school teacher.
Second Division .- Summer Term .- Miss Emily J. Clark, Teacher .- This large school of small children was very successfully taught by Miss C. She secured excellent order, and the classes made fine progres's in their studies. She introduced singing into the school, which contributed much to the enjoyment of the pupils when they had become bouk-tired and weary. The examination was very interesting, and entirely satisfac- tory.
Winter Term .- Miss Harriet Merrick, Teacher .-- In point of order, no school excelled this. The pupils seemed attached to their teacher, and she earnestly endeavored to advance them in their studies. At the ex- amination, the visitors expressed themselves much gratified with the ap- pearance of the school.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Summer Term. "Miss Jane Shaw, Teacher .- Miss Shaw succeeded re- markably well in imparting instruction, and in gaining the confidence and esteem of her pupils. The order was good, and marked progress was made in all the studies pursued.
Winter Term .- Miss Jane Carpenter, Teacher .- A very amiable teacher,
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who succeeded well in preserving order and forwarding her pupils in the branches of study they pursued. At each visit of the Committee, the school appeared well, indicating that both teacher and pupils were diligent.
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Summer Term .- Miss Asenath L. Smith. Teacher .- A most excellent teacher-kind, but firm. She succeeded well in throwing life and anima- tion into all the exercises of the school. Great progress was made in all the studies pursued. At the examination, the order was good, and the reading superior.
Winter Term .- Same Teacher .- The success similar to that of the Sum- mer term. Excellent order and a good system in all the duties of the school. Miss Smith was well spoken of as a teacher, in the " Report " last year, and the present Committee take great pleasure in commending her. Let her services be secured in the future.
DISTRICT NO. 6.
Summer Term .- Miss Mary J. Chamberlin, Teacher .- This was a very successful term of this school. The teacher was kind but firm ; the be- havior of the scholars was good, both in and about the school-house; and the progress very commendable. The examination showed that the teacher had been faithful and thorough.
Winter Term .- Miss Mary C. Atchinson, Teacher .- This was a model school-the second Miss A. had kept in this District, and the fourth she had taught in town. The kind, yet firm manner in which she enforced discipline, secured for her the love, respect and uniform obedience of those committed to her charge. The recitations in every branch were very thorough, and, what was still better, appeared to be understood. Miss Atchinson's success in this school fully established her previous reputation as an exemplary and excellent teacher.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Summer Term .- Miss Seraph A. Bemis, Teacher .- The school was small, and there was not so much animation apparent as is desirable. The examination was fair, however, at which time the general appearance of the school was very good.
Winter Term .- Mr. Albert A. Knight, Teacher .- The whole number of scholars was seventeen, with an average of only ten. Mr. Knight en- gaged in teaching, this term, for the first time of his life. He failed to secure the confidence and respect of his pupils and patrons. After con- tinuing the school about seven weeks, the term was closed.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
Summer Term .- Mrs. Mary A. Moulton, Teacher .- This school com- menced under favorable auspices, and appeared well at both the first and second visitations of the Committee. After teaching eleven weeks, Mrs. M. complained of ill health, and closed her school without completing her term.
Winter Term .- Miss Mary J. Chamberlin, Teacher .- Miss C. manifested her ability to teach in this school, as she did in District No. 6 during the summer term, but having here a larger, and, perhaps, a somewhat more difficult school to govern, she failed to secure as good order as is desira- ble. The Committee recommend her as an instructor, and suggest to her,
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that, if she would succeed as a teacher, she labor to improve as a disei- plinarian. Her fallure here, seems to arise from the amiability and ten- derness of her feelings.
DISTRICT NO. 9.
Winter Term .- Mr. James Kealy, Teacher .- This was a small school of only eleven scholars, with an average of nine. The teacher strove to do his duty faithfully, and succeeded well with his school until a few weeks before its close, when he became involved in a difficulty abroad which re- sulted in closing the term before it expired. This District is a very small one, containing, last May, (see table number 5,) only seven scholars between the ages of five and fifteen. The Committee are of the opinion that it would be better to pay for the education of these scholars in other schools, than to support one in this District.
DISTRICT NO. 10.
Summer Term-Miss Catharine P. Brown, Teacher .- Miss Brown was an experienced teacher who came well recommended from a neigh- boring town. Her success in this school was very good. Her only fail- ure was that she was so kind in her feelings, that there was a slight dis- position manifested by some of the scholars to be disorderly. The order, however, was not bad, and the progress in the studies pursued was good. A kind and faithful teacher.
Winter Term-Mr. Albert A. Gamwell, Teacher .- Mr. Gamwell had taught in town before, and had gained the reputation of a good teacher. This term not only maintained that reputation, but carried it still higher in excellence. He was prompt and thorough, while he was kind and se- cured the good will of his pupils. At each visitation of the committee, the appearance of the school was good, and the examination at its close, was entirely satisfactory. Mr. G. is a good and successful teacher.
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