USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1879 > Part 10
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The girls' primary in Hancock street seems to be in a good condition. The membership numbers 83 in both rooms, with a good average attendance, and creditable progress in study. Miss A. A. Currier, the principal, and Miss J. P. Haskell, the as- sistant, are both young but successful as teachers. Throughout the city there has been introduced into the primary schools, as well as those of a higher grade, a system of calisthenics or light gymnastics. They are very beneficial in a sanitary point of view, and by giving the pupils a brief rest from continuous study, and an opportunity to exercise their limbs and muscles in a limited degree, they are enabled to renew their work, refreshed and strengthened.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS ABOVE STATE STREET.
There are eight primary schools above State street, excluding those in the Kelley building, but including the school at the Plains which is a mixed primary and grammar. The per centage of attendance in these schools the past year has been quite high, as will be seen by referring to the statistical table. There have been but few changes of teachers during the year. In September Mrs. Winslow, who had taught the Plains school one year very acceptably
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both to parents and committee, was transferred to the High, and Miss Katie P. Cheney was elected to fill the vacancy made by the transfer for three months. In May the city sustained a great loss in the death of Miss M. E. Hayes, principal of the Davenport girls primary. Miss. Hayes was a very conscientious, faith- ful teacher, and much respected and beloved by those under her care. Miss. C. J. Edgerly, the assistant. was promoted as principal, and Miss M. E. Coggs- well chosen assistant.
The number of pupils sent into the grammar; school from the different primaries :
Ashland street .. 23
Davenport Girls 29
" Boys 16
We think our teachers are faithful and earnest, and good work has been accomplished by them the past year.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS BELOW STATE STREET.
The Johnson female grammar school, Hancock street, has been during the year under the care of Miss Anna L. Coffin, assisted by Miss E. M. Lander. Nine candidates were sent to the annual examination for admission to the High and Putnam Schools. Eight of these were admitted: Lizzie C. Adams, Alice M. Floyd, Alice M. Gould, Susie E. Lunt, Anne K. Pettingell and Emma K. Post to the High school; and Sarah C. Adams and Anne T. Withing- ton to the Putnam. The average rank of this class was 81.
The teachers at the Bromfield boys' grammar,
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Bromfield street, during the past year have been Mr. George W. Brown, principal, and Miss Frances J. Pearson, assistant. This being Mr. Brown's first year at this school much interest was felt in the annual public examination in June. Those present had every reason to be pleased with the promptness and familiarity with details manifested in the recita- tions. When it is remembered that considerable time must always be lost in any change, before teacher and pupils can become so accustomed to each other as to work harmoniously, the appearance of this school must be in every way gratifying. Thirteen pupils were sent to the examination for the High school, and eleven were admitted, attaining an average rank of 71 7-11. The names of the success- ful candidates are as follows: E. L. Bliss, C. A. Evans, J. W. Frost, A. T. Gould, W. T. Humphrey, Henry W. Little, Henry Pender, Samuel Pettingell, Thomas L. Smith, W. W. Thurlow and John Wallace.
The South girls' grammar, Purchase street, has been taught during the year by Miss S. J. Shackford, principal, and Miss Priscilla G. Craig, assistant. This was Miss Shackford's first year as principal of the school, though she had a valuable experience as assistant under her predecessor, Miss Appleton. Miss Craig was promoted from the primary school below. The school is a difficult one to manage from the fact that at times there are upwards of one hun- dred pupils in one room. Friends of the school have no reason to be dissatisfied with the year's work, or to fear that its high rank in the past will not be up- held in the future. 'T'en candidates were , examined for the High school, and all were admitted, their
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average rank being 83 1-2. Their names are as fol- lows: Carrie J. Coffin, Mary F. Eustis, Kate C. Hurd, Lena R. Hutchinson, Bertha R. Kent, Mary S. Lunt, Emily F. Moylan, Gertrude E. Page, Nellie L. Stanley, Bertie W. Thurlow.
The Jackman boys' grammar, School street, has been under the charge of Mr. William P. Lunt, prin- cipal, and Miss Lucy Lowe, assistant. Eleven ap- plicants were examined for the High and Putnam schools, and ten were admitted, attaining the average rank of 81 3-4. It should be stated that four of these boys - among them the unsuccessful candidate - were put forward from the second class, the first having become very small in consequence of a num- ber leaving it to begin work. Charles H. Chase, Patrick Downey, Edward N. Follansbee, S. F. Goodwin, Harris Hopkins, S. Foster Jaques, George E. Stickney and Albert Wheeldon were admitted to the High school, and Everett Stevens and Anthony Reddy to the Putnam.
In closing this survey of these four schools we cannot but feel gratified to find them in such an ex- cellent condition. Mr. Lunt at the Jackman, and Miss Coffin at the Johnson, are skilled teachers of long experience. Their success in the past is too well known 'to need comment. Both have been in their present positions for a number of years, and both are ably seconded in their work by faithful as- sistants. Mr. Brown at the Bromfield, and Miss Shackford at the South, have had less experience, and have been only one year in charge of their schools, but we feel confident that their work already more than justifies the action of the board in placing them in the position which they hold. At the latter
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school the inconvenience of the accommodations, and the dilapidated condition of the building are a serious drawback to the efficiency of the work. The room, which is somewhat crowded, is low, and ill-ventilated; the seats are old-fashioned, constructed without re- gard to comfort or health, and very much out of re- pair; the floor is uneven and dangerous; and the stair-cases are narrow and crooked. The board have frequently urged upon those who have charge of that department of the city expenditures the need of repairs in this building, but the latter committee have thus far failed to be impressed with the impor- tance of our request. A teachers' platform was laid this summer; but more should be done if the health of teachers and pupils is considered of any im- portance. It is only necessary to compare the con- dition of this room with that of any other grammar school room in the city to realize at once its inferior condition.
FORRESTER STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
There have been no changes in the teachers of eith- er of these schools during the past year. The Currier boys' with Miss Sarah B. Chute as principal, and Miss Ellen Frothingham assistant, numbers eighty pupils, with an average. attendance of seventy four. Nine pupils at the last examination entered the High School well prepared. This is the largest boys' school of the same grade, in the city, where all the pupils are seat- ed in one room and under the immediate supervision of the principal, rendering the labor much more ardu- ous than where the pupils are about equally divided
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in two rooms, as is the case in all the other schools. Notwithstanding, the school always presents an excel- lent appearance. The teachers are earnest workers and the pupils are thoroughly drilled. The following are the names of Currier grammar school boys ad- mitted to the High school last September: William S. Currier, Bernard F. Farrell, Walter B. Hopkinson, Frank C. Wilson, John J. Creeden, John N. Carter, Edwin Haigh, Edwin Toppan, James M. Murphy; total, 9; average rank, 72 2-3.
The Currier girls', with Miss Serena D. Toppan as principal, and Miss Agnes M. Pearson, assistant, still maintains its high reputation, and, as has been frequently observed, " the school appears like a happy family pleasantly and industriously employed " There are sixty-four pupils enrolled, with an average at- tendance of sixty-one. Five pupils were admitted to the High schools this year. The names of applicants for admission to Female High school from the For- rester street girls' grammar school, July 17, 1879, are as follows: Francis Haigh, Flora M. Brock, Emma F. Bridges, Annie L. Whitmore; total number, 4; average rank, 82 3-4. To Putnam Free school: Alice T. Whittier.
The annual examination of both schools was highly creditable to teachers and pupils. Cases of absence and dismissal have been less than in former years, although still so frequent as to materially impair the efficiency of the schools. It is greatly to be desired that the parents would cooperate with the teachers in remedying this evil. In a very large majority of cases the pupils are absent or dismissed for very trivial reasons, and were the parents more fully to realize how essential to the advancement of their
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children is their constant presence during the exer- cises of the school, we believe they would endeavor to have them more regular in their attendance.
The teachers in both of these schools are well known in their profession, and it seems unnecessary to comment upon the work of the past year farther than to remark that they have fulfilled the expecta- tions which we should expect from ' their previous character.
KELLEY SCHOOL.
The Kelley school was opened in September, 1873. The schools taught in it were formerly kept in a brick school house on northwest end of the mall, in a school house on Winter street, and in the lower story of the Female High school building on Washington street. It is a graded school for boys and girls, and is divided into eight rooms. Rooms A, B and C, are primary schools; the others are grammar schools. In room D those pupils who are conditioned, and in the first year of grammar school instruction, and those who are deemed in the first year as perhaps requiring five years to complete the grammar school course, are placed in room E. Instruction is also given in the first year of the grammar course to thoroughly prepared scholars, and such as in room D have not been found sufficient to advance to the sec- ond year of the grammar course, repeat the course of the first year. Experience has shown that the num- ber of those who enter the grammar school for the first year is much larger than those who are pursuing it in the second or third year, and generally double
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the number of the first class (4th year). Experience has also shown that there are nearly twice as many begin the primary course as live to complete it, or as do in fact complete it. The residence of pupils who live on or between Green street and Boardman street entitles them to go to the Kelley primary department. But in admission to the grammar department the practice has been to admit all who reside between Warren street, and the line of the same extended south-westerly, and Fair street. Those above the line of Warren street are sent to the Forrester street schools, unless the board or its sub-committees for special reasons otherwise determine. The populous- ness of this area makes the constituency of the Kelley school large, and the fact that older children of the family attend the Kelley school, grammar department, is constantly urged in favor of the admission to the primary department of their brothers or sisters where families reside outside of the limits prescribed to the primary district. But to make the same limits for both departments would be impossible, as the size of the building would not admit, additionally, all those who now attend the Temple street and Congress street schools. Grammar school scholars are admitted to the Kelley, upon passing examination, who have attended the primary course in the school in Temple street, in the Kelley, and in Congress street, pro- vided they reside within the grammar school limits. There is nothing which is more constantly calling for decision than these applications to be located in a favorite school. The committee have felt the necessi- ty of yielding to the wishes of parents so far as could be done without over crowding, and at the same time preference should, it would seem, be given to those
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who reside near the school house over those more remote. The attendance and numbers belonging is exhibited in the annexed tables.
STATEMENT OF KELLEY SCHOOL FOR YEAR ENDING SEPTEM BER 1, 1879.
Room
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
Girls belonging. .
54
28
16
36
33
27
16
23
233
Boys belonging . .
52
19
25
28
29
25
28
29
235
Av. attendance. .
54
34
32
48
38
41
34
43
324
Average age ...
6
9
9
10; 10
12
12
12, 10
13
Girls transferred
24
12
13
30
21
24
15
19
158
Boys transferred
20
16
25
22
17
16
28
17
158
The first two years of the primary course show in this as in other schools an over crowding during the months of April, May and June. During these months room A, for instance, had 78 belonging, and 70 average attendance, while during January and February the average attendance was 31, and the number belonging 57. A difference of 37 per cent in number belonging, and 93 per cent in average at- tendance. It always happens in this room, and in other schools of the same grade, i. e. of the first year of primary instruction, that there is a very great fall- ing off in attendance in the cold months, and also that in May there is so large an increase in the num- ber of children as to interrupt the usual progress of the pupils in their studies. During such months a few extra teachers are needed, and if employed they would render the system of instruction more efficient.
In May Miss Nellie W. Peabody, teacher in room F, obtained leave of absence, and subsequently resigned. Miss Eva J. Smith acted as her substitute until Sep-
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tember, when the resignation of Miss Peabody being accepted, Miss Abby Short was transferred from room E to room F, Miss Bradlee from room D to room E, and Miss Smith was elected to room D. This action was taken in order that teachers who had faithfully and efficiently taught might receive pro- motion.
The following are the names of pupils from this school admitted to Brown High: Fred Richardson, Herbert Winn, Willie A. Cook, John F. Butman, F. L. Townsend, A. D. Wells, J. J. Hennessey, George H. Hopkinson, George Welch, Daniel . Coughlin, Charles E. Kelly, George Williams, E. Fitzgerald, Dennis Hartegan, M. E. Murphy, George O. Atkin- on, F. W. Green; total number, 17; average rank, 70 3-4. Female High: Miss Annie Hale, Miss Grace Magowan, Miss May A. Moylan, Miss Nellie Holker, Miss Lizzie Clark, Miss B. F. Dodge, Miss Annie Buckley, Miss Julia Sullivan, Miss Etta Newman, Miss Lizzie Moyniham, Miss Mary O. Dodge; total num- ber, 11; average rank, 69 3-4. Putnam Free School: Miss Lillie Caldwell, Miss Hattie Creasy, Miss Lucy Tilton, Miss Grace Johnson, Miss Alice M. Cummings, Miss Nannie Poore; total to Putman School, 6: ag- gregate 34.
HIGH SCHOOL.
This school is believed to be fully sustaining the high reputation so fully accorded to it by eminent ed- ucators, of being one of the best in the common- wealth. Testimonials from representative colleges and other institutions of learning, assure us, that from
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nowhere do students come better prepared, or more ably sustain themselves during their curriculum. This received additionial significance from the fact that the course of instruction is regulated to meet the wants of the average pupil, stimulus being applied to the slow and tardy rather than to those of higher intellectual activity and energy. Under these cir- cumstances the School Committee recommended a re- newal of the contract with the Trustees of the Putnam Free School for a continuance of the union, which had existed for ten years between our High and Put- nam schools. This was satisfactorily effected, to the benefit, it is believed by the committee, of both the contracting parties.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT
Made this third day of June, A. D. 1879, by and between the Trustees of the Putnam Free school and the City of Newburyport. It is agreed that the Trustees of the Putnam Free school will fur- nish, in their School house, accommodations, for the term of ten years for the High schools of the City of Newburyport. viz : the Brown High and Female High, in connection and co-operation with the school of said Trustees. And in consideration of the above, the City of Newburyport agrees to pay to the Trustees of the Put- nam Free school, as rent for such accommodations, the sum of fif- teen hundred dollars per annum, payable in equal sums of seven hundred and fifty dollars on the first of April and October in each year. And it is further agreed, that at any time after the expira- tion of three years, either party may terminate this agreement by giving to the other party one year's notice in writing. And it is further agreed that in case of fire or other casualty, it shall be op- tional with said Trustees whether or not to repair or rebuild, but in case they do repair or rebuild, said rent is to continue ; otherwise said rent is to cease, The above agreement to take effect and be in force at and from the beginning of the next school year, say about the first of September, A. D. 1879. In testimony ?whereof the City of Newburyport, by its committee, the Mayor and Alvin D. Russell and Arthur C. Richardson, thereunto duly authorized by an
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order of the City Council passed on the fifth day of May, A. D. 1879, and the Trustees of the Putnam Free school by their Presi- dent and Treasurer, thereunto duly authorized, have hereto set their seals, and John J. Currier, the mayor, Alvin D. Russell, Arthur C. Richardson, Eben F. Stone, President, and John N. Pike, Treasurer, have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.
SEAL.
JOHN J. CURRIER, Mayor. ALVIN D. RUSSELL, ARTHUR C. RICHARDSON,)
Special Committee of
City Council.
Committee of SEAL. E. F. STONE, JOHN N. PIKE, Treasurer. S Trustees P. F. S.
The large size of the preparatory class this year rendered it necessary to increase, at least temporarily, the teaching force of the school, and Mrs. Belle P. Winslow was appointed for such portion of the time as her services might be needed during a period of three months. With this exception, the corps of teachers remains the same as last year, and under their care the condition of the school has been constantly improving. A fuller appreciation, however, of the detriment occasioned by tardiness, absence and dis- mission, with more earnest efforts on the part of pa- rents to discourage these evils, would doubtless still further promote its efficiency. There is no pupil, whatever his capacity, who cannot here employ every moment of his school hours with profit, and these lit- tle losses, if frequently repeated, as too often they are, soon amount to considerable in the aggregate and induce a want of interest that is sure to be felt by both school and pupil.
It is also most earnestly to be desired that all our citizens, interested in the subject of high school edu- cation, would visit this school more, and thus ascer-
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tain for themselves the nature, extent and thorough- ness of the work done therein. Surely the effect could not be other than a further rise of this institution in their estimation and confidence, and a still firmer con- viction of the truth of all that is claimed for it in this and also in a former report, which read as follows: " This school is able to fit for admission to any col- lege in New England, and the pupils who have re- ceived certificates of sufficient scholarship, have not for many years failed of admission."
" In general the committee are able to speak in the highest terms of the prosperity of the High schools and scholarship of the teachers, and are confident that few cities in the commonwealth can boast of having so large and valuable an institution of its kind. In some large cities, by culling and sorting, there are made up classes which surpass any in our school, but in respect to average scholarship, and regard being had to the smallness of our city, we are without a su- perior."*
The number of pupils received into the High and Putnam Schools since the first day of Sept. 1879, is as follows:
Female High School 31
Brown High 66 45
Putnam Free 66 11
QUESTIONS.
The following were the order and questions for the examination of candidates for admission to the High and Putnam schools, held on July 27, 1879. For each correct answer in Arithmetic two credits were given. One credit given for each correct answer in Geogra- phy and Grammar. In Spelling and Defining, each *From Report of 1874.
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one credit. Reading and Writing were each marked on a scale of ten. In Arithmetic, if the answer was incorrect, but it was apparent that the process was understood, one credit was given.
ARITHMETIC.
1. Divide .1606 by 44.
2. When 3-5 of a ton of coal costs 6 2-5 dollars, what will 5-8 of a ton cost ?
3. What is the value of 7 cords 3 cord-feet of wood when $18 is paid for 2 cords 5 cord-feet ?
4. A note was given for $2000, July 1, 1870. Upon it was paid in in- dorsements : Jan. 1, 1871, $260; July 1, 1871, $50, and May 1, 1872, $96. Required, the balance due Nov. 25, 1872.
5. How many barrels of flour, at $5 each, can an agent purchase with a remittance of $2575, after deducting his commission of 3 per cent ?
6. By selling tea at 76 cents a pound I lose 20 per cent; what was the cost per pound ?
7. What are the proceeds and discount of a note of $100 dollars dis- counted at a bank for 27 days ?
8. If 2 men can mow 15 acres in 6 days, how many acres can 3 men mow in 8 days ?
9. Find the square root of 502681.
10. Find the cube root of 350.402625.
GRAMMAR.
1. What is a sentence ?
2. What do we use to form sentences ?
3. Name the different classes of words.
4. Write four sentences-the first expressing a statement; the second a command; the third a question, and the fourth an exclamation.
5. Name the common and proper nouns in the following sentence, and tell how you distinguish them: "As the evening darkened, Columbus took his station on the top of the castle."
6. How many forms have nouns ?
7. Write the plural number of the following: arm, box, man, ox, sheep, life.
8. Name the cases of the nouns in the sentence: "It seemed as though my mother's spirit whispered it to me from the grave."
9. What is a pronoun ?
10. Give seven pronouns expressing the different forms, as gender, num- ber, &c.
11. What is an adjective ?
12. Write a or an before each of the following words, as you think proper : axe, boat, house, owl, honor.
13. When two objects are spoken of in comparison, in what degree must the adjective be ?
14. Write a sentence containing an adjective in the comparative degree.
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15. Write three sentences containing verb forms in the present, past and future.
16. What is an auxiliary verb ?
17. Give the chief or principal parts of-be, bid, blow, break, do, lay.
18-20. Write a letter, directed to the principal of the school, telling him when you began the study of grammar, and anything which you liked or which you found very hard in its study.
GEOGRAPHY.
1. What causes day and night ? What causes change of seasons ?
2. Bound the zones.
3. Bound the United States, and name the largest city.
4. Bound Massachusetts, and name its largest city.
5. Name the most important cities in Massachusetts, and tell why each is important.
6. Bound Maine, and name the largest city.
7. Through what bodies of water would you pass in sailing from Lake Superior to New Orleans ?
8. Name the principal rivers of the United States.
9. Name the States bordering the eastern bank of the Mississippi River.
10. Name the largest State, and the smallest State, in extent of territory.
11. Name the largest country in Souty America.
13. What country of Europe has four seas as a part of its boundary.
14. Where are London, Paris, Rome, Dublin, Athens and Odessa ?
15. Name five seas on the east coast of Asia.
16. What Empire on the islands east of China ?
17. Describe the largest river in Africa.
18. What two large cities near its mouth ?
19. Where are New Zealand, Queensland, Java and Tasmania ?
20. Name the largest empire in the world, the largest city, the longest river and highest mountain.
SPELLING AND DEFINING.
1. Consumption. A pulmonary disease.
2. Blessedness. Felicity.
3. Alcohol. Rectified spirit.
4. Alien. A foreigner.
5. Ebb-tide. The reflux tide.
6. Fixture. Anything fixed to a place.
7. Ghastly. Dismal.
8. Livelihood. Subsistence.
9. Relinquish. To yield.
10. Scissors. A cutting instrument.
WRITING.
Write the following :- " An endless significance lies in work; in idleness alone is there perpetual despair."
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COURSE OF STUDY IN THE HIGH SCHOOLS.
ENGLISH COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM-English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Arithmetic, Physical Geography.
SECOND TERM-English Grammar and Dictation Exercises, Arithmetic, Physical Geography.
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