USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Newburyport > City Officers and the Annual Reports to the City Council of Newburyport 1890 > Part 14
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in the finer capacity of the trained eye and hand. We believe that while to some children this teaching will be an incentive to a pursuit which will be a constant source of interest and satisfaction, to nearly all it will be of substantial value in the business of life.
In view of the pressure of work upon the grammar school years, the systematic arrangement of time is of great importance.
In many cities a programme is arranged for all the schools, so that a specified time is allotted to each study, and no departure is per- mitted. Our teachers, in the absence of such arbitrary schedule of work, generally make a plan adapted to the needs of their respective schools ; this is understood by each pupil and is adhered to, so that one study shall not encroach upon the time of another. It is only by such a plan that the all work can be brought into the limits of our school hours.
It will be seen that the aim in these schools is to do something to prepare all the pupils for the practical work of life, as well as to fit them to enter upon that of the High School. And it will also be apparent that the problem of the graded schools, both grammar and primary, is how to to justice to the bright and the dull children, while accomplishing the work laid down, in the allotted time.
KELLEY SCHOOL, GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
L. G. SMITH, Principal.
ABBY SHORT, Assistant. 66
EVA J. SMITH,
ANNA L. WHITMORE, 66
Number of different scholars during the year 205 Average membership I74 Average attendance 161 Per cent of attendance 921/2
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OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Average age , 12 yrs. 8 m. Number over fifteen years of age . 15 Number admitted to High School on examination I5 by rank in grammar school E
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Bertha M. Bingham, Sadie M. Bradbury, Emma Duffy, Belle R. Keene, Clara M. Richardson, Ella F. Richardson, Mary E. Richard- son, Hattie Stockman, James D. Adams, Walter P. Brown, Winthrop O. Dodge. Winthrop O. Evans, Harrison G. Johnson, Harold Stiles, Bertram D. Sumner, Frank B. Berdine.
Average rank, 871/2.
JOHNSON GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
ANNA L. COFFIN, Principal. EMMA M. LANDER, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 68
Average membership 61
Average attendance 55
Per cent of attendance 90 Average age 12 yrs.
Number over fifteen years of age 7
Number admitted to the High School on examination 66 7 66 66 by rank in grammar school 3
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO THE' HIGH SCHOOL.
Ida F. Perkins, Bertha G. Dodge, Blanche Prime, Lizzie Wallace, Florence M. Tilton, Amy A. Williston, Ethel M. Howard. Laura F. Piper, Anna W. Poore, Mary C. Lee.
Average rank. 81.3.
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ANNUAL REPORT
BROMFIELD STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
PRISCILLA G. Craig, Principal, SUSIE B. LOWELL, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 65
Average membership 52
Average attendance 50
Per cent of attendance 96
Average age
12 yrs. 5 m.
Number over fifteen years of age . 5
Number admitted to High School on examination
5
by rank in grammar school I
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Lizzie W. Crane, Elizabeth P. Geldart. Nellie G. Noyes, Sadie A. Sinclair, Lizzie I. Merrill, Lottie E. Blaisdell.
Average rank, 86.
JACKMAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
GEORGE W. BROWN, Principal, RHODA TILTON, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 94
Average membership 80.7
Average attendance . 78
Per cent. of attendance 961% Average age 12 yrs. 9 m.
Number over fifteen years of age 7
Number admitted to High School on examination II
by rank in grammar school 0
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO HIGH SCHOOL.
David P. Coffin. James N. Smith, H. H. Clark, F. T. Noyes, Fred C. Plummer, A. W. Huse, Allan Brooks, Frank Hoyt, F. E. Jameson, Jackson Greenaway, Stanley Smith.
Average rank, 90.4.
I5
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CURRIER (MALE) GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
SARAH B. CHUTE, Principal, S. E. WHITMORE. Assistant
Number of different scholars during the year 79
Average membership 70
Average attendance 64
Per cent. of attendance 91
Average age .
II yrs. 8 m.
Number over fifteen years of age 2 Number admitted to High School on examination 2 .. 66 by rank in grammar school . 5
Martin Boyle, Willard A. Currier, Everett F. Currier, Fred B. Merrow, Edward E. Hicken, Joseph O. Evans, Wm. A. Swasey.
Average rank, 74.
FORRESTER STREET, (GIRLS) GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
SERENA D. TOPPAN, Principal. ELLEN FROTHINGHAM, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year . 70
Average membership 64.8
Average attendance 60.4
Per cent of attendance 93
Average age . II yrs, 4 m.
Number over fifteen years of age · 4
Number admitted to High School on examination 8
I 66 66 by rank in Grammar School .
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO HIGH SCHOOL.
Lena W. Sargent, Mary A. Johnson, Hannah M. Hatch, Mary A. Cutter. Lillian F. Marston, Lilian E White, Lena R. Pulcifer, Fan- nie L. Walton, Alice H. Hicken.
Average rank, 84 2-9.
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ANNUAL REPORT
WESLEY STREET GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY SCHOOL.
IRVING H. JOHNSON. Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year . 50
Average membership
. 33.4
Average attendance 28.6
Per cent. of attendance 85
Average age 9 yrs. 3 m.
Number over fifteen years of age . I
Number under five years of age. 0
Number admitted to High School by examination 2 by rank in grammar school . . o
NAMES OF THOSE ADMITTED TO HIGH SCHOOL.
Joshua L. Newhall. Michael J. Corcoran.
Average rank, 757/2 .
MOULTONVILLE GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY SCHOOL.
ALICE T. WHITTIER, Principal. BERTHA M. STILES, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 79
Average membership 58
Average attendance 49
Per cent. of attendance 84
Average age
8 yrs. 5 m.
Number five years of age . 2
Number over fifteen years of age 2
I7
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
QUESTIONS FOR THE EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNE 25, 1890.
ARITHMETIC.
What is the cost of a piece of land 10 rods, 2 feet long, and 4 rods 2 yards, I foot wide at $1.50 per square foot ?
31/2-2 1/4
2 . Reduce :- 123to its simplest form, and then to a 1 2/3-2 1/2 decimal of five places.
3. By selling a lot of land for $783 I lost 13 per cent. What would it have brought if I had sold it at a loss of 812 per cent. ?
4. A man sells 275 lbs. of copper for $33 and loses 20 per cent. by the transaction. How many pounds did he buy for $30 ?
5. A collector, after deducting his commission of 20 per cent. turns over to his employer $3,383.90. How much did he collect ?
6. What is the difference betwen the simple and compound in- terest on $500 for 3 years, 5 months and 18 days at 6 per cent.
7. Find day of maturity, discount and proceeds of following note :-----
$750.
NEWBURYPORT, MASS., Jan. 1, 1881.
Four months after date I promise to pay to the order of James Fay seven hundred and fifty dollars, value received.
Discounted at 7 per cent., Jan 12.
8. How many times does the least common multiple of 180, 210, and 315 contain their greatest common divisor ?
9. A quotient of 78 and a remainder of 14 result from dividing a certain number by 48. What is the number ?
Io. A man walks 88 miles in 26 hours. How many feet does he walk each minute ?
GEOGRAPHY.
I. Bound the different zones and tell the number of degrees of latitude in each.
2. Name all the lakes that touch the State of Michigan.
3. Describe the position and the course of the Apennines and of the Rocky Mountains.
4. Locate Berlin, Naples, Lyons, Cairo, and Amsterdam.
5. What countries of Europe border upon the Mediterranean
Sea. Name the capital of each.
6. Through what bodies of water would you pass in sailing from Montreal to Philadelphia ?
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ANNUAL REPORT
7. Describe the following rivers :- Danube, Nile, Hudson, Mer- rimac.
8. What is the capital of a state ? Name and locate the capitals of New York, Maine, Michigan, Ohio,
9. Describe the geographical features that have tended to make New York and Chicago great cities.
10. Write a geographical description of Newburyport. State its latitude and longitude. What is its population ?
ENGLISH.
I. (Given by dictation to be written, spelled and punctuated correctly.)
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Me., Feb. 27, 1807. He was a classmate of Hawthorn at Bowdoin College, graduating there in the class of 1825. He began the study of law in the office of his father, Hon. Stephen Longfellow ; but re- ceiving shortly the appointment of professor of Modern Languages at Bowdoin, he devoted himself after that to literature, and to teaching in connection with literature. Before beginning his work at Bow- doin, he increased his qualifications by travel and study in Europe, where he stayed three years.
2. Correct the following sentences if they are faulty :---
(a) Can I take your book ? I shall return it to-morrow.
(b) The flowers in the garden smell sweetly when the dew is on them.
(c) Every boy in this school have books in their desks.
(d) Neither you nor nobody else ever saw such a sight.
(e) The train will not stop only when the bell rings.
(f) Why don't he lay down and rest ?
(g) You behaved very improper.
(h) Those kind of trees are evergreen.
(¿) I wish I could write like our teacher can.
(j) You hadn't ought to go.
3. Write a short composition on " Memorial Day."
4. Analyze and parse the following sentence : Edison is a great inventor.
HISTORY
Give an account of Bacon's Rebellion.
2. Write a brief history of the early settlement of Pennsylvania.
3. What was the condition of New England under Andros ?
4. Why is the name of Hannah Dustin famous ?
5. Give a brief account of the war in which Quebec was taken by Wolfe-stating causes and results.
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The old notion that anybody could teach the youngest children is nearly an exploded one. We have come to see that nowhere else are skill, good judgment and tact more needed than in the primary grades. That in no other department does character stand for more than in this first work in the infant classes. As education is felt to be vastly more than the mastering of so many branches of knowledge, so those who begin to help the child to develop its faculties, and to attain self-mastery, must needs be wise, large-hearted. sympathetic. not less than faithful, earnest and patient.
Few teachers, at this day, commence with the old-fashioned, and. we are glad to say, nearly obsolete method of teaching to read by the A, B, C. They have found that the modern word and sentence plan produces results much more satisfactory, and is much less tedious to both teacher and pupil. Those who had the good fortune to at- tend the State Institute, held here in October, will not easily forget the charming manner in which Miss Boyd, of Chelsea, illustrated her method of teaching children to read. nor the eager. happy faces of her pupils, as they read from the board sentences of their own.
During the first year of school there should be no study of books : reading should be preceded by conversation, bringing the child into contact with familiar objects, and getting him to express himself about them in simple language. leading him to speak naturally and freely. The teacher then writes the little sentences upon the board, and has them read by the scholars in the same lively manner in which they were spoken. A list of words thus obtained should be written down, and the children. by frequent use of them in making sentences, will soon have quite a vocabulary. which they recognize at sight. After a sufficient number is thus obtained, they are ready to take their books and read without any of the painful hesitation or primary drawl so familiar to the reading of the past. The class should never attempt to read a lesson until it is familiar with every new word in the lesson.
The number work of the first year is almost wholly objective. For
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ANNUAL REPORT.
this purpose blocks, splints, pegs and other objects are used. Each number up to ten is taught thoroughly in all its combinations, addi- tion, subtraction, multiplication and division are all illustrated in this way; and henceforth a number has to him a meaning, and is not simply a figure for him to juggle with till he obtains the answer in the book.
The danger of the new method lies in its being carried too far ; in its tendency to do too much for the pupil, so that he may rely now upon his teacher, as formerly he was bound to the text-book. If he is not taught how to study, then the grammar years are over-weighted, for the deficiency must be met there. It is quite possible also that a weakening of moral and mental fibre may follow such lack of effort. In the last years of the primary course, books should be gradually in- troduced, and their use increased, till on entering the grammar grades the pupil is able to make painstaking, thorough mastery of his lessons.
The work done in our primary schools the past year has been sys- tematic and thorough, yet there is still much to be desired in the matter of better reading and writing. If all due allowance is made for difference in ability in different classes, there will still be found too much inequality in the work of the same grades. No amount of lavish expenditure, of improved text-books, or of careful supervision ivill ever make a good school. The all important factor is the teacher.
The teacher makes the school; a good system, with enthusiasm in its carrying out will inevitably produce good results. A constant complaint of dull pupils is the instructor's own condemnation. Yet a teacher should never rest satisfied with what has been done; the true school has in it the principle of growth, it is not merely a cer- tain number of boys and girls, turned out after so many months, with a certain amount of geography and arithmetic in their heads; but it aims at higher mental and moral discipline and attainment, year by year.
21
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHNSON (GIRLS') PRIMARY SCHOOL.
FRANCES J. PEARSON, Principal, JENNIE P. HASKELL, Assistant
Number of different scholars during the year 87
Average membership 65.8
Average attendance . 60
Per cent. of attendance 91
Average age 7 yrs. II m.
Number under five years of age 2
Number admitted to the Grammar school 9
BROMFIELD ST. (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
CORA B. LOUGEE, Principal, ABBIE L. FROST, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year . 92
Average membership . 73
Average attendance 66
Per cent of attendance 90
Average age 8 yrs. 2 ms.
Number under under five years of age 0 Number admitted to the grammar school . 15
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ANNUAL REPORT
PURCHASE STREET (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MARY A. ROAF, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 52
Average membership 34
Average attendance . 27
Per cent. of attendance 80
Average age . 7 yrs. 3 m.
Number under five years of age 0
JACKMAN (BOYS') PRIMARY SCHOOL.
HELEN M. CURRIER, Principal, REBECCA W. PERKINS, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year . 87
Average membership 85
Average attendance . : 77
Per cent. of attendance 90
Average age 9 yrs. 5 m.
Number under five years of age 0
Number admitted to the grammar school
. 19
TEMPLE STREET (GIRLS') PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MARY C. ESTES, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 49
Average membership . 27
-
23
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Average attendance . 25 Per cent. of attendance 92 1/2 Average age 8 yrs. 8 m.
Number under five years of age 0
Number admitted to the grammar school 5
KELLEY (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
H. A. P. ROTH, Principal, MARY Z. KINGMAN, Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 190
Average membership 164
Average attendance 146
Per cent. of attendance 89
Average age
8 yrs.
Number under five years of age O
Number admitted to the grammar school .
41
CONGRESS ST. (BOYS') PRIMARY SCHOOL.
SUSAN I. ADAMS.
Number of different scholars during the year . 34
Average membership . 26.5
Average attendance 25
Per cent of attendance 93
Average age . 8 yrs. 2 m.
Number under five years of age 0
Number admitted to the grammar school . 18
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ANNUAL REPORT
CONGRESS ST. (GIRLS') PRIMARY SCHROL.
CLARA J. EDGERLY, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year . 42
Average membership . 36
Average attendance 33
Per cent. of attendance 91
Average age
9 yrs. 2 m.
Number under five years of age o
Number admitted to the grammar school 16
CONGRESS ST. (2d GRADE) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
ELIZABETH H. CHEEVER, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 54
Average membership 38
Average attendance 32
Per cent. of attendance 84
Average age
7 yrs. 6 m.
Number under five years of age O
CONGRESS ST. (Ist GRADE) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
ENOLA E. GOWEN, Principal.
Number of different scholars during the year 75
Average membership 44
Average attendance . 35
25
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Per cent. of attendance 80 Average age 6 ys.
Number under five years of age 2
ASHLAND ST. (MIXED) PRIMARY SCHOOL.
FRANCES L. PETTIGREW, Principal, FLORA PETTIGREW. Assistant.
Number of different scholars during the year 120
Average membership . 88
Average attendance 79
Per cent. of attendance 90
Average age 8 yrs. 3 m.
Number under five years of age 0
Number admitted to the grammar school , . 18
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ANNUAL REPORT
TRAINING SCHOOL.
The Newburyport Training School for Teachers was opened in September, 1889, with Miss H. A. P. Roth as principal and Miss Mary Z. Kingman as assistant. An examination of candidates for admission as pupil teachers resulted in the selection of Misses Lillian Greanleaf, Judith A. Plumer, Eleanor J. Towle, Sarah L. Ross, Fan- nie Knight, Jennie Louise Smith, Florence True and Annie M. Pike.
The first five were from this city, and all were graduates from the High and Putnam School. They came highly recommended by the principal of that school. and by their dovotion to their duties, excel- lent conduct and unfailing industry, have fully justified his recom- mendation.
Of those named above, one left during the first term, two have lost one term by sickness, and one has obtained an excellent position as teacher in another city.
At the beginning of the second term, February Ist, 1890; Miss Ida M. Blaisdell was admitted as a pupil teacher. In September, 1890, the following were also admitted : Edith Johnson, Mabel Hodgkins, Jean Gillan, Elizabeth Hoxie and Clara Poor.
In May, 1890, Miss Kingman, the assistant, left for a more lucra- tive position, and at the close of the school year Miss Roth, the prin- cipal, announced her intention of not being a condidate for re-election. The committee were fortunate enough to secure the services of Miss Mara L. Pratt, of Malden, for principal, and Miss Helen M. John- son for assistant. Both of these ladies had a high reputation as successful teachers, and Miss Pratt was widely known as a writer.
Under their supervision the school has rapidly advanced in public esteem. The pupil-teachers find constant encouragement, sympathy and assistance in their duties, and look forward with regret to the time when their course will have terminated.
It is to be hoped that in future there will be more candidates from this city, not only that our own citizens may receive the benefit of
27
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
an excellent opportunity to prepare themselves for teaching, but also that there may be an opportunity to select those naturally fitted for the work. " Poeta nascitur non fit," but the teacher should be both.
At present there are in the Senior class four young ladies who completed their course of one year and a half January 31, 1891, viz .: Misses Judith Plumer, Lillian Greenleaf, Eleanor Towle, Sarah Ross. The Middle class consists of only two members, Miss Flor- ence True, Miss Ida M. Blaisdell. In the Junior class there are four: Misses Edith Johnson, Mabel Hodgkins, Jean Gillan and Eliza- beth Hoxie.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
The evening schools were opened as usual in Temple street, about the first of December, 1889, and continued till late in March. The results were satisfactory so far as discipline and attention to study were concerned.
A large proportion of the pupils were of foreign parentage, and had, previously, little or no instruction of any kind. The studies for them were necessarily of the most elementary character, reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling. Only a few scholars were farther advanced. To such instruction suited to their needs was given. Mr. L. G. Smith with three assistants had charge of the boy's school. Miss Lucy Low with two assistants managed the girls' department.
28
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
RESIGNATIONS AND TRANSFERS.
At the close of the school year Miss Serena D. Toppan resigned her position as principal of the Forester Street Girls' Grammar School. The loss of such a teacher can only be appreciated by those intim- ately acquainted with the school and the influence exerted over the conduct and character of the scholars.
Miss Sarah E. Whitmore was promoted from her position as assist. ant in the boys' grammar school in the same building to the place made vacant by Miss Toppan.
Miss Mary E. Bassett was elected assistant in the Forester Street Boys' School.
Miss Estes, who had faithfully taught in several schools resigned her place as principal of the Temple Street School, and Miss Susan Adams was transferred from the Cougress Street to the Temple Street School.
Miss E. H. Cheever was promoted to the principalship of the Congress Street Boys' School.
Miss Gowen was transferred from the Congress Street School to the position of assistant in the Moultonville School, made vacant by the resignation of Miss Stiles.
Since the close of the school year, Miss Alice T. Whittier, the principal of the Moultonville has resigned the position which she had so faithfully filled, and Miss Enola E. Gowen has been promoted to the principalship.
In May, 1890, Miss Kingman, the assistant at the Training School resigned for a more lucrative position, her place being temporarily filled by Mrs. Mann.
At the close of the school year Miss Roth, the principal of the Training School announced her intention of not being a candidate for re-election, and Miss Mara L. Pratt was elected principal with Miss Helen M. Johnson, assistant.
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ANNUAL REPORT
COURSE OF STUDY.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
FIRST GRADE.
READING .- Commence by conversation about simple objects. Present first the idea, then the spoken word, then the written or printed word on the blackboard or chart. Let the children do most of the conversation ; write the sentences as they make them upon the board, and have them read by the class. Write on the board col- umns of words as fast as learned. From these let the children form sentences, oral and written. Let the pupil read the written sentence, requiring natural expression. Teach the spelling by sound of all new words. Get a vocabulary of about one hundred words before using book. Complete Monroe's Primer, being careful to teach the children the new words in each lesson before they take the book to read. Consult Bent's Hints on Language, and Miss Badlam's Sug- gestive Lessons.
NUMBERS .-- Teach I to 10 objectively, thoroughly teaching one number at a time.
Consult Seelye's Grube Method, First Year's Course.
LANGUAGE .- Lead the pupils to talk about familiar objects, striv- ing to make them fluent and natural. Lead them to use simple lan- guage and complete sentences. Correct all errors. It should be borne in mind that the object comes first, then the spoken language, then the written. Let the class write little sentences of their own upon their slates, using the words from the vocabulary they are forming in their reading. Also let the teacher write on the board sentences made by the children, and call upon the pupils to read them. Teach terminal points. Teach capitals at beginning of sen- tences.
Cousult Bent's Hints and Miss Badlam.
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ANNUAL REPORT
WRITING .- Use ruled slates and long pencils; attend to the hold- ing of the pencil in this and in every grade. Commence with i and teach with great care and patience letters in the following order : i, u, w, n, m, v, x, o, a, c, r, s.
Do not advance to u till i is perfect; it may take several months, but the time will be well spent. This is the foundation and should be well laid.
Insist upon proper holding of the pencil in all school exercises.
DRAWING.
HYGIENE.
PHYSICAL TRAINING .- Correct positions, proper holding of books, slates, pencils; gymnastic exercises twice each session.
CONDUCT AND MANNERS .- At least once each week. Politeness, kindness, truth, cleanliness.
SINGING.
SECOND GRADE.
READING .- Complete Monroe's First Reader and first half of any supplementary readers available. Require correct position of body and book. Teach all new words on the board before the lesson is read by the class. Use persistently spelling by sound of all new words. Give careful attention to articulation. Require fluency and natural expression. Encourage children to give in their own words what they remember of the lesson. Teach ordinary sounds of the vowels, consonants, and consonant combinations representing simple sounds. Copies of words and sentences to be written daily on slates or paper. Words often mispronounced to be written upon the board and frequently reviewed.
NUMBERS .- Grube's system thoroughly to twenty.
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