USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879 > Part 13
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4 00
For the first water-closet 5 00
For each additional water-closet 3 00 ·
For hopper water-closet, 8 00 ·
For first bath-tub . 5 00
For each additional bath-tub,
3 00
Provided that no private house shall pay more than $25 per year.
Boarding Houses.
For the first faucet
· 10 00
For each additional faucet 2 00
For water-closet or bath-tub when used for boarders
10 00 * Other charges as above.
Where two faucets are used, one for hot and one for cold water, both emptying into one vessel, but one charge will be made for both.
Stores.
Occupied as office, shop, or similar purpose . $6 to 20 00 For each additional faucet 2 50
For water-closet or urinal . .
6 00,
63
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Stables.
For first horse
$5 00
For each additional horse
3 00
For first cow .
2 00
For each additional cow
1 00
For Livery, Club, and Boarding Stables.
For first horse 5 00
For each additional horse 3 00
The above includes water for washing carriages. Where hose is used, $5 additional.
Truck and Cart Stables.
For first horse
5 00
For each additional horse 2 00
The above includes water for washing carriages.
Hose.
For sprinkling streets, washing windows, and similar uses 3 00
When several desire to use the same hydrant for watering street or watering gardens, see Superintendent.
Hotels.
For each bed for boarders and lodgers . $3 00
Baths.
For public baths, and for each bath in any hotel . ·
10 00
For water-closet in public bath-houses . 10 00 ·
Steam Engines.
For each stationary steam engine working not over
twelve hours a day, for each horse-power 6 00
Building Purposes.
For every cask of lime or cement used 0 05
64
·
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Ornamental Fountains.
Ordinarily used three hours a day for a period of not more than four months a year.
For a jet of one-sixteenth of an inch
$3 00
one-eighth 66 66 5 00
66
one-quarter 66 66 8 00
To be cut off at the discretion of the Superintendent.
Manufactories,
And for all purposes not enumerated in the foregoing rates, special contract to be made with the Water Board.
. This schedule of prices was printed in a circular and dis- tributed among the citizens, with this additional notice: -
All parties wishing Spot Pond water introduced into their buildings, will be required to sign an application for the same; a book for that purpose may be found at the Town Clerk's office.
WINGATE P. SARGENT, W. IRVING ELLIS, JOSEPH D. WILDE, Water Commissioners.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY,
MELROSE, MASS.
1873-4.
-
BOSTON : PRINTED BY T. W. RIPLEY, 138 CONGRESS STREET. 1874.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JOHN O. NORRIS, CHAIRMAN. DANIEL W. GOOCH. J. HEBER SMITH.
MISS P. A. NORRIS, SECRETARÝ. MRS. N. P. SELEE. MRS. S. E. SEWALL.
TEACHERS.
ROBERT F. LEIGHTON, succeeded by
SAMUEL HARRINGTON,
HIGH SCHOOL.
MARY L. CHARLES,
FRANK L. SMITH,
FIRST GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
SECOND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
JULIA M. PORTER,
-
THIRD GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
EMMA M. CATE, CENTRE THIRD GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
CHASTINE EMERSON, - CENTRE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL. 1
M. M. UNDERWOOD, succeeded by JENNIE L. CRIE, - .
JENNIE L. CRIE, succeeded by
MARY E. NORRIS, -
GEORGIE F. TREADWELL,
SARAH E. PRATT,
MARY M. GILMAN,
NELLIE M. BUFFUM,
ANNIE WOODMAN,
SUSIE D. MELCHER,
VINTON ST. PRIMARY SCHOOL.
CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
- LYNDE STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL. GREEN STREET MIXED SCHOOL.
-
HIGHLAND MIXED SCHOOL.
UPHAM STREET MIXED SCHOOL.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTORS.
FANNIE E. GROVER, MUSIC. NICHOLAS F. DRACOPOLIS, FRENCH PRONUNCIATION. THOS. F. LEONARD, ELOCUTION.
LUCY W. BISBEE, -
LYNDE ST. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
VINTON ST. INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MELROSE :
The School Committee have the honor to submit the fol- lowing Annual Report :-
The present year marks a new era in the history of the School Committee of Melrose, on account of its increase in numbers by the addition of three lady members.
It is believed that a majority of our citizens are well sat- isfied with this change. When the fact is considered that a majority of the pupils in our schools are girls, and a large majority of their teachers ladies, there would seem to be no further argument needed to convince any of the good policy of the course which the town has adopted.
The legality of the action of ladies on the Committee has been settled by the decision of the Supreme Court, so that no further question concerning it will be likely to arise.
The general condition of our schools is believed to be fully equal to what it has been in any past time ; but realiz- ing the necessity of progress, the Committee have endeav- ored, by re-classifying some schools and by changing the course of study somewhat, to open the way toward a still higher degree of efficiency.
It has been continually borne in mind that the perceptive faculties of the child develop much earlier than his reason- ing powers, and hence that it is more profitable to omit the
1
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
more abstruse parts of a study, with young pupils ; that it is more desirable to spend time in teaching them methods and practice than theory.
Young children, as a class, cannot theorize, and all teach- ing of theory has a tendency to increase the fault, much too common, of taking in words, without the ideas which they embody, until their knowledge is like Hamlet's reading, " Words ! words !"
Accuracy, readiness, neatness, and system in doing work are the primary matters which children in all the lower schools should be taught.
By persistent teaching they become habitual, and are thus fixed.
In accordance with the same idea, the Committee would have the time of the classes spent chiefly on those matters which are, or will be, of practical importance.
In most of our text-books there are topics that are of no practical advantage. To illustrate : there are in all our text- books on arithmetic several chapters devoted to "compound numbers," a tiresome and somewhat difficult subject for young pupils to learn, and probably one of which most peo- ple never make any use, simply because there is but little demand for it in business. By spending less time, or none at all, on such topics, and more on the fundamental and important parts, it is believed more of real value may be accomplished.
It is well to remember that some topics can be better learned after one leaves school than at school, and so not attempt to cram pupils with too much or with what they cannot digest. .
TARDINESS.
This evil prevails in some of our schools to an alarming extent. The Committee have been informed that, at one time, our schools were comparatively free from this defect, but unfortunately such is not the case at present. In some
5
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
schools it is difficult to find a pupil who has not been tardy during the last three months.
It must be remembered that we are educating our pupils in this respect as well as in others. That it is of as much consequence to learn to be prompt to meet an engagement as it is to write well. A tardy boy is being educated for a poor business man.
ABSENCE.
The attendance is about the same as in years past, but is not what it should be. This is not the fault of the teachers. Parents do not realize that every day's absence is taking so much from the child's progress. Nothing is so apt to de- stroy a pupil's interest in study as frequent absence. The judgment of every experienced teacher is that nothing is so prejudicial to success.
Intimately connected with this matter of absence is com- pulsory attendance of all children between certain ages. The Committee have reason to think that there are but few children of the school age who do not attend school, but they desire to call attention to the statute passed by the Legislature in 1873.
[CHAP. 279.]
AN Acr relating to the attendance of Children at School.
Be it enacted, &c., as follows : -
SECT. 1. Section one of chapter forty-one of the General Statutes is amended to read as follows: -
Every person having under his control a child between the ages of eight and twelve years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides at least twenty weeks ; and for every neglect of such duty the party offending shall forfeit to the use of the public schools of such city or town a sum not exceeding twenty dol- lars ; but if the party so neglecting was not able, by reason of poverty, to send such child to school, or such child has attended a private day school, approved by the school committee of such city or town for a like period of time ; or is regularly attending a public or private day school, known as a half-time school, also approved by them, or that such child has been otherwise fur-
6
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
nished with the means of education for a like period of time, or has already acquired the branches of learning taught in the public schools ; or if his physical or mental condition is such as : to render such attendance inexpedient or impracticable, the pen- alty before mentioned shall not be incurred : provided, that no objection shall be made by the school coinmittee to any such school on account of the religious teaching in said school.
SECT. 2. The second section of chapter forty-one of the Gen- eral Statutes is amended to read as follows :-
The truant officers and the school committee of the several cities and towns shall vigilantly inquire into all cases of neglect of the duty prescribed in the preceding section, and ascertain the reasons, if any, therefor; and such truant officers, or any of them, shall, when so directed by the school committee, prose- cute, in the name of the city or town, any person liable to the penalty provided for in the preceding section.
Justices of police or district courts, trial justices, trial justices of juvenile offenders, and judges of probate shall have jurisdic- tion within their respective counties of the offences described in this Act. [Approved May 12, 1873. .
Attention is also called to the following Act, passed at the same session.
[CHAP. 262.]
An Act concerning Truant Children and Absentees from School. Be it enacted, dc., as follows :-
SECT. 1. Each city and town shall make all needful provis- ions and arrangements concerning habitual truants and children between the ages of seven and fifteen years who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of such city or town, having no lawful occupation or business, not attending school, and growing up in ignorance: and shall also make such by-laws as shall be most conducive to the welfare of such chil- dren, and to the good order of such city or town; and shall pro- vide suitable places for the confinement, discipline and instruction of such children: provided, that said by-laws shall be approved by the superior court, or a justice thereof, or by the judge of probate of the county.
SECT. 2. The school committee of the several cities and towns shall appoint and fix the compensation of two or more suitable persons, to be designated as truant officers, who shall, under the direction of said committee, inquire into all cases arising under such by-laws, and shall alone be authorized, in case of violation thereof, to make complaint and carry into exe- cution the judgment thereon.
7
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SECT. 3. Any minor convicted under such by-law of being an habitual truant, or of wandering about in the streets and public places of any city or town, having no lawful employment or business, not attending school and growing up in ignorance, shall be committed to any institution of instruction or suitable situation provided for the purpose under the authority of section one, of this act, or by-law, for such time, not exceeding two years, as the justice of the court having jurisdiction may deter- mine. Any minor so committed may, upon proof of amendment, or for other sufficient cause shown upon a hearing of the case, be discharged by such justice or court.
SECT. 4. Justices of police or district courts, trial justices, trial justices of juvenile offenders, and judges of probate shall have jurisdiction within their respective counties, of the offences described in this act.
DISCIPLINE.
The general discipline of our schools is satisfactory. It is the wish of the Committee that it should be of as mild a character as possible consistent with the good of the schools.
They believe that in cases of trouble, with older pupils especially, it is desirable for the teacher to communicate with the parent or guardian of the pupil, and seek his aid in enforcing obedience ; and, further, when obedience cannot be obtained and the future good conduct of such a pupil be guaranteed, by such means, they believe that the welfare of the school demand's that he should be excluded from its privileges.
PROMOTIONS.
A new plan for making promotions has been adopted. There will be during the year several examinations, part by the teachers and part by the Committee, of all the schools except the Primary Schools. At the end of the year, in June, an average of all the examinations will be made, and that will be the basis for promotion.
The advantage of this plan is, that it gives parents and pupils an opportunity to know, at any time, what the chance for promotion is, and thus they can tell what effort is neces-
.
. 8
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
sary. It removes the objection "that one examination is not a test," as well as all chance for saying that promotions are a matter of favoritism. Any parents who wish to know the standing of their children can learn by sending to their teacher.
TEXT-BOOKS.
There have been no changes in text-books during the past year.
Underwood's Handbook of British Authors has been in- troduced into the High School, likewise Crittenden's Com- mercial Arithmetic. In the First Grammar School it was thought best that the pupils should have a grammar as a reference book, and Kerl's Grammar for Grammar Schools was selected.
The Committee would renew a suggestion contained in the last School Report with reference to "Free Text-books." This plan proposes that the town shall own all the text-books used by pupils. It has been adopted in several cities with good results.
The arguments in its favor were presented last year, and without repeating them, the Committee recommend the plan and would like to have it adopted.
MUSIC.
In the lower schools the Music has been under the super- intendence of Mrs. Fannie Grover, who has previously con- ducted it, and her success has been equal in all respects to that of former years. In the First Grammar School the Music is conducted by the regular teacher. In the High School, Mr. Carey, of Malden, has given instruction a part of the year, but after the Summer vacation, being engaged elsewhere, we were left without an instructor, and the Com- mittee being in doubt as to whether the appropriation would be sufficient to warrant, thought best to defer employing another teacher a few months.
9
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
What is needed most of all now for us, in Music, is a good, thoroughly-graded system, commencing in the Pri- mary School and culminating in the High School. Even with that, our pupils will not learn Music simply by one hour's instruction per week by a "special instructor." It must be taught and drilled every day before much real prog- ress can be made, and this is the work of the regular teachers.
On them, then, the Music, as well as so many other things depends, and to them we must look for that effort, under judicious and systematic direction, which shall cause the majority of our pupils to learn Music as well as they learn Arithmetic or Grammar.
DRAWING.
In this department of education we are rather behind the times, but a commencement has been made. The Com- mittee have just introduced this branch into all the schools, and hope to be able to continue it in future.
There is a mistaken idea in the community that only those who are destined by Nature for artists can learn draw- ing ; but this is no more true than it would be to say that only those who by special talent in that direction may be- come very superior penmen, can learn penmanship.
Drawing is no more difficult to learn than penmanship, and it used to be a saying of Professor Woodman that any one who can learn to write can learn to draw. The simple acquirement of being able to draw is but a tithe of the benefit resulting from the study. The trained eye sees every object differently. A world of beauty, before unseen, is opened to it. It sees accurately and observes carefully. The taste for matters of art is strengthened and quickened as well as elevated and refined.
The pupil who has had his taste improved by studying drawing, and his "ear " cultivated by learning music, is by so much fitted to appreciate and enjoy in a higher degree
2a
10
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
those creations of genius which are the accepted symbols of the highest culture and most perfect civilization.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND APPARATUS.
The condition of our school property is about the same as stated in the last Report. No extensive repairs have been made, with one exception.
It has always been found impossible to heat the High School Building, and the furnaces were badly out of repair, beside being insufficient for what was required of them. These have been put in good order, and an apparatus for heating the whole building by using hot water has been introduced, which gives sufficient heat.
In the Green Street, Vinton Street, and Lynde Street school-houses, a sufficient degree of heat cannot be obtained, on a cold day, to make pupils comfortable, or even to render it safe to allow them to remain. The buildings are so de- fective that they offer but little opposition to the ingress of wind or the egress of heat, and how to keep the temperature always at precisely 65° or 70°, is a problem which the com- mittee have "given up," and have requested the janitors " not to ask such questions."
The Apparatus and Reference Books of the schools have been increased by adding Worcester's Unabridged Dictionary to the list of desk books, where it had not previously been furnished, and by furnishing wall maps to the Intermediate schools, where there were none.
The High School is defective in apparatus for teaching natural science as it should be taught. A liberal policy in this respect is recommended, for good tools are essential to good work, and good instruction in these topics is of the most practical and beneficial nature.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Our High School, in proportion to our population, is one of the largest, if not the largest, in the State.
11
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
This gratifying fact is doubtless due in a great measure to the excellent management and instruction of its late Principal, Mr. R. F. Leighton, who from failing health and a desire to pursue his studies abroad, resigned at the close of the last school year. A thorough scholar and a gentle- man of culture, his influence and character are missed in every educational or social circle.
The committee felt that it was a delicate and important matter to select his successor, but after much deliberation their choice fell on Mr. Samuel Harrington, of Gloucester, a gentleman of wide experience, of whom it is sufficient to say that he has filled the difficult position to their entire satisfaction.
In obedience to what seemed a general wish of the town, the committee consented to try the experiment of one session instead of two. It is tried only as an experiment, and if found unsatisfactory at any time, the old plan will be adopted again.
Our High School is in a good condition, but might be im- proved could the teachers devote more time to their classes. There are very few schools of the size of ours where there are but two teachers, and probably the increased numbers, when a new class enters in September, will render an addi- tional teacher necessary.
The following pupils graduated at the close of the school year, in June : -
DEAN, MARIA L. MORSE, MARY A.
GROVER, WALLACE E. MEAD, WARREN H.
SMILEY, LINNA M. PRIOR, CHAS. E.
WILDE, GEORGE A.
12
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CATALOGUE OF THE MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING SEPTEMBER, 1873.
CLASS OF 1874.
FOSTER, ALICE LOUISE NORTON, ABBIE SUSIE
JONES, JESSIE FREMONT POOLE, LILLIE
LITTLEFIELD, BELLE OLIVE
GIBBONS, ROBERT
LONG, ALICE HUNTING
NORTON, HARRY RAND
CLASS OF 1875.
BLAKE, SUSAN TORREY WILDE, CARRIE LUNT
BOARDMAN, EUGENIA LAMONT
CARY, LIZZIE WEBB
INGALLS, OLIVE FISK
LOVEJOY, SARAH EMMA SARGENT, WILLIAM PEARCE
MERRILL, ADDIE FLORENCE
PARKER, ANNIE FLINT
SIMONDS, GEORGE WILLIAM STANTIAL, FRANK GEORGE
CLASS OF 1876.
BAXTER, MINNIE
BLANTON, LIZZIE ANNA
BURNHAM, EMMA LIZZIE FLEMING, MARY
Goss, FLORENCE MARY
FULLER, EDWARD PARKER
MANSFIELD, FRANK
HAWKINS, KATIE FRANCES HOUGHTON, ALICE MARY LANE, HATTIE ESTELLA MENDUM, HATTIE
MORTON, EDW'D PAYSON JONES NICHOLS, FRANK GOOCH PRIOR, ALFRED MELVILLE ROBERTS, JOSEPH PAIGE
RUSSELL, WM. CLIFTON
UPHAM, WALTER SUMNER
CLASS OF 1877.
ANDREWS, FANNIE JUDSON NORTON, ADA ELIZABETII BAILEY, CARRIE WINTHROP PARKER, MARY
BARRETT, NELLIE BATCHELDER, HATTIE MARTIN BROWN, MINNIE CHAPIN, ANNIE MARIA
SARGEANT, LULIE
SMITH, HATTIE NINA
SWEET, IDA MAY
VINTON, MARY ISABEL
THURSTON, FLORIE EVELINE TROWBRIDGE, AMELIA FRANK BLAKE, NATHAN DAY FROST, ALBERT
MUNROE, LIZZIE JACOBS
NEWHALL, ADDIE BROWN PAGE, GERTRUDE TRACY POOLE, ANNIE
FIELDS, HENRY GARRETT GRUNDY, EDMUND LUTHER SARGENT, ARTHUR
13
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CLASS OF 1877-CONTINUED.
EMERSON, GEORGIE THERESA WORTHEN, SUSIE
FARNSWORTH, GEORGIE ANNA BABB, EDWARD EVERETT
FOSTER, SARAH GERTRUDE GIBBONS, LOUISA JANE
DAVIS, JOHN EDGAR HOWE, FRANK
HUTCHINGS, EMMA FRANCES LAVENDER, SARAH ESTELLA LECRAW, LIZZIE GRIFFITH LOVEJOY, MINNIE
HUTCHINS, HERBERT
JACKSON, WALTER
RIPLEY, MARIUS PARKER
SARGEANT, WALTER CLIFFORD
LYALL, ADDIE LOUISE MESSENGER, ELLA
MCCOUBREY, LIZZIE ANNA
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
These remain under the same instructors as last year, and are all doing well.
These schools are of the highest importance, as many pupils here complete their school-life. On this account it is desirable that our course of study may be so modified that more time may be given to composition, and an at- tempt be made to give pupils some idea of our best litera- ture, in order that their attention may be early drawn in that direction.
In the Grammar Schools of some of our cities it has be- come the practice to give some instruction in the elements of Physiology, Philosophy, English History, and Book- keeping, in the last year of the course, so that pupils who do not attend High Schools may obtain the rudiments of the most important studies of the High School course.
Whether a similar plan may not be desirable in our schools is an important question for us to decide; also, whether it may not be advisable to give all pupils who com- plete satisfactorily the Grammar School course of study, a diploma, which shall be a certificate of admission to the High School.
STEELE, CHESTER FRANK
WILLMARTH, THEO. WILLIAMS, JR.
14
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
In our Intermediate Schools there have been some changes of teachers, but all the teachers have had experience of some years and are doing satisfactory work. The three classes in each of these schools have been consolidated into two, thus giving the teachers more time for each class.
It is in these schools that careful training by the teacher tells more than in any other grade. So many topics are commenced here, that careful and thorough instruction is most desirable, for a good commencement is half the jour- ney. The pupil who does not learn the fundamental rules of arithmetic, multiplication table, accurate spelling of sim- ple words, and care and neatness in doing everything in these schools, will have obtained but little of what they should give him.
More attention will be given to Mental Arithmetic, in future, in these and in the lower Grammar Schools.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
These remain under the same instructors as previously. This guarantees their success for the future. The Primary is the most difficult school we have, on some accounts. The questions, " What shall be taught ?" and " How shall it be taught ?" are continually staring us in the face, and will not "down" at our bidding. One thing seems to be set- tled, however, and that is, that a good primary school has but little need of text-books, but the intelligence and tact of the teacher selects and presents topics for instruction and methods of instructing, while the zeal of the pupils usually needs but little spurring.
We would advise for our Primary Schools, little study of books but much study of things.
MIXED SCHOOLS.
These are Primary and Intermediate combined. The classes are small and numerous, and this difficulty the
15
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
teachers are obliged to overcome as well as possible. We hope the time will soon come when the increasing popu- lation of the town will make it possible to grade these schools, and thus put our schools all on the same footing.
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