USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1862-1879 > Part 14
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OVERWORK IN SCHOOLS.
The Committee have heard the idea advanced by some, that the pupils in our schools are overworked. They admit that this is often true.
The school girl who attends a party or some similar gath- ering, is usually unfitted for study the day before such an event and for one or two days succeeding; this makes her deficient in lessons. To overcome this deficiency she must work more severely than her classmates; if she does not overcome the deficiency she falls behind her class, and finally drops into the next lower. The question comes home for decision, whether she will do the severe work, or be disgraced, as pupils falsely term it, by going into a lower class ? She overworks, and the fault is laid at the door of our school system. Now the Committee do not recommend this overwork, and this is the only overwork they can find ; but they would recommend to all who are thus burdened to do less and be longer about it.
This is a matter for pupils and parents to decide between themselves. The Committee provide for what they consider an average amount of work for one whose time is chiefly devoted to school. There their duty ends as far as over- work goes. They insist that a certain degree of proficiency must be attained, because they consider it possible and ne- cessary to the success of the school. If parents prefer that their children shall attend to other matters, which inter- rupt school duties, they must expect and accept slower progress or overwork. It will be impossible to avoid both horns of the dilemma.
The Committee believe that the medals received by graduates of our High School should mean that their pos-
16
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
sessors have pursued successfully the selected course of study, not simply that they have been in the school so many years.
It would be merely an educational farce to allow any one who wished to enter the school, and after a certain lapse of time graduate, regardless of acquirements. This would be to pay idleness in the same coin and to the same amount as industry.
TO PARENTS.
The Committee cannot close this Report without urging upon parents the duty of looking more closely after the education of their children. Those who know just how their children are doing are very few. Those who know the teacher are much too few. People can find time to attend church, lectures, concerts, social meetings of various kinds, but to visit a school for an hour is as far out of the domain of possibility as a trip to the moon ; yet such a visit, occa- sionally, will do more for the advancement of a child than scolding or whipping.
When children conclude that school is of but little con- sequence, and they do conclude so with perfect justice when those whose opinions they value the highest, show, by their indifference, that they care but little about it, school can accomplish but little.
People seem to trust their children in school with the utmost confidence. They assume that everything is as it should be, and so think no more about it. This is so different from the way in which they conduct other matters, that it is all the more surprising.
Business demands personal attention, the affairs of the church require personal attention, pleasure requires personal attention, and yet more important than all these, the train- ing of a human soul is left to a stranger, and the parent rests content.
It is the duty of every parent to make the acquaintance
17
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
of the teacher of his children, to take trouble to find out whether they are satisfactory or not ; to take frequent op- portunity to inquire how they are getting along. This will show them his interest in their progress. They will feel greater satisfaction in doing well, greater shame in doing ill. The teacher will be encouraged and will labor with greater zeal. By these means more will be done to make the schools efficient than can be done by committee or teachers.
The highest results are reached only by the united efforts of all. To obtain these results let all devote themselves, and the time is not far distant when our schools will have no superiors.
STATISTICS.
Whole No. Mch.1.
Av.No. for Year.
Av. At-| Per ct. tend- ance for Year.
of Attend- ance.
No. Ab- sences for days.
High School,
67
72
69
96를
316
First Grammar School,
49
51
47
92
930
Second Grammar School,
49
50
47
94
837
Third Grammar School, 66 66
35
37
35
943
381}
(Centre,)
45
40
38
95
285
Centre Intermediate School,
45
48
43
89,75
700
Lynde St. Intermediate School,
42
42
38
90 ↓
333
Vinton St. Intermediate School,
53
51
45
89 %
786
Centre Primary School,
55
50
47
94
667
Lynde St. Primary School,
60
61
52
85 4
875
Vinton St. Primary School,
-
49
47
38
80 号
8621
Highland Mixed School, -
46
42
36.4
86 3
771
Upham St. Mixed School, -
33
37
31.5
85 ₺
668
Green St. Mixed School,
40
41
35
85 3
882
Totals,
-
668
669
602
90
-
-
3
18
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1
FINANCIAL REPORT.
Town appropriation,
$14,500 00
Balance from last year,
4 04
Received from State,
215 27
Total,
$14,719 31
Expenditures,
13,706 03
Balance,
$1,013 28
CONTINGENT FUND.
Town appropriation,
$2,200 00
Expenditures,
1,951 81
Balance,
$248 19
There are bills against the town to be paid from next year's contingent to about the same amount as was paid from this contingent on last year's bills.
Respectfully submitted,
J. O. NORRIS,
P. A. NORRIS,
H. W. SEWALL, A. M. SELEE, J. H. SMITH.
SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
SECTION 1. The schools shall commence during the year at 9 A. M. and 2 P. M., closing at 12 M. and 4 P. M. In extremely in- clement weather the afternoon session may be omitted. No ex- tended session allowed. .
SECT. 2. The school-year shall consist of forty weeks, com- mencing on the first Monday in September, and closing on the last Friday in June.
Vacations shall occur during the school-year, as follows: -
Close of Fall term, from the Saturday previous to the annual Thanksgiving to the Monday following.
Close of Winter term, from the second Saturday to the third Monday in February.
Close of Spring term, from the fourth Saturday in April to the first Monday in May.
Close of Summer term, end of school-year.
Also, all legal holidays.
SECT. 3. Teachers shall be in their school-rooms fifteen min- utes before the opening of the school, commencing exercises promptly at the hours specified.
SECT. 4. Teachers themselves shall hear all recitations.
SECT. 5. Teachers are not to absent themselves from school, or procure substitutes, without the consent of the Committee. All such absences are to be distinctly recorded in the school reg- isters, and the Chairman of the Committee notified of any un- avoidable violation of this rule.
SECT. 6. Teachers are required to report all damages to school property, unless repairs are immediately made at, the ex- pense of parent or guardian.
20
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL, COMMITTEE.
SECT. 7 .* "The several school-teachers shall faithfully keep the registers furnished to them, and make due return thereof to the School Committee; and no teacher shall be entitled to receive payment for services until the register, properly filled up and completed, shall be so returned." A fortnight's notice required of resignations, except in case of sickness.
SECT. 8. Teachers shall aim at such school discipline as should be exercised by a kind, judicious parent in his family, and shall avoid corporal punishment where good order can be pre- served by milder measures. They shall give due attention to the manners and morals of their pupils. The Principal of the High School shall exercise concurrent jurisdiction with the teachers of the Grammar Schools in enforcing good order therein.
SECT. 9. Teachers may temporarily suspend pupils from school for truancy or gross violation of rules, informing the Com- mittee at once of such suspension, and the reason therefor.
SECT. 10. Pupils must attend school in the district in which they reside, must be at least five years of age, and obtain a per- mit, before entering, from the Committee. Alphabet scholars admitted only at the beginning of a term.
SECT. 11. Pupils are required to furnish themselves with such text-books as are authorized by the Committee. In case of re- fusal or neglect, the books will be furnished by the Committee, and the Town Assessors be notified, that the value may be col- lected from the parent or guardian. Orders sent by teachers to the Town Agent must have the name of the parent or guardian. Books furnished to indigent scholars shall be considered the property of the school, and be retained when the pupil is dis- charged.
SECT. 12. Pupils shall not be dismissed before the close of the school (alphabet classes excepted) without a written request from the parent or guardian. Frequent and repeated requests can be disregarded, and the Committee be informed of the evil. Parents shall be notified of absences or tardiness of pupils, when explanation or information is deemed necessary.
SECT. 13. Pupils absent a term, or not present at the quar- terly examinations, shall be considered new pupils, liable to lose
· * Extract from Revised Statutes.
-
21
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
their connection with their class, and needing on their return a permit from the Committee (alphabet scholars excepted).
SECT. 14. Pupils shall have a recess of twenty minutes at each morning session, and no pupil will be allowed to leave the school grounds without a special permit from the teacher.
SECT. 15. Pupils guilty of defacing or injuring school-houses school-furniture, out-buildings, fences, or school-property in gen- eral, shall be subject to such penalty as the statute prescribes, or the Committee deem proper.
SECT. 16. Pupils are not allowed in school-yards after school, hours, Wednesday or Saturday afternoons, or during holidays or vacations; are not allowed in other school-yards than their own, at any time, unless sent with messages.
SECT. 17. The duties of the several janitors shall be to sweep each school-room and entry twice every week; wash the floors and windows during each of the vacations of May and November; clean and wash all out-buildings as often as necessary; keep steps and paths free from snow in winter; close gates when schools are not in session; report to teachers or Committee all injuries to property ; prepare and put in the coal and wood, prac- tise rigid economy in its use, and have a general oversight of the buildings in their care. No extra pay for any of the above services.
SECT. 18. No wares or amusements shall be advertised in the schools without the consent of the Committee.
SECT. 19. Sections ninth to sixteenth, inclusive, shall be read to the school each Monday morning.
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES
OF THE
MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REPORT.
The Trustees of the Melrose Public Library, in accord- ance with the regulations adopted by the town, take pleasure in presenting their Third Annual Report : -
At the last annual meeting for the election of town offi- cers, by unanimous vote, the Board of Trustees of the Public Library was made to consist of five members, instead of three ; and by the same unanimous vote, two ladies, Miss Hannah Lynde and Miss Addie A. Nichols were elected Trustees, to act in conjunction with the former members of the Board, who were re-elected.
The gentlemen of the Board desire to express satisfac- tion in welcoming these ladies to positions for which they are eminently well fitted ; their co-operation in the work of selecting books adapted to the needs and demands of the people, old and young, proves that the action of the town was timely and wise.
At the first meeting of the Trustees, held April 23, 1873, the organization of the Board was completed by the election of the following officers : -
FREDERIC KIDDER, President. Miss ADDIE A. NICHOLS, Vice-President. ELBRIDGE H. Goss, Treasurer. CHARLES C. BARRY, Secretary.
4
26
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The duties devolving upon the various members of the Board have not been arduous for the past year, as, having reason to expect that we should be called upon to remove the Library to its permanent place in the new "Town Hall" building, during the summer or early autumn, we have delayed presenting plans for the perfection of our present Library system, until we were in condition to carry out the Rules and Regulations, which we consider desirable to be adopted.
The Library was opened to the public March 22, 1873, after the usual annual examination.
MISS CARRIE WORTHEN, Librarian, CLIFFORD SARGEANT, Assistant, until July. A. M. PRIOR, Assistant, the remainder of the year.
The selection of a lady as Librarian has proved advan- tageous to all our interests. The Trustees note with plea- sure the system with which affairs have been managed, and the absence of much of the confusion which formerly seemed incident to the delivery of a large number of books in a single evening. Some delays are to be expected, when we take into consideration the fact that the Library is only open parts of two days in the week, and that during these few hours of limited privileges, between two and three hundred persons are accustomed to assemble each day to return the books which they have read, and to occupy some little time in selecting books to be read.
In the month of May a large number of books were pur- chased, and as our shelves were full at the beginning of the year, new shelving was built along the partition wall of the Library, and room was thus made for all additions. The Library was also separated from the room formerly occupied by the selectmen, thus facilitating the despatch of business and better accommodating the public.
During the year books of general interest and value have
27
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
been added to the Library as they have appeared; lists of books presented by the people of the town to the Librarian, or the Trustees, have received attention, and the most of those inquired for will now be found upon the shelves.
We take pleasure in repeating the invitation of last year to all the patrons of the Library. Any person desiring books not to be found upon the shelves, are respectfully requested to leave a list of the titles and authors with the Librarian. The Trustees promise to give to all these re- quests their consideration, and if the selections are approved and the funds admit, they will be placed upon the shelves with as little delay as possible.
The experiment of leaving the books uncovered has been continued during the year, with a good degree of success ; we see no reason for changing the opinion expressed in last year's report in regard to adopting this plan as a rule.
We take the opportunity of again extending our thanks to Capt. J. R. Simonds, of Melrose Highlands, for services ren- dered gratuitously during the last two years. All books that have needed repairs or rebinding have been freely sent to him, and returned to our shelves in better condition for circula- tion than when first received from the bookstores of Boston. One hundred and fifteen books have been rebound the last . year.
By arrangement, we have also had bound, in suitable volumes, the files of "The New York Tribune," the do- . ation of our friend Daniel Jefferson, Esq. These volumes, covering our country's record during the late rebellion, are now in the Library, and are of great value as books of refer- ence.
Our thanks are also due Mr. Frank Eastman, for the free delivery of all books purchased in Boston by the Trustees; and to our list of donors, whose names we annex.
28
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Donations - Books.
Calvin N. Chapin 1 vol.
Maria L. Huntley
1 66
George A. White,
1
Danforth D. Stratton,
1
Loring Moody,
1
Mrs. G. M. Beal,
2 vols.
Mrs. Z. M. Smith,
2 "
Nath'l P. Banks,
6
Anon,
2 "
17
Pamphlets.
Public Library, Brighton, Mass,
1
A. L. White, .
1
Public Library, Cincinnati, Ohio,
1
Trustees Peabody Institute,
1
Public Library, Newton,
2
Public Library, Boston,
2
8
Among the donations which will appear in our next re- port, as books received, we acknowledge the reception of magazines, unbound, from the following persons ;-
Daniel Jefferson, .Atlantic Monthly, 1873.
J. C. Currier, The Panorama, 1856 and 1857.
Miss Parkman, Boston, Littell's Living Age, several years.
These having just been received, will be sent to the bindery and prepared for circulation.
It will be noticed that comparatively few books have been presented to the Library. We desire to call the atten- tion of the citizens to this fact, and request them to consider the benefits to be derived from the wide circulation of good books, in order that they may avail themselves of the oppor- tunity here afforded, of extending much needed information
29
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
to all classes of persons in our town. You have only to present to the Library a part of the collection of books now so well preserved in your homes, and which, in many cases, are not referred to from one year's end to the other, to place your less fortunate neighbors under lasting obligations to you.
STATISTICS.
Number of volumes in Library, March 1, 1873,
1,976
66
purchased this year,
238
66
donated " 66
17
(See list of Donations.)
255
Number of volumes in Library, March 1, 1874,
2,231
66
" cards issued - persons using the Library,
1,303
66
" relinquished,
17
66
" now in use,
1,286
Average number of volumes issued each day,
147
Smallest
66
66
66
52
Whole 66 66
66
month of July,
1,077
66 66
66
66
66
66
66 " Dec.
1,338
66
66
66
66
66
66
" Jan.
1,810
66
66
66
66
66
" during the year,
14,004
66
66
in one day,
Largest 66
286
" Aug.
1,222
This Library year is equivalent to ninety-five days. Sev- eral books are lacking to make up our requisite number, but the most of these will doubtless soon be returned to the shelves. It will be noticed that the statistics show a very gratifying increase in the circulation, and we mark with some surprise the large number of persons in proportion to the whole population of the town who avail themselves of these privileges. It is hardly to be expected, ordinarily, that a greater number than one-third of the adult popula- tion of the town will avail themselves of such opportunities ; but here in Melrose we find that one-third of the entire community have sought for the varied information which the
30
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Library supplies. It is also worthy of note that the largest number of books ever distributed during any one day were distributed in February of this present year, while the two months of January and February show an increase in circu- lation of between three and four hundred volumes over the corresponding months of last year.
We cannot say how much of that which is read remains in the minds of the young, but we have examined large numbers of books just returned to the Library, and have found the selections worthy of commendation. We invite parents to this same examination for themselves. There is one encouragement : a good book leaves an impression upon the inind. You cannot gainsay or contradict its arguments effectively as you read, for it will not reply to you. It makes its impressions and leaves you to your reflections. If we can induce the young to cultivate habits of thinking by the aid of these quiet teachers, we shall have fulfilled our trust.
With the prospect before us of soon transferring the Li- brary to permanent quarters, we offer a few suggestions : The rooms we occupy at present are large and commodious, and yet the space occupied by the patrons of the Library is hardly large enough to accommodate the ever-increasing throng of applicants. We therefore submit that our first and essential need is plenty of room in the new building, so that we may not be compelled to stop the growth of the Library and send its patrons to other places for that which is due them at home. The Trustees had decided to request of the town the two large front rooms upon Main Street, - the one for the Library, the other for the Reading Room. This would give ample room to carry out the original idea upon which the Library was started, and yet no more than would be found necessary. It has been thought expedient, however, not to request your attention at present to the plan of a Reading Room, co-extensive with the Library, but to confine ourselves to one commodious room, the larger of the
31
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
two mentioned, and there to expand until the finances of the town permit, and the demands of the people require, the use of the other room. We have no doubt that three- fourths of the persons entering the Town Hall building will do so for the purpose of availing themselves of the benefits of the Public Library.
This will give us no more room than we have at present, but it can be arranged to meet our requirements to much better advantage, and, we think, will make a very pleasant and attractive Library that all our citizens will be glad to enter. The matter of expenditures, in this department, has received our thoughtful consideration, and in accordance with our agreement and the public sentiment, we have prac- tised economy for the past year. Our Treasurer's Report will evidence to you the fact that we have made fewer pur- chases of books than ever before, and have drawn the appro- priations only as absolutely needed.
During the coming year certain 'expenditures must be made for the Library. They cannot be avoided, nor would it be economy to seek to avoid them. The following appro- priations, unanimously requested, we trust will be enough for the purposes requiring them : -
For moving the Library to the new room, fitting up and furnishing the same complete, $500 00
For the purchase of books, printing of new cata- logues, &c., $500 00
These appropriations to be in addition to the amount of money received from dog licenses. Of this appropriation, nearly two hundred dollars will be expended in preparing a complete catalogue of the Library, but a large portion of this amount will eventually return to the treasury through the sale of these pamphlets. Catalogues have been needed for many months. We have waited until this time that they might contain all the changes incident to a removal and re- arrangement of the books.
32.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
It has been the aim of the Trustees to make the Library a part of our educational system, and their design in select- ing books has been to keep it from taking the place of a cir- culating library by substituting a higher class of literature. It has been our hope that those citizens usually foremost in aiding public enterprises would manifest a special interest in this department. We trust during the coming year to have their hearty co-operation. Gaining this, and having the good wishes of the community, we can hope to accom- plish that part of the work which devolves upon us.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERIC KIDDER, ELBRDIGE H. GOSS, ADDIE A. NICHOLS, HANNAH LYNDE, CHAS. C. BARRY,
Trustees.
Dr.
Melrose Public Library in account with E. H. Goss, Treasurer.
Cr.
1873. Mar. 22, Apr. 1,
1 66 " A. M. Prior, printing. · Apr. 5, 8,
$94 78 150|00 1 00
66 - for book destroyed ..
-
from div. Hide & Leather Ins. Co.
2 44
Sept. 17,
for book lost ....
84
Mar. 6, '74,
66
66 " T. B. Stantial, shelving ... ..
June 5, ** 16,
1
" T. W. Ripley, an'l rep., &c.
July 12, 5
1 17
Jan. 1, '74,
150 00
.. July 7,
66
66 " Miss C. Worthen, Lib., 3 qrs.
113|50
Ap. 14, "73, -
July 10,
1
:
" D. L. & J. G. Webster, rent. 100 00
.July 7, '73, 1
July 10, 66
" I. B. Wilder & Co., printing. 4 00
Aug. 27,
.July 12, Mar. 6, '74, ١
" A. W. Lovering, books ... .
301/09
Aug. 13,
" Firemen's Ins. Co., $1000 pol.
9 00
Sept. 2,
66 " Carter, Riee & Co., paper. . . .
3 00
Oet. 24,
" Francis S. Drake, book ...
3.00
Dec. 24,
Conn. Ins. Co., $2000 poliey.
18 00
1874.
66
" Henry Dyer, book ..
4|00
66
21,
16
" L. F. Lawrence &Co., .bl'k b'k
1|50
26,
" F. M. Goss, writing eatalogue.
2 00
Feb. 13,
36 " .J. C. Howes & Co., hod, &c. " Broom, pens, tags, &c.
3 48
Feb. 13, '74. 5
Mar. 9, '74,
" balance on hand .. .
33 54
$ 719|16
$719 16
MELROSE, March 9th, 1874.
E. & O. E.
E. H. GOSS, Treasurer.
,
" M. & M. Gas. Co., gas.
Oct. 18,
from Town Appropriation, 1873 } -74, in part. . . S from div. Firemen's Ins. Co. ...
250 00 3 88
2, 1
" F. T. & C. E. Palmer, set. gl's
8 50
Jan. 23, Mar. 4,
for book lost. ... from Town Appropriation 1873 ) -74, balanee. 1
Dee. 24,
1
Feb. 28, '74,
66 from Librarian, for fines .. ...
63 95 2 10
Mar. 6, '74,
" sales catalogue
Feb. 14, '74, S
$1000 28 50 2 25 10|80 22 95 9 50 30 00
1873. Mar. 18, July 7,
By balance from aceount 1872-3 .. cash from Town Appropriation, bal- ) anee 1872-3. .
Mar. 3, '74,
" J. Worthen & Co., brush, &c.
9, 16,
66 6
" S. E. Benson, coal ...
“ 10,
To cash paid C. Wakefield, matting. .. ..
Jan. 9,
1 55
Apr. 14, '73. }
At the request of the Trustees of the Public Library, I have examined the vouchers for the above account, and find them correet. MELROSE, March 11th, 1874. JOHN LARRABEE. Toun Clerk
Dee. 17. 1874.
REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS OF MELROSE,
FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1875.
BOSTON: PRINTED BY T. W. RIPLEY, 138 CONGRESS STREET. 1875.
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