USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1879-1884 > Part 6
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If any criticism could have been justly passed on these schools in other years, it would be this: that the results of the three or four years' course have been hardly so great as might reasonably be expected.
We all know what wonderful progress a child makes at home in the three years just preceding his entrance into school. Hardly an hour of any day passes without his acquiring new words and phrases, and their meaning ; and at four years of age he has acquired a really extensive vocabulary. Is it not equally true that the first year at school usually arrests, instead of ac-
106
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
celerating, this progress ? and, if so, cannot the reason be found in the daily drill on the alphabet, and on syllable-spelling, &c., when the same time expended in the acquisition of new words, taught by the same methods and in the same manner as that which has been, perhaps unconsciously, practised by the mother, would, no doubt, produce happier and far greater re- sults ? However, this is not an essay on primary education. It may be gathered from what we have said, that we do not think we have arrived at perfection in this department. Never- theless, we do believe that the instruction of the past year has been a great improvement on former years ; and we believe an- other year will witness still more beneficial results. The aids of which we spoke in our last year's report have been intro- duced, - blocks, splints for teaching numbers, charts, kinder- garten tables, additional reading-matter; &c. The children have made good progress in writing. The alphabet method of teaching reading has been discarded.
THE MIXED AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
These schools are in charge of the same teachers as last year, most of them peculiarly fitted for their positions by reason of experience and training ; and the work, as a whole, has been good.
The schools at the Highlands and Green Street have been well filled, showing the crying necessity for the extra school established last year. It may be added, also, that the Centre Intermediate, under Miss Emerson, has been the largest school of any of this grade. The Lynde and Upham Street Schools have been somewhat smaller. We would be glad if every school of this grade could be limited to forty scholars.
Some supplementary reading-matter has been introduced in this grade and those above. We have also introduced Prang's " Natural History Series," with plates, &c., to further the teaching by objects. These have been distributed in schools of the grammar grade also, the intention being to change them about from one school to the other, so that the greatest benefit may result from our somewhat limited investment. ·
107
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Second and Third Grammar Schools, under Miss Bisbee and Miss Porter, Miss Melcher and Miss Cate, have done the usual amount of good work. Some desire was expressed last year that Barnes's History should be introduced in place of Hig- ginson's, this study being taken up in February by the second grammar grades ; but it was deemed inexpedient to make the change. Barnes's Histories have been furnished for all the teachers' desks as reference-books.
The Third Grammar Schools have been again as large as the accommodations would permit, notwithstanding the establish- ment of a class of this grade at the Green-street School; and the schools of the second grade will probably be large when the new school-year begins. But these schools are all so well balanced now, that there will be no need of establishing any new ones for two or three years to come, unless the growth of the town exceeds our anticipations.
The First Grammar School, which was quite large prior to the long vacation, has since been smaller. On the resignation of Miss Friend, which occurred in May, Miss C. E. Southwick, the assistant teacher, was elected principal of the school. It gives us pleasure to say that the discipline has been perfect. Every thing has worked harmoniously and well, and we believe the results at the end of the year will be found to equal those of recent years. It is, however, the duty of your Chairman to say, that he is decidedly of the opinion that the best kind of teaching will not be had in this grade till you procure again the services of a good male teacher. It may be said here, that his opinion is not fully shared by other members of the Com- mittee, who have had better opportunities of forming a correct judgment than he has had; but, expressly disclaiming any inten- tion of reflecting on the present incumbent, who is as good a teacher as any who have been in the school since your Chairman has been connected with the Board, it is his belief, that, with scholars of this age, a robust treatment is necessary, - teaching that shall bring the pupils square up to the mark, - vigorous,
108
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
uncompromising teaching, that will expose the shirk, and bring the lazy into contempt, excite ambition, and stimulate the brain ; in a word, "masculine teaching." Looking back to other years, such teaching was had under Masters Brown and Stickney, and can be had again if the town sees fit to consider this in their appropriation.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
In our last report we devoted considerable space to a careful statement of our views concerning this school, its course of study, &c. We have seen no reason to change our opinion then expressed. The course of study having been printed in the past two reports, and being practically unchanged, we re- frain from laying it before you again. The school has been larger than last year, but not quite so large as we thought it would be. The maximum number attending at any one time has been one hundred. The graduating exercises were held in your Town Hall, and were, as usual, largely attended. As they were of an unusually interesting character, we have thought it not amiss to give in these pages the order of exercises ; and we suggest that the custom be continued. All such details are, or will be, of value as local history, and, it may be, will stimu- late some of our citizens (who are now devoting much misdi- rected energy to collecting Farmers' Almanacs) to preserve these Annual Reports, and hand them down to future generations.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, JUNE 25, 1879. " Finis Coronat Opus." Greeting Song. - By the School.
1. ESSAY " Milton." Arthur M. Burr.
2. ESSAY " The Gulf Stream." Edward B. Stantial.
3. ESSAY " The Greek Religion a Prophecy of Something Higher." Charles H. Washburn.
Chorus - " See, the Conquering Hero comes."
109
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
4. TRANSLATION . "Les Aventures de Cinq Canards." Mary Alice Jones.
5. ESSAY . " Oliver Goldsmith." Fannie M. Brooks.
6. ESSAY " Wild-Flowers of Melrose." Louise I. Drake.
Chorus - Keller's " American Hymn."
7. ESSAY. . " The Philosophy of Good Nature." William H. Williams.
8. DECLAMATION " Salathiel to Titus." George R. Jones.
9. ESSAY " The Eastern Question." Edward C. Morgan.
Music - " Good-night, thou Glorious Sun!"
10. CLASS PROPHECY Mary A. Rorke.
11. ESSAY . " The Discomforts of Travelling." Ada E. Lowe.
12. ESSAY " Influence." Ruth C. Stetson.
13. ESSAY
Amy M. Stantial. " Charity."
14. VALEDICTORY " Silent Cities." Hannah J. Gibbons.
AWARDING DIPLOMAS.
Parting Song (arranged by Mrs. G. N. Bordman) - " We bid Farewell to School to-night."
Of this graduating class, Williams has entered Harvard Uni- versity, accompanied by Dole, who graduated last year. Wash- burn has entered Amherst; Jones, Boston University. Miss Rorke and Miss Gibbons are attending the Normal School at Salem ; and Miss Brooks is about to enter the same school.
At the graduation exercises of the Normal School, two of our former High-school pupils, Miss Vinton and Miss Lane, took prominent parts, - the former being the valedictorian ; and we may add that we have received from Mr. Hagar special and highly valued words of commendation concerning these and other Melrose girls, students in that school.
110
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Some suggestions were made in our last report regarding the teaching of history, civil government, &c., by means of lectures. This change, at least so far as this year's work is concerned, has been found impracticable. At the time the suggestion was made, it was hoped that Col. Drake might be induced to prepare a course of short lectures on Colonial and Revolutionary History for delivery before the High School; but up to this time other duties have claimed his attention to such an extent, that he has not been able to entertain the proposal. We have no doubt that such a course would be of great benefit to the school, and venture to hope that we may be able at some future day to carry out the plan.
The character of the school has been kept up to the usual standard of excellence. We do not propose to say any thing special in the way of commendation in this report; but within the past year it has been our privilege to look over some records which have been kept (and which should some day be pub- lished) of the names of the graduates of this High School since its beginning. This is not so many years ago, but that we can readily follow the career of each graduate ; and it is gratifying to note the positions which they have taken in life, and the uni- form good success that has attended their efforts.
First Class.
* ABBY ELIZABETH AVERILL.
FRANCES L. SNOW.
+ABBIE M. BEMIS. +FLORENCE M. ELLIS.
+ANNIE F. STILPHEN.
+ABBIE JOSEPHINE VINTON.
HELEN AGNES FOSTER.
¡EMMA A. WEEKS.
MARY ALICE GOSS.
¡MINNIE L. WOODMAN. HENRY A. BOARDMAN.
HELEN M. LEAVITT.
ANNIE P. LONG.
+JOSEPH R. GIBBONS.
+MARY LYNDE.
* ALBERT H. HAYWARD.
ISABELLA PAUL.
*HENRY J. HERSEY.
*MARK S. W. JEFFERSON.
Second Class.
+MARY E. BUFFUM. HATTIE E. DAMON.
+ANNIE M. SPRAGUE.
*MABEL L. Goss.
+ETTA D. TRAFTON.
¡LILLIAN C. HALL.
*CHARLES L. SIMMONS.
*HELEN JOSEPHINE LOVEJOY. +OTIS T. STANTIAL.
*WILLIE R. WOODBURY.
MARY SIMPSON.
111
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Third Class.
JENNIE B. BARRETT.
* ARTHUR W. BARRETT.
DELIA F. BURNS.
+CHARLES H. BENNETT.
+JENNIE F. CONANT.
WALLACE BRYANT.
+MERELLA J. GIBBONS.
*THOMAS S. BURR.
KATIE F. HAWKINS.
*GEORGE H. CONANT.
HATTIE MAY KEITH.
*EDWARD W. FRENTZ.
+CLARA W. LYNDE.
*C. D. JONES.
NELLIE AUGUSTA MANSFIELD.
+WILLIAM J. MCCOUBRY.
EDITH N. SPEAR.
*HENRY C. MILLER.
+HARRY L. ALDRICH.
WINFIELD P. PIERCE.
Fourth Class.
L. MAY BALDWIN.
ARTHUR D. ATWOOD.
+NELLIE E. BARRETT.
+WOODMAN BRADBURY.
+CARRIE P. BODGE.
*PERCY BRYANT.
+ALICE BROOKES.
¡ALICE C. CONANT.
CAROLENA B. EHLERT.
+AGNES DRAKE.
+MARY E. FARR.
MINNIE L. GILMORE.
MARY P. GOULD.
ANNIE E. GOULD.
MARIA A. GRADY.
+GEORGE W. MYRICK.
+HARRY C. OLIVER.
¡EDITH L. LORING.
+MARION H. MORGAN.
+BELLE P. PERKINS.
FRANK W. SWALLOW.
+FLORENCE PETTINGILL.
DAVID L. TAYLOR.
+PHEBE RUSSELL.
WALTER B. THAYER, Jun.
*MANNA SIMMONS.
+GRACE A. SMALL.
*MERTON G. WOODBURY. ARTHUR WORTHEN.
* College course.
t Classical course. Not marked, English course.
GENERAL CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
During the year the discipline of the schools has been remarkably good. We believe there has been no case where the authority of the teacher has been defied. At least no such ...
case has been brought to our knowledge. There have been years in the past when they occurred frequently. Again : there
*WALTER B. FARR. NORMAN J. HOPKINS. SIDNEY HOWE.
*NATHANIEL R. JONES. JAMES P. KEATING. W. STEDMAN KENT. ALFRED R. LORING. JOHN F. MAGNER.
+MARGARET A. LECRAW. NELLIE L. LONG.
FRANK E. SARGENT. WALTER E. SMITH. FRED W. STANTIAL.
112
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
has been less trouble the past year from truancy, though there are a few chronic cases, where we have been obliged to call on Mr. Cushman.
This improved condition of things may be temporary ; but we are quite of the opinion that it is permanent, and may per- haps justly be ascribed to additional effort on the part of the teachers in making the schoolroom attractive, and the daily tasks pleasant and interesting. We think we can say that there has been a united effort on the part of the School Committee and the teachers to make the schools better, and that the effort has been successful.
THE LECTURES BY COL. PARKER, AND THE QUINCY SYSTEM.
As some of the members of our School Board, and many of our teachers, had become quite deeply interested in the " new departure " in the Quincy schools, we invited Col. F. W. Parker, the superintendent, to visit us, and deliver a series of conversational lectures on education. (We must say here, that the suggestion is to be credited to Miss Norris and Mrs. Kun- hardt, who have both, especially the former, spent much time in visiting schools of other towns.) This invitation was duly accepted, and the lectures were well attended by our own teach- ers and those of contiguous towns. It is needless to say that they were very interesting. Col. Parker's views and theories are in many respects diametrically opposed to those commonly held. In other respects they are such as are held by all good teachers. These views, embodied in what is known very generally as the Quincy system, have become familiar to you by means of the extended comments of the public press, and through the pam- phlet of Mr. Charles F. Adams, jun., of the School Board. It has been four years since the experiment was inaugurated there ; and it can be said that it is no longer an experiment, but, in view of results achieved, a pronounced success. Briefly sum- marized, the system is as follows: -
First, To make the schoolroom a very pleasant place, which the pupil will attend with pleasure, and leave with regret.
Second, To teach language by the word method, instead of
113
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the alphabet method. To teach the written form, with the spoken form, of the word. All words and sentences placed on the blackboard by teacher or scholar to be written in script. Printed forms not to be used or taught. The teaching of pen- manship to be begun early in the primary school, and special attention to be given it through the entire course.
Third, Mathematics. Number to be taught, not figures. Great care to be used in the early steps, that the pupil shall surely know and comprehend the basis of the work.
Fourth, Geography to be taught with the aid of the mould- ing-board, where the moistened clay, under the hand of the teacher, and later under the hand of the pupil, can be formed into mountains and valleys; the courses of rivers marked out ; cities located ; the indentations of the coast-line formed. Statistics and dates to be taught sparingly (most of these being learned only to be forgotten).
Fifth, Grammar and language. The mark set in this study is to teach the pupil (in the few years spent in the primary and grammar grades) to write a page of good English on any topic of which he may have knowledge. In accomplishing this, they look upon technical grammar as a hindrance, and not a help: therefore it is that grammar, as a study, is not taught in any grade under the High School.
If it is claimed that a sentence cannot be properly framed and constructed without a knowledge of the rules governing its form, it may well be asked how it happens that what is generally known as classical English to us of this day was written or spoken when the study of English grammar was unknown.
The aims of the system, it will be seen, are simple. The means used are such as commend themselves to the minds of the majority ; and yet the change is in many ways very radical in its character, and, it may safely be said, could not be inaugu- rated in its entirety in any town where the School Board was not firmly seated, and in the possession of a degree of confidence on the part of the citizen and tax-payer rather phenomenal in its character. Under such auspices as these, the work has
114
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
been a success in Quincy ; under other circumstances, it might have been a failure. It is certain, however, that no teacher whose services would be worth retaining could visit the Quincy schools, or listen to the arguments of Col. Parker, without feel- ing her enthusiasm kindled, and receiving benefits of a sub- stantial and lasting character. If such benefits have been received, our object in inaugurating the lectures has been ac- complished, and the results will be seen in better teaching.
The demands of business duties have compelled your Chairman to send in his resignation, to take effect in February, leaving the vacancy to be provided for at the annual election in March. During the first eighteen months of his term of office, he was able to give, and did give, all the attention to his duties which could reasonably have been expected ; but, since the fall term began, he has found it quite impossible to visit the schools as often as he has deemed necessary, and, as there is no prospect of his leisure increasing, he is compelled to resign. There are others who have more time and ability, and such should be willing to step in and fill the position. In retiring from the Board, he wishes to express his sincere thanks for the cordial support and encouragement you have given him. Although his term of service has not been entirely free from annoyances, still they have not been of such a character as to cause him to regret the time he has devoted to your service : on the contrary, if his other duties would permit, he would gladly finish his three years' term, and possibly offer himself as a candidate for a " second term."
We trust you will aid and encourage the new Committee by voting the appropriation suggested in this report.
Respectfully submitted.
ROYAL P. BARRY, For the Committee.
TABLE OF STATISTICS.
For the Year ending Jan. 1, 1880.
SCHOOLS.
Maximum No. from
Jan. 1 to July 1.
Average Attendance
during same time.
Maximum No. from
Sept. 1 to Jan. 1,'80.
Average Attendance
during same time.
Number of Pupils
Jan. 1, 1880.
Per cent of Attend-
ance for the year.
Average Age, Jan. 1,
1880.
High, First Class
16
19
19
-
17
Second Class
11
13
11
16
11
Third Class
25
22
22
15
5
Fourth Class
34
46
42
15
Totals .
86
78.9
100
95.1
94
.96
15 10
First Grammar .
75
67.5
61
56.5
61
.95
14
7
Second Grammar, Emerson Street .
37
31.7
43
40.5
42
.94
12
8
Second Grammar, Centre
37
31.3
47
41.1
39
.94
12
11
Third Grammar, Emerson Street
47
41.
53
48.
51
.95
11
Third Grammar, Centre
48
42.5
53
48.8
51
.95
12
6
Intermediate, Centre
46
39.
50
42.
46
.95
10
-
Intermediate, Vinton Street
47
37.
41
40.
43
.93
10
4
Intermediate, Lynde Street
38
32.4
42
37.
36
.95
9
8
Green Street (upper school)
42
39.
44
38.
38
.96
11
1
Green Street (lower school)
43
34.
38
34.
37
.91
7
9
Highlands (mixed)
50
41.
38
35.
36
.92
8
-
Upham Street (mixed)
39
33.5
40
32.5
38
.91
9
4
Primary, Centre
40
36.
49
43.6
46
.89
7
-
Primary, Lynde Street
53
45.
55
. 46.
47
.92
7
6
Primary, Vinton Street
62
50.
55
46.
55
.87
7
4
Total
790
679.8
812
724.1
760
.93
-
78.9
$95.1
-
-
-
Yrs. Ms.
SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
SECTION 1. The schools shall commence during the year at nine A.M. and two P.M., closing at twelve M. and four P.M. No extended 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 Wednesday previous to the an- nual Thanksgiving to the Monday following.
Christmas week.
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 schoolrooms fifteen min- utes before the opening of the school, admitting pupils, com- mencing 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- registers, and the Chairman of the Committee notified of any unavoidable 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.
* High School excepted.
117
SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
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 re- ceive 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. In case of inclement weather, when, in the judg- ment of the Committee, it shall be thought proper to omit the forenoon or afternoon session, notice will be given by ringing the town bell at a quarter before eight A.M., or a quarter before twelve o'clock A.M.
SECT. 9. Teachers may temporarily suspend pupils from school for truancy, or gross violation of rules ; informing the Committee at once of such suspension, and the reason therefor.
SECT. 10. Pupils must attend schools in the district in which they reside ; must be at least five years of age, and obtain a permit, 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 refusal or neglect, the books will be furnished by the Com- mittee, and the town assessors be notified, that the value may be collected 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 discharged.
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. 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 quarterly examinations, shall be considered new pupils, liable to lose their connection with their class, and needing on their return a per- mit from the Committee (alphabet scholars excepted).
Extract from Revised Statutes.
118
SCHOOL REGULATIONS.
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 schoolhouses, school-furniture, out-buildings, fences, or school-property in general, shall be subject to such penalty as the statute pre- scribes, or the Committee deem proper.
SECT. 16. Pupils are not allowed in schoolyards after school- hours, or during holidays or vacations; are not allowed in other schoolyards than their own, at any time, unless sent with messages.
SECT. 17. The duties of the several janitors shall be to sweep each schoolroom 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 neces- sary ; 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, practise 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. Teachers shall read to the pupils, at such times as they deem expedient, any or all of the foregoing Rules and Regulations.
WARRANT
FOR
TOWN MEETING,
MARCH 1, 1880.
WARRANT.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Melrose, in the County of Middlesex :
Greeting.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the Inhabitants of the Town of MELROSE, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet . at the TOWN HALL, on Monday, the first day of March, A. D. 1880, at 12.30 o'clock, P. M., then and there to act on the following Articles, vīz .:
1. To choose a Moderator.
2. To bring in their votes, on one ballot, for Selectmen, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Assessors, one Water Commissioner for a term of three years, one Water Loan Sinking Fund Commissioner for a term of three years, Public Library Trustees, Highway Surveyor or Surveyors, Auditors and Consta- bles. Also on a separate ballot, to bring in their votes for four members of the School Committee, two for a term of three years, one for two years and one for one year.
3. To choose all other necessary Town Officers.
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