USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Berlin > History of the town of Berlin, Worcester County, Mass. from 1784 to 1959 > Part 5
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This gave Berlin a teaching force of five teachers, one for each of the five schools, and an agent to supervise each school. School kept for twelve weeks during the summer term, and thirteen weeks for the winter term. But, during and following the Civil War, each term had ten weeks. These were very irregularly at- tended-some pupils being present only twenty, thirteen, or eleven days during a sixty-five-day winter term.
44
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
It was the ambition of the Superintendent of Schools, in compliance with the ruling of the State Dept. of Education, to gradually increase the number of weeks of schooling. Thus, by 1894 they had increased to thirty-two weeks, and in 1898 they were keeping school for thirty-four weeks. The school year has only increased to thirty-six weeks, or 180 days, but they sure do cram a whole lot of learning into the children during these days. See the curriculum.
There have also been drastic changes in the faculty, shifting from one teacher in each of the five schools (covering classes for grades from one to nine) to a teacher for each of the eight grades. From time to time special teachers have been added to the faculty. In 1897 a special teacher of drawing (or Supervisor of Art) was engaged. The following year, a special teacher of music (or Supervisor of Music) was added to the staff. In Sep- tember of 1901 a Principal of Schools was employed, who also taught at the Center School, thus adding another teacher to the force. With the diversity of teachers it seemed expedient that there should be some uniformity in the art of writing, so in 1934 a Supervisor of Penmanship was engaged, which practice has been continued under the name of Supervisor of Handwriting. Since 1950 two more instructors have been added to the faculty -a Supervisor of Physical Education and an Assistant Supervisor of Physical Education, the latter being a woman who will take over the instruction of the girls.
Curriculum
The proverbial system of three R's (Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic) was soon supplemented in the Berlin schools by more advanced studies. In the Abstract of School Returns for the Commonwealth in 1836, Berlin reports the following text- books being used in her schools: National Spelling Book, Inger- sol's Grammar, Adam's & Colburn's Arithmetic, Olney's Geogra- phy, American & First Class Book, Introduction to National Reader. These books were paid for out of the local fund.
It was the problem of the Superintendent of Schools to in- troduce the proper courses of study, to see that these subjects were uniform for the several grades of the five schools, and also
45
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
to schedule the time to be devoted to each subject. In the report for 1897, the following list of subjects was given: Language, Reading and Spelling, Arithmetic, Geography, History, Writing, Drawing, Physical Exercises, Physiology and Nature Study, Morals and Manners, and Music. All of these subjects were taught in all nine grades except Geography, which was omitted from the first and second, and History began with the fifth grade.
Since the modern view of an education is to prepare the pupil for his life's vocation-through the High School, College, or University-the curriculum has been greatly broadened to fur- nish an adequate basis for such ambition. Thus, in the report of the Superintendent of Schools for the year 1952 he states that "The educational program has been deepened, broadened, and improved. In common with all good schools we are now offering formal instruction in science and physical education at all grade levels. The textbook equipment of the schools has been com- pletely replaced with the best modern text materials."
Enrollment
The enrollment of the elementary schools of Berlin varied considerably from year to year. This change is due to several factors. The ratio of the number of school children to the popula- tion of the Town was much larger in the early 1800's than in the 1900's due to the difference in the size of the family. Thirteen children to the family had ceased to be popular. For instance, the population of 1820 was 625, and of 1840 it was 763, and the enrollment in the schools for the year 1836 was 193. But in 1950 with a population of 1,348, the school enrollment was only 166, and in 1952 the enrollment was 191 (not quite up to the 1836 figure).
Few records are available for the early years of the schools, but in 1875 enrollment was reported to be 199. Then in 1891 it reached a low of 117 and remained low until 1898, when it began to increase. In the year 1920 it reached 195. Then it began to recede, so that in 1923 it was 158, in 1927, 151 and in 1928, 141. It rose to 175 in 1934, then gradually receded to 117 in 1942. Since then it has been on a gradual increase (people are again
46
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
having families ) and the enrollment is comparable to the increase in population.
Educational Funds
Certain trust funds have been willed to the Town of Berlin, the income of which may be used for literary or school purposes. The Joseph Priest Fund of $520.00 was given in 1817. The Nancy Young Fund of $1,500.00 was made available in 1859. By the will of Moses Reed Tyler, dated March 18, 1937, a fund was created to furnish financial assistance to worthy scholars of the Berlin Public Schools who desired to continue their studies in some higher institution of learning. The applicant was to be approved by the School Committee. The Fund, which amounted to $20,- 106.76, became available for use in 1943.
Support of Schools
There has been a continual rise in the cost of schooling. This expense increase is due to an increase in the number of days that school kept, an increase in the number of teachers, and the general rise in wages, annuities, and the cost of materials. Fur- thermore, there are additional facilities such as transportation, health program, and libraries. Herewith is an account of the general rise in the cost of the support of public schools in the Town of Berlin.
SUPPORT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Year
Account
Year
Account
1836
$
400.00
1920
$ 6,526.73
1850
377.58
1930
17,602.02
1855
576.86
1940
18,360.00
1860
839.78
1945
20,600.00
1870
1,189.00
1950
36,260.00
1880
1,416.80
1951
42,020.33
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SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
1890
1,547.27
1952
47,542.00
1900
1,984.10
1953
53,226.81
1910
3,751.36
1954
61,400.00
Auxiliary Agencies to Education
The School Physician and School Nurse have become necessary units of the school system. The problem of health, both preventa- tive service and diagnostic cases, is supervised by the Nashoba Associated Board of Health, through which the Town has the services of a Community Nurse.
The Parent-Teachers Association furnishes both equipment and aid in the cafeteria for school lunches, and administers to various problems of the successful school.
The goblin-like figure of the Truant Officer has been eliminated since the fingers of transportation have been extended to the extreme sections of the Town. In case a pupil pleads absence on account of illness, a nurse is dispatched to investigate.
The problem of discipline taxed the patience of the school teacher of former days. A sample appears in the Berlin News of December 11, 1889: "When Tommy arrived home, after his first day at school, his mother asked him, 'Have you been a good boy today? Did you break any of the rules?' Whereupon Tommy re- plied, 'No'm, I was a good boy. But the teacher broke a rule on little Harry Fletcher and another on me.'"
Nine ladies voted for members of the School Committee at the Town Election of March, 1890, for the first time. The Berlin News carried the following dialogue:
Johnnie "Look Papa! at the ladies coming in. What do they want in here?"
Papa "They are coming to vote for the School Committee."
Johnnie "Why do they want to vote for School Committee?"
Papa "Well, my son, since it is assumed that they have children in school, they should have a voice in who is placed in authority over them."
Johnnie "But papa !- Not one of those seven ladies have children. Why should they vote?"
Papa "I can't say. That is one of those unexplainable mysteries."
48
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
List of Teachers since 1895
NORTH SCHOOL Grades 1-6
Helen M. Otterson
1894-Jan. 1895
Florence E. Pratt
Jan. 1895
Miss Etta Mann
1896
L. Ada Berry
1897-1899
M. Jennie Mason
1899-1900
North School closed June 1900 to Jan. 4, 1904.
Mabel G. Fillmore 1904-1905
Maude A. Barter 1905-1913
Marion Barter
1913-1917
Flora E. Small
1917-1918
North School closed June 1918 to Sept. 1923
Grades 4-6
Hattie B. Woodward 1923-1937
North School closed June 1937 (Teacher and Pupils transferred to West School).
EAST SCHOOL Grades 1-6
M. Etta Otis
1894
Marion L. Mann
1895-1897
Alice J. Kennedy
1897-1898
Edna Z. Guertin 1898-1901
East School closed June 1901-Sept. 1902. (Teacher transferred to Center School).
Edna Z. Guertin
1902-1936 (Retired-38 years Berlin Teacher)
Ruth Douglas
1936-1941
Dorothy A. Henderson
1941-1942
Josephine Loughrey
1942-1943
East School was closed June of 1943 and pupils were
distributed, by grades, to the South, West and Center Buildings.
WEST SCHOOL
Grades 1-6
E. Hope Rice
1893
Lilla B. Newsome
1894-1895
Nellie M. Fewkes
1895-Nov. 1895
M. McKie
Nov. 1895-1896
Emma A. Flagg
1896-Jan. 1897
Edith A. Walker
1897-1898
Marion Newell
1898
Lila B. McPherson
1899
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
49
Alice B. Humphrey
1899-1901
Emma A. Hartwell
1901-1911
Mary R. Gallagher
1911-1912
Nellie R. Kelleher
1912-1916
Mary McDermott
1916-1918
Flora E. Small
1918-1919
Grace Ward
1919-1921
Pearl Booth
1921-1922
Mabel F. Marble
1922-1923
Louise Busby
1923-1926
Gladys Campbell
1926-Nov. 1929
Vera Hooper
Nov. 1929-1932
Doris Campbell
1932-1933
Marie Maddocks
1933-1937
Hattie B. Woodward
1937-1951
Teacher and pupils were transferred to the new "Memorial School" on March 9, 1951.
SOUTH SCHOOL
Grades 1-9
Etta M. Livingston
1893, 1894
Jennie E. Morse
1894-1897
E. Hope Rice
1897, 1898
Emily G. McDougall
1898-1900
Frances E. Rice
1899-1900
Clara D. Rollins
1901
Leonora F. Howe
Nov. 1901
Edith O. Edmonds
1902
Gertrude M. Hart
1903 (2 mos.)
Edith M. Daniels
1903 (4 mos.)
Eunice Caldwell
1903-1904
Principal
Assistant
Florence E. Corey 1904
Hattie F. Haskell 1904
Marry E. Richardson 1905
Hazel I. Sawyer 1905
Ethel M. Jones 1906-1909
Hattie B. Jones 1907-1909
Elizabeth B. McLean 1909-1910
Inez M. Bailey
1910
Grades 1-6
Hattie B. Jones
1911-1915
Hope B. Jones
1915-1926
Dorothy Littlefield
1926-1927
Marjorie I. Smith
1930, 1931
Marion (Warwick) Bufkin
1931-1936
Helen Chamberlain
1936-1938
Hazel R. Heath
1938-1939
Florence A. Wheeler
1940-1942
Anastasia Stathos
1942-1943
50
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Josephine Loughrey 1943-1945-Grades 3-6
Flora E. Smith 1945-1951-Grades 3 & 4 Norma Plummer 1948-1951-Grade 4 Teachers and pupils were transferred to the new "Me- morial School" on March 9, 1951.
CENTER SCHOOL
Abbie L. Ring 1893
Adelaide C. Parmenter
1894
M. Etta Otis
1895
Etta M. Livingston
1895
Lilla B. McPherson
1896-1898
E. Hope Rice 1898-1900
Grades 7-9 (Principal)
E. Hope Rice 1900
Adelaide C. Parmenter 1901-1904
Lucy E. Allen 1904-1905
Eula P. Goodale
1905
Ivy E. Towne
1906
Mary A. McIntyre 1907
Cherrie R. Anthony 1908-1913
Marguerite Davis 1913
(Marion C. Copeland 1913-1921) 33
(Marion C. Fromant 1921-1946) yrs.
Grade 7 in Partition Room
Mary E. Morse 1924-1925
Bessie Berry 1925-1926
Grades 7 & 8 by Principal
Raymond A. Plotczyk 1946-1950
Grades 1-6 (Assistant)
Edna Z. Guertin
1900-1901
Eva L. Simmons
1901
Josephine C. Stebbins 1901
Mary W. Emmons
1902
Mabel G. Fillmore
1903
Harriet W. Sawyer
1904-1907
Gertrude Felton
1907
Marjorie L. Sawyer
1907-1913
Sophia Gelinas
1913-1918
Alma Carbrey
1918
Flora S. Smith
1919
Josephine Cramer
1920
Blanche Merchant
1921
Grades 1-3
Rose Caton
1922-1924
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
51
Gladys Forbush
1924-1926
Mary E. Brady 1926-1932
Margaret Moir
1932-1944
Ethel Henaire
1945-1949
Wilma W. Skinner
1947-1949-Grade 2
BERLIN MEMORIAL SCHOOL
Grade I
Barbara H. Krackhardt
1950
Anne G. Welch
1951
Ruth M. Bouchard
1952
Barbara H. Krackhardt
1953)2 classes
Dorice M. (Somerville) Bowman
1953 (to 1956
Mary E. Conway
1956 to date
Grade II
Wilma W. Skinner
1950 to 1956
Eloise P. Seifert
1954 (2 classes this yr.)
Edythe Arthur
1957
Grade III
Flora E. Smith 1950 to date
Corinne Sullivan 1955 (2 classes this yr.)
Grade IV Norma Plummer (Grs. 4 & 5)
1950-1951
Mary F. Casey
1952-1953
Janet Field
1954-1955
Mary J. McCarthy
1956
Judith Page
1957
Grade V
Hattie B. Woodward
1950 to date
Grade VI
C. L. John Legere
1951-1952
Salvatore Lipomi 1953
John N. Gibbons
1954 to date
Grade VII
Raymond A. Plotczyk
1950-1958
Mary P. Mitchell
1951-1952
Raymond DiMuzio
1953 to date
Grade VIII
Raymond A. Plotczyk 1950-1958
Warren W. Hayden
1959
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
F. R. Glazier 1913-1914; 1918-1920
H. R. C. Cobleigh
1915-1917
Everett H. Tomb
1926
M. P. Stanley 1927-1943
Harry Poras
1944 to date
52
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
Special Supervisors
Art:
Marguerite E. Peaslee
1923 to 1956
Jean A. Mackinnon
1956 to 1958
Mrs. Alexandria Bowen
1958 to date
Music:
Carrie Hoxie
1927 to 1934
Florence Strickland
1935
Barbara Goward
1936 to 1940
Esther Seaverns
1940 to 1941
Elvira (Forti) Sammis
1942 to 1944
Elsbeth Ohlson
1945 to 1947
Barbara Bennett
1948
Mary E. Keenan
1949 to 1952
Mary M. Avedikian
1953 to 1955
Hubert H. Bower
1956 to 1959
Instrumental Music:
Warren S. Freeman
1954 to 1958
James G. Scott, Jr.
1958 to date
Handwriting:
William L. Rinehart
1934 to date
Physical Education:
John P. Clark
1949 to 1954
Edith S. Lawson (Asst.)
1951
Florence R. Kinerson (Asst.)
1952
Grace Marchant
1955
Richard J. Walsh
1955 to date
Lois Johnson
1956 to 1959
Other Educational Ventures
In 1804 the town of Berlin voted and granted the sum of $30.00 for a singing school, the classes to be held in the Town Hall under the auspices of a (paid) Music Teacher. This appropria- tion was repeated in 1809, and in 1819 it was raised to $40.00. Then in 1823 the amount was $50.00, with the proviso that a committee of three be appointed "to lay out the money."
Valuable talent was developed through these classes for the Church choir and social gatherings. In his reminiscent remarks before the 150th Anniversary of the First Church in Berlin (1929), the Rev. A. S. Durston said: "You had such remarkable musical talent as Charles M. Sawyer, Warren I. Stetson, and that prima donna Lucy Howe, to charm the people with their wonder- ful melodies. We raised funds and built a bandstand on the Church common. We had a band of twelve pieces, each one an
53
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
artist on his instrument, like Charles Cartwright, master of the violin."
From the Berlin News-"The Berlin Brass Band met for the first time on Friday evening, June 11, 1890, with Fred H. Cart- wright as director. This band filled many engagements in other towns. On one occasion, in the stormy month of February, the group of musicians had been gathered up by a pung and were enroute for Hudson, when it was discovered that one of them had forgotten his instrument. So, what could they do about it? They un-hitched one of the horses, and the oblivious one rode back home and secured his instrument while the others waited in a huddle."
In addition to the singing school, the sum of $50.00 was granted for a reading and writing school in 1889. This was probably the first select school in the town. It was personally conducted by Rev. H. H. Osgood in the "Bullard House." The Berlin News relates that the "class gave an entertainment (last Tuesday evening) which was very interesting and highly enjoyed by a good audience."
Berlin Acadamy
A history of the educational institutions of Berlin would not be adequate without the mentioning of that notable Berlin Academy. In 1832-33 Mr. Josiah Bride was requested by parents whose children had been under him in the South District to open a private school. This he did in one room of Madame Puffer's house, on the condition that each pupil bring a chair and table for his use. The school grew so that in 1835 the town voted "to let Josiah Bride have the Town House to keep school in." The number of pupils continued to increase so that, in 1843, Mr. Bride bought the Evangelical Church building, on Linden Street, and refitted it for school purposes. This became the "Berlin Academy." In connection with this, he remodeled a house on Central Street (opposite the Common) for the Academical Boarding School. This building was later used for a hotel, and burned in 1888. The Unitarian Parsonage was built upon the site.
The Academy continued successfully until 1857. It was the
54
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
pride of the townspeople, and attracted students from cultured families of the neighboring towns, and the cities of Boston and Worcester. Students from nearly every state in the Union and Cuba were listed on their roll, and it ranked high with the many co-educational schools of New England.
Both the academy and the boarding school were conducted on a puritanical basis. "It is expected that all members of the School will conduct themselves to promote the general happiness of the School. Profane language is strictly prohibited. Smoking is not allowed. No person who is addicted to the use of intoxicating drinks, can remain in this school. Boisterous conversation, whis- tling, etc., are not allowed in boardinghouse or academy. Playing of ball is encouraged, but cards . .. are strictly prohibited. Students are not permitted to go abroad on the Sabbath, but are expected to attend church. No student is expected to leave town, or go abroad to make calls or visits, without leave of absence."
"No student is expected to visit the room of another during study hours, nor is the visitation of a boy and girl in the same room permitted at any time." Here is where mother nature tried to put one over on Prof. Bride, but did not succeed. It seems that there was a lad and lass who were very fond of each other's company, so that they would arrange to meet in his room to help each other in their "home work." It was the custom of Mr. Bride to make the rounds of the rooms each evening to see that the students were accomplishing their work "OK" or to give as- sistance where needed. So when they heard him approaching this particular room, the lady concealed herself in a near closet. The professor spent an hour or so in assisting the lad with his problems-then looking at his watch he said, "My! It's getting late, I must go." And, stepping to the closet, he said, "Miss -- it is time for you to go to your room."
The Berlin Lyceum
The Berlin Lyceum may well be counted among the former educational institutions of the Town. On Tuesday of November 22, 1831, the following notice was posted (probably at Howe's Tavern) in Berlin, which read:
55
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Persons desirous of forming a Lyceum are requested to meet at the Town House in Berlin, on Monday the 28th instant at 6 o'clock P.M. for the purpose of organizing and making the necessary choice of officers.
The Berlin Lyceum was organized on the appointed date; of- ficers were chosen and a constitution drawn up. Thirty-seven men signed this Constitution within the first year and paid their fee of twenty-five cents. The Constitution states that the "objects of the Lyceum are the improvement of its members in useful knowledge, the advancement of education in the Community," and that "they will hold meetings for readings, discussions, dis- sertations, and other exercises which shall be thought expedient."
They planned to have a lecture or address by some capable speaker, a reading or paper, and a debate at each of the meet- ings. It is very interesting to note the subjects of their lectures and debates. Many social and civic questions were debated relat- ing to the Indians, Slavery, Temperance, and questions of both national and international interest. One question that evoked a great deal of interest was that of "Women's Rights." They de- bated the proposition "Are females capable of as high a degree of mental improvement as males?" and "Is a polite education conducive to Female Happiness?" These debates were always decided in the negative until Josiah Bride, the principal of the Berlin (co-ed) Academy, became a member.
Men only were eligible to membership. But at their meeting of December 15, 1837, they voted to invite the Ladies to send in written communications, at the future meetings of the Lyceum, on the questions under discussion. It was not strange that the debate at the next meeting was on "Ought females to be admitted to citizenship?" But annually the question was decided in the negative.
In order to assist the members in securing data for their debates, discussions, and lectures, they established a library, with a librarian, and set of by-laws. The records show that this Ly- ceum closed on December 28, 1841. Some of the prominent members of this group were the ministers of this period, Josiah Bride, Dr. J. L. G. Thompson, Amory Carter, Dexter Fay, Daniel Holder, O. B. Sawyer, W. B. Sawyer, Phiny B. Southwick, William
56
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BERLIN
A. Howe, and Oliver Fosgate. So, we see where some of these men got their "fire" for oratory.
The above-named Lyceum was succeeded by The South Berlin Lyceum. This group carried on between the years of 1853 and 1878, and filled a gap in the social and literary institutions of this period. Their meetings were held in the South School, and their program was similar to that of the Berlin Lyceum. But by this time the men had been convinced that the women had some in- telligence, and a male member states that "The part taken by the ladies of the town is worthy of special mention. The teachers of the several schools frequently took an important part in the exercises."
Some of the prominent members of this group were Rev. W. A. Houghton, E. C. Shattuck, Solomon Jones, Nathaniel Wheeler, Lyman Morse, Amasa A. Whitcomb, and William Bassett.
A third Lyceum was instituted at the North Schoolhouse, after the Center Lyceum had abandoned. It is reported to have been profitable and instructive to the north enders, and was aided by talent from Fryville and elsewhere.
The Shakespeare Club
On December 27, 1877, the teachers and School Committee with several others, by invitation of Miss Fiske (then teacher in the High School), met and organized the Shakespeare Club. The meetings for the first year were held in the old Town House. After that they assembled at the homes of the various members. During the seventeen years of the Club's existence, it held the interest in the popular classics. For the first two years the time was devoted to the immortal Shakespeare. Much time was given to the study of the life and writings of the trio-Longfellow, Whittier, and Holmes; and to the Concord celebrities-Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau; and many more of the standard American and English authors were analyzed and criticized.
They broadened their field of research to include not only literature, but art, history, and science. Associated with their activities were the annual trips to points of interest, and their social gatherings. Prominent members of the club were E. C.
57
SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION
Shattuck, Miss Mary Bassett, Mr. and Mrs. Addison Keyes, P. B. Southwick, Miss Jennie Morse, and Miss Mary Holder.
A similar type of research and enlightenment is conducted to- day (probably not so persistent and periodic, but just as practi- cal) by the Berlin Tuesday Club and the Berlin Art and His- torical Society.
An eight-week course in a School of Arts and Crafts was in- troduced on March 1, 1954 by the Youth Council. The meetings were held in the Memorial School. The course was open to youths of high school age and over. Instruction was given in the following skills: Plane and Ship Model Building, Archery and Rifle Range Practice, Marionettes and Dramatics, Art, Leather- craft, and Photography.
Lyman School for Boys
In 1895 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts purchased of Edward Flagg a farm of 100.5 acres, with buildings thereon, on which the Berlin Branch of the Lyman School for Boys was established. This property is bounded by Lyman Road and Linden Street. The large two-and-a-half story frame building facing on Lyman Road was used for the school and dormitories. The building was built by George Abraham Babcock about 1859. A large, commodious barn, garage, and woodsheds were located in close proximity to the dormitory. According to the Assessors' report of 1942, the farm contained 114 acres.
This institution is under the supervision of the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare for delinquent boys between the ages of seven and fifteen. The Lyman School for Boys is located in Westboro, but the branch in Berlin was established to take care of the boys from seven to twelve years of age, in order to segregate them from the older delinquents. The number of boys varied from seventeen to thirty-six. The State plan was that they should be instructed in piety and morality and in the branches of useful knowledge; but much was added to their instruction by the personality of a teacher like Mrs. Sarah H. Dudley, who added nature study, and an alert personal interest.
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