Randolph town reports 1852-1874, Part 44

Author:
Publication date: 1852
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 1302

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when we consider that it is a mixed school, There was also some feeling about the school, and difference of opinion and it was afflicted with absences and tardi- nesses, all of which tended to discourage those connect -. ed with it. But much of this has passed, and the school has done all that was expected of it and more. The. committee hope that this year's appropriation will enable. them to divide the school, and sustain such schools as, ought to be provided in those Districts where some schol ;. ars attend only portion of the year.

DIST. NO. 4. INTERMEDIATE. Miss H. R. Austin.

Number Spring, term, 35; average attendance 31. Fall term, 34, av. att. 20. Winter, 40, av. att. 33.

The Committee find in this school an exception to the general statement that the schools in the outlying dis- tricts are not usually as far advanced as those of the same grade at the centres of population. The scholars., here, with some exceptions understand, themselves quite. well in the studies pursued, and they show in some .. branches that they have been taught to think for them -. selves ; in others we find the same vain repetitions from, the book with which all the schools nearly, are afflicted. At the end of the Fall term the teacher resigned, but we were glad to retain her services to the close of the. year.

The Committee would suggest that this school-house. needs repairs, inside as well as out. The plastering in both the rooms is very much cracked and loosened, we are informed by moving the building. We think, too,_ there should be some better accommodations for fuel provided.

PRIMARY. Miss J. B. White ..

Number Spring. term, 47; average attendance 41. Fall term, 48, av. att. 37. Winter, 45, av. att. 38.

This school, at the end of the Fall term, exchanged teachers. 'It made no advance for some time previous,. the former teacher having been absent, through sickness, several times during her last term. The , scholars ,

soon caught the spirit of irregularity whether sitting or standing in the 100m, or addressing the teacher, as also in attendance. The present teacher has had but little experience, but the school already shows some favorable results from her energy.

DIST. NO. 5. UNGRADED, Miss Alice Smith.

Number Spring term, 43; average attendance 35. Summer term, 38, av. att. 31. Winter 33, av. att. 29.

This school has had during the year a change of teachers, but, excepting the time spent by the scholars. in learning the new teacher's ways and discipline, and in overcoming their existing habits, has lost nothing by the change. In the early part of the year there was an en- tire want of order and decorum in the room as well as in recitations. The scholars stood listlessly, spoke in- distinctly, and acted as if they were there only because they were sent there. This term the Committee are glad to see, and to say that they see much improvement in all respects ; also to notice that the teacher finds very much more to, be done, and exhibits the determination that it shall be done, and that the scholars shall know, the purpose and use, and the connection of their school life with their after life.

DIST. NO. 6. INTERMEDIATE. Miss S. A. Bass.

Number Spring term, 48 ; average attendance, 40, Fall term, 35, av. att. 25. Winter, 41, av. att. 26.

This school is and has always been, so far as the knowledge of the Committee extends, far behind what is desired for it. It labors under the disadvantage com- mon to the schools in the out-lying districts, such as frequent tardinesses and absences, and having enrolled on its register many scholars who are kept out to work, either some days in the month or a part of each year ; these last having no ambition or expectation of doing- more than to learn to read, write and cipher a little. Of course the classification and advancement of such a school is difficult. The scholar attending part of the year finds himself far away from his mate who is con -.

stant during the three terms, but he cannot enter the next lower class for that is not yet up either in age or capacity to study, or acquirements. Then the teacher must give him more than his proportion of attention, and the school then suffers, or his winter is lost to him, and he much discouraged. The Committee think too that this school has suffered from the course pursued by the teacher. of " showing the scholars," as it is styled. This has arisen from the great difference of age and qualification; but we. think there is no distinction between scholars receiving from the teacher or from a book. Either may be a guide to, but not a, source of knowledge.

PRIMARY. Miss H. S. Dunbar.

Number Spring term, 67; average. attendance, 55. Fall term, 67, av. att. 57. Winter, 62; av. att. 49.

This school has continued with the, same teacher, and has advanced as well and as fast as the school can under the system pursued in this as in all the Primary Schools. The attendance is better and more constant than in the upper school, the scholars not being of an age to be put to work. The discipline is good and well conducted. But the Committee, find in this no excep- tion to the rule of giving each scholar the daily quanti- ty of material instead of teaching the scholars how to think. Both these schools, however, the Committee be- lieve have made much improvement during the year.

DIST. NO: 7. UNGRADED. Miss Ann Lois White.

Number Spring term, 42; average attendance, 35. Fall term, 60, av. att. 49. Winter, 49, ay. att. 38.

During the Winter term of last year this school was under the charge of a master who changed it, in all re- spects, very much for the better. In the Spring its present teacher was employed, and the school has fol- łowed the track in which it was started. Its attendance has been quite good and there has been much work, done by both teacher and scholars, but we have here 7

the results witnessed in all ungraded schools and re- ferred to elsewhere. Here also we find there has been no end of the misuse of books.

DIST. NO. 8. GRAMMAR. Thomas H. West.

Number Spring term, -; average attendance Fall term, 36, av. att. 30. Winter, 39, av. att. 32. . During the Spring term this school was under the, care of a gentleman who was procured at first for, but. four weeks, to enable the Committee to secure. another well known teacher with whom they de- sired and expected to make a permanent engage- ment; but failing, they were obliged to continue the school, though well aware that the term was of value only as it kept the scholars together in the school-room. The present teacher was employed at the beginning of the Fall term, and, since his taking, charge, a new spirit has animated the whole school. For a long time previous the pupils had passed over much of the course of studies, giving only that cursory attention which results in a gen- eral and superficial idea of everything and which is so fatal to all good scholarship. To correct this, without putting all the classes back and thus dampening all in- terest and ardor, and have the scholars well informed. upon the principles they had thus passed over, was a severe but delicate labor, but it has been well done; and after much time spent upon what should have been at first properly done, this school has fairly started upon a practical and thorough course of study, one which has reference to the fact that many scholars have no advan- tages of school beyond those given in this and the other grammar schools, as well as to the fact that the Gram- mar Schools are preparatory for the High Schools.

1st INTERMEDIATE. Miss Sarah Shankland.

Nunber Spring term, 47; average attendance, 43. Summer term, 40, av. att. 36. Winter, 35, av. att. 30. Of the method of teaching used in this school the « Committee can give, in this limited Report, no adequate

i idea. - They have to say that it is a marked exception to the course followed in all the other schools, both as to study and discipline. But while the Committee find very many excellencies, they must add that they do not think that the conduct of the school could be profitably followed in schools generally. Here, however, as in no other, do we find originality 'and vigor of thought and thoroughness of knowledge. We remember to have heard it remarked of this school that it seemed like a town meeting of teachers, and the teacher herself like a moderator among them, and we think this a true and happy illustration. Each scholar asks as many ques- tions as he pleases about what is before the class, not of the teacher, but of the scholar who is reciting, and has 'and exercises the right to give to any other class- mate an original example for performance. The result is that 'each scholar not only understands the principles passed over, but is able to handle and apply them prac- tically, and care's very little whether any or what book is used. We have sometimes thought that courtesy and propriety were disregarded and forgotten in the earnest- ness of the scholar and that confusion arose too easily ; but taking all the results into view we have no hesita- tion in recommending that the town make this teacher a life member of its school system.

2d INTERMEDI 3 SIATE.

Miss Hannah Thayer.

-- Number Spring term, -; average attendance, -: Fall term, -, av. att. -. Winter, -, av. att. -.

In this room we find the same teacher and scholars; very nearly, with which the year began. We find also here a very good attendance and should expect much to have been done; and, as has been remarked of other schools, as much has been accomplished as can be by the plan of memorizing. In this respect, however, we think we find some change, but not a full cutting loose from the old system in which the scholars expect to read just so much and so many times per day, to spell so many words and to recite so many answers to so many questions. Now the Committee think that, when the

school is well classified, if the teacher knows the subject of the lesson and appear's before the class with it well in hand, all the class will be exercised to have ready answers to the teacher's original questions, though but one utters such answers. If each scholar expects to be the next called up and has leave to put any proper question of his own and is called upon to frame exam- ples illustrative of the subject, we think that all will be equally benefited in capacity to study and think.

3d INTERMEDIATE. Miss S. M. Tileston.

Spring term, number of scholars, 58 ; average attend- ance, 45. Fall term, 58, av: att. 50. Winter, 54, av: att. 44.

This school had at the end of the Spring term ,a change of teachers, and as the Committee think a single term a short time for a teacher to learn the habits and dispositions of her pupils and for the scholars to learn the new teacher's method, we do not look for a full year's advancement. In this school, as in most others; we find many excellences and some faults, but we have to notice the method pursued with spelling, and, for the' grade of school, the' general information respecting emi- nent persons and events of the present and past. In geography, however, we find the system of memorizing followed. If this teacher would go on with all the studies as she has begun in some, look at the end to be attained, and then adopt some plan of her own to secure it, she would gain the success she desires.

1st PRIMARY. Miss Flora Belcher. Whole number, 55 ; average attendance, 41.

2d PRIMARY. Miss L. S. Bean. Whole number, 63; av. att. 55.

3d PRIMARY. Miss E. P. Ryan. Whole number,'

77; av. att. 63. 4th PRIMARY. Miss E. Vedzie. Wholé number, 82 ; av. att. 59.

From these schools the people or Committee ought to' expect but very little progress, if any consideration is given to the accommodations for the numbers found

here. At the town meeting the Committee were in- structed to provide for these schools. They were unable to find any other rooms, and there have been in almost daily attendance from 200 to 280 in this building. The Committee divided the two rooms into four, at a cost for lumber, doors, labor, &c., of about $75, and placed as many seats in each as possible, leaving only space to pass between. All these were filled and many little fellows were sitting upon the floor around the rooms. Of course a single inch board partition was but little obstruction to sound and the exercises of the different schools could be heard at one and the same time, to the confounding of all. In addition to this, the rooms can- not be ventilated. When the pupils are out of the rooms they are in the very street. and have not outside conveniences necessary for comfort. We fully agree with one parent, resident in the District, who said he preferred his child's health to the advantages of the best school; and he thought this huddling together of so many children in such a place second only to the rebel pris- on at Andersonville. The teachers have labored faith- fully to overcome the difficulties, in the usual way of conducting Primary Schools, and have had the usual ex- ercises, but the best method of teaching would produce but half success under such difficulties. In conclusion the Committee are compelled to say that they think it absolutely necessary to provide improved accommoda- tions for these Schools for the coming year.

DIST: NO. 9. GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Number Summer term, 47; average attendance, 41. Fall term, 40, av. att. 38. Winter, 37, av. att. 34.

In the early part of the year, in this school, the Com- mittee attempted to practice economy, and employed a lady teacher at a less salary than had been paid to a gentleman, but it proved to be a false economy, and they procured another gentleman. The Committee are also somewhat influenced by the growing opinion that ladies' are the best teachers, but from their experience have decided that the teaching and discipline of a gentleman's mind gives much more strength and vigor of scholar-"

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ship in our schools of the higher grades, and especially in this, which, while it has the elements and material for the best grammar school in town, if well directed, would, if not kept in discipline and busily and earnestly at work, be an eminent illustration of the poet's assertion "facilis descensus averni," which being liberally transla- ted would read, the road to perdition is short and all the way down hill. The scholars in this school are fortu- hate in outside circumstances, being surrounded with all the aids to general information of the present day, and having no call to be out of school to labor, they can at- - tend constantly, and when'out of school have much time for recreation. Hence we find them wide awake and ready to respect any authority that can command re- spect, and to work, and if not well set to work and in- terested, as ready to make å farce of the whole attempt. The Committee are glad to be able to add that under their present teacher, the school has lost many of its ob- jectionable habits and has exchanged its generalities for a quite thorough understanding of the studies pursued. The scholars have gained much in ability to reason and separate what they know from what they do not know. They have 'however much to do in both discipline and study, but we have no fear as to the result.

INTERMEDIATE.

Miss F. Vining.

Number Spring term, 41; average attendance, 38: Fall term, 41, av. att. 39. Winter, 40, av. att. 38.

To the people living in the immediate vicinity, this school is well known, and the Committee have for this reason visited it to study its value for the benefit of the other schools. The scholars all catch the enthusiasm of the teacher and show a ready acquaintance with the books passed over. The general order of the room is 'excellent ; discipline sits upon the scholars easily, is yielded to pleasantly, and there is the happiest feeling between the teacher and scholars, But even here, with so many excellencies, we find the blight of an indiscrimi- nate use of the text books. When one step is taken out of the travelled path written upon the page, the

scholar. loses his eager look of intelligence, and turns. his eye to his teacher, having written upon his face " I have not been over that" so plainly that any one can, read it. This school only needs to have its teacher stand before it ready to conduct every lesson from her. own resources and, without the book, to take a very high stand among our schools.

PRIMARY. Miss Mary H: French.

Number Spring term, 68; average attendance, 61. Fall term, 61, av. att. 57. Winter, 58, av. att. 48.

What has been said about the Intermediate, applies entirely to this school. The teacher has wearied her -. self with constant labor, and the friends of the school and the Committee, appreciate her earnestness and en- deavors. They only wish she would use for the school; her own ideas instead of having it absorb, each day such a quantity of printed matter.

DIST. NO. 10. GRAMMAR. . Mr. Wales B. Thayer.

Number Spring term, 60; average attendance, 51. Fall term, 47, av. att. 39. Winter, 54, av. att. 46.

This school is now at the end of its second year, and. has had during that time three teachers, the first one of whom resigned. In its beginning it received from sev- eral different quarters its scholars, some of whom were. much further and better advanced than others. To as- similate and classify these so as to ensure the success of the formation of this grammar school was a labor for a teacher of tact and energy, and the Committee for this. reason assumed the risk of procuring a new teacher. At the beginning of this year one of our own number. accepted the position and a rapid and radical change has been effected, which it is but right to add, is the result of its teacher's own labor and ideas, and not of - any combined official suggestions. But we believe that the scholars in this school are generally in the true. way. They are taught and required to think for them- selves upon any subject, and to give their own senti-

ments and conclusions in their own lenguage. To aid the scholars in reaching these, and to correct them, is the, object of recitations, which are conducted by examples. known by the scholars to be a part of every day life. The pupils often seem to hesitate, but a glance show's. that it is for thought; and they sometimes make an- swer that they do not know, an answer we think much preferable to a guess, especially if accompanied by a hurried placing of the hand upon the lips. The Com- mittee suggest that there are seemingly too many sub- jects talked about, and that there is too much hurry to get ahead, to secure a quiet demeanor and self posses- sion which give a charm to any school-room.

PRIMARY.

Miss I. Arnold.

Number Spring term, 80; average attendance, 72. Fall term, 91, av. att. 73. Winter, 77, av. att. 54. ?

This school has a reputation wider than our town, and the Committee after several visits can but confirm the popular opinion, referring now to its appareut suc- cess. What is its secret the Committee have tried to learn, and have inquired of the teacher concerning her experience and plan, and they believe the school to be the result of fighting it out on any line, when it is once determined to be a proper one : whether it be the com- mitting of a lesson, or the observance of some rule of discipline. Hence. we find what has been done, thor- oughly and well done .; and the whole school, though large, moves as perfectly and precisely as any other well drilled corps. In short we think it a success as far as the plan of teaching adopted can succeed. In order it is pre-eminent, especially when we remember the large number of scholars. All are prompt and ready and the air of the room bespeaks business. But while the Com- mittee think well of this they feel quite sure that there is something beyond, which the scholars have not. Here too we find the most readiness when the questions follow the printed page. In case of a failure to make immediate answer, one can but observe the feverish haste to begin again and repeat the exact answers given *:

in the book. This is due in part to the rivalry for place, but we think too it shows only the faculty upon which the scholar relies. Now the Committee believe that precision of language, when noticeable in children of this age, is proof positive of its being another's, and that it is of less value for children than the thought which it clothes; nor is the success of this school any argument against the other plan of education, the constant draw- ing out, widening and strengthening the pupil's ability to think for himself, and in his own way ; for were this teacher, with all her ability to discipline and carry for- ward a school, to adopt the last system, we believe she would add the only element wanting to make her school the model school indeed.

At the beginning of the Fall term, the number of scholars in this school was so large, ninety-one, that the Committee were obliged to employ an assistant, as re- quired by Statute to do, when the average attendance of a school is fifty scholars. The Committee suggest how- ever that they are not in favor of having assistants, since the cost for the teacher is the same as when having the entire charge of the pupils ; and then there is no divided responsibility.

HIGH SCHOOL. Mr. F .. W. Lewis.

Whole number for year, 30; average attendance 23. Spring term, 30; av, att. 27. Summer, 25; av. att. 21. Winter, 21; av. att. 19.

During the Spring term, this school was under the charge of Mr. W. R. Hood. That gentleman had pre- sided as teacher just time enough to begin to know the characteristics and qualities of his students when he left. The school, as must be true in any change of teachers, felt the new hand, and of course did not make the same progress it would have made could he have remained. We find the same scholars in this school at the close of this year, with two or three exceptions, that were mem- bers at the time of the last Report. They have labored together for a long time, have had many sharp contests

of thought and study under able directors, have become veterans, and have consequently acquired a self posses- sion and consciousness of strength in approaching any subject that brings with it success. The Committee wish especially to commend the example and good judgment of the young ladies and gentlemen in this school, in con- tinuing their course of study, where age has given them maturity of intellect, and where they have learned how to study profitably. The school has been under the dis- advantage of not having and following a prescribed symmetric course of studies which should have reference to the wants of those who are and will be its members and patrons. Such a course has been' partially and will be fully laid out as soon as practicable. To ensure a profitable use of the apparatus now belonging to this school, there should be some addition each year of in- struments, maps, charts, &c. " This school shows the ad- mirable results of almost constant attendance. During the Fall and Winter terms it has been under the charge. of Mr. F. W. Lewis and it has 'again taken its steady and onward step.

STETSON HIGH SCHOOL.

This school has continued under the charge of its former teacher, who is too well known and appreciated to need our commendation here. The Committee re- spectfully suggest that the art of Reading might perhaps occupy a larger place than has heretofore been given it., Considering the well known character of the School and the advantages received, it is recommended that the town should renew its usual appropriation.

PRIVATE SCHOOL, Miss Annie White.

Whole number 24. This school has been taught by. Miss White, three terms in the year. "It has in use the 2d, 3d and 4th Readers, Geography, Grammar, and, Primary and Intellectual Arithmetics. Of the scholars. two are under the age of five years. They seem to ap-

preciate the bright, cheerful room, and to enjoy the les- sons which are familiarly given.

W. E. JEWELL, ADONIRAM WHITE, School Committee.

Superintending

WALES B. THAYER.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

NORFOLK SS .- To Thomas E. Wortman, or either of the Con- stables of the town of Randolph, GREETING :

You are hereby directed and required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said town of Randolph qualified, to vote in town affairs, to meet in Stetson Hall, in said town, on Monday, the eleventh day of March, next. at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then. and there to act on the following articles, viz :

First .- To choose a Moderator.

Second .- To choose all necessary Town Officers, also a Trus- tee of the "Stetson High School Fund."

Third .- To raise such a sum of money as may be thought re- quisite for the support of Schools, and appropriate the same. Fourth .- To raise such a sum of money as may be thought proper for the repairs of and furniture for School Houses.

Fifth .- To raise such sums of money as may be deemed neces- sary for the repairs of Highways the ensuing year, and direct how the same shall be expended.

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Randolph town reports 1852-1874, Part 44

Author: Publication date: 1852 Publisher: Town of Randolph Number of Pages: 1302

Author:
Publication date: 1852
Publisher: Town of Randolph
Number of Pages: 1302