USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1875-1890 > Part 5
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37
Number of years, with the responsibilities of one profes- sion, has not at all induced remissness in the performance of duty, as is so apt to be the case with all classes, in the different avocations of life: The attendance of many of the children has been very intermittent, which, added to the fact that the number has been smaller, and not quite so well matured, the whole as a school will hardly bear the close scrutiny it otherwise might. Indeed, the tendency is somewhat similar to that of ordinary years getting ahead of the sun, which renders it necessary to throw in an extra day once in a while. The children are, also, as they pass from one grade to another, getting a little ahead of time in regard to the rooms, but not in the standing of those who preceded them. The difference is hardly perceptible in the lower, but is readily detected in the upper rooms. The remedy seems to be the same as astronomers employ ; viz., to throw in an extra term occasionally. This measure would be as beneficial in the proper regulation of the school as of the year.
Mr. West is in the Grammar School, and stands in such high repute, that many think their children, by spending two years here, obtain education enough to meet all the wants of ordinary positions in life. Perhaps the most prominent feature of this school, which must be readily perceived by all who visit it, is the close attention and great diligence of both teacher and pupils. Many of our other schools would be benefited if modelled after it. For, where each scholar is kept constantly employed, many un- pleasant altercations are avoided, and the pernicious fruits of indolence unknown. Generally there are two respect- able classes, one in its first, the other in its second year. For most of the present year, nearly all the scholars in this room were members of the second class, there being only two members in the first class. This circumstance, how- ever, operated greatly to the advantage of the school, as
38
it gave the scholars the benefit of the constant and undi- vided attention of the teacher.
The next District we meet is No. 4, though not the number we naturally look for on parting No. 2. We sup- pose the reason for this is, because the ordinal arrangement of our districts was broken up, when the town was divided. It has but one building, which is quite large, capable of accommodating four schools, the number kept there up to the present time. Miss Cora F. May, teacher of the First Primary School, has just finished a second term with better success, we believe, than any one who had it previously in charge. This school does not continue uninterruptedly like the others, but comes into requisition from time to time, depending for its existence on the attendance in the next higher school, to which it serves as an outlet.
The next is Miss Antoinette T. Smith's school. Though not a graded school, it is to all intents and purposes, as well arranged, classified, and cared for, as a graded school could be ; for Miss Smith has such individual and original tact and skill for order, that she readily discovers anoma- lies, and applies appropriate remedies instinctively ; and for like reasons her school is one of the very best in town. Miss Alice A. Smith holds the next position, her school ranging to suit the particular wants of the district, from Sub-Grammar inclusive, through First and Second Inter- mediate. Like the former school we look upon it as being almost as good as a graded school. It has but three classes, and nearly all the graded schools find it necessary to have two divisions. We have not another school that will bear so severe a test as this, in regard to the regularity of attendance, and perfect acquaintance with the studies pursued. The room is not over spacious, and has, many times during the year, been tried to its utmost capacity. This is owing to the plan of the building, which gives to the upper room as much space as both the lower rooms,
39
and was, perhaps, in keeping with the wants of the times in which it was built ; but at present it does not seem the best arrangement. A small room renders it easier for the teacher to keep strict watch over the children, but is diffi- cult to keep properly heated and ventilated, while a very large room, is not without faults in the other extreme. The rooms in the Prescott building, as regards dimensions, come nearer the proper size than any we have in town.
The fourth and last school in this building is a grammar school, and has been in care of Mr. A. N. Fuller since the beginning of the Fall term. Mr. Fuller is a graduate of Harvard College, and was chosen from twenty-three applicants, who responded to our advertisement last August, and underwent an examination. He has materially im- proved the condition of the school. The only trouble seems to arise from the smallness of the number in attend- ance. Indeed, the question sometimes presents itself, what should be done, if this number should grow any less ? It is hardly prudent to keep a school at great expense for a small number of scholars, that, perhaps, might be accom- modated as well elsewhere. We will wait, however, and see how the recruits come forward, hoping they may in- crease the present number.
No. 3 is the district that imparts knowledge to the rising talent of what is known as West Corner. It has for a teacher Miss Anne M. Wilde, who also studied at Bridgewater Normal School, and is an able worker in her present position. We have not many Normal School graduates employed as teachers ; but if we can judge of all by those we know, we think, with many others, those who propose to teach would do well to attend the Normal School. Last year quite a respectable class, both in num- bers and standing, were admitted to the Grammar School, most of whom have continued under Mr. Fuller's instruc- tion, and show they had been previously well trained.
40
The building, at one time, had two schools; but, like No. 1, the second outgrew its usefulness. The building is not so good as some of the others. The lowness of the ceiling detracts much from its interior appearance. If we could in any way take in part of the other room (for both are on the same floor), it would be a great improvement. But, as no one complains, we do not purpose making any alteration for the present.
To get to the building belonging to District No. 5, we must go away down North Street. The teacher is Miss Isabelle C. Beal, who, we believe, has been employed there ever since she began to teach. She is a graduate of Stet- son High School, and seems to do her utmost to promote the best interests of the children. The children, however, do not all show so great a desire as we could wish to cor- respond, and, while they have an opportunity, to cull those flowers of thought, whose beauty never fades, and to whose fragrance, time only adds a redolence, ever dearer and sweeter. The building is well located, and one of the best we have for a single school.
Tower Hill District is No. 6. It still maintains its two schools, in spite of the changes brought about by the aboli- tion of the old district school system. Miss Emma H. King, also a graduate of Stetson High School, has taught the Primary School, which is ungraded, some years with good results.
Miss Sarah V. Wilde is teacher of the Intermediate school. She has also taught here a period of years, and given satisfaction. If there is any school in town that shows more than another what we have alluded to above, of the children's grade having a tendency to outstrip their age and acquirements, it is this. The building occupies a site well adapted for school purposes. It is in pretty fair condition, much after the architectural style of No. 1.
With a few remarks on topics of general interest, we
41
conclude our report for 1876. We cannot altogether coin- cide with those who do not see the propriety of having maps hung around the school-room, and think their banish- ment must have been brought about by improved facilities for publishing the same. And the plea brought forward is, the children can acquire the skill of map-drawing so easily, there is no need of having these parallelograms, so typical of the old-style school, suspended from the walls. This reminds us of the artist, who would not allow beauti- ful paintings to adorn his parlor, because he possessed the skill of producing them at will. Besides, when we con- sider how greatly the study of geography is promoted by an intimate acquaintance with the location of places, and that maps are almost our only mediums for conveying this knowledge, that school-life is too short, and other branches too important, to neglect for geography, such important aids as maps, we think, should always be found on the walls of our school-rooms.
We think the town should be congratulated on possess- ing a very efficient corps of teachers. They have toiled hard during the past year, and we hope will continue their good work with unabated diligence during our centennial year. We desire that SUNSHINE should be an essential element in the school-life of the children ; that good man- ners and good morals should enter into their very being ; and we think our citizens should regard any expense as small, which secures to their children such lasting and ben- eficial results.
DRAWING.
The law of our State makes the art of drawing a re- quired study in all the schools of the Commonwealth. It has already been quite generally introduced throughout the State. If we would not be behind other towns in this
42
respect, and deprive our children of advantages that they enjoy, let us comply with this requirement of our statutes, and at once give the study of this useful branch of educa. tion to our children in the schools. The committee have accordingly decided that, hereafter, drawing shall form a part of the study in all our schools. All teachers and pupils will be expected to conform to this rule.
No teacher need be dismayed at this; for any one who is competent to teach school, can teach drawing. Prof. Walter Smith, Director of Art Education for Massachu- setts, has prepared a series of drawing-cards and books for Primary, Intermediate, Grammar, and High Schools; each series being accompanied by a Teacher's Manual, giving all needed instructions. Our teachers, by giving proper attention to the subject, with the aid of these manuals, will find no serious difficulty in teaching drawing. Each teach- er's table will be furnished with the manual, and scholars will be supplied with an outfit at introduction prices. The expense for each scholar will be trifling. All arrangements will be made at the opening of the spring term.
At the opening of the Fall term the committee decided to furnish the scholars with their books ; and, in accordance with this decision, placed a small stock, which has been replenished from time to time in the Prescott House, under the charge of its faithful and efficient teacher, T. H. West, who has dispensed them as they were called for, from day to day holding each teacher responsible for every book received into his or her school; and at the close of each term the teacher is presented with a bill, and called upon to make payment, - the money passing through the hands of the committee into the town treasury.
The result has proved satisfactory thus far, giving parents and guardians, and the tax payers the advantage of a discount that they have not hitherto been favored with; and we hope the plan may be continued so long as
43
it may be properly looked after, and the interests of the town guarded.
Amount of bills for books purchased
since Sept. 1, 1875
$342 00
Cash received and paid into Town Treasury
$167 79 ·
Books on hand
141 51 309 30
.
Cost of books furnished to poor chil-
dren, and for the desks,
$32 70
By the census return last May, the whole number of children in town between the ages of five and fifteen, was 901. Of these, our School Registers give as the greatest number in attendance at any one time, 707; and the great- est average attendance of this number 585, not including those who attend Stetson High School.
The number attending under five years of age was four- teen; and the number over fifteen years was seventeen. The cost to the town of each registered scholar was about $11.50.
There were employed in the schools during the year twenty-one different teachers; and the average length of time to each school was 9 and -6-t 167th months.
We have made only needed repairs upon our school- houses the past year; but have been obliged to increase the pay of teachers in a few instances, and have estab- lished one additional school ; yet have been so fortunate as to keep within the appropriation, so willingly and promptly voted us last spring, and show a surplus (after adding the money from the State, and the small amount from town funds) of more than two hundred dollars.
44
For the year ensuing we would recommend the follow- ing appropriations : -
For Teaching
$6,000 00
Fuel .
450 00
Care of rooms
400 00
Incidental .
750 00
$7,600 00
NATHANIEL HOWARD,
School
M. A. DONNOVAN,
JAMES E. O'BRIEN, A.M.,
Committee.
45
EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOLS, 1875-76.
FOR TEACHING.
Paid Thomas H. West, 1 year,
$1,000 00
A. N. Fuller, 61 months,
537 50
Walter Hoxie, 3 months,
292 50
G. O. Smith, 4 weeks,
48 00
Mrs. A. E. Upham, 38 weeks,
342 00
Miss Sarah E. Shankland, 1 year,
450 00
Miss Isabelle G. Driscoll, 38 weeks,
250 00
Miss Emma H. King, 38 weeks,
250 00
Miss Emma D. Stetson, 38 weeks,
238 00
Miss A. L. White, 13 weeks,
112 00
Miss Isabel C. Beal, 38 weeks,
253 00
Miss S. V. Wilde, 38 weeks,
300 00
Miss Anne M. Wilde, 38 weeks,
304 00
Miss Alice A. Smith, 38 weeks,
350 00
Miss Antoinette T. Smith, 38 weeks,
325 00
Miss Nellie F. Thayer, 26 weeks,
182 00
Miss Margaret W. Boyd, 35 weeks,
252 00
Miss Annie Veazie, 38 weeks,
351 00
Miss Katie E. Sheridan, 25 weeks,
200 00
Miss Cora F. May, 25 weeks,
100 00
Miss Mary E. Wren, 13 weeks,
65 00
$6,202 00
Paid appropriation for Stetson High School,
·
$1,000 00
46
FUEL.
Paid R. W. Turner & Co., 35 tons coal, $383 75
R. T. & E. M. Mann, wood, 7 50
Royal T. Mann, wood,
18 75
William H. Smith, charcoal,
36 30
Sundry persons, cutting wood,
14 25
$460 55
CARE OF ROOMS. .
Paid Margaret Riley,
$205 00
Lawrence Ormsby, .
57 45
Galen Hollis,
54 00
Charles Piper,
20 20
Clarence Beal,
22 50
Charles E. Bump,
20 45
$379 60
FURNITURE AND REPAIRS ON SCHOOL- HOUSES, AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSES.
Paid Ginn Brothers, school-books, $ 35 02
J. L. Hammett, school-books, pens, maps, &c., 181 27
Potter, Ainsworth, & Co., school-books, 66 60
Knight, Adams, & Co., school-books, 32 40
Brewer & Tileston, school-books,
65 05
Franklin Porter, school-books,
28 31
Annie Veazie, school-books,
1 80
A. C. Stockin, school-books,
5 23
Carter, Rice, & Co., paper, 17 90
D. B. White & Co., dusters, brooms, &c., 35 06
R. W. Turner & Co., supplies, 75 25
W. G. Shattuck, furniture, 38 50
47
Paid James F. Dargan, taking census of children, 15 00 Lincoln & Hopkinson, mats, brooms, pails, and brushes, 23 50
D. H. Huxford, printing,
29 00
G. H. & C. Prescott, paper and pails,
1 70
J. B. Rhines, lumber,
23 64
Winslow Alden, labor and material,
86 16
John S. Abbott, labor grading school-house yards, 34 26
Jedediah French, labor grading school- house yards, 30 87
C. A. Wales, stoves and repairs,
83 53
James E. Nash, call bells,
6 43
A. W. Wheeler, chair cushions,
15 00
Margaret Riley, cleaning houses,
26 00
Mrs. William Shields, cleaning houses, 7 00
Mrs. Moses Mann, cleaning houses, 3 50
Patrick Feeney, labor, 14 40
Mrs. William Grady, labor,
5 50
Maynard & Noyes, ink, 3 00
N. Howard, fares and expenses in procur- ing teachers, 4 30
J. B. Thayer, labor and material, 5 50
A. J. Gove, express, and cash paid,
18 09
R. Houghton, repairing settees,
19 50
R. T. Mann, labor and material,
1 97
Ephraim Wales, grading yard,
1 25
Walter M. Howard, labor,
1 00
William Campbell, repairs,
1 00
William D. Barrows, use of well,
3 00
John Wales, use of well, three years,
13 00
Lawrence Hayes, use of well,
3 00
George W. Jones, use of well,
3 00
Patrick Feeney, use of well,
6 00
$1,071 49
48
Included in the above is cash refunded to Town
Treasurer, on account of school-books sold, $167 79 Stock of books on hand, 141 51
$309 30
TOTAL EXPENSE FOR SCHOOLS.
Paid for teaching, $6,202 00
appropriation for Stetson High School, 1,000 00
fuel, 460 55
care of schoolrooms, 379 60
incidental expenses,
1,071 49
Total, $9,113 64
Respectfully,
NATHANIEL HOWARD, Chairman,
M. A. DONNOVAN,
School
JAMES E. O'BRIEN, A.M.,
Committee.
STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
The Stetson School Fund of ten thousand six hundred dollars ($10,600) remains invested in the following banks ; viz. : -
10 shares Eliot National Bank, Boston (par), $1,000
10 shares Webster National Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 shares Hide & Leather Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 shares Shoe & Leather Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 shares Exchange Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 shares Boylston Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
10 shares Tremont Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
20 shares Old Boston Bank, Boston (par), 1,000
13 shares Shawmut Bank, Boston (par), 1,300
13 shares Randolph Bank, Randolph (par), 1,300
$10,600
The annexed financial account furnishes a correct state- ment of the receipts and expenditures for the current year : -
The school commenced April 19, 1875, under the charge of Mr. V. H. Deane, as principal, and Miss Amelia M. Clifton, as assistant, with a membership of seventy-three scholars, - thirty-four boys and thirty-nine girls, - fifty of whom were admitted upon written examination at that time. At the commencement of the fall term six others - one boy
50
and five girls - were admitted, under Article 2d of the By-Laws, being found qualified, upon written examination, to enter existing classes, they filling the room to its utmost seating capacity. The average attendance for the year has been 68.3 . 16, and the school has been in session two hundred days, or forty school weeks.
The death of Hannah E. Leahey, a promising member of the first class, occurred on the sixteenth of September last, causing much sorrow in the school, and is here alluded to with feelings of regret and sympathy.
The Trustees deem it but just to say that the teachers have labored with faithfulness and untiring industry in the discharge of their duties, and that commendable progress has been made by the pupils in the studies pursued.
The attention of the parents and friends of the pupils is again called to the duty of more frequently visiting the school, that they may become personally acquainted with its condition, and thereby render that encouragement to both pupils and teachers which such manifestation of inter-, est would afford. This the Trustees feel they have a right to demand from those whose interest they are labor- ing to subserve, and indulge the hope that their wishes in the matter may not go unheeded in the future, as has been almost entirely the case in the past. The practice of the most rigid economy has not enabled the Trustees to carry on the school, and meet the demands for the proper care of Stetson Hall and other necessary expenses, from the re- sources at their command, by nearly one hundred dollars, from the fact that these have been less productive than usual. The dividends upon some of the stocks have dimin- ished, and the removal of the Randolph Bank from our rooms has entirely cut off that source, they still remaining unoccupied, whilst the receipts for the use of Stetson Hall have been much less than formerly.
The previous school year closed under disadvantages
51
arising from a balance of nearly four hundred dollars against the treasury, as shown by the report of that year, which the town, at its last annual meeting, liberally under- took to provide for by an appropriation of one thousand dollars, believing that sum sufficient to cover the deficit and meet the demands of the school for the then ensuing year. This belief, we regret, has not been fully realized for reasons already given.
The Trustees do not believe it possible to properly con- duct a school of this size and grade for a less sum than has been expended in the present instance, and, having nothing upon which to base expectations of a larger income from their other resources than has been realized the past year, but rather the certainty that it will be considerably dimin- ished, they respectfully ask the town to appropriate the sum of one thousand dollars, to the end that no embarrass- ment may arise in carrying on the school for the best inter- est of the town. The school for the ensuing year will open April 10, at 9 o'clock, A.M., when applicants will be examined.
SIDNEY FRENCH, Trustees Stetson
CHAS. H. HOWARD,
DANIEL HOWARD, School Fund.
SETH TURNER, Secretary.
RANDOLPH, March 15, 1876.
52
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ACCOUNT WITH
DR.
1875. March. To balance of old account Six months' dividend of Exchange National Bank .
April.
66
66 Sloe and Leather National Bank
45 00
66
66
66
Hide and Leather National Bank
30 00
66
Boylston National Bank
50 00
Eliot National Bank . Old Boston National Bank
40 00
66
Webster National Bank
30 00
Tremont National Bank . 40 00
66
Shawmut National Bank 52 00
Randolph National Bank 78 00
$465 00
Sept. 14. Town appropriation . Oct. Six months' dividend of Exchange National Bank .
66
Shoe and Leather National Bank
30 00
Hide and Leather National Bank
30 00
Boylston National Bank
50 00
66
66
..
Old Boston National Bank .
40 00
Webster National Bank
30 00
66
Tremont National Bank
35 00
66
66
Shawmut National Bank
52 00
Randolph National Bank
78 00
$435 00
Cash for use of Hall and Bank-room for the year Amount of tax refunded by State 201 97
$178 00
Balance against the fund .
73 53
66
Eliot National Bank .
40 00
$1,000
$60 00
66
$10 07
$60 00
40 00
66
-
1
53
THE STETSON SCHOOL FUND.
CR.
1875.
April 16. By paying for policy of insurance, Quincy Co.
$36 00
66 66 Lowell Co. . 41 00
: Norfolk Co. 31 00
June.
Bill, S. French, for charcoal.
2 00
C. Boyd, for sundries .
1 80
E. A. Perry, for sundries
14 81
D. H. Huxford, for printing .
1 00
Charles Higgins, for painting
10 00
F. M. Tyler, salary, $227.50; sundries, $1.12 Arthur W. Alden, for care of room
13 50
C. W. Howard, for sundries .
18 00
July 1.
V. H. Deane, three months' salary
300 00
1.
Miss Clifton, nine weeks' salary .
108 00
Sept. 6.
C. Boyd, for sundries .
5 85
July 2.
C. Boyd, for care of room
13 50
Sept. R. W. Turner & Co., eleven tons coal .
94 25
Oct. 1.
V. H. Deane, three months' salary, $300; sundries, $5.70. 305 70
Nov.
Miss Clifton, twelve weeks' salary
144 00
Nov.
C. Boyd, care of room, and sundries
23 15
Nov.
W. H. Smith, charcoal
8 33
1876.
V. H. Deane, three months' salary, $300; sundries,
$16.50
316 50
Charles A. Wales .
29 56
F. A. Stanley
3 75
J. E. Nash
1 00
Benjamin Belcher, Oct. 27, 1875 .
29 15
. J. B. Thayer
9 75
School Committee
2 00
Frank Porter
14 66
Colin Boyd
19 15
Miss Clifton's salary, seventeen weeks
204 00
D. B. White & Co.
9 54
V. H. Deane, salary, three months
300 00
Trustees and secretary, for services one year
20 00
$2,383 57
SETH TURNER, Sec.
RANDOLPH, March 15, 1876.
.
Jan.
Feb. March.
March.
P. Reynolds, for use of organ twelve months
24 00
228 62
54
The subscribers, Selectmen of the Town of Randolph, certify that they have examined the accounts of " The Trustees of the Stetson School Fund," as before reported, and find them correct. The balance appears against the fund to the amount of seventy-three and 53-100 dollars. The investment remains as stated by the Trustees, in bank-stock, amounting, at par value, to $10,600; the certificates being in due form and in the hands of the Secretary.
J. WHITE BELCHER, ) Selectmen JOHN T. FLOOD, of Randolph.
JAMES A. TOWER,
55
STATE OF THE TREASURY MARCH 1, 1876.
DR.
5 Notes to Commonwealth
· $25,000 00
1
Randolph Savings Bank
5,000 00
1
Turner Library
5,000 00
6
Patrick McMahon
3,400 00
1 Lemuel Wentworth
1,600 00
1
Ebenezer Moulton
900 00
1
P. E. Wilbur
500 00
1
George H. Nichols
200 00
1
Jeptha Howard
2,000 00
$43,600 00
Estimated amount interest due
260 00
66
bills unpaid
140 00
Amount of
· $44,000 00
CR.
Value of Randolph National Bank Stock (8 shares)
1,600 00
66 Salt Marsh (Quincy)
500 00
Balance Tax, 1874 (H. B. Alden, col.)
349 16
66
66 1875 (E. M. Roel, col.)
1,271 51
66 in Treasurer's hands
13,608 92
State aid due
4,000 00
Amount of R. Adams note and interest .
759 45
66 school books in hands of S. S. Com.
141 51
Estimated amount due from towns and individuals
150 00
Balance
21,619 45
$44,000 00
.
56
TOWN OF RANDOLPH IN ACCOUNT WITH
DR.
Paid Treasury Notes ·
$10,000 00
Sundry Town Orders
28,189 18
Interest on Treasury Notes
. 2,961 83
National Bank Tax .
2,804 57
State Tax
3,140 00
Corporation Tax
89 85
Turner Library (Dog Money, 1874, vote of Town)
430 37
Expenses : Treasurer's salary, $100; Town Clerk, collecting and re- cording Births, Deaths, and Marriages; Sexton returning Deaths, and Stationery, &c., $97.85
. 197 85
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