USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1843-1859 > Part 11
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Haynes Charles 14 64
31
Littlefield Jacob
17 08
Pussy & Store 12 20
Lund James
15 25
Pingree David 24 40
Locke Asa
4 88
Peacock Freeman 5 49
Lawrence Joshua
9 15 Pettingill Charles R. 24 40
Learned Benjamin G. 4 27
Pattee Joel 6 10
Loan Patrick
7 32
Parkman G. heirs of 4 88
Lund
1 83
Parker Benjamin
12 20
Lonsby
1 83
Pond Samuel hrs. of
6 10
Leman
6 10
Porter & Meacham
30 50
Leman & Simonds
1 22
Pierce Abner
2 44
Leman Nathaniel R.
1 83
Lane J. V. U.
6 10
Kelley John
4 27
Proctor Abel
3 05
Merrill Lucretia R. 24 40
9 15
Pendexter Charles
2 44
Mahoney J. J.
24 40
R.
Rowe John 1 83
Robinson
9 76
Munroe Edmund
15 86
Riley
3 05
Meacham George
39 65
Rice
1 83
Meacham, Pond, &
Bowman
27 45
Rogers Wm. 36 60
Merrill John J.
9 15
Reed & Wade
21 35
Murdock Asa
25 01
Rand Benjamin
71 98
Magoun Aaron B.
39 04
Rand Samuel 48 80
Morse Ozias
27 45
Rand James
18 30
Munroe Washington
9 76
Rogers Geo. M. 27 45
Marshall James
3 66
Rice Richard 2 44
Murdock John
8 54
Runey Samuel S. 12 20
Martin Darius
6 10
Riddle Edward
42 70
M'cGiven
3 05
Fitchburg R. R. Co. 39 65
Nason Daniel
15 25
B. & Lowell R. R. Co 89 06
Noyes James M.
3 05
Rugg Erastus
4 27
Nichols Thomas O.
12 20
Roland John H. 3 66
Norton Andrews
12 20
Robbins Richard 57 95
Newman
6 10
Rice Samuel
15 25
Nichols
12 20
0.
Osborn Richard
15 25
Sawyer Asa 9 15
Owner unknown
3 05
Stone Nathan S.
1 83
unknown
9 15
Spear & Downing
12 20
unknown
4 88
Stearns William
58 56
P.
Stearns J. W. Jr, 15 25
Pedrick
1 83
Sheppard John
15 25
Phinney Elias hrs. of Perkin
6 10
6 10
Pollard Luther 2 44
M'cKerne Owen Mitchell 1 83
Marsh T. H. hrs. of 8 54
Mills James L.
15 25
Rice Wm. D. · 4 27
)
S.
32
Swain John 3 05
Sumner§ Bradford
7 32
Stearns Wm. B. 4 88
Smith Edwin P.
1 83
Small Samuel
1 83
Stevens James M.
7 32
Sherburn Reuben
7 32
Dr. Sabine 3 67
Simons 1 83
Sanborn John
19 52
Sleeper Jacob
61 00
Seaver Joshua R.
9 15
Seaver Moses 7 32
Sewart 6 10
Stockbridge L. N.
3 05
Smith & Sumner
15 25
Sullivan, hrs of, 6 10
Spinney & Richardson 6 10
Skinner Otis A:
10 98
Stone Daniel 3 66
Sullivan Richard 207 40
Stearns Joshua B. 44 53
Stearns Sarah W. hrs.
215 94
Stone Hiram K. 61 00
T.
Tenney Wm. P. 3 05
Tyrell Artemas 10 98
Titcomb John H. Jr. 6 10
Medford Turn. Cor. 9 15
Tyler Samuel 4 SS
Thomas Geo. A. 10 98
Twiggs Patrick 3 05
Taylor John 4 88
Tufts Daniel 46 36
Tapley Robert 2 44
Teel Ammi C. 24 40
Truro 6 10
Tothill Wm. 18 30
Tufts Joseph F. Agt. 10 37 Same Guard. for heirs
of Caleb Harrington 33 55
Tufts Timothy heirs 25 62
Trowbridge J. H1. 12 20
Topliff B. 30 50
Tenney Samuel 15 25
Tufts Asa 39 65
U.
Ursuline Community 335 50
V.
Varnum Win.
2 44
W
Williams John 1 83
Williams Oliver 1 83
Willoughby Win. W. 12 20 Wait David 1 53
Williams 'T'ilson 6 10
Winch & Patterson 15 25
Wilson Nathan 6 10
Willis 6 10
Waters Wm. & Charles
12 20
Wheeler Asahel 3 66
Wilkinson 15 25
Watson John
18 30
Whipple Orland, hrs. 24 40 Wheeler 109 80
Warren & Hall 36 60
Wyman Wm. 10 98
Wait Miss Sarah 4 27
Winship H. A. 15 25
Whitney Mrs. Lydia 4 27
Ward Artemas, heirs of 61 00
Watson Samuel 9 76
Williams David H. 9 15
Whittemore N. M. 12 20
Whittemore & Douglass
73 20
Woods, Smith, & Melvin,
79 30
REPORT
OF TIIE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
SOMERVILLE,
FOR THE YEAR 1851 - 2.
SOMERVILLE. E. TUFTS, PRINTER. 1852.
10
1
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
SOMERVILLE,
-
FOR THE YEAR 1851 - 2.
-
.
-
1
1 .
SOMERVILLE. E. TUFTS, PRINTER. 1852.
-
.
ட
C
REPORT. 1
1
FELLOW-CITIZENS ; - It is alike the pleasure and the duty of the School Committee, before resigning their trust, to present a Report of the transactions, in which have been in- volved interests of so great importance; interests, among which the pecuniary sum is small and insignificant.
Agreeably to instructions, the School Committee have se- lected and purchased two lots of land, upon the terms pre- scribed in the votes authorizing this action : the one, on Cher- ry street, for the reception of a new Primary school house, and the other, on Church street, for the accommodation of the High School. A contract, upon favorable terms, and within the appropriation, was made for the Primary building, and it was completed, and opened for its pupils in the au- tumn. A contract was also made in August for the erec- tion of the High School house, and the edifice is now rap- idly approaching to completion. Sufficient is known of
4
all the expenses to be incurred, to warrant the opinion that these will not exceed the amount stipulated by the town's votes. No preparation has been made for opening the school, except to prescribe the probable terms of admis- sion, and to communicate them to the pupils of the Gram- mar schools. It will remain for the next Committee to se- lect a teacher, and in other respects, to provide the proper organization ; although this Committee is charged with the completion of the building. We simply express the hope, that no step will be taken which shall not indicate the fact, that the school is to be in reality, as in location and in name, a HIGH SCHOOL.
For satisfactory reasons, several changes have taken place among the teachers in the employ of the town. It is to be regretted that these so frequently become necessary, or advisable : but we have no power to retain the services of those who wish to retire from their posts, and the responsi- bility of the Committee will sometimes demand a vigorous exercise of a scarcely discretionary authority, with which they alone are invested, and which they are bound to em- ploy, whenever any teacher shall appear positively unsuc- cessful. But the value of a teacher, when successful, is so much advanced by each year's experience, that it has been before the Committee as a question of policy, whether it would not be well, hereafter, to make an increase of com- pensation, for one or two years, dependent upon a satisfac- tory continuance. As now arranged, the experience of our teachers may be found to furnish the chief reason for their leaving us, as better opportunities may be presented in the vicinity.
For nearly two years, every new teacher has been per- sonally examined before election. But even this precaution, and a fair regard to testimonials, will not always prevent disappointment ; and then a removal, however unpleasant,
5
is simply an act of justice to all concerned. In some measure to alleviate this difficulty, a rule has recently been adopted, by which every new appointment will terminate at the expi- ration of three months, unless confirmed by the Board. Next to a removal, in delicacy and difficulty, is a tranfer, whenever a teacher, who may be better qualified for one position, is occupying another of a different class : in which case the change is not only desirable, but absolutely imper- ative. The, Committee admit the whole force of the objec- tions to frequent changes ; and have always therefore acted with due deliberation, and on a view of the circumstances as only persons in some measure situated as they have been, could sce them. Eight new appointments to fill vacancies, and two transfers, have been made during the last year. Among the new appointments may be mentioned that of Mr. Robert Bickford, in the place of Mr. Swan, who resigned the charge of the Prescott Grammar school in September. By this change, whatever may have been the eminence of Mr. Swan, and the regret of the Committee at his withdrawal, we are still happy to hope that the school has received no detriment.
The subject of "Phonetic teaching," which had been brought to the notice of the previous Board, early received the attention of this. The claim of any such innovation, how- ever vehemently urged, must needs be acknowledged with due precaution. The Committee saw and heard enough in so far to overcome their prejudices against the system as to au- thorize an experiment of its utility in one of the Primary schools in May last, with those children whose parents should be understood to consent to the arrangement. In October, when it was debated whether to interdict or to introduce this kind of instruction, the Committee were unanimously con- vinced that it was expedient to adopt the latter course ; and accordingly, as soon as the arrangements could be made, the method was introduced into every Primary school, as an
6
easier and more accurate means of teaching young children to learn to read in the common print.
It is not to be concealed that this action did not commend itself to the minds of the citizens: and there may yet be those who are ready to ask why Somerville should take the initiative in such a movement. The only answer is, the Committee were convinced, by observation and experiment, that it would be well, whatever other towns might do, to give to our children the advantages of this instruction. But the vote of introduction, it should be observed, only contem- plated the teaching of pupils, who were unable to read, to read well in the phonetic type, as the easiest and best meth- od of enabling them to read well in the common print. We know it to be a saving of time and labor to avoid the tedious acquisition of the names of the letters, when those names will furnish no safe guide to their sounds in the commonest words. But when the sounds have been learn- ed, as in the phonetic system, (which is only new in its characters,) the readiness with which a little child will be- come familiar with the common print, almost exceeds be- lief. We reject entirely the idea of invading the established orthography, or the Romanic type, with the changes which some phonotypists have suggested : but we nevertheless be- lieve that young pupils, taught in this way, will overcome the difficulties of our irregular orthography, and acquire correctness of enunciation, and fluency of reading, with a fa- cility which no other method known to us can show. We have measured the force of this statement ; and for the evi- dence refer you to your own schools, in which the method has been in use only about three months.
The School Committee of 1850 - 1, recorded a unani- mous recommendation to their successors "to institute a private semi-annual examination of each of the Grammar schools, in addition to the usual public examination." A
.
7
majority of that Board soon after retired from office ; but in obedience to the suggestion, the above-named schools were privately examined by a special Sub-Committee in October, and again in January ; and provision has since been made, by the adoption of a standing rule, for private examinations of the High, and each of the Grammar schools, in January and July, and a public examination, or exhibi- ion, in February, annually.
The reports of the Examining Committees were in writ- ing, and have been placed on file. The attention of the Committee was particularly drawn, in the first one, to the large number of classes, and to the natural tendency to al- low every scholar to press forward in the branches most congenial to his taste, to the probable neglect of others equally important. The obvious consequence of a large." number of classes, is the necessary diminution of particular- attention to each pupil ; the obvious consequence of the un- due preponderance of one study over another, is a tenden- cy to increase the number of the classes.
To remedy or remove at once both these obstacles to thorough teaching, the Committee directed the re-arrange- ment of the schools into four classes, the standing of each pupil being determined by his attainment in the most back- ward branch. A provision was made at the same time for a complete, and considerably increased system of study, spe- cifically marked out for each class, the whole terminating where the High School should receive its pupils. One or two books were exchanged, by an arrangement with the publishers, without expense to the parents, or to the town. The classification took effect about the first of December : and the advantage is already obvious in the schools, and gratifying to the teachers. It supplies the only method by which pupils, who must necessarily be prepared alike in all the required branches, can be qualified for the High School.
·
8
From the second report of the Examining Commitice, the principals' departments in the Franklin and Prescott schools, and the assistant's department in the Prospect Hill, ap- peared to be conducted with zeal, ability and success. The report did not speak so favorably of the principal's de- partment of the Prospect Hill school ; and expressed a re- gret that some unpleasant circumstances have unavoidably tended to embarrass the teacher. Under the new arrange- ment, as yet less thoroughly completed in this school than in the others, there may of course be a better opportunity for successful labor. The assistants' departments of the other schools, were also represented to be in an unsatisfac- · tory condition : in one, a new teacher, who is doing well, had been placed only a few weeks previously, and for the other, another teacher has since been appointed.
The other schools have been examined by their respective Sub-Committees. The Walnut Hill, examined in Novem- ber, was very ably and successfully taught in the summer, and is now under the charge of a teacher of approved expe- rience in the same place ; it will not be again examined until near the close of the term. The Primary schools are now in a generally [healthy condition, and under the charge of efficient teachers. These schools require to be reclassifi- ed to be much improved ; a work which will devolve, if it meet their approbation, upon our successors. But we are mistaken, - and it is true that we may be, -if they shall not be found to have their complement of good teachers.
The current school expenses have not varied much from the original estimate, but have fallen within it, although an extra teacher, as an assistant in the Prescott Primary, has been employed during a part of the year ; the means for this arrangement were at our disposal, however, in consc- quence of the late opening of the Cherry Street school. A small advance was made in the salaries of the Primary
1
9
teachers : but it was contemplated in the appropriation. The fuel bill has been larger than usual in consequence of the severity of the winter.
The extraordinary expenses have exceeded by nearly one hundred dollars the amount designated as the contingent fund. In August, the Committee directed the usual refitting of the school-rooms. But an examination of the Franklin school-house revealed such defects in the construction, that it was deemed expedient at once, to put it, as far as possi- ble, in a proper condition, at a much larger outlay than was anticipated. The Central Street Primary has also, but not needlessly, been enlarged, and supplied with furniture sim- ilar to that of the other schools of its class. Several other things would have commended themselves to the judgment of the Board, if it had been deemed advisable to incur fur- ther expense. Among these may be particularly mention- ed, the protection of the buildings by lightning-rods, and their proper ventilation. The Franklin and Prescott houses, if in the hands of prudent individuals, would not go much longer without being painted on the outside.
Herc this Report might close, but that a few additional suggestions scem proper. At a considerable increase of toil and solicitude, as it will be perceived, the Committee have undertaken the task of carefully scrutinizing the schools ; and on the basis of that scrutiny, have ordered such arrangements and modifications as seemed to be desir- able. The attempted reduction of the teaching of the Gram- mar schools to a simple but comprehensive system, although attended at first by embarrassment, will practically attest its wisdom in one year's time. It has been, and still is, our opinion, than to have good schools, better schools than we now have, does not so much depend upon an ampler ap- propriation, as upon the judicious disbursement of any sum 2
10
which may be expended, under watchful supervision, and with a prompt exercise of needed authority ; perhaps it might be also well to add, among other requisites, an ac- quiescence, as far as possible, of the citizens in the doings of the Committee, and a confidence in the integrity of pur- pose of the members of the Board.
The rapid increase of school-children in Somerville at once surprises us, and demands attention. We have to report to the Board of Education, seven hundred persons between the ages of five and fifteen years in May last, against three hun- dred and ninety five between four and sixteen, in 1846; or, about three hundred and fifty between five and fifteen at that time ; showing an increase of one hundred per cent. in five years! Since that date five new houses have been erected, and are now occupied by more than three hundred and fifty pupils !
We now have three Grammar, one Mixed, and eight Pri- mary schools. With one or two exceptions, the Primary schools are quite full, though not filled. The Prescott, situated nearly a mile from any other school-house, contains the inordinate number of eighty six pupils ; and the Gram- mar department above it, although recently crowded by the addition of new benches, has, or will have very soon, on its register, ten or fifteen more pupils than the room contains seuts. Some new arrangement will consequently require to be specdily adopted in that section, as the Primary school accommodation is also the smallest in town .- The Prospect Hill Grammar school is not full; the room is larger, and the number of pupils less than in either of the others ; and the three Primary schools in the immediate neighborhood so subdivide the pupils that all are well accommodated at present. - But when we come to the Franklin Gram- mar school, we find ninety four seats only, and the
11
names of one hundred and four scholars on the register" This discrepancy will be somewhat reduced by the opening of the High School; but it will be greater still, when the new classes from the Primary schools come for their places. Here, however, we have the means of relief, if the Primary department in the same building can be constituted into an Intermediate, or Secondary Grammar, schoo,l and a large class of the younger pupils of the upper department recciv- ed into it. In this section, the increase of pupils may be seen from the fact, that the Spring Hill Primary has fifty eight pupils, and only sixty three seats ; while the Franklin, from which it was taken scarcely fifteen months ago, and which has since been again subdivided, contains nearly forty !
Of course, Somerville will provide for all the children within her limits, though but yesterday they came to be numbered with us ! Nobody, who knows any thing of her past history, will entertain any doubt of this. The plan al- ready suggested, of establishing a new grade of schools, to be taught by female teachers, and under the supervision of the Grammar masters, seems to be an! economical and suc- cessful arrangement. It is substantially the Boston method. For reasons already given, and others which may yet ap- pear, it is worthy of more mature consideration, which we trust it will receive from the next Board.
Our present arrangement theoretically contemplates a re- gular system of schooling for eleven years. The pupils are admitted at four years of age, - it would be better for the schools and scholars if it were at five,-and they are expect- ed to remain four years in the Primary, four in the Gram-
* This school has been recently conducted on the " ride and te," principle ; a very full attendance, usually so pleasing, would present a queer dilemma. The teacher is deserving of credit for the manner in which he has managed for three months.
12
mar, and three in the High School ; but the advance from one to the other must obviously depend upon the attain- ments. Consequently, a diligent and punctual scholar at fifteen years of age may have completed a High School course, while a companion of the same age may still be lin- gering in the Grammar school ; a discrepancy not so much to be ascribed to natural endowments, as to punctuality, dili- gence and fidelity, or their reverse.
The addition of the Intermediate school would give to us a system somewhat as follows: - Admission at four years of age ; three years' attendance at the Primary, three years' at the Intermediate, four years' at the Grammar, and three years' at the High School; and the course completed at seventeen years of age ; or sooner or later according to the progress of the pupil ; and at its completion, it should place the faithful scholar by the side of any one of his own age in the land, in actual, positive, useful acquirements. A system like this could be immediately introduced without employ- ing another teacher, if there were an additional room pro- vided in the vicinity of the Prescott school, where the want is most felt. The Grammar and High schools, without costing any more, would together be greatly increased in .value by the addition of two years' schooling. The whole course, as we have intimated, would furnish educatioual fa- cilities for the young, which the best paid private schools, and the richest endowed seminaries and academies cannot present.
The proposition for Intermediate schools embraces, as it will be observed, the eventual use of the lower story of each of the Grammar school-houses for a kind of Secondary Grammar school ; and farther provision, when necessary, for the Primary schools now contained in those rooms. In regard to this, it may be remarked, that the school-house for
13
the younger pupils ought not to be very remote from their dwellings : nor should the number of such pupils exceed the ability of the teacher to bestow upon them the consider- ate, motherly, or personal attention, which they will require. The catastrophes of New York furnish a sad argument against the collection together of such numbers of little children; and with us, the opposing city arguments, drawn front dense population and economy, entirely fail. Our own way is better on every account, embracing the erec- tion, as the cases occur, of small but suitable edifices at convenient distances for the smaller pupils, many of whom are scarcely more than infants, and the centralization only of the larger ones.
In surrendering our trust, fellow-citizens, we have no vauntings to offer of unusual performance. We do not pretend to have passed through the year ourselves unruffled by embarrassment, or our constituents unannoyed by our doings. We do not care to claim more than ordinary ex- emption from sinister motives and undue influences. It was a great, a momentous interest, one full of pleasant as- sociations to all lovers of human progress, which you con- fided to our care. Perplexing and wearisome work was to be done. We have felt the responsibility, and shun no ac- countability for the manner of performance.
To regulate the Common Schools so that they may be productive of the highest good to the greatest number, is not always perfectly easy. There is a peril behind, and a peril before us. It is unwise and mischievous to hazard ex- periments but with full assurance of success, to adopt new modes when old ones are good enough, or to be seeking change for the sake of change. Your Committee have done nothing like this. But they have also avoided the iron conservatism which dreads innovation more than par-
14
tial failure, and finds it a sufficient objection to a probably good project . that it is new. Their plan, which you will find to have been steadily pursued, has been to protect and preserve sacredly everything which custom and use have sanctioned, if around it no questionings of utility were gath- ered, to examine diligently that, however old and time-hon- ored, which did not seem to promote the purpose for which it was designed, to reject, with no sad repinings for depart- ed worth, whatever was discovered to be valueless, because inefficient for good, or efficient for evil, and to adopt readi- ly every thing deserving of a place among the accepted in- strumentalities of a good work. Doubtlessly, we have thus crossed the track of many prejudices and opinions. Shrewd men, in other places, have smiled in derision at that action concerning which our charity disposes us to believe that they have known very little ; but shrewder men have been mis- taken in matters as simple as " phonetic teaching." No high-minded man should be regardless of the good opinion of his contemporaries ; but the approval, we submit, of anoth- er generation, fifteen years hence, will be a better testimony to the School Committee's fidelity and judgment. If God shall save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, it will be through the blessing which He will shed upon the public schools, at once the bulwarks of safety, and the talismans of success !
Respectfully submitted and signed in behalf of the School Committee of Somerville,
AUGUSTUS R. POPE, Chairman.
SOMERVILLE, March 1. 1852.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOMERVILLE, FOR THE YEAR, 1852 - 3.
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