USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1883 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Given under our hands, this second day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three.
(Signed),
W. D. JONES. W. H. LORING, EDWIN MOORE, WILLIAM ABBOTT,
Selectmen of Douglas.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
MARCH 1.
1883.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1883.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1882-3.
LEVI WHITE, M. D.,
Term expires March 1, 1883
66
66
1883
WILLIAM H. TAFT,
66
1883
WILLIAM D. JONES,
66
1884
FRANCIS D. WHIPPLE,
66
66
1884
CHARLES W. POTTER,
٠،
66
1885
LUKE C. KEITH,
66
4 6
66
1885
N. W. PRESTON,
66
66
1885
Organized, ( N. W. PRESTON, Chairman. L. C. KEITH, Clerk.
N. W. PRESTON, F. D. WHIPPLE, Superintending Committee.
E. C. ESTEN,
L. C. KEITH,
Truant Officers.
E. C. ESTEN, )
TEACHERS :
A. H. K. BLOOD.
HATTIE PARKER.
ABBIE M. LAPHAM.
IDA M. JOHNSON.
CORA M. DUDLEY. EMMA J. WILLIS.
MARY J. CHAPMAN.
M. JOSIE LORING.
ELLLA M. KEITH.
KATE L SIMMONS.
EDNA F. CAOUETTE. ALICE CHAPIN.
EMILY F. BLACKMAR.
LIZZIE JOHNSON.
MARY F. JONES.
EMMA J. JEFFERSON.
EUNICE B. BROWN.
66
1884
CHARLES S. CASWELL,
EDWIN C. ESTEN.
-
. :
STATISTICS.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1882, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 495
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 408
Average daily attendance in all the schools,
291
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age,
14
over 15 28
between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 234
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 97
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year 8.12
Number of female teachers, 16
Average wages paid female teachers per month,
$32.73
Appropriation for district schools by the town, March, 1882 : $3,000 00
Balance unexpended last year, 801 91
State School Fund, 192 88
Town School Fund, (interest,) 56 48
Total, $4,051 27
EXPENSE OF DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
Teachers' wages, $2,878 00
Fuel, care of rooms, crayon and ink, 313 68
Books for poor children in Dist. No. 3, by Mr. Whipple, 6 56
Paid S. P. Rawson, in June, for transport- ing 3 scholars, 30 00
66
6
Joseph Young, in June for transport- ing 2 scholars, 20 00
P. M. Bates, in June, for transport- ing 1 scholar, 10 00
Town of Uxbridge, for tuition of S. P. Rawson's three children, in fall and winter, 15 67
3,273 91
Balance unexpended March 1883,
$777 36
HIGH SCHOOL.
Appropriation March, 1882,
$900 00
Balance unexpended last year,
139 44
$1,039 44
Teacher's salary,
$720 00
Rent of Citizens' hall,
100 00
Fuel, crayon, ink and care of room,
55 17
Printing,
16 85
$892 02
Balance unexpended March 1, 1883,
$147 42
High School in 1881 cost the town, for 36 weeks,
$1,075 25
For 36 weeks in 1882, cost only
892 02
Saving to the town in one year,
$183 23
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teacher,-A. H. K. BLOOD, Quincy, Mass.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
12
13
Wages per week,
$20
$20
$20
Whole number of scholars,
35
29
26
Average attendance,
32
27
25
7
DISTRICT SCHOOLS.
DISTLICT NO. 1.
Teacher .- ABBIE M. LAPHAM.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$10
Whole number of scholars,
36
39
29
Average attendance,
23
30
24
Total Expense, $335.02.
Prudential Committee,-C. WINDSOR BROWN.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
CORA M. DUDLEY. Teachers,-3 M. J. CHAPMAN, 3 weeks.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$6
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
10
16
15
Average attendance,
9
14
13
Total Expense, $244.69.
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Teachers,- ( ELLA M. KEITH, EDNA F. CAOUETTE,
PRIMARY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
37
44
51
Average attendance,
32
38
43
INTERMEDIATE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks.
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
28
26
26
Average attendance,
21
21
23
Total Expense, $638.90.
Prudential Committee, ELIJAH B. PAINE.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Teacher,-EMILY F. BLACKMAR.
SPRING.
FALL .*
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
10
9
11
Average attendance,
9
10
Total Expense, $238.75.
DISTRICT NO. 7.
Teachers- S MARY F. JONES. EMMA J. JEFFERSON,
SPRING.
EALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks.
10
12
10
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
21
21
18
Average attendance,
18
17
44
Total Expense, $247.21.
Prudential Committee,-REUBEN A. PLAÇE.
.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
HATTIE A. PARKER. Teachers, IDA M. JOHNSON, EMMA J. WILLIS.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
15
12
12
Average attendance,
12
9
9
Total Expense, $247.24.
Prudential Committee, HARFORD THOMPSON.
DISTRICT NO. 9.
Teachers-
S M. JOSIE LORING. 2 KATE L. SIMMONS.
PRIMARY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
89
$9
Whole number of scholars,
50
62
51
Average attendance,
42
53
42
INTERMEDIATE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
32
28
25
Average attendance,
27
23
22
Total Expense, $627.40.
Prudential Committee, STILLMAN RUSSELL.
10
DISTRICT NO. 10.
Teachers,
ALICE CHAPIN, LIZZIE JOHNSON, EUNICE B. BROWN.
PRIMARY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
11
10
Wages per week,
$8
$8.50
$9
Whole number of scholars,
56
63
46
Average attendance,
34
35
32
INTERMEDIATE.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
10
10
Wages per week,
$8
$8.50
$9
Whole number of scholars,
30
30
22
Average attendance,
24
22
21
Total Expense, $612.47.
Prudential Committee, ALVIN H. BROWN.
PRIVATE FRENCH SCHOOL.
Teacher,-H. V. GIARD.
Number of scholars, 50. Tuition received, $600 00 Length of school, 52 weeks.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Mr. Edwin C. Esten has had full care of schools Nos. 1, 2. 4 and 8 ; Mr. Frank D. Whipple of Nos. 3, 7 and 10 ; Mr. N. W. Preston, of No. 9 and the High School.
Mr. E. C. Esten makes the following remarks :
DISTRICT NO. 1.
Teacher,-ABBIE M. LAPHAM.
· This school has been under the care of one teacher through- out the year, and the progress made cannot fail to gratify par- ents, scholars and teacher. During the spring term the average attendance was low on account of the whooping cough of which there were several cases. The entire year of this school was a successful one.
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Teachers-
CORA DUDLEY, MARY J. CHAPMAN.
The school made great progress in all branches. Miss Dud- ley had charge of the school during the year with the exception of the latter part of winter term, when sickness caused her to resign her charge of the school, regretted alike by parents and pupils. The term was finished by Miss Chapman, an old teach- er, whose successful career as a teacher needs no comment.
.
12
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Teacher,-EMILY M. BLACKMAR.
There was no change in teachers during the year. Mrs. Blackmar fully sustained her reputation as a teacher by the ad- vance made in all the different branches.
DISTRICT NO. 8.
HATTIE A. PARKER, Spring Term.
Teachers- IDA M. JOHNSON, Fall Term. EMMA J. WILLIS, Winter Term.
The several teachers strove hard for the advancement of the scholars under their charge. The co-operation of the parents with the teacher is of the greatest importance in order that the school may be a successful one.
A new school room is needed in this district and we trust that some steps will be taken by which the health and comfort of pupils attending this school may receive more attention than at present.
Mr. F. D. Whipple remarks as follows :
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Miss Ella Keith has presided over the Intermediate depart- ment of this school the entire year, and has given great satisfac- tion to both parents and children. As expected, the school was prosperous and gave evidence of accurate and thorough in- struction.
PRIMARY.
This department has been under the very efficient care of Miss Edna F. Caouette for the last three years, who has brought it to a very high degree of perfection ; and we sincerely regret her resignation at the close of the Winter term.
13
DISTRICT NO, 7.
The Spring and Fall terms were taught by Miss Mary F. Jones, an experienced and successful teacher.
The Winter term was taught by Miss Emma J. Jefferson, a graduate of our High School, with credit to herself and profit to her pupils. This was her first experience in teaching, yet she entered most heartily into the most modern and most progressive methods of teaching and closed the Winter term with marked success.
DISTRICT NO. 10.
The Spring term of school in this district was taught by Miss Alice Chapin. The Fall and Winter terms by Lizzie J. John- son, whose qualifications and experience render her a superior teacher. Her energetic and untiring efforts to promote the ad- vancement of her pupils, gained the approval of parents and committee.
PRIMARY.
This department was under the instruction of Miss Eunice B. Brown the entire year. Commendable progress was made by the scholars in all the branches of study. Favorable men- tion should be made of the oral instruction given by Miss Brown.
Without entering upon any elaborate discussion, your Com- mittee would say that they see no improvement to the present course of study, which is the only one practicable, with the means and advantages at our command in the common schools ; but new methods of teaching the same studies are constantly being advanced, and we should adopt every improvement possi- ble. The old fashion of spelling orally is almost discontinued in our schools, being used only by a few classes in the primary department, which have not learned to write ; the consequence is, very few leave the public schools without becoming good spel- lers. Greater use is made of the blackboard than formerly. In comparing these customs with the old ways, we can see great advancement in the methods of teaching.
Another step in the right direction, and one which needs to
14
be practised more extensively in our schools, is striving to get all the information possible from every source within their reach in connection with the subjects treated upon in the text-books ; and where principles are involved, to apply them to practical life. Different authors treat the same subject differently, and it broadens the intellect, and gives a wider scope of information to learn from different books on the same subject. As the world progresses, ideas and customs are changed and the books of olden times would not do for our use at the present day. The English language is all the time increasing, and it is only the latest editions of Webster's and Worcester's dictionaries that have all the new coined words ; and in these days of news- papers and magazines, it would be invidious for any one to be held up as a model of composition, as in the days of Addison in England and Webster in America.
Text books are constantly being improved, and we think the best are none too good for our scholars, as we want them to have every advantage possible to get a good education.
Few repairs and improvements have been made this year to the school houses and their grounds, consequently more will be needed the coming year to keep them in good condition. Sev- eral of them will need painting. and most of them need more or less repairs.
We are of the number who believe that a careful and consci- entious supervision of the schools is one of the necessities of the day, and therefore your committee have endeavored to perform their whole duty in this respect. We feel that the parents should not leave it all for the committee to do, but visit the schools themselves, and to aid and encourage the teacher in her labors. We think the teachers as a whole have tried to do their duty ; where they have succeeded we should continue to em- ploy them, but if they have failed, they should be discharged. There should be no namby-pambyism in this matter. We know some scholars are slow to show the labors of a teacher, but if they are faithful, a good result will come at last, and be as great a de- light to them as the eclipse was to the man who first predicted one. We can see in the material world, the immediate result of our labors, but in the schools the effect upon the mind cannot be measured. If we cannot fit our scholars in the public schools to enter at once any vocation in life, we can lay a strong foun- dation to build upon and develop the faculties of the mind, so that every position in life may be filled by them. Those only attain to greatness who continue to be students all their lives, and have ever been willing to work hard to gain knowledge.
15
We wish that all our scholars could realize this and would im- prove every opportunity offered them to learn. Time never stops ; and we must remember,
"The mill will never grind, With the water that has passed."
HIGH SCHOOL.
Last April we found only thirteen scholars remaining in our High School, which was very much smaller number than had ever been the case at any previous time since this town had main- tained a High School. We admitted eighteen.of the best dis- trict scholars who applied, and with a few post graduates, who remained, the spring term, numbered thirty-five.
Mr. A. H. K. Blood, of Quincy, Mass, who had previously had charge of the Walpole High School, for six consecutive years, was employed to come here. He has maintained good discipline through the year : has proved himself abundantly qualified to teach all the branches required. His winning ways and manners have been very acceptable to our pupils. In short, we have been well satisfied with our High School through the whole year,-which has cost $183.23 less than the previous year. The school has closed with twenty-six pupils. As none of the oldest scholars have completed the course, no diplomas were awarded this Spring.
In our opinion, our successors in office should, in April, ad- mit at least 15 to 18 new scholars into the High School, so as to keep the number up to 40 ; and that the whole school should make up their minds to remain in this school full four years or more.
A class in Botany was organized in the Summer, and a French class in the Fall, both of which done well.
Misses Loring and Simmons both kept good schools through the whole year, in District No. 9.
N. W. PRESTON, F. D. WHIPPLE, Superintending E. C. ESTEN, Committee.
Douglas, March 3, 1883.
١
:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.