USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1879 > Part 3
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49
SCHOOL REPORT.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL.
MR. FRANK WIGGIN, Principal.
MISS ELLEN GUNNISON, Assistant.
Our High School has had another year of prosperity. Our principal labors every year to attain higher excellence as a teacher. He gives his energies to the welfare of the schools. The results accruing therefrom are manifest to any one who will visit the school-room. The closing examination last year gave more credit both to teacher and scholars than any pro- vious one. Your committee are glad to report, not only the thoroughness and culture, but also the excellent deportment of the scholars, both in and around the school-room.
As one teacher could not do thorough work with so many scholars, having sixteen recitations, it was thought best to fur- nish an assistant, at least part of the time. So Miss Gunnison was engaged for three-fifths of the time. She has proved her- self a very efficient teacher, not only in her thoroughness and methods of instruction, but also in her discipline. The parents and friends of the school may well be pleased that we have so able an assistant.
Monthly reports of the scholars to their parents have been adopted this past year, with good results. As the scholars have found that every recitation was marked, they have been incited to more thorough study.
Regulations in regard to scholars averaging at least sixty per cent. for the whole year, in their studies, before they can be promoted to a higher class, also in regard to the examination of one term before entering upon another, and also in regard to rhetorical exercises, have been adopted during the past year.
The committee believe such rules emminently practical, and so essential to the prosperity and character of the school.
50
SCHOOL REPORT.
The exercises, last summer, by the graduating class, were pronounced excellent by all who enjoyed them. Their original parts showed as much school training and talent, as are often found at our higher seminaries.
The present graduating class numbers seven boys and four girls.
The school will close about the 18th of March, with a public examination.
MERRIMAC GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Summer Term - MISS CARRIE P. MANNING, Teacher.
Winter Term - MISS MINNIE B. NOYES, Teacher.
The committee consider the summer term a profitable one. The teacher was earnest and faithful. Whenever the school was visited, the order was good and the recitations well con- ducted. At the close of this term Miss Manning accepted a more lucrative position in Brookline.
The winter term commenced under rather unfavorable aus- pices, which caused some friction the first part of the term be- tween the teacher and scholars. On this account, some of the pupils were not inclined to accept the teacher's management of the school. In time, however, they submitted to the powers that be.
Since then they have behaved themselves in a creditable manner, and have been glad to accept their teacher's discipline.
The teacher, all through the term, has labored untiringly for her school ; and by her thoroughness, fidelity, and good meth- ods of instruction, has proved herself a good teacher for the position.
The public examination at the close, was very satisfactory to
51
SCHOOL REPORT.
the committee ; and we think it must have been also to the many visitors present.
MERRIMAC INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
NELLIE M. SMITH, ADDIE M. GRIFFING, MILLIE J. BLAIS- DELL, Teachers.
The committee felt that they were very fortunate in securing the services of Miss Smith, who had had successful experience in teaching, and came unusually well recommended. The school-room gave unmistakable evidence that the committee had not been mistaken in their anticipations. Miss Smith very soon gained the love and respect of the scholars to such an ex. tent, that they cheerfully complied with every wish and instruc- tion from her.
At the end of four weeks, the committee consented to her accepting an urgent call to a neighboring seminary, at a much larger salary.
The last seven weeks of the term was kept by Miss Griffing, who, though having had considerable experience in teaching in High Schools, failed to meet the expectations of the com- mittee, not only in discipline but in methods of instruction.
At the commencement of the fall term, Miss Blaisdell com- menced her labors with the school, and, during the early part of the term, it was thought that under her instruction good progress was being made. At the closing examination, the ex- ercises were of such a character, and so arranged, as to be pleasing and entertaining, but failed to show that progress in the studies that had been confidently expected. The order at the latter part of the term was not entirely satisfactory.
52
SCHOOL RRPORT.
MERRIMAC SECOND PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS LIZZIE H. NICHOLS, Teacher.
The continuance in this school of the same teacher, whose efforts were so successful last year, has produced good results. Careful management on the part of the teacher, and a desire to learn on the part of the scholars, has given to the school a good degree of improvement.
Early in the fall term, Miss Nichols was taken seriously sick, and her place was filled temporarily by Miss Carrie M. Evans, of this place, who had had some experience in teaching, and who, considering the disadvantages under which she labored, was very successful in winning the love and good will of her scholars. After the Christmas vacation, Miss Nichols so far regained her health as to be able to resume her labors in the school .. The closing examination was very satisfactory to the commiteee.
MERRIMAC FIRST PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS LIZZIE BARTLETT, Teacher.
This school has been very successful through the year. Miss Bartlett has proved herself the right teacher in the right place. Her manner toward her pupils is always pleasant and gentle, yet her discipline is good, and the progress of her school sat- isfactory.
The size of the school has increased during the year, making the whole number, last term, forty-six.
The teacher has been using the word method in place of the A B C method in the lowest classes, with good results. Much time is thereby saved over the old method of instruction.
53
SCHOOL REPORT.
MERRIMACPORT HIGH SCHOOL.
J. W. CHENEY, Teacher.
This school is very quiet and finely disciplined. One feels, as he enters, like entering into a large counting room where each one is busy attending to his own work.
The principal of the school is a thoroughly educated man, with fine moral culture, and a good disciplinarian, whose facul- ties well adapt him as a teacher.
The committee are willing to bear testimony to his faithful- ness to his school, to the close application and attention to the work before him ; and he by his kindness wins the esteem of his pupils, thereby getting from them in return commensurate pro- gress in their literary and moral advancements.
He has also fine musical powers and culture, which he uses daily in his school.
In view of such qualifications he should have twice the num- ber of scholars under his charge.
In the last two and a half years, Mr. Cheney has greatly improved the school in its classification and scholarship.
He has three pupils who are fitting for college ; and there is . every prospect that they will be thoroughly fitted on Gradua- tion day.
These scholars in going through the regular course, in ad- dition to Latin, took up Greek as an outside study without in- terfering with the regular course.
He has had an exercise for pronouncing, which has been pursued by the whole school during the past year very profit- ably ; also recitations, compositions, and concert readings, and, without mentioning all, we would speak with pleasure, of his class of " memory gems,"' an exercise consisting of read- ings and recitations selected from the best writers.
54
1
SCHOOL REPORT.
MERRIMACPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISS HATTIE CHENEY, Teacher.
Miss Cheney having taught this school one year and two terms has shown herself unmistakably to be well qualified for an efficient teacher in point of education, energy, tact, and a fine voice for singing, which she uses to advantage with her scholars and which they appreciate by singing with her.
She has good qualities as a disciplinarian, and by connecting her musical ability at the organ with the gymnastic exercises of the scholars she is enabled to bring that department well nigh to perfection.
By attention to her duties and hard work, the school has shown good signs of improvement. One class from this school will go into the High school, and one class from the Primary will enter this, on the next term. At the examination a goodly number of the friends were present, the exercises giving good satisfaction.
MERRIMACPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MRS. MARY A. TUSON, Teacher.
With years of experience in teaching, an evenness of temper, case of manner, and with general qualifications for a teacher, it is felt that Mrs. Tuson is the "right one in the right place."
It is very pleasing to go into a school room filled to its ut- most with scholars from 5 to 10 years of age, who are keeping quiet and orderly, and in a very short time, are learning to read and spell, to answer difficult problems in arithmetic and in geography, and to point out and to answer in concert from
55
SCHOOL REPORT.
the maps without tire, to an almost unlimited extent, the most important points in the world
Vocal and instrumental music is performed here in which the scholars respond almost entirely. This is as it should be.
Gymnastic exercises are also approvingly conducted, es- pecially the gymnastic musical recitation of the multiplication table by all the school, even to the youngest.
Some thing must be done the coming year to ventilate more properly this overcrowded room.
The schools in this part of the town may be much improved if it is the desire and earnest wish of its citizens, especially of its parents. The children should be encouraged at home. The advantages and privileges of education, moral culture and obedience to the teacher should be engendered.
The wilful and combative disposition should be softened with kindness, and a high regard for the interests of the school im- partially administered with evenness of temper and a kindly heart under strong conscientious convictions for the right, which of itself induces an impression of superiority to obedience ; thus with parent, teacher and scholar in full accord, success will follow.
BIRCH MEADOW.
MISS NELLIE CLOUGH, Teacher.
This school has been under the care of the same teacher as last year, and she has worked earnestly and faithfully to make the school, not only pleasant, but profitable to the scholars, and to a great extent, her labors have been successful. The school when visited by the committee, has always appeared in good order and the scholars have seemed to be interested in their
56
SCHOOL REPORT.
studies. Owing to sickness among the scholars the fall term was very thinly attended, there being at the early part of the term but five or six scholars.
BEAR HILL SCHOOL.
Summer Term-MIss LoIs EDWARDS, Teacher.
Winter Term-MISS MARY M. HUNKINS, Teacher.
The summer term of this school closed three weeks before the usual time, on account of the feeble health of the teacher. As the term was somewhat short and closed without any ex- amination, the committee can hardly estimate the progress of the school. As the teacher failed somewhat in discipline, her efforts in behalf of the school met with some difficulties.
The teacher of the winter term labored very faithfully to make her school a prosperous one and her efforts were crowned with success Her discipline, as well as methods of instruc- tion were very satisfactory. The number of absent marks has been larger in this school than any other in town, and of course the results are very bad. The committee hope the parents will try more earnestly in future to keep their children in school.
The closing examination showed a very commendable pro- gress.
Three were promoted to the High school at the commence- ment of the fall term.
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL.
MARY ELLEN HOYT, Teacher.
This school has been very fortunate in having the services of one who possesses the elements of a successful teacher,
57
SCHOOL REPORT.
Miss Hoyt has succeeded admirably in stimulating the ambi- tion of the scholars to more thorough work in their studies. Good order has been maintained without resorting to severe measures.
At the closing examination the committee were very well pleased with the readiness and promptness which the scholars manifested, and the throughness with which they understood the studies they had pursued. The attendance through the year has been unusually good.
WM. CHASE, School
H. J. CUSHING,
O. F. SEAVEY, Committe
.
58
SCHOOL REPORT.
GRADUATES OF MERRIMACPORT
High School for 1877. -
" Respice Finem."
HARRY MARION FOWLER, NELLIE FLORENCE CARLETON, FLORENCE MARIA NEAL.
GRADUATES OF MERRIMAC
High School for 1878.
" Finis Coronat Opus."
PORTER SARGENT.
MARY AUGUSTA LAKE,
MARY ALVINA HEATH. GEORGIE MABEL FOSTER. MARY ATKINSON BRADY. JENNIE HOWARD NICHOLS.
TABLE NO. I.
STATISTICS OF SUMMER TERM.
Schools.
of
Scholars.
Average
number of
Scholars.
Average Attendance.
Per cent
Number of
Days
in Term.
Number
Number
Scholars over
Number
Scholors
Number
Visitors.
Teachers'
wages per
month.
Merrimac High,
48
46
42
91
60
63
28
18
$105 26
20
Assist.
Grammar,
26
25
24
96
60
6
1
42'
35
Intermediate,
53
52
0
91
55
71
22
35
2d Primary,
40
39
35
90
0
108
50
25
Ist Primary,
40
37
33
89
60
61
8
49
25
Merrimacport High,
20
18
16.5
92
60
35
6
32
94 73
66
Grammar,
35
35
32
91
60
26
1
35
35
66
Primary,
47
46
43
93
60
16
25
30
Birch Meadow District,
19
18
15
83
60
30
2
25
22
Bear Hill
34
31
29
94
50
14
1
17
35
Highlands
66
17
16
13
81
60
36
22
22
SCHOOL REPORT.
59
un-
Number
der 5.
of
of
Attendance.
Times Late.
15
09
TABLE NO. 2.
STATISTICS OF WINTER TERM.
Schools.
of
Scholars.
Average
number of
Scholars.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Number
Days
in Term.
Number
Number
Scholars over
Number
der 5.
Number
Visitors.
Teachers'
wages per
Month.
Merrimac High,
50
49
41
84
130
127
30
36
$105 26
Grammar,
40
39
34
87
110
110
89
35
Intermediate,
46
43
41
94
110
186
96
35
2d Primary,
28
25
23
92
110
167
76
30
1 st Primary,
46
39
33
85
110
188
4
91
30
Merrimacport High,
15
14
12
85
130
70
6
42
94 73
66
Grammar,
30
29
27
93
110
102
1
31
35
"
Primary, .
49
47
42
90
110
57
co
30
30
Birch Meadow District,
11
9
00
89
65
4
22
22
Bear Hill
37
36
23
64
110
53
29
35
Highlands
16
15
12
80
68
11
18
22
.
SCHOOL REPORT.
20
Assist.
Number
Scholars un-
of
of
Attendance.
Times Late.
15
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