USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1884 > Part 2
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At the town meeting last March the Selectmen and School Committee were chosen to build a school house of two rooms upon the lot of land previously purchased by the town on Prospect Street, and the amount of $3,000 was appropriated for that purpose. About the middle of September the build- ing was completed and ready for occupancy ; two schools were immediately opened here, which were continued until the winter term as the third and fourth primaries.
During the Thanksgiving recess the village was divided into two districts for all scholars attending the primary schools. The new school house district (as accurately as can be briefly stated) comprises territory west of Locust street and north of the Congregational Church. Under this arrangement two schools opened in the new house as the Pros- pect Street First and Second Primaries. From this district system resulted the disadvantage of doubling the number of
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SCHOOL REPORT.
classes in each of the four Primaries, thus changing the grade of the schools. But we think the advantage of having many of the small Primary scholars near the school which they attend more than offsets any disadvantage resulting from changing the grade. The new school house is spacious and convenient, and the cost is within the appropriation as will be- seen by the figures in the report of the Selectmen.
The coming year the yard should be fenced, a well of water provided, and lightning rods placed upon the house. It may be deemed presumption on the part of the committee to sug- gust that the question of additional school accommodations should even now engage the attention of the town. But while all our school rooms are not filled to their utmost capacity, they can conveniently accommodate but few more scholars ; and if the numbers continue to increase as they have in the immediate past, additional school accommodations will be a necessity of the near future.
The committee would commend the schools to the watchful care of the people of the town. The frequent presence of parents and friends in the school room is of the greatest ad- vantage, and we advise that in the future they will use more of their time in visiting the schools and in conferring intel- ligently with their agents, the teachers.
At the beginning of the year the schools were assigned as follows : The High School, Center Intermediate, Center First Primary, Birch Meadow and Highland, to Mr. Hoyt. The Center Grammar, the Center Second Primary, the Prospect Street, and the Bear Ilill, to Mr. Sargent. The Merrimacport Schools and Landing School, to Mr Chase. For a particular account of each school, reference is made to the report of the committee having charge.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
It appears by the report of the Selectmen that $175 of the school money is unexpended ; but since the account of the Selectmen was closed the committee have appropriated $150 for school purposes, which will appear in the account of the Selectmen next year ; thus leaving a balance of some $25 un- expended.
The committee ask that $5500, the same as last year, be ap- propriated for general school purposes the coming year.
If the new school house lot is to be fenced, properly graded, a well of water provided, and lightning rods placed on the building, a further sum should be appropriated for these pur- poses.
THOMAS H. HOYT,
WILLIAM CHASE, School M. PERRY SARGENT. Committee.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL.
JOHN A. NICHOLS,
G. FRED JOYCE,
Principals.
MISS HELEN K. SPOFFORD, Assistant.
During the spring recess Mr. Wiggin resigned his position as principal to take charge of the Salisbury High School. Our High school had been under his care since it was established, and his resignation was regretted by a large number of friends. To temporarily fill the vacancy caused by his resignation the committee were very fortunate in securing the services of Prof. John A. Nichols, causing a delay of only two weeks in opening the school. Although Mr. Nichols was principal of
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SCHOOL REPORT.
the school only ten weeks, he gained the good will and re- spect of all the pupils, and showed that his widely established reputation as a superintendent of schools is justly due him.
During the summer vacation Mr. G. Fred Joyce of Brook- line was chosen by the committee from a large number of candidates as permanent principal. Mr. Joyce is a graduate of Harvard, and came to us with two years successful experi- ence as teacher of a high school. Although he entered upon the discharge of his duties here under disadvantages he has been very successful with his school ; excelling, both as a dis- ciplinarian and instructor.
Miss Spofford, as assistant, has continued to merit the well- established reputation as a popular and successful teacher.
Last fall the scholars of the High School with some assist- ance from the town, purchased an elegant piano for their room, with the " piano fund." A good musical instrument has long been needed here, and we congratulate the members of the High School upon their success in acquiring one.
We regret that the number of scholars who avail themselves of the advantages furnished by our High School is not larger, and can but think that many who have left the school within the past two or three years might have remained here with profit to themselves.
CENTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL. MISS ELLEN GUNNISON, Teacher.
It might be sufficient to say that this school has been under the care of Miss Gunnison during the entire year, and that she
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SCHOOL REPORT.
has fully maintained the enviable reputation she has heretofore acquired as a teacher in our public schools. The order has been excellent, and it would be hard to find a school in which everything is done in a more thorough manner.
CENTER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS ELLA M. HOYT, Teacher.
This school has been very successful during the year. The teacher has labored earnestly for the good of her scholars and the school, as a whole, has made excellent progress.
We were pleased to notice that nearly all the pupils seemed to regard the performance of their duties in school as a pleas- ure rather than as a task.
We hope that another term not one will be found delinquent in studies or deportment.
CENTER FIRST PRMIARY SCHOOL.
MISS CARRIE M. EVANS, Teacher.
This school, in common with all the primaries, was at the beginning of the term, considerably disturbed by the change then made in dividing the village into districts. However, by carnest work on the part of the teacher, the damage to the school by the change has not been great.
Miss Evans is a conscientious teacher, devoted to the wel- fare of her school and her success has been very satisfactory.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
As the school was closed four weeks during the term the exam- ination will not take place until about the middle of March.
CENTER SECOND PRIMARY.
MISS JOSEPHINE L. OAK, MISS FANNIE SHERMAN, Teachers.
This school made rapid progress during the summer and fall terms, but the winter term was almost a failure, but not from any fault on the part of the teacher ; the change made in the limits of the district, and the combining of two grades in one, thereby making twice the number of classes and otherwise in- creasing the labors of the teacher, was supplemented by the scarlet fever which reduced the number of scholars to such an extent that the school was closed for three weeks.
PROSPECT STREET FIRST PRIMARY.
IMISS FANNIE SHERMAN, MISS JOSEPHINE L. OAK, Teachers.
During the summer term this and the Second Primary com- posed what was then known as the Fourth Primary and was taught in the basement of Mechanics Hall, a place entirely un- fit for any school, much less a large one, and although the teacher labored faithfully the results could not be the best.
The fall term in the new school-house was very successful, and Miss Sherman proved herself to be the right person in the right place.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
The winter term was all that could be expected, considering the change in district lines, causing twice as many classes, a combination of two grades, and loss of musical instruction.
PROSPECT STREET SECOND PRIMARY. MISS FLORA FOURTIN, Teacher.
Although young, as a teacher, Miss Fourtin showed marked ability in interesting and instructing the little ones, and we have no hesitation in saying that the children who commence school life under her charge will be well started in the right direction.
MERRIMACPORT GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MR. CHARLES S. DAVIS, Teacher.
In the spring and summer of 1882 this school probably ranked as one of the most ungovernable of any in town. A portion of the disturbing element on leaving school, left the other portion in an attitude more easily to be governed, and the whole school better able to attend to their studies and duties more harmoniously. At the end of the year, the com- mittee were able to report a commendable degree of improve- ment and interest in the school under the gentle hand of its judicious teacher, Mr. Davis.
This present school year of 1883 the committee, with the consent of the teacher, decided to allow such scholars as were
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SCHOOL REPORT.
prepared to enter the High School, but had not determinde to do so at present, to remain and take up the studies of the first year of the High School. Consequently Mr. Davis has two additional classes corresponding to the two lower classes in the High School. This plan makes extra labor for the teacher, it being necessary to attend to one class after the school hour, which he is ready and willing to do. We think the plan a good one under present circumstances.
The difference in the order and general interest of the scholars is quite noticable since one year and more ago. It will be seen by the statistics that corporal punishment has been resorted to during the year. Although the school has not arrived to the position we desire, yet we hope, if no disturbing influence and serious obstacles intervene, to re- port in the near future a very commendable school. Singing is practiced in this sehool.
MERRIMACPORT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS N. FLORENCE CARLTON, Teacher.
This school has seemed to have had its full share of uneasy and disinterested boys, much given to tardiness and absent- ism, some of whom are naturally quite bright. If parents do not interest themselves in reiation to this matter, the schools must suffer as well as the children. Some scholars will learn under difficulties. What advancement is made in this school, is accomplished by the energy, earnest, and hard work of the teacher. ; Singing has been introduced with good effect.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
MERRIMACPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL. MISS ANNIE M. COLLINS, Teacher.
The advancement of scholars in primary schools "seems al- ways to be more noticeable than among other scholars. Miss. Collins has a marked ability to win the affection of the chil- dren, and to instil into their minds the first rudiments of learning. As good order is preserved [here as perhaps is necessary with young children.
Singing is practiced in this school, very much, we think, to the benefit of the scholars. :
LANDING SCHOOL.
MISS MATTIE A. HUGHES, Teacher.
The school-house in this district two years ago was thor- oughly repaired at considerable expense, because at that time there had been quite an increase of scholars, and tlie parents were quite urgent to have the house refitted and save their children the long distance of travel to other places. The committee then decided as a matter of duty to accede to their wishes. At that time there were twenty-one scholars. Since then several families have moved away, re- ducing the number of scholars, so thar there was reported by the teacher at the close of the last term, only eight schol- ars.
Unless there shall be an increase in the number of scholars it will be a question to be decided what course shall be taken
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SCHOOL REPORT.
with the few scholars left, if not deemed expedient to open the school again the coming year.
Miss Hughes, having performed as faithfully and accepta- bly on her part as could be expected under the disheartening circumstances, is entitled to favorable consideration if a larger school shall be wanting a teacher.
BEAR HILL.
MISS LINA SHERMAN, MISS BESSIE A. VEAL, Teachers.
Miss Sherman who taught this school to good acceptance last year was re-engaged and labored faithfully until the close of the summer term, when she decided that the domestic duties of life had more attraction for her than the school-room, and Miss Veal was engaged for the remainder of the year. The school was large, the classes numbered twenty-one, but were. somewhat reduced by the instructions of the Committee ; the teacher labored with untiring zeal, and the results, so far as it relates to those who attended regularly, has been very satisfac- tory to the Committee.
Some of the parents in this' district are entirely indifferent about their children attending school, and, as might be ex- pected, they are absent so much that they make very little progress.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
BIRCH MEADOW SCHOOL.
MISS FLORA E. FOURTIN, MISS MINNIE CURRIER, Teachers.
Although this is a district school it has for years been one of the best taught and disciplined schools in town. Miss Fourtin taught the summer term and succeeded so well, that, though this was her first experience she was promoted in the fall to one of the primary schools in the new house.
Miss Currier who taught the fall term was fairly success- ful. If she had been somewhat firmer in discipline the school would have presented a better appearance. This was her first school and she will, we think, with further experi- ence, develop into a good teacher.
HIGHLAND SCHOOL.
MISS BESSIE A. VEAL, Teachers
MISS ETTA L. COLBY,
The summer term was very successfully taught by Miss Veal. Miss Veal is a teacher who exemplifies what continued zeal in the pursuit of success in her profession will accomplish. During the summer vacation Miss Veal: was promoted to the Bear IIill School, and Miss Colby taught the fall term. It gives us pleasure to be able to state that Miss Colby succeeded admirably, both in teaching and governing the school.
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TABLE NO. ONE.
STATISTICS OF SUMMER TERM.
SCHOOLS.
Number of
Days in term
Number of
Scholars.
Average No.
Scholars.
Average
Attendance.
Number of
Number of
over 15 years.
Number of
Scholars
under 5 years
Number of
Visitors.
Teachers'
Wages per
Month.
Merrimac High,
50
31
29.5
27.3
25
22
13
$100 00 Prin.
66
Intermediate,
60
31
30.7
28.1
39
17
35 00
66
1 st Primary,
60
32
30.8
29.3
24
27
30
00
66
2d Primary,
60
52
49.3
45
27
29
30
00
60
59
51
44.7
117
1
56
30
00
Merrimacport Grammar,
58.5
23
21
18
77
1
13
45
00
66
66
Intermediate,
60
29
27.5
25.3
33
16
31
00
66
16
55
31
27.9
23.8
71
20
30
00
Bear Ilill,
60
43
39
35
95
20
35 00
Landing,
55
16
14
14
21
17
22 00
Birch Meadow,
59
17
16
13
3
25
22 00
Highlands,
60
21
18.5
14.3
43
1
2
14
22 00
Asst.
60
33
31
29.6
27
3
21
45 00
38 00
Grammar,
3d Primary,
Primary,
SCHOOOL REPORT.
of
Times Late.
Scholars
TABLE NO. TWO.
STATISTICS OF WINTER TERM.
SCHOOLS
Number of
Days in term
Number of
Average No.
Scholars.
Average
Attendance
Number of
Times Late.
Number of
over 15 years.
Number of
Scholars
under 5 years
Number of
Visitors.
Teachers'
Wages per
Month.
Merrimac High,
140
41
31.8
28.5
104
22
24
$92 00 Prin.
Grammar,
125
34
31.6
26.6
42
4
28
45 00
Intermediate,
115
31
29.7
27.6
94
24
35 00
1 st Primary,
110
29
28.2
27
14
24
30 00
2d Primary,
90
34
31
28.8
26
40
30 00
Plains, Ist Primary,
110
40
37
34
59
55
30
00
2d Primary,
95
46
37
32
37
74
30
00
Merrimacport Grammar,
123.5
24
23
21
102
23
50
00
115
27
26
24
127
27
31
00
115
35
30.7
26.3
136
28
30
00
Bear Hill,
120
51
41
35.3
55
2
44
35 00
Landing,
60
8
7.5
7
34
10
22 00
Highlands,
60
17
16
13.5
46
2
1
21
22 00
Birch Meadow,
60
15
13
11
1
25
22 00
45
SCHOOL REPORT.
38 00
Asst.
Intermediate,
Primary,
Scholars.
of
Scholars
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