USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1887 > 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).
Art. 12. To choose Fence Viewers and Field Drivers.
Art. 13. To choose an Auditor of Accounts and all other . necessary town officers.
Art. 14. To bring in their ballots - Yes or No -on the question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?"
Art. 15. To see if the town will accept the Jury List as revised by the Selectmen.
Art. 16. To see what sum of money the town will raise for the en- forcement of the laws relating to the sale of intoxicating liquors.
Art. 17. On petition of John Cleary and others to see if the town will appropriate the sum of Seventy-Five Dollars to be expended under the direction of Post 114, G. A. R., for the proper observance of Me- morial Day, May 30, 1887.
Art. 18. To see what sum of money the town will raise to defray the necessary charges and expenses of the town for the ensuing year and make appropriations for the same.
Art. 19. To see if the town will accept the following streets as laid out by the Selectmen, namely :
Liberty street, from Main to Mechanic streets.
Woodland street, from Grove to Lincoln streets.
Vendome street, from Woodland to Summer streets.
Lincoln street, from Woodland to Summer streets.
Winter street, from Woodland to Lincoln streets.
Middle street, from School to Locust streets.
Art. 20. To see if the town will authorize their Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to hire money in anticipation of taxes.
Art. 21. To see what discount if any, the town will allow for the prompt payment of taxes, and to fix the time for the payment of taxes. Also, to see what interest, if any, the town will charge on taxes re- maining unpaid after the time fixed for the payment thereof.
Art. 22. To see if the town will vote to restrain neat cattle and horse kind from running at large.
28
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF MERRIMAC
FOR THE
Year Ending March 1, 1887.
29
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
JOHN W. HOBART, THOMAS H. HOYT, CHARLES E. ROWELL,
Term expires 1887 66 1888
66 1889
TEACHERS, 1886-7,
HIGH SCHOOL. GEORGE F. JOYCE, JR., Principal. | HELEN K. SPOFFORD, Assistant.
MERRIMAC-CENTER.
Grammar, ELLEN GUNNISON
Intermediate,
CARRIE M. EVANS
First Primary,
CLARA E. PHILBRICK
Second Primary,
ETTA H. COLBY
PROSPECT STREET.
First Primary, *JOSEPHINE L. OAK, S. EVANNA STILES
Second Primary,
FLORA E. FOURTIN
MERRIMACPORT.
Grammar, *PHILIP EMERSON, HELEN W. TRASK
Intermediate, *MINNIE C. CURRIER,
LAURA G. ROWELL
Primary, *MARTHA A. HUGHES,
+JOSEPHINE V. MASON
LANDING.
¡MARTHA A. HUGHES, MINNIE L. NOWELL
HIGHLANDS,
LULU O. SHORT
BEAR HILL,
BESSIE A. VEAL
BIRCH MEADOW,
.
+LAURA G. ROWELL
MUSIC.
*MARTHA A. GOODWIN, OLIVE HILL
*Resigned.
+Transferred.
30-2
REPORT.
.
To the Citizens of Merrimac :
Your School Committee submit their eleventh annual report. M. Perry Sargent, Esq., having completed his term of service, Mr. Charles E. Rowell of Merrimacport, was chosen as his successor. The School Board was organized by choice of Dr. J. W. Hobart as Chairman, and Thomas H. Hoyt, Esq., as Secretary.
The statement of school expenses shows an excess of $544.78 over that of last year. This can be accounted for by the fact that after the account for last year was closed, bills for supplies and incidentals were brought in, amounting to more than $200, which were paid out of this year's appropriation. The necessary repairs on the school houses exceed those of last year by $274.41. This will enable us to account for $474.41. It must also be borne in mind that most of the schools continued longer than last year.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
Our school houses need constant attention to keep them in repair. The appearance of the school buildings is an index which affords the casual visitor a tolerably correct idea of the prosperity and intelligence of a community, if they are outwardly attractive, and their interior ar- rangements are such as to satisfy the laws of health, and combine util- ity with good taste, they exercise a subtle but positively beneficial in- fluence upon the scholars by holding in check that instinctively de- structive tendency to help destroy that which is dilapidated and going to ruin. Some of our school houses can be improved.
The Birch Meadow district received a special appropriation of $100. and the school house has been thoroughly repaired and painted. The
3
4
SCHOOL REPORT.
school house at Bear Hill is equally in need of repairs. The floor is nearly worn out, and should be replaced. It needs partial shingling, painting, and a new fence. The spring from which the scholars once got good water, is now unfit to use as it receives the surface water from the hillside, saturated with the refuse of the recently cleared land. If it was cleaned out, bricked above the surface and cemented, it would be all that would be needed. The Center school house ought to be re- painted, and a substantial pump should take the place of the one now in the yard.
Our school houses are very poorly ventilated. This is especially true of the room occupied by the Primary school at Merrimacport, and the Primary and Intermediate schools on School street. It is impossi- ble to ventilate them without exposing the children to danger from drafts of cold air, and equally impossible to stay in them without en- dangering the health from the poison of foul air.
The subject of ventilation should receive special attention in the future construction of our school houses. A fact in regard to the amount of pure air consumed by a person in one hour will set this matter in a clear light. It is estimated that each person should have 2,000 cubic feet of air per hour in order to reduce the gaseous components of respired air to their natural proportions, and neutral- ize its poisonous qualities. In a room 20 by 20 feet and walls 12 feet high, how long will it take 40 scholars to render the air unfit to breathe without a fresh supply? Much of the langour and nervous irritability which parents are apt to attribute to home study is probably caused by the poisonous air which they are forced to breathe so many hours of the day.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The Primary schools are the two lowest of the five grades into which the schools at the Center are divided. Each of these grades is represented by two schools which are named respectively, First and . Second Primary, there being a school of each grade on Prospect street, and also on School street. The Primary and Intermediate schools at Merrimacport, include the divisions that represent the three lowest grades at the Center ..
5
SCHOOL REPORT.
To any one who takes an intelligent interest in primary in- struction, the old idea that any one can teach a primary school is an absurdity. If there is any place where exceptional teaching ability is needed, it is where the first steps in the systematic pursuit of knowl- edge are taken. A teacher may have the requisite knowledge and skill to lead older scholars pleasantly along the somewhat rugged pathway of learning, and yet utterly fail to adapt himself to the untrained minds of children; for in addition to a clear and well stored mind, fertile in resources for apt illustration, there must be a heart that can sympathize with the hearts of children, and that self- poise which is the crowning result of a moral nature no less cultivated than the intellectual. For this reason we think superior teachers should be employed in primary schools, to lay the foundation of sound learning. If the importance of their work were generally recognized, as it should be, and as we think it yet will be, there would be an incal- culable gain in the results of instruction.
We do not undervalue the qualifications of the teachers in the more advanced grades; their labors are as essential to complete the work begun in the primary school. We only assert the equal im- portance of primary instruction and the equal consideration that should be extended to primary teachers.
There is no department (grade) in which improved methods of instruction yield more marked results. The senses and observing faculties of the child are keenly alive to external impressions; the power of sustained thinking, of comparing one impression with another and drawing correct conclusions, is later in its unfoldment ; hence the teacher must know how to simplify knowledge until it can be understood by the pupil. Even then the word of the teacher must sometimes stand temporarily in the place of the final reason, until the mind still further unfolds its powers.
A facility in the writing and reading of numbers, and in working in the fundamental rules of arithmetic can be gained without the ability to give a clear analysis of the work in appropriate words; the reason may be intuitively grasped, but fitting words form no part of the child's vocabulary.
6
SCHOOL REPORT.
Reading naturally occupies the first place in the list of studies, and, when rightly conducted, is the most powerful lever for mental uplifting. Every lesson in reading becomes a lesson in the correct use of language. The old method of first learning the alphabet and then combining the letters to form simple words, has been discarded as too slow in its results, and the scholars are now taught much more quickly and easily by the word method, combined with the method by sound. It has been proved by wide experience that by this method children learn to read much faster, and almost unconsciously acquire the alphabet and the simpler combinations of letters into syllables.
. The conviction has been growing with us that too much time is spent in our primary schools. We think that the course of study might be completed in five years instead of six, without loss to the scholars.
After a careful study of the result of the year's work, we are satisfied that an advance has been made in the several studies, and that the classes stand higher in scholarship and deportment than the
. corresponding classes of last year.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Our Grammar schools need no commendation from us, as a well founded impression prevails that a high order of excellence is main- tained in discipline and in studies.
A large number of children here finish their school education, and it is desirable that it be made as practical and as comprehensive as possible ; but it is difficult to realize this within the present narrow limits of time. Too many studies are crowded upon the attention ; some of them being new, and difficult to comprehend without greater maturity of mind than usually appears during the changes from childhood to youth. An additional year would permit a better dis- tribution of studies, reserving the more difficult for the latter part of the course, and, allowing more time for each study. Those who enter the High school would be better prepared to cope with the more difficult studies that await them there.
T
SCHOOL REPORT.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
The school at the Center taught by Miss Evans, and the one at Merrimacport under the instruction of Miss Rowell, are the in- termediate links that connect the Primary with the Grammar schools. It is here that the failure to have formed correct habits of study becomes very apparent, when the scholar is tested by searching reviews and rigid written examinations.
A surprising degree of thoughtlessness is often shown by scholars in answering the simplest questions. This arises more from inat- tention than from a lack of understanding, and the teacher is often blamed for the defects of the scholar; for instance, one scholar tells us that South Carolina is the capital of France, or fails to answer questions in arithmetic which involve the simplest analysis, and that might be answered by an attentive pupil in the Primary school. As a corrective for this carelessness, or mental inertia, we advise a more thorough drill in mental, in connection with written, arithmetic, and of the two we think the former the more important. Our strictures must not be construed into a censure of the teachers; we know that they have labored intelligently and faithfully, and in a degree suc- cessfully, to correct this habit of thoughtlessness.
The study of Physiology and Hygiene, with special reference to the evil effects of alcohol and tobacco, is made obligatory in all the schools. In the Primary grade this instruction is given orally; in the Intermediate schools the subject is studied by the aid of text books, and is continued through the Grammar school. To make this in- struction more effective we need better apparatus and charts for illustration.
MIXED SCHOOL.
With the exception of the school at Bear Hill, which has an average yearly attendance of thirty-five scholars, our mixed schools are very small. It is difficult to arrange the classes in these schools so as to bring them into harmony with the graded schools at the Center. The teacher often finds nearly as many classes as there are
S
SCHOOL REPORT.
pupils ; and if the time is impartially divided among the classes, but a few minutes can be devoted to each recitation. Notwithstanding these hindrances to success, there is much excellent teaching and many good scholars to be found in these schools.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The graduating exercises at the close of the last summer term were of unusual interest; four young ladies and two young gentlemen received diplomas.
The school this year numbers sixty-three scholars, a much larger number than has attended for several years. It was thought bv some, at the time the schools were reorganized, that the High would not re- ceive a sufficient number of scholars from the Grammar schools to make it necessary to continue the services of an assistant, but the in- crease in numbers from year to year has demonstrated the wisdom and necessity of employing more than one teacher. By the present arrange- ment, each teacher conducts eight recitations daily; if this work de- volved upon one, there would necessarily be a loss of time, and lack of thoroughness in instruction.
The studies are so arranged, to meet the wants of the scholars, into two courses. In one, the languages are omitted, and the time that would otherwise have been given to them, is employed upon the study of English Literature and the Natural Sciences. The other includes the studies of the shorter course with the addition of the Latin and French languages. In the selection of studies, those have been re- tained that have been commended by long usage, and the approval of the wisest educators, as best fitted to lay the foundations of a generous and practical education.
These studies are so arranged that but three or four are pursued at the same time, and the necessity for study out of school has been much lessened ; whether it can be dispensed with, depends very much upon the thoroughness of the scholar's work in the preparatory schools. It is our opinion, however, that the older scholars can profitably devote a part of their time out of school to study without injury to their health.
In our remarks upon the Grammar school we advised the lengthen-
9
SCHOOL REPORT.
ing of the course by the addition of a year ; this change would be a great gain to the High school, by relieving it of a class that is really doing work that should be done in the Grammar school, and by giving the teachers · more time to devote to classes that properly belong to the High school.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The feeling is very strong among teachers and some parents, that too much is required of scholars who are expected to pass the ordeal of a written and public examination during the last week of school. It is now a vanishing custom, having been abolished in most of the cities and towns of the state. A public examination, as we all know. is not a test of scholarship; it simply affords parents and friends a definite opportunity to perform a duty which if left to "a more con- venient season," would never or rarely be done. If it is thought best. let teachers set apart a half-day, some time in the year, for music. dialogues, readings or recitations.
We invite our friends to visit the schools at any time; they will be welcomed by the teachers, and many little misunderstandings that often arise would be prevented or explained, if parents were in the habit of so doing.
In surveying the work that has been done during the last three years, we have every reason to be proud of the progress of our schools, and we think the defects which still remain will. so far as possible, be removed in the future. We have endeavored to secure competent teachers, and they are well worthy of, the positions they occupy, and deserve the kindly support of the community.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HOBART, THOMAS H. HOYT, CHARLES E. ROWELL. School Committee.
Merrimac, March 1, ISS7.
10
SCHOOL REPORT.
MERRIMAC HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATES, 1886.
LADIES. GENTLEMEN. .
MINNIE L. NOWELL,
HARRY I. CUMMINGS,
JENNIE P. CLEMENT,
NELLIE E. LITTLE,
JESSE G. NICHOLS.
OLIVA M. MERRILL.
11
SCHOOL REPORT.
TABLE No. 1. STATISTICS OF SUMMER TERM.
SCHOOLS.
Number of
Days in term.
Number of
Average
Number of
Scholars.
Average
Attendance.
Number of
Times Late.
No. of scholars
over 15 years.
No. of scholars
under 5 years.
Number of
Teacher's
wages
per month.
High,
(Principal) (Assistant)
60
48
46
45
24
39
-
4
$100 00
50 40
Center Grammar,
65
40
39
37
79
15
50 00
Intermediate,
Ist Primary, .
55
39
34
47
30
35 CO
2d
60
47
44
41
51
30
30 00
Plains 1st Primary, .
60
46
46
44
17
1
18
35 CO
66
2d
60
51
47
43
50
1
11
30 00
Merrimacport Grammar,
55
2.2
21
18
14
1
8
60 00
Intermediate,
60
23
2.2.
17
46
197
29
30 00
Bear Hill, .
60
41
39
35
24
1
12
40 00
Landing,
60
11
11
11
4
26
22 00
Birch Meadow,
60
14
14
12
6
1
28
22 00
Highlands, .
TABLE No. 2. STATISTICS OF WINTER TERM.
SCHOOLS.
Number of
Days in term.
Number of
Scholars.
Average
Number of
Scholars.
Average
Attendance.
Number of
Times Late.
No. of scholars
over 15 years.
No. of scholars
under 5 years.
Number of
Teacher's
wages
per month.
High,
(Principal) (Assistant)
130
63
62
60
78
48
-
7
$105 26
50 00
Center Grammar,
120
36
35
33
18
2
24
50 00
Intermediate,
115
45
43
41
1
33
40 00
1st Primary, .
120
4.2
40
38
113
I
40
30 00
Plains Ist
115
46
44
42
37
1
26
35 00
66
2dł
115
45
40
36
142
20
30 00
Merrimacport Grammar,
Intermediate,
115
30
28
25
175
55
31 00
Primary, .
115
32
30
27
94
53
13
40 00
Landing,
60
12
12
11
5
34
22 00
Birch Meadow,
60
17
13
11
10
1
36
22 00
Highlands, .
60
12
11
10
31
3
-
15
22 00
10.
60
26
25
10
21
11
31 00
Primary,
60
48
42
39
8
13
23
22 00
9
8
31
125
2d
115
45
37
21
37
1
23
50 00
60
30 00
Bear Hill, .
115
23
25
35 00
15
60
Scholars.
Visitors.
35 00
-
Visitors.
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.