USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1890-1899 > Part 29
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There have been very few changes in the teaching force for the past year. At the commencement of the school year Miss Mary B. Peterson resigned her position at No. 5, and Mrs. Mary E. Woodell, a teacher of large experience, was appointed her successor. But having scarcely entered upon her work, after a short illness she was called upon to lay down the burden of life and enter upon her reward. She was succeeded by Mrs. Ida M. Raymond, a teacher who previously taught in different
4
sections of the Town. Under her instructior the school has made marked progress, and the Committee fe [ gratified in en- trusting the welfare of this school into the b .nds of so worthy and faithful a teacher.
The Committee appointed Edward W. Cook and William J. Turner Truant Officers. We are highly gratified that there have been so few cases which required their attention.
The Committee at the annual meeting asked for an appropria- tion of $4,000 for the support of schools, which was freely granted. We have expended the money in as judicious a man- fier as possible, and we have been able to advance the salaries of the teachers somewhat, according to the sentiment expressed by the citizens of the Town. By so doing we were able to com- mence our schools last fall without any change of teachers, thereby enabling the schools to enter upon their work without any serious hindrance.
Again we must call attention to the loss of time from school work for apparently trivial causes. The fall term did not con- mence until Sept. 21, which, we hoped, would be sufficiently late, so that all could commence at the opening of the schools. But the fact is that some of the schools in the outlying districts were broken for two or three weeks by non-attendance, prob- ably owing to cranberry picking.
Many other cases of absenteeism for other causes come to our notice, which are not only a decided injury to the scholar him- self, but also a hindrance to the class in which he holds mem- bership. Those who expect promotion at the end of the year must attend regularly and work faithfully.
At a meeting of the Joint Committee of Mr. Edgar L. Willard was re-elected Superintendent of Schools. The sentiment ex- pressed at the meeting was that under his supervision the schools have made great advancement, and he is to be con- gratulated upon the result of his labors.
The only change made in books for the past year is the sub- stitution of Metcalf's Grammar for Hyde's Language Lessons. As the Hyde books were very much worn, it was thought that the new series could be introduced with little expense to the
5
Town, as through the terms of the exchange the old book is exchanged for the new one at a very low rate.
Repairs on the school property have cost more than we anti- cipated at the beginning of the school year. Still we feel confi- dent that where repairs are needed, both for the comfort of the scholars, as well as the saving of school property, the citizens of the Town will not blame the Committee for so doing. We think that it is the best policy to take the same care of Town property entrusted to our keeping as we would of our own.
The schoolhouse at Millbrook is in a good condition, but the grounds about the house are a disgrace to any town. All the soil has been removed to repair the Town highways, leaving nothing but sand on the whole lot. Every hard rain washes the sand into the road, and obliges us to make constant repairs on the grounds. A special appropriation ought to be made to put the grounds in good condition. A good fence should be put around the school property at No. 2, if for no other purpose than to keep the grounds from being used as a public highway, as is being done at the present time. The walls of the school- houses in Districts 2, 4, 7 and 8 have been calcimined and the ceilings whitewashed. The desks and chairs have been var- nished, so that these rooms are very attractive, and are put in first-class condition. One-half of the schoolhouse at No. 2 has been shingled, as it began to leak badly. Repairs of the roof, doors and outbuildings at Island Creek were absolutely neces- sary. The schoolhouses at Nos. 2 and 3 were painted outside.
The schoolhouses have never been insured; therefore we rec- ommend that the Town take action thereon at the next annual meeting. To this end we have caused an article to be placed in the warrant. Your Committee are still of the opinion that something ought to be done for the transportation of pupils, so that the children from all parts of the Town can have the benefit of the Grammar School.
In conclusion, we thank the citizens for their interest in school matters, and we trust that in the near future our schools may be raised to a higher standard than ever before, for there is no
6
better safeguard for the stability of our government than the education of the children in our public schools. Appended to this report are those of the Principal of Partridge Academy and the Superintendent of Schools.
NATHAN T. SOULE, HENRY BARSTOW, WILLIAM J. ALDEN, JR., School Committee of Duxbury.
REPORT OF PARTRIDGE ACADEMY.
To the School Committee, Gentlemen:
I submit herewith a report of Partridge Academy.
The object which I have always before me, and which I am gradually achieving, is to raise the standard of the school. In this connection the present outlook is very encouraging. The class which graduated last June will compare very favorably with classes of the same grade elsewhere.
The general work of the school thus far this year shows a gain in many respects; for example, the senior class has never quite finished the work on General History. The present class, how- ever, will complete it at the same rate they are now taking it. The work laid down as a year's course in Latin was completed last year for the first time, but the present class is fully up to its predecessor.
This year, for the first time, there is a class of six in Caesar. and the members of the class not only maintain their interest in the subject, but also they are doing very good work.
I have one pupil who is reading Virgil, and this with the fore- going, tends, I think, to create a sentiment toward advanced work. We have adopted a new system of bookkeeping, which is an abridgement of that used in some of the best business col- leges. I hope by means of it to shorten the course in book- keeping somewhat, thus giving more time to other subjects which are now a little crowded.
By the introduction of masterpieces of British Literature we are able to study directly a larger number of the works of the great authors than formerly.
Except as noted, the subjects and methods of work remain practically unchanged. In the senior class the Geometry by original demonstration with Trigonometry and Surveying in the spring term, are now firmly fixed; also the courses in Literature and Science.
8
For the middle class in Natural Philosophy we have secured a small dynamo and a whirling table, two important pieces of apparatus. The Grammar class which comes from the Gram- mar School shows the advantage of its year's training there.
The Academy received from Captain Walter Josselyn a fine stuffed crocodile. It is hoped that this may be the nucleus of a collection which shall be donated by the friends of the school. I have been annoyed and the interests of the school have suf- fered by the unnecessary absences of some of the pupils. I would ask for the assistance of the parents in this respect. Do not allow your children to stay away from school for any but the most urgent reasons. The school suffers. but the individual suffers more.
Respectfully submitted,
THOS. H. H. KNIGHT, Principal.
REPORT OF SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
To the School Committee:
In submitting to you my annual report, I am impressed with the thought that the fewer words in which I can say all that needs to be said, the more likely will be my report to be read by citizens in general.
As my particular desire in such a report is to reach the parents of children in our schools, I will try to present the facts in such a form and in such a manner that they may be interested to read them.
I would earnestly invite their close attention to the work being done in all the schools.
The extent to which parents are willing to remain ignorant of the schools which their children attend is astonishing. In a large number of cases they know little or nothing of the work done by the schools, whether it is good or bad. The reason for this apathy is hard to determine. Every intelligent parent should realize that it would be far better for all concerned- children, teachers and community-if they kept in closer touch with the schools; that it would be better to give the teacher the benefit of their counsel than to stand aloof and find fault or entirely ignore her. If parents would take the trouble to visit the schools and inform the teachers, in a true and proper way, of the abilities, weaknesses and peculiarities of their children, much time now lost would be saved, and they themselves would me more than pleased with the results of such conferences. The teacher is obliged to spend the greater part of one term in stumbling upon the characteristics of the children whom she has to teach. She finds some shy, others forward; some prompt and proficient in their studies, others halting and unsatisfactory.
All this knowledge the parents possess at the start. If they should impart it at the beginning to the teacher, better progress would be assured, and much fret and worry avoided.
10
Some feel that schools are run so differently from the old way that they cannot understand their management. But there is nothing mysterious about modern methods in education. They are simply better ways of getting at the final result. Just as in building a house or in making a shoe, we have found out quicker and easier ways than our ancestors knew; so, in our schools, we trust we are using better ways of getting at the truth. If the methods are right and reasonable, then any reasonable person can understand them if he will try.
Education means much more than it did fifty years ago. What was good enough for our fathers and grandfathers is not good enough for the children of today. The world has pro- gressed in education as well as in agriculture, manufacture, mining, travel and commerce. New studies and new methods are crowded into our school courses, and must be to keep pace with the progress in other directions.
Parents should make a close study of what their children are doing in school, for both they and the teacher are striving for the same end-the mental and moral development of their children.
THE COURSE OF STUDY.
The course of study adopted by you last year has been as closely followed as was possible by the teachers.
The value of READING for literature has been emphasized by the introduction of selections to be memorized, suggestions for home reading, reading to the class by the teacher, and by extra class reading. Our pupils in general are very poor readers. But they are improving, and will, it is hoped, under the careful guidance and continuous drill of faithful teachers, develop into fluent and expressive readers.
To aid the teacher in this study a greater variety of supple- mentary books is urgently needed.
GEOGRAPHY is taught as the science of the earth that lies around us, and the world as a whole as the home of man.
The teachers are trying to make necessary a broader, more
11.
natural and more philosophical treatment than mere memory cramming.
Since ARITHMETIC is most frequently applied to construc- tions and accounts, the teachers have tried, from the very lowest grades, to apply as many practical, everyday problems as possi- ble to the work in school.
Business transactions and the art of recording them, in an elementary way, have been taught in the upper grades.
The idea of magnitudes, whether integral or fractional, and their measures have been derived as far as possible from actual experience.
HISTORY is begun in the very lowest grades by stories of historical characters and localities. These at first are told of read to the pupils by the teacher. Then they are encouraged to read them for themselves. The subject as a definite study is not taken until the seventh year in school.
The study of LANGUAGE, that is, how to write and speak correctly, is made paramount for the first six years of the course, in the belief that a reasonable facility in the use of English is preferable to the ability to understand the principles upon which our language is constructed.
The study of Elementary Grammar goes hand in hand with that of language during the last two years of the course.
TEACHERS.
Owing to the increased appropriation so generously voted for by the citizens at the Town Meeting last March we have been able to retain every one of our old teachers.
While other nearby towns have suffered much through chang- ing of teachers, we have derived the benefits of continued service. It is impossible for two teachers, equally good in every respect, to accomplish such good results in a school in one year, as either one alone might accomplish if allowed to remain for the full year.
If we have poor teachers we ought to change. But if we have good ones we ought to keep them.
It is my sincere desire that no teachers who are such as we
12
want will be allowed to go elsewhere, when a moderate increase in wages will cause them to remain.
VISITS.
From Jan. 1, 1896, to Jan. 1, 1897, I have made three hundred and sixty-two visits to the schools of the district, an average of about eleven to each school.
While this has not been true of several schools, the small number of visits to them has been made up by a number greater than the average to others.
My plan has been to visit most frequently those schools which, on account of change of teachers, or for other equally good rea- sons, seemed to need special attention. The time has been equally divided between the three towns in the district.
Eleven school days have been spent by me in my office during the year. Three of these were on account of such severe storms that the schools were not in session, two on account of sickness, and six to do such work as could not otherwise be done in proper season.
PROMOTIONS.
Promotions have been made with special care, and some have been required to repeat last year's work. In every case I think pupils have been profited by it. It is certainly a mistaken kind- ness to yield to the entreaties of disappointed children or mis- judging parents in this regard.
ATTENDANCE.
Were it not for the fact that there has been so much sickness among the pupils, I feel sure that the record of attendance for the past year would be an advance upon that of the previous year. I would still urge what I said in my report last year on this subject.
Without the co-operation of parents a teacher's efforts to secure regularity and punctuality are almost fruitless. But with it attendance can be made almost perfect.
13
Parents who sincerely and truly desire the welfare of their children ought to realize that the best results follow a moderate amount of work, well done, every day.
MARSHFIELD FAIR.
Last year the teachers saved such of the work of their pupils as they regarded good for the purpose, and exhibited it in the hall of the Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society.
By the decision of the Committee of that Society the following awards were made:
To the Marshfield High School for the best exhibit.
To the Scituate High School for the best original design drawings.
To the Greenbush Primary School for the best exhibit of chil- dren's busy work.
To the Union School, Marshfield, for the best nature and lan- guage work.
To the North Duxbury Primary School for the best drawing and relief maps.
To the Duxbury Grammar School for the best writing.
Besides these awards, diplomas were given in order of merit as excellent and good.
The idea of a public exhibit of this kind is to arouse the inter- est of the pupils and stimulate them to make the best possible efforts in their work.
No one can secure and name one hundred and forty different botanical specimens, as did three pupils who exhibited their col- lections, without having their eyes opened to the wondrous beauties of nature; and no one can have their eyes so opened without profit to themselves. The exhibit itself is of minor con- sideration. The good comes in preparing for it.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
In order that there be more uniformity throughout the town in school matters, and to increase the efficiency of our schools, I would offer the following recommendations:
14
First-That you consider the advisability of uniting Districts I, 2, 7 and 8 with the Grammar School in a single building.
Second-That you ask the next Town Meeting to appropriate two hundred dollars ($200) for the transportation of pupils of Grammar grades from Districts 3, 4, 5 and 6 to the Duxbury Grammar School.
Third-That you appoint the Superintendent as a truant officer.
The reason for the last recommendation is that there have been several cases in which, if I had possessed the authority of a truant officer, much delay would have been avoided.
Through the monthly reports of the teachers I have been able to keep a close watch on pupils suspected of truancy. On account of this I would have the opportunity to act quicker and casier than one less intimately acquainted with the schools, if the proper authority were given me.
The reason for my second recommendation is evident. I find that parents in those districts mentioned are desirous that their children attend the Grammar School. But many of them do not feel able to bear the whole expense of getting them there. If the Town could appropriate something to help them in this. they, I am sure, would do the rest. The advantages which pupils of the Grammar School have over those of the same grades in the District Schools do not need to be discussed. It is only a question of how much more a teacher with but two grades can do for each pupil or grade than one who has seven. It is not fair to the children who enter the Academy that there exists such an inequality in the thoroughness of preparation.
But not to discuss the matter further, let me state what I con- sider the strongest argument in favor of taking the pupils of the Sixth and Seventh Grades to the Grammar School. Of pupils in the Grammar class, eleven in number, every one was admitted to the Academy. Of eleven from the District Schools only four were allowed to enter, and one of those had obtained all but a single year of his preparation in the schools of another town.
These facts speak for themselves, and therefore need no fur- ther discussion.
15
My first recommendation is only a suggestion of the policy now being so generally adopted in the State of centralizing the schools.
There is no question of the advantages of this policy. In fact, there is but one disadvantage of importance, even in a thinly settled community, and that is distance.
Other towns in our vicinity are overcoming this difficulty. Are we to be left behind or not, is a question for the citizens to settie. We at least can propose such things as seem good, and leave it to the good sense and wise judgment of the voters, as indeed we must, to decide.
In closing this report, I am reminded of the loss which you as Committee and I as Superintendent have sustained by the death of a former member of your Board, Mr. W. S. De Wolf. By his death you have lost a man, fearless in the performance of his duty, business-like and impartial in all his dealings with men, while his family have lost a loving husband and father.
Allow me to thank you for your cordial support during the past year; the teachers for the willingness they have shown to co-operate with me in efforts to improve the work of the schools, and the community for their hearty sympathy and help.
Respectfully submitted,
E. L. WILLARD, Superintendent of Schools.
Feb. 1, 1897.
SCHOOL STATISTICS - 1896-7.
DISTRICTS.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
P. O. ADDRESS.
Number enrolled .*
years of age.
Number under five
and 14 years of age.
Number between 8
Number over 15 yrs.
Membership.
Attendance.
Attendance.
ance 1895-6.
Per cent. of Attend-
High Partridge ¿ Academy,
Thos. H. H. Knight Hannah D. Symmes, Nathan T. Soule,
Duxbury.
54
O
26
40
49
44
90
91
Grammar,
Duxbury,
23
28
7
24
23
95.8
91
I
Village,
Florence A. Chaffin, Charlotte A. Tower, Annie L. Coffey, Lillian A. Tibbetts,
Duxbury,
45
31
O
33
3I
94
96
2
So. Duxbury.
Duxbury,
40
O
32
O
26
24
92.3
96
3
Island Creek,
Island Creek,
26
O
2I
O
19
I7
90
92
4
Tarkiln,
W. Duxbury,
29
O
19
O
23
2I
91.3
92
5
Ashdod,
W. Duxbury,
20
O
II
2
I7.
I5
88.2
90
6
No. Duxbury,
No. Duxbury,
23
O
I4
O
18
16
90
88
7
Millbrook,
Millbrook;
34
O
22
I
22
19
86.3
83
8
Point,
Duxbury,
32
I
22
I
23
22
95.6
91
326
I 226| 51 254 232 91.3 91
* Figures in this column show the number of pupils enrolled that have not previously attended any other school in town.
16
Average
Average
Per cent. of
Ida M. Raymond, Susie S. Boylston, Mary L. Harrub, C. L. Hayward,
So. Duxbury,
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1,
1898 Calendar year 1897
YARMOUTHPORT, MASS .: C. F. SWIFT & SON, PRINTERS. 1898.
INDEX.
PAGE
Almshouse, Expenses,
Almshouse Loan,
44 29
Almshouse, Expended out of
Almshouse, Inmates of
Appropriations Recommended,
Assessors' Report,
Births,
Board of Health,
Cemetery, Care of
Cemetery Funds,
Mary Simmons,
Ferdinand Emerson,
Henry W. Hathaway,
Susan B. Nickerson,
John Porter,
Lydia W. Chandler,
·Cemetery, Trustees' Report
Copy of Articles in the Warrant,
Deaths,
Duxbury Free Library,
Guide Boards,
Gurnet Bridge Loan,
Highways, Repairs of
Incidental Expenses,
Incidental Appropriations,
Jurors, List of
Liabilities,
Marriages,
Military Aid,
Memorial Day,
11 28
Persons Assessed Taxes, List of
60
Poor, Available Means for Support of
46
Poor, Report of Overseers of
41 28
Public Buildings, Repairs of
Railroad Notes and Interest,
28
Railroad Loan, Statement of
29
45 46 31 43 56 40 39 37 37 37 38 38 39 39 41 47 57 28 11 29 15
11 14 29 30 54 10
New Almshouse,
Report of Selectmen, Recapitulation, Resources, Schools, Support of
School Incidentals, Schools, Superintendent of
School Houses, Repairs on
Selectmen's Room, Snow, Removing Soldiers, Aid to and their Dependent Relatives, Chap. 279 State Aid, Payments for, Chap. 301
Town Clerk's Report,
Summary, Treasurer's Report,
Town Meeting,
Washington Street, Special Repairs on
School Committee's Report,
Partridge Academy,
Superintendent's Report,
School Statistics,
5 25 31 5 7 9 8 28. 2 9 9 49 59 33 47 26 3 7 9
16
REPORT OF THE SELECTMEN.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS. District No. 1.
Paid-
$330 00
Fuel, Care of house,
13 70
$367 45
District No. 2.
Paid-
Charlotte A. Tower, teaching,
$297 00
Fuel,
22 50
Care of house,
13 70
District No. 3.
Paid-
Annie L. Coffey, teaching,
$330 00
Fuel,
15 00
Care of house,
13 70
$358 70
District No. 4.
Paid-
Lillian A. Tibbetts, teaching,
$ 45 00
Ida M. Raymond,
265 00
Fuel,
11 50
Care of house,
13 70
$335 20
District No. 5.
Paid-
Ida M. Raymond, teaching,
$ 45 00
Nellie Downey,
216 50
Fuel,
6 75
Care of house,
11 10
$279 35
Florence A. Chaffin, teaching,
23 75
$333 20
6
District No. 6.
Paid-
Susie S. Boylston. teaching.
$297 00
Fuel.
13 50
Care of house.
11 10
$321 60
District No. 7.
Paid-
Mary L. Harrub, teaching,
$200 00
Grace Inman,
104 00
Fuel,
27 00
Care of house,
13 70
$344 70
District No. 8.
Paid-
C. L. Hayward, teaching, $225 00
Mary L. Harrub,
130 00
Fuel.
25 00
Care of house,
13 70
$393 70
Grammar School.
Paid-
Nathan T. Soule, teaching.
$495 00
Thomas H. H. Knights, teaching music,
25 00
Rent of room,
100 00
Fuel,
22 50
Care of house,
16 50
$659 00
Partridge academy, tuition,
500 00
Town of Pembroke.
122 17
J. L. Hammett, supplies,
25 00
$4,040 07
Appropriation,
$4,000 00
Massachusetts school fund,
220 86
Dividend. dog fund,
296 46
$4,517 32
7
SCHOOL INCIDENTALS.
Paid-
Henry Barstow, services as school committee, $48 75
Henry Barstow, repairing clocks, 4 78
Nathan T. Soule, supplies, 12 85
Nathan T. Soule, services as school committee, 33 75
William J. Alden, Jr., ‘ 66 34 40
William J .- Alden, Jr., book agent,
30 00
Team for committee and superintendent,
5 50
E. L. Willard, supplies,
5 38
Edward E. Babb & Co.,
116 61
Ginn & Co.,
72 70
S. C. Crocker,
10 00
Houghton, MitHlin & Co.,
13 60
J. L. Hammett & Co.,
94 23
C. A. Nichols,
66
1 00
Beales Press Co.,
66
21 90
American Book Co.,
66
130 24
C. L. Hayward,
66
95
Silver, Burdett & Co.,
.. .
8 00
Carter, Rice & Co.,
2 00
T. H. H. Knights,
13 66
S. S. Boylston,
85
Heath & Co., 66
8 67
Ida M. Raymond,
2 50
N. Ford & Sons, 66
1 22
W. S. Freeman & Co.,
66
33 58
John Holt, use of well, Dist. 5,
3 00
William J. Dunham, "
3,
5 00
Rand, McNally & Co., supplies,
10 88
Chester I. Foster, cleaning vaults,
12 00
Emeline A. Weston, cleaning house, Dist. 3,
3 50
Hannah P. Thomas, Dist. 1, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8 and G., 24 00
8
1
Mary Churchill, cleaning, Dist. 2, $ 3 50
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