USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1852-1887 > Part 2
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Books in the Town Clerk's possession,
40
$5,440
All of which is respectfully submitted,
NATHAN CHACE, Selectmen BENJ. CRANE, JR. of
GILES G. LEACH, Berkley.
ial
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
FOR THE YEAR 1856-7.
TAUNTON: PRINTED BY C. A. HACK,. 5 MAIN STREET. 1857.
In compliance with the regulations of the Statutes of the Com- monwealth, the School Committee of the Town of Berkley submit the following annual
REPORT.
DISTRICT NO. 1.
Prudential Committee, Thomas Burt. Length of School, in Sum- mer 9 weeks ; in Winter 12 weeks. Whole number of Scholars, in Summer 28; average attendance 23; in Winter 35, average atten- dance 28 .- This School during the Summer term was under the in- struction of Miss Sarah M. Wetherell of Berkley, an experienced, zealous and faithful teacher. Under her care the Scholars made a commendable progress in their studies and exhibited a state of disci- pline creditable both to themselves and their instructor. For the first five weeks of the Winter term it was under the charge of Nath ?- aniel G. Bonney of Fall River, when he was succeeded by Jonathan M. Wood of the same place, who taught during the remaining seven weeks of the term. Under the instruction and discipline of Mr. Bon- ney the school presented a very favorable aspect, as the more than ordinary talent which he possessed to instruct, his devotedness to the interests of his pupils, combined with a willingness on their part to regard wholesome rules and regulations, produced the most favorable results. It is to be regreted that the District did not have the benefit of his services during the entire term ; and we are informed that it was not the wish of the District that he should with- draw from the School, but that his withdrawal was in consequence of a chance to avail himself of an opportunity to enter into a more favorable engagement elsewhere. Mr. Wood, who succeeded him, possessed all the necessary literary qualifications, but was unfortu- nately wanting in ability to maintain that discipline so necessary to the prosperity of a School, and the improvement of the pupils, under his direction, did not meet the expectations of your Committee.
-
4
DISTRICT NO. 2.
Prudential Committee, Albert French. Length of School, in Sum- mer 7 weeks ; in Winter 10 weeks. Whole number of Scholars in Summer 48, average attendance 45; in Winter 47, average atten- dance 37. Teacher for the Summer term Miss Norcissa Y. Chace of Berkley, whose well earned reputation and success as a teacher entitle her to a prominent position in the ranks of those who assume the responsible duties of instructors of the young. Though the sum- mer term of the School was very short yet we believe that her servi- ces were beneficial to the Scholars as well as acceptable to the Dis- trict. During the past Winter the interest that was manifested on the part of the pupils last year has been in some degree wanting,-we are happy to add however, that this is not attributable to any want of effort or efficiency on the part of the instructor, Mr. Walter D. Nichols, whose worth as a teacher has always been, and is, highly appreciated, but rather to the fact that quite a number of the larger and more advanced scholars were not this Winter in attendance. There were, however, those who at the closing examination were deserving of approbation and who evidenced that the efforts of the teacher had not been without success
DISTRICT NO. 3.
Prudential Committee Adoniram Cummings. Length of School, in Summer 9 weeks; in Winter 8 weeks. Whole number of Scholars, in Summer 28, average attendance 22; in Winter 31, average attend- ance 23. During the Summer, this School was under the instruction of Miss Charlotte E. Dean of Berkley, who discharged her duties with that success that always attends ability and fidelity ; apt to teach and an effective disciplinarian, she succeeded in awakening in the minds of her pupils an interest in their studies and in maintaining a quietness and order that was highly gratifying to your Committee. Mr. Arthur Little of Boscawen, N, H. was the teacher for the Winter term, and his labors were attended with marked success. We believe he won, what he well deserved, the affection of his pupils and the confidence and esteem of the parents as well as the entire approbation of your Committee. It is worthy of remark that the success of Mr. Little was such as to secure for him a private School, four weeks in length, which, immediately following, as it did, the public School was of great advantage to those that attended both. The School in this district,
5
has during the past year, assumed a character and position which it is hoped it will not loose : in point of dicipline and improvement it now ranks with the first in the town.
DISTRICT NO. 4.
Prudential Committee, Enoch B. Babbitt. No public School in Sum- mer. Length of Winter term 13 weeks ; whole number of Scholars 15, average attendance 13. During the first seven weeks of the term the School was under the the charge of Miss Fannie W. Burt of Taunton, who was then succeeded by by Miss Rebecca A. Pratt of Taunton, under whose instruction it was during the remainder of the term. This School, though the smallest in the town, compares favorably with the others in point of advancement and intelligence. Under the care of Misses Burt and Pratt the pupils made a very commendable progress. It was the only School in the town where any attention was paid to the delineation of maps, and in this exercise some of the pupils attained a proficiency, that, considering their ex- treme youth, was remarkably neat and accurate.
DISTRICT NO. 5.
Prudential Committee, Nathanial G. Townsend. Length of School, in Summer 12 weeks, in Winter 12 w'ks. Whole number of Scholars, in Summer 27, average attendance 23; in Winter 37, average atten- dance 31. Teacher for the Summer term, Miss Mary C. Luscomb of Taunton. This was Miss Luscomb's first effort as a Teacher. By reason of inexperience, want of energy and decision, success did not crown her labors. During the Winter term it was under the charge of Mr. Alden B.Chace of Berkely. This School, under the efficient in- struction of Mr Chace, has, by devotedness to study and unremiting effort to improve, gained, in the opinion of your Committee, the repu- tation of being the first School in the town.
DISTRICT NO. 6,
Prudential Committee, Henry W. Clark. No public School in Summer. Length of Winter term 13 weeks. Whole number of Scholars 24, average attendance 19. Teacher, Mr. David C. Dean of Tannton. Mr. Dean gained the confidence of both pupils and pa- rents and at the closing examination of the School, a manifest im- provement was observed.
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DISTRICT NO. 7.
Prudential Committee, John Townsend. Length of School, Sum- mer term 12 weeks, Winter term 13 weeks. Whole number of Schol- ars, in Summer 24, average attendance 17; in Winter 26, average attendance 18. Teacher for the Summer term, Miss Myra F. Paull of Taunton, who discharged her duty with fidelity and success, and a good degree of progress was observed at the closing examina- tion. Miss Sophia A. Townsend of Berkley was the teacher for the Winter term, and the School has, all things considered, met the expec- tation of your Committee. They are satisfied that every effort on the . part of the teacher was made for the benefit of her pupils, and a cor- responding improvement was the result.
Your Committee are happy to be able to make so favorable a report of the condition of the several public Schools in the town. With one or two exceptions they have been all that could reasonably be expected. We are not aware that there has been in any one of them, any diffi- culty between the teacher and either the pupils or parents. In every case, we believe that the teachers discharged their duties according to the best of their ability, and if any have erred, that it was uninten- tional, and if any failed, that it was through inexperience and a want of those peculiar qualifications, without which no person, whatever may be his or her literary acquirements can be successful as an in- structor of the young. The very nature of the office and the object of education required rare qualities of mind and character, that but few possess in an eminent degree. Education is the whole preparation for the duties and trials of life ; it includes not only the acquisition of processes and details and the principles upon which they depend but intellectual and moral culture in the most extensive meaning of of the term. That culture, that going beyond the elementary studies of the Schools quickens the mind with intelligence, "touching it to finer issues." Its object is not merely to furnish sufficient knowledge for the practical business of life ; it includes that cultivation of the mind and heart for moral and social enjoyment without which this life would be little better than mere animal existence, gross, barren and joyless; while with it no virtue is so gentle nor any affection so pure, no accomplishment so high nor any loveliness so surpassing as to be beyond the reach of the humblest. This is the extensive scope and purpose of our common School system ; not stopping with the instruct- tion of manuals and text books, it looks to the whole character of the
7
pupil, seeking to develope all that is ennobling and good and to repress all that is debasing and vicious ; to enlarge the understanding, train the mind to habits of reflection, store it with useful knowledge, purify the heart, quicken the conscience and bring the whole character under the control of correct principles of thought and just principles of action.
Such then, being the object of education, it is apparent that the duties and responsibilitet devolved upon those to whom the education of the young are intrusted,are of no ordinary character and importance. The teacher has not only to instruct but to cultivate ; not only to ex- plain to the comprehension of his pupils the elementary sciences of the common Schools, but to train their minds to habits of thought and habits of intellectual self reliance. His office begins where that of the book ends ; that is but a manual of isolated facts and rules, it is for him to explain and illustrate the principles that underlie those rules, and upon which their practical value depends, to show the relation of these facts to others, and the inferences and conclusions to be deduced therefrom ; to cultivate in his pupils the habit of fixed attention, of patience under failures, perseverance under difficulties and that steadfast singleness of purpose without which neither in youth nor mature years can their efforts, whether in the pursuit of knowledge or the practical business of life, be attended with marked success. One great reason why more is not accomplish- ed in the School room, is the barrenness of the instruction that is given there. The studies of the School, possessed of no novelty in themselves, are not attractive because not clearly and definitely com- prehended, and because they are too often the boundaries of the pupils intellectual horizon, illuminated by no ray of light from the bound- less fields of knowledge beyond. That fullness of illustration is want- ing that more than aught else, tends to inspire a passion for the acquisition of knowledge, by making the lesson of the day a pleasure and not a task. In the, careful selection, therefore, of competent, skillful and accomplished teachers, together with a deep, constant and active interest on the part of parents, rests the prosperity and efficiency of our Common Schools. Intended for the education of all, they are entitled to the encouragement and support of all. The tax upon individuals by which in part they are sustained, is one that " blesseth both him that gives and him that takes," for such are the social relations of men to one another, that no benefit can be conferred
8
upon a part without affecting the whole. We trust, therefore, that the liberality, with which appropriations have heretofore been made for the support of the Public Schools of the town, that the interest that has always been manifested therein, and the vigilance with which they have always been watched and guarded, will be increased rather than diminished.
DANIEL S. BRIGGS, ) School ALDEN B. CHACE, Commit-
MILTON ANDROS, tee.
TEACHERS' NAMES AND RESIDENCE.
Summer.
Dist.
1 Sarah M. Wetherell, Berkley.
2 Narcissa Y. Chace, 66
W. D. Nichols, Berkley.
Arthur N. Little, Boscawen, NH.
4
F. W. Burt, Taunton.
Rebecca A. Pratt, «
A. B. Chace, Berkley.
David C. Dean, Taunton.
S. A. Townsend, Berkley.
TABLE.
1
Whole No. belonging to
School in Summer.
Average attendance of pu-
pils in Summer.
Number of pupils belong-
ing to School in Winter.
Average attendance of pu-
Length of School in Sum-
mer, in weeks.
Length of School in Win-
Wages of Teacher in Sum-
Wages of Teacher in Win-
ter, per month.
School Money
Dist. No.
1
28
23
35
28
9
12
5.00
38.00
123.62
2
48
45
47
37
7
10
6.00
40.00
155.29
66
3
28
22
31
23
9
8
5.00
38.00
112.34
4
15
13
13
5.50
55.00
78.52
5
27
23
37
31
12
12
4.75
35.00
116.85
66
6
24
19
13
26.50
94.30
66
7
24
17
26
18
12
13
5.00
18.00
114.59
6
7 Myra F. Paull, Taunton.
Winter. N. G. Bonney, Fall River. J. M. Wood, 66
3 Charlotte E. Dean, 66
5 Mary C. Luscomb, Taunton.
pile in Winter.
ter, in weeks.
mer, per week.
REPORT
OF THE
??
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
BERKLEY.
FOR THE YEAR 1857 -- '58.
TAUNTON: AMERICAN REPUBLICAN PRESS, SCHOOL STREET. 1858.
REPORT.
It will, doubtless, be recollected that the Committee chosen to superintend the Schools, the past year, consist- ed of W. D. Nichols, Edwin French, and P. C. Porter. After the close of the Summer Schools, Mr. French took charge of a School in Indiana, and resigned his position as member of the School Committee. The vacancy thus made was filled according to the statute by the election of Rev. J. D. Smith, who has served you as a member of the Committee, and has visited every Winter School in town. We herein present in detail all the facts concern- ing the Schools of which we are in possession, to which we have subjoined some general suggestions.
DISTRICT No. 1 .- Whole number of scholars between the ages of 4 and 16, 36; attending School in Summer, 30; average attendance, 24. Whole number in Winter, 34 ; average attendance 28. Length of School in Sum- mer, 2 months ; in Winter, 34 months. The Summer term was taught by Miss M. M. Atwood, who gave gen- eral satisfaction to the District. The Winter term was
4
taught by Miss Harriet L. Briggs, who seemed to possess most of the qualifications demanded of a teacher, and to have no deficiencies which longer experience may not supply. She appeared intelligent and earnest, but her task was a difficult one. Among her scholars were those who exhibited not only a spirit of insubordination, but a propensity to vice which needed for its effectual restraint something stronger than the hand of a female. The mor- al state of the School in the former part of its term, we are sorry to say, was bad ; and had it not been for the prompt interference of parents, it might have become be- fore its close a nuisance rather than a benefit.
DISTRICT No. 2 .- Whole number of scholars between 4 and 16, 58. Whole number attending school in Sum- mer 34 ; average attendance 29. Whole number at- tending in Winter 54 ; average attendance 43. Length of School in Summer term, 2 1-4 months; Winter term 2 1-2 months. The Summer term was taught by Miss Charlotte E. Dean, who possesses, in our opinion, a rare combination of the qualities required in a successful teacher. The school appeared orderly and industrious. Sure indications of improvement. The Winter term was taught by Mr. Alden B. Chace, who conducted the school with his usual ability and success.
DISTRICT NO. 3 .- Whole number of scholars between 4 and 16, 36. Whole number attending school in Sum- mer, 30 ; average attendance, 23. Whole number in attendance in Winter, 35 ; average attendance, 30 .- Length of School in Summer, 2 months; in Winter 2 7-11 months. The Summer term was taught by Miss Charlotte E. Dean, with her accustomed faithfulness and
5
success. The Winter term was taught by Mr. J. N. Patterson, who showed himself to be an efficient teacher, and the scholars made good improvement. And in point of order and quietness, the school was equal if not supc- rior to any in town.
DISTRICT NO. 4 .- Whole number of scholars between 4 and 16, 18. Whole number attending school, 18; av- erage attendance, 15. Length of school, 3 3-4 months. This district had no public school in Summer. The Winter term was commenced by Miss S. P. D. Dilling- ham, an experienced and efficient teacher, who being called to another school resigned her charge to Miss Fannie A. Nichols, who conducted the school to its close with ability and success.
DISTRICT No 5 .- Number of scholars between 4 and 16, 42 .- Whole number attending school in Summer, 29 ; average attendance, 25. Whole number in Win- ter, 40 ; average attendance, 36. Length of school in Summer, 2 1-2 months ; in Winter, 3 1-2 months .- The Summer term was taught by Miss Alice K. Strange, an experienced and well qualified teacher, who managed the School with profit to the scholars, and to the satis- faction of the district. The Winter term was taught by Walter D. Nichols, a member of your School Committee. This school fully sustained its former high reputation.
DISTRICT NO. 6 .- The whole number of scholars be- tween 4 and 16, 27. The whole number attending school, 27 ; average attendance, 23. Length of school, 5 months. This District had no public school in the Summer. The Winter term was taught by Miss H. F. Seekell, who gave good satisfaction to the District. Miss
0 t
S
6
Seekell, though young, manifested qualities which will, we trust, ensure continued success in her vocation of teacher.
DISTRICT No. 7 .- Number of Scholars between 4 and 16, 47. The whole number attending school in Sum- mer, 24; average attendance, 14. Length of school in Summer, 2 1-2 months ; Winter school, no returns .- The Summer school was taught by Miss Emily A. Leach. The attendance of this school was very small, and irreg- ular, which, though no fault of the teacher, materially abridged her usefulness. We believe she discharged her duty, and was as successful as under the circumstan- ces could be expected. The Winter term was taught by Mr. Benjamin F. Lincoln. The school appeared well, at the opening and second visits ; and on the day named as the closing day, your committee found the school house closed, the school having ended the previous day.
The whole number of scholars in town between the ages of 4 and 16, 264. Number of scholars of all ages in all the public schools in the Winter, 241 ; average attendance, 204. In the Summer whole number, 148 ; average attendance, 121. Number attending school over 15 years of age, 46 ; under 5, 22.
By the laws of the Commonwealth it becomes the duty of your Committee, after giving a detailed report of the condition of the several Schools in town, to make such general observations and suggestions as in our opinion, the interests of education may seem to require. What- ever remarks we may offer upon this topic, we desire to say that they are not dictated by a spirit of unnecessary
7
fault-finding, but rather in sorrow, that we may arrive at the truth and have a better understanding of this all-im- portant matter, however unpleasant it may be, and devise and apply the proper remedy to whatever is defective. In reference to moral deportment and good conduct, those vitally important elements of education, there have been marked instances of gross impropriety of conduct, of in- decent and profane language. We would suggest that it is a prime object in the establishment of our institu- tions for the education of youth, to inculcate those virtues which are the basis and ornament of human society, and which are so beneficial to their recipients in this state of existence, as well as promotive of their future happiness ; and also to point out clearly the evil tendency of the oppo- site vices. We have also, in some instances, been painful- ly impressed with the idleness and indifference manifested in School. It is indeed very depressing to witness such prodigality of time-the stuff of which life is made- by our youth, to whom, if properly improved with the means offered, it would be more valuable than all the wealth of Peru. Here then are two evils ;- want of good behavior and idleness, which, while they are the exceptions in our Schools, are not veryrare. They must be nipped in the bud, for the giant oak was once a little acorn. Your Committee are of opinion that there is a definite cause for this condition of things, and that the fault rests mainly with the parents. Not that we charge ourselves with a desire to have it thus-of having exert- ed ourselves to bring it about-but through our neglect, while we have slumbered and slept, these evils have sprung up. If the price of civil liberty be eternal vigi-
d ·
1, of
1
8
lance, how much more does the budding minds entrust- ed to our care require it ? But instead of this watchful- ness, is there not a general apathy among us in regard to this subject ? It is a strange phenomenon, but one which we too often have presented, that of intense inter- est in various schemes for money getting-of acquiring riches that satisfy not, and which are as often a curse as a blessing to those that inherit them-,while this most important duty, which like Aaron's rod swallows up the rest, is in a great degree neglected. If it then be true, that " education forms the common mind," moulds and shapes its aspirations, and that it is undying, is it not a subject of momentous importance, and is not our respon- sibility overwhelmingly great ? Nor is our responsibili- ty less because a small class of impressions for weal or woe, that may make up a youthful character that must "grow with his growth, and strengthen with his strength," are received in the School room. But home influences and School influences are so intimately connected that, like woof and web, when proper and interwoven, their combination produces, and their separation causes the destruction of, the most beautiful fabric. Parents and guardians ! are you aware, from your own inspection, that your teachers are faithful and interested ? Are your . children studious and obedient ? Mothers, ever alive to the interests of your darlings, to you we appeal! Will not you, in the various delicate, but efficient ways which you alone can devise and execute, interest yourselves in this matter, visit the school, advise with and encourage the teacher in his difficulties, and thus cheer his heart. Each fond endearment try to lure the youthful mind to
9
make continued efforts at self-culture, and the enlarge- ment of the boundaries of knowledge. Let the experi- ment thus shadowed forth be fairly tried in any District, and we dare say an interest will be awakened which would lead to the most desirable results.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
The Pilgrim Fathers, with a foresight and philanthro- py as comprehensive and boundless as the Ocean upon whose bosom they were borne to these shores, and with a will as stern and inflexible as the rock-bound coast up- on which they landed, laid the deep and broad founda- tions of our system of popular education, upon which it stands to-day. They knew full well that liberty, regu- lated by law, could not exist without intelligence and moral culture, which is education, and that education is not safe in the hands of individuals ; but that govern- ment-society, if it would sustain itself, must secure, by compulsory means, if need be, the education of the whole people. Hence the propriety of blending School and State, and of providing that a specified length of School at least, be maintained, and that all property shall be taxed for its maintenance. "Promote then, (says Wash- ington,) as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. In proportion as the structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essential that public opinion should be en- lightened." If then these institutions are of primary im- portance, and must be sustained by taxation upon prop- erty, who shall fix the limits and decide the wants of
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education ? The earth, the products thereof, and every thing valuable connected therewith, belong in certain senses to all mankind, and all are entitled to their bene- fits. It is by no natural right, but by an arbitrary though very proper regulation of society, that the will of the dead man is regarded respecting the distribution of property-his in life, but after his death belonging to those who survive him; or that those laws obtain which provide for the unequal distribution of property at the death of the holder, and in certain conditions to escheat to the government. These arbitrary laws are acquiesced in to avoid the dissensions incident to the transmission of property without fixed rules, and as an incentive to industry. Government is established, among other things, for the protection of property, and it is this property, whenever and however held, that must pay for its own protection. To those, therefore, who murmur at the pit- tance appropriated for the support of our Common Schools, it is the right of community to say, we are the judge of public necessity, and for this purpose and to this extent your property is our property. What gives to our land its pre-eminence among nations ? Does it result from the freedom of our political institutions, or our abundant resources ? Other governments, equally liberal, and more highly favored by nature, have arisen like meteors, and like meteors have fallen. Is it not rather the general diffusion of education among us, and the proportion of intelligent, thinking minds ? The practical illustration of the difference and advantage which educated labor possesses over the mere mechanical processes of ignorance, is ever recurring. How frequent-
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