USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1852-1887 > Part 3
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ly do workmen, educated at our Common Schools, devise simple methods of reducing to useful practice what sci- entific minds have regarded as impossible. Who con- tributes most of the useful inventions that crowd our patent office ? Why is it that the proportion of crime and want among our own native citizens, compared with our foreign population, is so small? Is it not attributa- ble mainly to the influence of our Schools? The very commonness of our Schools prevents our realizing to the full extent, the benefits that flow therefrom, the gran- deur of their construction, and the wisdom of their per- petuity. Grudge not, then, generously to sustain them, and let us make them worthy to be sustained.
SCHOOL HOUSES AND DISTRICTS.
There are several School Houses in this town whose condition reflect much discredit upon their respective School Districts, particularly Nos. 4 and 5. Can there be no plan devised for reducing the number of School Districts, and of providing suitable School Houses which will be acceptable to the citizens of the town ? This is a matter of much importance, and has been many times presented. It is to be hoped that the subject will be taken into consideration by the reflecting without delay, . for it is of pressing importance.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
No change has been made in the books used in our Schools for many years, nor are we in favor of frequent
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changes. But there seems to be a change required, par- ticularly of reading books and geographies, and we rec- ommend the subject to the early attention of our suc- cessors.
TEACHING AND LEARNING.
We cannot close without suggesting that learning to think and investigate is too much overlooked, and that the good accomplished by any teacher is not to be esti- mated so much by what he has communicated to, as by what he has drawn out of, his pupils. Teaching, in our opinion, consists more in the what to learn and the how to learn it, than in the number of facts stored in the memory. The difference is-in the one case, the pupil knows and understands principles; in the other, they learn that others know them. One teaches self-reliance, the other dependence upon a verbal memory. Thorough- ness should be the end and aim of teaching, and the cri- terion of the success and advancement of any scholar is not the number of pages or studies which have been mastered by the memory.
WALTER D. NICHOLS, School JOHN D. SMITH, Committee
P. CHESTER PORTER, of Berkley.
Berkley, March 20, 1858.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
--
REPORT OF COMMITTEE CHOSEN TO EXHIBIT THE FI- NANCIAL CONDITION OF THE TOWN OF BERKLEY, APRIL 6, 1858.
The Treasurer's accounts, which have been settled, stand as follows :
RECEIPTS.
Received of Samuel C. Hathaway, Collector,
$1524 41
66 Lafayette Dean, Collector, 373 62
66
Two Fish Notes, 405 00
66 Balance on one Oyster Note,
108 00
66 State School Fund,
36 30
66 money hired of J. D. Wilson,
200 00
66 of Franklin Briggs, 250 00
66 of James and Rebecca Webster, 155 00
66 of W. S. Crane, 17 77
Total,
$3070 10
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EXPENDITURES.
SNOW BILLS PAID.
To S. B. Allen, District No. 1, · $175 40
" Tamerlane Burt, District No. 2, 87 73
" A. Cummings, " 3, · 74 93
" E. B. Babbitt, 66 " 4,
75 33
" J. D. Dillingham, 66 " 5, 171 00
" Thomas Jenny, .. 6, 53 28
" Alfred Case, 66 . " 7, 165 13
To sundry persons, for same, 10 15
$812 95
To paid the several School Districts,
594 20
" paid Selectmen's orders for repairing Roads complained of, and last made, 434 57
" N. G. Townsend's salary on Town Farm, 178 83
" paid for Safe and expense on same, 74 00
171 63
" paid E. B. Babbitt, land damage in laying out road, " paid Philip H. Fletcher, reward offered by town for conviction of violating liquor law and his services, 62 00
" paid Tamerlane Burt, for land for Burying Ground, 77 47
" Town Clerk, bill for recording Births, Marriages, and Deaths, 6 75
" recording and transmitting 170 Marriages, as requir- ed by statute of 1857, 17 00
Paid for other services of Clerk,
3 00
SELECTMEN'S BILLS FOR SERVICES.
Paid Issachar Dickerman, 2 25
" Samuel Newhall, 2 75
" William Babbitt, 16 24
ASSESSORS BILLS FOR SERVICES.
Paid William S. Crane, 24 00
" Benjamin Crane, 23 25
" Edwin French, 17 60
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Paid for assistance and expenses of Dean Chace and family, 48 87
" for Charity Phillips' grocery bill, 8 months, 26 10
" for printing School Reports, 11 00
" Selectmen's Orders, miscellaneous items, 465 64
$3070 10
DUE THE TOWN FROM TREASURER.
Three Oyster Notes,
391 00
Two Fish Notes, 404 00
Due on Tax Bills, 1855, 1856, and 1857, 1166 54
$1961 54
TOWN DEBTS OUTSTANDING.
Maria Burt's Note and Interest,
$482 00
William Pierce, Note and Interest,
482 00
James and Rebecca Webster,
155 00
J. D. Wilson,
200 00
Franklin Briggs,
250 00
Outstanding sundry bills, about
600 00
$2169 00
Balance against the Town, April 1st, 1858, $207 46
EPHRAIM FRENCH, NATHAN CHACE,
Committee.
REPORT
OF
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
MARCH, 1859.
TAUNTON: J. W. D. HALL, PR., REPUBLICAN PRESS. 1859.
REPORT.
The School Committee of the Town of Berkley, for the year 1858-9, in compliance with statute regulation and established usage, submit their Report.
DISTRICT NO. I .- CENTER.
Prudential Committee-Charles Bissett. The Fall and Winter terms of this School were taught by Miss Fannie A. Nichols, of this town, who was not wanting in diligence and perseverance for the good of the scholars, urging upon them the necessity of application and the importance of quietness and order. The success, which attended her discreet and judicious management, reflects credit on herself and the School, inasmuch as the deportment of the pupils has generally been pleasing. Order has been observed, and a manifest improvement was visible at the closing examination.
DISTRICT NO. II .- BURT.
Prudential Committee, Levi French. Teacher for the Summer term, Miss Jane C. Burt ; for the Winter, Mr. Benjamin Crane, both of this town. Miss Burt had never taught before, and made a very fair be- ginning. The order and quietness of the School, in our judgment, was not what it should have been. Longer experience will doubtless make a better disciplinarian. The progress of the scholars in the va- rious branches of study was commendable. There was manifest im- provement in the reading classes. Mr. Crane has had long experi- ence, and is known as a thorough and industrious teacher. He de- serves credit for well-intended efforts to advance the School. We are sorry to be compelled to say, it has acquired the reputation of rather a bad School. Much of the time and attention of the teacher was taken up with governing, consequently there was less time and atten- tion given to instruction. The School was quite large, being the larg- est in town, and composed of a great number of small classes, pursuing a variety of studies. Under all the circumstances, perhaps the School did about as well as could be expected. At the final examination, the scholars generally acquitted themselves fairly.
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DISTRICT NO. III .- BRIDGE.
Prudential Committee, John C. Crane. No public School in Sum- mer. This School, under the charge of Mr. J. N. Patterson, of Dart- mouth College, N. H., presented at the closing examination a very pleasing appearance. It stands somewhat in advance of the other Schools in town. This advantage arises not so much from the abili- ty of the teacher, as from the apparent willingness of the pupils to yield prompt obedience to the requisitions relative to conduct and study. Another advantage which the School possesses is not in the number but in the age and experience of a large portion of the schol- ars. These scholars, by application to study and perseverance in ef- forts to improve, have added much to the character and interest of the School.
DISTRICT NO. IV .- TIMOTHY HOLLOW.
Prudential Committee, Francis A. Newhall. No School in Sum- mer. Teacher in Winter, Miss Elizabeth Boyce, of this town. Your Committee were gratified to see, during the examinations, so much quietness, order and attention to study. Miss Boyce appeared to be faithful in the discharge of her duty and was not wanting in earnest- ness of endeavor for the good of the School. For her valuable servi- ces, she is deserving our approbation and that of parents, and, on the part of her scholars, gratitude and affection.
DISTRICT NO. V .- ASSONET NECK.
Prudential Committee, Enoch Boyce. The Summer school, under the instruction of Miss S. P. D. Dillingham, was judiciously managed and a marked success was the result of her labors. The Winter term was taught by Walter D. Nichols, a member of your committee, and known as an experienced and successful teacher. This School has as- sumed a position, in improvement and deportment, not inferior to any School in town. The quietness, order and diligence, which appeared at the time of its visitations, reflect much credit on the teacher and School.
DISTRICT NO. VI .- SOUTH EAST.
Prudential Committee, Thomas Strange. No School in Summer. The Winter School was taught by Mr. Abiather Dean, of Taunton. The general appearance and improvement of this School, when exam- ined, was respectable ; giving evidence of industrious and faithful ef- fort on the part of the teacher.
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DISTRICT NO. VII .- NORTH EAST.
Prudential Committee, Israel Chace. Teacher for the Summer term, Miss Ruth A. Codding, of Taunton ; for the Winter, Mr. Nathan C. Lothrop, of Norton. This was Miss Codding's first attempt at teach- ing and was not in all respects successful. Her want of success, as we think, was in part owing to the District. There was not that co-op- eration from some of the parents which is necessary to an advanta_ geous School.
The Winter School must be reported as failing to accomplish its full object. Mr. Lothrop had not the benefit of much experience in teaching, but, when before the Committee, sustained a fair examina- tion and gave reasonable promise of success. For various reasons, notwithstanding his well meant exertions, he did not succeed in his work and the Scholars derived comparatively little benefit from the School.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
Agreeably to the suggestion of the Committee of last year, the sub- ject of a change of Reading Books and Geographies received our early and particular attention. After some deliberation and examination of the various kinds in use, it was decided to recommend to the Schools Sargent's series of Reading Books, and Cornell's Geographical series. We are very happy to be able to say, that our recommendation has been regarded, and a large number of these books have been intro- duced into the various Schools. We did not propose a sudden and general change, but only that, whenever any new books for reading or for the study of geography, were wanted, they should be of the kind spoken of above. Before the commencement of the Winter Schools, books were procured by the Committee, and have been fur- nished to all scholars desiring them, at cost ; which has been quite a saving of expense to parents. This very thing is now, by the action of the present Legislature, a statute requirement. School Committees shall furnish all necessary books at cost.
SCHOOL APPARATUS.
There is nothing of the kind in any of the Schools. A set of Out- line Maps hanging upon the walls of the school room, and a Terres- trial Globe standing upon the teacher's desk would, in our view, greatly aid the scholars in the study of Geography. What idea has a beginner in this branch, of the form of the earth, who has nothing but a map before him ? He may be told it is round like a globe, but
unless he has one exhibited to him, with explanations, what distinct correct conception has he? Outline Maps, which are constantly be- fore the eye of the scholar, help very much to fix permanently in the memory the various portions of land and water on the earth's surface. By means of them, too, he will be assisted in sketching Maps, which is a very useful exercise. And the black-boards in most of the school rooms, are but poor apologies for such important helps in pursuing the various branches of study. A very trifling expenditure, either by the Town or the Districts, would supply each school-room with much needed fixtures.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
We have only two school-houses which can be considered as fully suitable for the purposes of a school. One of these was erected some years ago in the center of the town-a tasteful and commodious building-speaking forth the praises of those who were instrumental in its erection. The other has made its appearance during the past year-an ornament to the neighborhood and an honor to the district. There it stands, painted and blinded, with its ample play-ground. And how neat and fitting is every thing within ; desks convenient and comfortable ; a black-board on its side walls worthy the name. We would like to see the Outline Maps there, and the Globe, and trust we shall, in due time. Let it not be said, that it is not worth while to make a school house tasteful and inviting, within and without-it cannot be kept so for any length of time-will very soon be defaced and injured. The chief reason why so many of our school houses are improperly treated, is, they are not what they should be. Make them commodious and attractive, within and without-and every scholar who visits them for the purpose of enjoying their advan- tages, will see to it that they suffer no injury at his hands.
SCHOOL APPROPRIATION.
The appropriation for the past year was reduced, probably, for the purpose of reducing the public expenditure. We are in favor of re- duction, whenever and wherever it can be wisely and safely done. But, in our judgment, the School department is not the proper place for it. We are very glad the appropriation for the next year has been increased. By so doing we have followed the example of almost every town in the Commonwealth, and manifested a spirit of liberality which is worthy of commendation.
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SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
It is our conviction a change in the present arrangement of Dis- tricts is desirable. And it may not be inappropriate for us to indi- cate what change. Such is the geographical situation of three of the districts, numbered 5, 6 and 7, that no essential change can be made in their boundary lines. The most that can be done is to add to each of them a few contiguous families from the other districts. But the remaining four districts, numbered from 1 to 4, inclusive, may be advantageously reduced to two. Such an arrangement would re- move several families somewhat further from the school house than they now are, but would give them, in return for this inconvenience, much longer schooling. The question with them would be, which is preferable, to remain as we now are, with three months schooling a year, or have the distance to and from the school house somewhat in- creased, with six months schooling a year. If this question were submitted to us, we should, without hesitation, choose the longer schooling, though it be with the longer travel to and from school.
And there is another consideration, showing that now is a favorable time to make a change. Two of these four districts very much need, and must have, before long, new school houses. Most manifestly it would be better to make the change before the erection of the new houses.
Moreover, the town may be required by statute regulation, (such a bill is now before the Legislature,) to sustain schools in all the dis- tricts six months in a year. There is also another bill proposed, re- quiring towns to build and keep in repair school houses. If one or both of these propositions should become legal enactments, (and if they do not the present session of the Legislature, they may at some future one not far distant,) the town would be compelled to do one of two things-reduce the number of districts, or very much increase the school appropriation.
CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS.
Parents can, in various ways, promote the interests of schools. They may do it by cherishing a decp sense of the value of instruction, and impressing upon their children the importance of improving all opportunities of obtaining it. If they appreciate the benefit of a school, they will sce to it that there is promptness and regularity in attendance upon it. Some of our Registers for the past year, contain too many marks of tardiness and absence. And what is more to be regretted, quite a number of children have not been registered at all. Do the parents of these children value very highly school instruction ?
Parents can help sustain discipline, which is indispensable to a good school. Every teacher knows that the task of teaching is the government of the school, and that very much of his time is consumed in keeping order ; and he very often feels that if parents would hold their children accountable for their conduct in school, and exercise over them a proper restraint, he could devote himself more exclusively to the work of instruction, and more rapid progress would be made.
Another way in which parents may promote the welfare of a school, is to speak of it with caution. Even if they do not think it is, in every respect, what it should be, they should be very careful what they say against it, especially in the presence of their children. Teachers, it should be remembered, are but human beings, and, as well as other people, have their failings ; and to suppose they will not sometimes be guilty of indiscretions, in word or act, would be unreasonable. There will be faults in government and in instruction, but these should not impair our confidence in a teacher, nor cause us to with- hola our co-operation, unless they are of such magnitude as to dis- qualify him from the discharge of his duties, or of such a nature that he can no longer deserve our respect or support.
DANIEL C. BURT, DANIEL S. BRIGGS, WALTER D. NICHOLS,
Committee.
BERKLEY, March 29, 1859.
STATISTICAL TABLE.
No. of District.
No. of Scholars be-
tween 4 & 16 ..
Whole No.belong-
ing to Schools
in Summer.
Average attend'ce
Whole No. belong-
ing to Schools
in Winter.
Average attend'ce
in Winter.
Number of Weeks
School, summer.
Number of Weeks
School, winter.
Teacher's wages,
summer, per mo.
Teacher's wages,
winter, per mo.
School Money.
1
32
25
21
14
18 59
85 49
2
56
-11
29
51
40
11
8
3 50 34 00
126 29
3
30
34
26
12
37 00
82 09
4
19
17
13
14
16 00
63 39
46
32
26
44
37
9
11
3 50 25 00
109 29
6
25
27
20
12
24 00
73 59
7
46
30
23
32
20
12
9
13 50 23 00
109 29
.
in Summer.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND TREASURER
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY.
1860-61.
TAUNTON: PRINTED BY C. A. HACK, 7 UNION BLOCK. 1861.
School Committee's Report.
The Superintending Committee respectfully submit the follow- ing, as their report of the condition and success of your Public Schools, during the past school year :-
The school in the Center district, (No. 1) was taught by Miss Martha E. Mason. Length of school, in summer, 2 1-2 months ; in winter, 2 months. Whole number attending school, 18 in sum- mer, 23 in winter. Average attendance in summer, 14 1-2; in winter, 18. As teacher, she performed her duties to the entire satisfaction of the Committee. The order and appearance of the school were admirable. The scholars were quiet and studious, and the examination at the close showed progress. Both teacher and pupils merited high commendation.
Burt's Corner school (district No. 2) was taught, in summer, by Miss Emily A. Leach. Length of school, 2 1-2 months .- Whole no. of scholars, attending, 40. Average attendance, 34. This school has some restless and troublesome scholars, requiring to be managed by a firm hand. The progress of the school was materially hindered by the prevailing disposition for idleness and disorder which occupied much of the time and attention of the teacher in endeavoring to correct. The school cannot be regard- ed as a very successful one.
It was taught in winter by Mr. Philander Bryant. Length of school, 2 3-4 months. Whole number in attendance, 46 ; averag- ing 38. The winter term brought some new elements of trouble into the school. At the outset, there was an understanding on
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the part of the scholars, that, whatever might be done, no corpor- al punishment would be inflicted. This unwise announcement rendered it much more difficult to manage the school. However, for a few weeks, nothing very serious occurred, and some work was done. Particular classes appeared to be getting along quite well. At length, the spirit of disorder assumed the reins of gov- ernment. The teacher, without much reluctance, yielded to the usurpation, and thus ended the usefulness of the school. There may be materials which are absolutely ungovernable in this school, but this we can hardly believe. We are more inclined to the be- lief that a capacity to govern has been wanting. Whoever takes charge of this school with this in possession, and having also an aptness to teach, will meet with fair success, unless there should be improper interference on the part of parents. This district has expended fifty dollars, mostly in repairing the interior of their school house, during the past year.
The school in the Bridge district (No. 3) was under the charge of Miss Charlotte E. Dean. There was no public school in sum- mer. Length of school, 4 3-4 months. Whole number of schol- ars attending, 25; averaging, 21. This school was closed during a storm, much to our regret. But, from previous visitations, and our knowledge of the school, and of the ability of the teacher, we consider the school as satisfactorily successful. The absence of a class of advanced scholars was noticeable. An increase of its num- bers might be beneficial to this school.
Timothy Hollow school (No. 4) was kept by Miss Emily A. Leach. (No school in summer.) Length of school, 4 3-4 months. Whole number of scholars, 17. Average attendance, 13. This school is decidedly too small to realize the benefits which might otherwise, under other circumstances, be reasonably hoped for .- The emulation evinced in larger classes in other schools, is want- ing. Should the scholars of this school be blended with the sur- rounding schools, it would, we think, be greatly to their advan- tage. The general success of the school we consider as not being equal to the expectations of parents or Committee.
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The Assonet Neck school (No. 5) was in charge of Miss Ellen F. Rounds, (Mrs. E. Belcher.) Length of school, 3 months .- Whole number attending, 30. Averaging, 25. The school was quiet and orderly at the visitations. It is believed some degree of advancement was attained.
The winter school was confided to Mr. Alden B. Chace. Length of school, 3 months. There were 33 scholars attending school, with an average of 28. This school has long sustained a high reputation, and we are happy to say that under the management of Mr. Chace, its former standing has been fully maintained. The girls belonging to this school acquitted themselves particularly well. We consider it the best school in town. This district coll- tributed the board of the teachers, thus lengthening out the school which otherwise would have been short.
The school in S. East district (No. 6) was kept, in summer, by Miss Cordelia B. Eaton. Length of school, 2 months. 22 schol- ars attending. Average attendance, 15. In winter, by Mr. Abi- athar Dean. Length of school, 4 months. Whole number of scholars, 23. Averaging, 22. Both of these teachers exhibited a very commendable degree of diligence and fidelity, in their efforts to govern and instruct their pupils, and their success was as great as could reasonably have been anticipated. In writing, improve- ment was very manifest. Evidence of interest in their studies, and earnest application, were not apparent on the part of pupils. The school requires an efficient teacher and good disciplinarian.
The school in the N. East District was kept by Miss Jane C. Burt. Length of school, 3 months. Whole number, 35. Aver- age attendance, 26. At all the visitations, excellent order pre- vailed, and the recitations indicated careful and accurate prepara- tion by the scholars. Miss Burt, (Mrs. Wrenches) has retired from the school service, leaving behind a fair reputation as a teacher, especially as a disciplinarian.
Walter D. Nichols, a member of the Committee, took charge of this school during the winter term. Length of school, 3 1-4 months. Whole number in attendance, 44. Averaging, 34 .-
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His faithful and skilful efforts were appreciated by scholars and parents. Everything within and without the school-house was pleasant and harmonious ; order and industry prevailed from the beginning to the end of the term. As a necessary result, good proficiency was made in the various studies pursued. We con- gratulate the district on the improved condition of the school ; and as an important means of still further improvement, we would respectfully suggest the erection of an attractive house suitable to the wants of the school.
The aggregate attendance in all the schools, in summer, was 145. Average attendance, 114 1-2. In winter, 210 have attend- ed the various schools. The average of attendance appears to be 172. The whole number of scholars, as returned to us by the as- sessors, on the first day of May last, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, is 199. We consider the attendance, upon the whole, good.
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