USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1854-1892 > Part 3
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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.
Your Committee do not deem any argument necessary to con- vince the inhabitants of this town, of the importance of our pub- lic schools in the training of the morals and intellect of our chil- dren and youth. It is admitted, and in some good degree, we trust, appreciated, by you, as appears from your recent appropri- ations for their support. The history of the schools of this town also attests their great value, by the number of teachers, male and female, who have been educated mainly therein, and have been employed, more or less successfully, at home and abroad, in our own and many sister states. To which also must be added the large percentage of scholars who have been more liberally educat- ed, for the professions, and for usefulness generally, who received their first impulse in the right direction, unmistakably, from the influence exerted by the public schools. We would, however, respectfully suggest, that our schools would be rendered more ef- ficient, by a more familiar acquaintance therewith, by parents .- The schools and school houses are too much shunned. Every teacher, we think, has observed the greatly increased interest pro- duced by frequent and unceremonious visits by parents and oth- ers interested in schools. It is not enough to build school hous- es, and employ teachers. This must be done; but the personal
7
interest and the visitation should not be omitted. Perhaps no other subject is of such pressing importance as that of school dis- tricts. A very proper law has been recently enacted, requiring, (under severe penalties for omission,) at least six months school, to be kept in a sufficient number of schools, during each school year. The sufficient number is to be determined by the town .- Are seven schools more than a sufficient number ? Are five schools a sufficient number ? Will not the change from seven to five,-everything considered,-the size of schools, and consequent- ly of classes, giving the stimulant of competition and emulation,- the size and convenience of school-houses and enlarged facilities,- overbalance the few cases of consequent inconvenience, and mate- rially aid in rendering several of the schools more interesting, and all longer and more efficient? These are questions for the town to answer. And they should be answered in an enlightened re- gard to public advantage, regardless of mere selfishness.
The reduction of the school districts commends itself to us, as an economical measure. The geographical position of districts Nos. 5, 6 and 7 is such, that but little alteration of their limits can conveniently be made. But why cannot Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 be or- ganized into two districts, containing, according to actual attend- ance, 48 and 55 scholars respectively. The school-houses in Nos. 1 and 2, can be appraised to their respective districts, as they now belong, then removed and repaired, to meet the exigency of the new districts, and paid for by a tax in the usual form upon said new districts. If this or some kindred measure meet with gener- al favor, it is of easy accomplishment ; otherwise it may be attend- ed with some difficulty. We think it worth a fair trial, and, if tried, predict for it a complete success.
In any event, the school house in district No. 4 must be aban- doned. Do the wants and interests of the community require a new building upon the old locality ?
Fellow citizens : It will be seen from our report, which is in- tended to be just and impartial, that the different schools have been variously successful. But we believe there is much more
8
to approve than to censure, and that your appropriations have in most cases been well expended ; while we confidently hope the exceptions may not again occur.
WALTER D. NICHOLS, School Com. of Berkley.
April 6, 1861. DANIEL C. BURT, BENJAMIN CRANE.
REPORT
OF THE
Treasurer of the Town of Berkley,
For the year ending April 1861.
Expenditures, Receipts.
State, County and Town Tax Bills, for 1860,
2,257.77
School District No. 1, 66
10.54
2, 66
50.04
Collected on Tax Bills of 1855-6-7 and 8,
93.27
2,411.62
Collector's Commissions, in Taxes of 1860, 3 1-2 per cent. on $2,318.35,
81.11
On $93.27, collected on bills of 1855-6-7 and 8,
9.33
Six per cent abatement on 809.20, paid before Aug. 1st, 1860, as per vote of town,
48.55
Publishing notice of the same in the Republican,
1.00
Printing Collector's Receipts,
1.50
Expenses transmitting State Tax,
.25
Amount of Taxes remitted by the Assessors,
23.50
Amount of uncollected Taxes, in bills of 1860,
4.07
169.31
2,242.31
· 109.21
Cash in the Treasury as per settlement, April 1860, Received of the Selectmen the balance due from the former Collector,
452.98
Received for fish notes,
621.00
from the State School Fund,
42.64
from Town Clerk for license of Dogs,
36.40
66 from the School Committee,
1.20
Amount of receipts for the year,
$3,505.74
10
Expenditures. Receipts 3,505.75
Amount of Receipts brought forward,
The following bills paid by order of the Selectmen :
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Thomas Strange,
9.38
Philo Washburn,
4.00
Mary Snow,
2.50
Bassett & Reed,
12.00
Philip French,
6.00
Daniel S. Briggs,
13.59
James Webster,
5.00
Benjamin Luther,
23.00
Giles L. Leach,
80.00
Tamerlane Burt,
1.50
George Westgate,
6.00
Thomas C. Dean,
7.00
Levi French,
46.37
Albert French,
8.50
Estate of S. Newhall,
35.70
C. A. Hack,
10.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
20.25
Enoch Boyce,
20.25
Walter D. Nichols,
8.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
2.12
City of New Bedford,
58.22
Benjamin H. Thrasher,
45.50
Walter D. Nichols,
37.00
Town of Taunton,
22.00
Nathaniel Townsend,
17.95
Giles G. Chace,
1.25
Charles Bissett,
6.50
Nathan Bowen,
9.37
Thomas J. Burt,
8.44
John Dean,
4.50
Benjamin H. Thrasher,
40.00
Ephraim French,
18.32
Joseph D. Hathaway,
13.00
Darius Sanford,
7.00
Ichabod Dickerman,
13.07
Joseph D. Hathaway,
4.50
Gilmore & Kinnicut,
6.25
A. B. Crane,
62.15
William Babbitt,
64.90
John C. Crane,
9.73
Jonathan Crane,
10.00
Benjamin Luther,
15.00
William H. S. Crane,
3.41
809.22
.
11
Expenditures. Receipts,
Amounts brought forward, Daniel Burt, John T. Dean,
809.22
3,505.74
1.00
164.21
Benjamin Crane,
10.00
66
15.00
Enoch Boyce,
20.70
Express for getting School Fund money,
.25
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Walter D. Nichols,
8.50
State Tax,
145.00
County Tax,
465.96
The following bills for damage done to sheep,
John Richmond,
15.46
W. D. Nichols,
3.09
Israel Chace,
6.19
Joseph Staples,
4.33
Charles Bissett,
34.65
John T. Townsend,
4.33
N. G. Townsend,
4.02
Thomas J. Burt,
4.33
76.40
Money expended for Schools,
District No. 1,
92.07
2,
156.84
3,
106.22
4,
84.99
5,
122.73
6,
99.14
66
7,
177.01
839.00
Money for School House purposes,
District No. 1,
2.63
66 2,
43.29
45.92
Paid James Webster's note and interest,
31.51
Rebecca Webster's note and interest, 163.87
66 John D. Wilson's 66 242.55
Franklin Briggs,
302.30
740.23
Treasurer's commissions,
33.51
3,384.90
Balance in the Treasurer's hands,
120.84
12
A VIEW OF THE EXPENSES OF THE VARIOUS DE- PARTMENTS, &c.
Selectmen's bills for services during the year ending March 1861.
William Babbitt,
33.63
Benjamin Luther,
15.00
John C. Crane, 9.73
58.36
Town Clerk s bill for the year ending 1861,
18.32
Town Treasurer's commissions,
33.51
Assessors' bills for service 1860,
Nathaniel Townsend,
38.20
Enoch Boyce,
36.95
Levi French,
36.20
111.35
Constable's bill for executing Dog Law,
5.00
Committee to settle with the Treasurer,
1.50
School Committee's bills for services for the year ending April 1861.
Benjamin Crane,
10.00
Daniel C. Burt,
10.00
Walter D. Nichols,
8.50
28.50
Expenses for poor on town farm,
308.21
Expenses of all others belonging to the town,
200.18
Furnished poor of other towns,
17.87
Expended on Roads, Bridges, &c., by Selectmen,
118.91
for Public Schools,
839.00
School Books,
15.00
66 School House purposes,
45.92
State Tax for 1860,
145.00
County Tax for 1860,
465.96
Damage done to sheep by dogs,
81.40
Mary Snow for housing the Hearse,
2.50
Bassett & Reed attending suit at law,
12.00
Philip French, care of Town House,
4.00
For furnishing coal, &c.,
2.00
C. A. Hack for printing School Report,
10.00
William Babbitt for attending suit at law,
10.00
William Babbitt for sundry bills against the town at different dates, 21.72
Assessors bill of books of S. O. Dunbar,
9.92
Sending valuation to Boston, .25
Express bill for getting State School Fund Money,
.25
2,566.63
13
Amount brought forward,
2,566.63
Thomas Strange, balance of bill for services as one of the Selectmen in 1859, 4.63
Nathaniel Townsend, balance of bill as one of the Assessors in 1859,
2.12
Enoch Boyce, balance of bill as one of the Assess- ors in 1859,
4.00
Estate of Samuel Newhall, balance of bill for do. 66 for sale of oysters,
5.00
Roads and Bridges in 1859,
29.20
Daniel C. Burt, School Committee for 1859-60,
10.00
Daniel S. Briggs, 66 66
13.59
W. D. Nichols,
66
8.00
The following notes taken up,
James Webster,
31.51
Rebecca Webster,
163.87
John D. Wilson,
242.55
Franklin Briggs,
302.30
740.23
818.27
$3,384.90
1.50
14
PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE TOWN.
Town House,
1000.00
66 Farm,
3,500.00
Valuation of Stock,
458.00
Provisions, Hay &c. on Farm,
142.61
Cash, Liquors &c. in the Agent's hands,
84.01
Iron Safe for the use of Town,
74.00
Book Cases for do.
13.50
The Charity Phillips Place,
100.00
School Books in the hands of Committee,
23.71
Fish and Oyster notes,
1421.00
Uncollected Taxes 1859 and '60,
5.57
Balance of cash in the Treasurer's hands,
120.84
The Town owes the following notes,
Maria Burt, note, dated May 1st, 1856,
430.00
R. A. Pierce, note, same date,
430.00
School money unexpended in District No. 2,
3.65
Money due the District for school house purposes, District No. 1,
16.39
Interest on the two notes above, to May 1st, 1861,
290.86
1175.93
Estimated balance in favor of the town, $5767.31
A. B CRANE, Treas. of the town of Berkley.
6,943.24
5.03
١٨٠٥
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Treasurer,
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1871-72-
Printed at the Republican Steam Printing Rooms. Taunton.
REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Treasurer, .
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1871-72.
Printed at the Republican Steam Printing Rooms, Taunton.
SCHOOL REPORT.
The close of another school year has brought with it the duty of presenting, by us, to the town of Berkley, the conditions and success of its public educational institutions. Conformably thereto we submit the following report:
The whole number of scholars attending all of the schools in the summer terms, appears, by the regis- ters, to be 127, or 5 more than during the same terms last year, with an average attendance of 90} against 89 1-3 for last year. But in the winter term there appears to have been only 135, while last year there were 152, or 17 more than during the present year. We fear that too many scholars, for various reasons, leave school too young, at an age indeed when school privileges should be prized by them the more highly as the opportunities are so soon, at best, to vanish away.
The whole number of persons between 5 and 15 years of age, found by the Assessors in town upon the first day of May last, was one hundred and forty.
4
We feel justified in expressing a high degree of satisfaction in the management and success gen- erally of the schools under our special care during the past year. We think in no case has there been any retrograde movement; and in one school, at least, there was a very marked improvement exhibi- ted in its condition, almost every one being quiet, orderly and industrious, the indispensable compo- nents of a useful school; seemingly not attained by physical pressure, but by that generally surer and better method of personal magnetism and self-con- trol exhibited by the teacher or teachers which, in most cases, subdues turbulence, interests indiffer- ence, attracts gentleness, amiability and docility, and finally crowns such efforts with a control of the wills and affections of the pupils to such an extent, most, will be not only compelled to do what their teacher desires, but love to do it also. We are aware that every teacher cannot so easily exert this mental influence in so high a degree. But let even such as are not so highly endowed with this quality make a persistent effort and persevere in the effort, and we believe that they themselves will be sur- prised to find how far a strong effort in this direc- tion will carry them, how much unhappiness and anxiety will be avoided and how much good ac- complished.
We respectfully suggest that another year should not be allowed to pass away without another earnest endeavor, on the part of all those in town, who
1
5
earnestly desire the improvement of our schools; so as to confer upon the present and future generations of children and youth in our town the most impor- tant and durable benefit which is in its power as a town to bestow. We allude to the inauguration of such measures as will secure the location and erec- tion of a suitable and commodious school house to supply the place of the uncomfortable building now used by school No. 4, for school purposes. In former reports of the committee the urgent need of such a building has been fully stated. We now propose merely to allude to it, and in passing will simply add that the time is propitious, as the war and other debts of the town are nearly extinguished, and trust that our friends, whose children are par- ticularly to be benefited by such action as is here suggested and recommended, will not allow their interest to flag or their ardor to cool, until their efforts are crowned with success. Let no such unimportant matter as the exact location of a new school house be a stumbling-block or rock of offence to any one. It is very desirable indeed that all having a legitimate voice in the matter should be exactly suited, but when universal satisfaction is not attainable, and it rarely is, the next best thing to be secured is general accord, the exponent of majority rule.
If we rely upon and expect (with the home aid and encouragement which every family should ex- tend to its members who are also members of
6
schools) that the teachers of our schools will instruct and qualify our children to read well, that is, with understanding and natural feeling; to spell correctly and to compose grammatical English, written in a neat and legible hand; to understand and apply the principles of arithmetic to the prompt solution of all practical problems occurring fre- quently in the varied, every day business of life; together with those ennobling virtues, without which society could neither exist nor be desirable, nor mankind rise scarcely above the brutes in the scale of being; are we, as individuals composing a com- munity, taking that personal interest in the welfare of our schools commensurate with their vital impor- tance? We have so often endeavored, in our im- perfect manner, to elaborate the idea of the tran- scendant importance of our public schools, and the necessity of a personal care, inspection and interest, that we will now dismiss this subject by subjoining a pertinent extract from the inaugural address of His Excellency, the Governor, upon this subject, and recommend it to your careful consideration. " I am fully pursuaded that our educational affairs are too much left to the management of the few. There is not that universal interest in the schools and the school system which ought to obtain. If we are to have model schools in a given town it will be because the people of that town determine to make them such. They will neither come of them- selves nor through the sole endeavors of two or three individuals. Good teachers and good methods
7
of instruction are requisite to the end in view, but these agencies can accomplish nothing more than partial results if the practical interest of the people themselves is wanting."
WALTER D. NICHOLS, School Com. HERBERT A. DEAN, of CALVIN T. CRANE. Berkley. 1
TABLE OF SCHOOL STATISTICS.
School.
Names of Teachers.
Length of School. S. | W.
Summer Attendance Whole. Av.
Winter Attendance Whole. Av.
Under 5 y's Over 15 y's Wages per Amount Paid
of age. S. | W.
of age. S. | W.
Month. S. | W.
each School.
No. 1.
Leila Cobb .*
4
3
22
1634
20
17 12
0
0
2
4
31}2
40
$259.03
Daniel S. Briggs.
Ella J. Bailey.
4
2 19-20
28
21
27
21 7%
1
0
2
6
28
32
$239.00
" 3.
Mary L. Burt.
3 4-5|
3
21
1212
27
20 33-59
0
1
0
4
28
32
$226.11
. 4.
Grace E. Smith.
4
3
20
15
22
19 4-5
1
0
2
3
28
32
$234.94
" 5.
Nellie R. Strange.
4
3
16
10
17
15
1
0
1
4
28
32
$218.50
" 6.
Julia R. Burt.
4
3
20
15
22
17
1
0
0
3
28
32
$224.50
123 4-5|17 19-20| 127 | 90% |135 |111 106-295.| 4 |
1 1 7 1 24 1
$1,402.08
* Emma Wish, taught four weeks, summer term, 1871.
Town Appropriation, $1,200.00
me of State Fund,
129.60
Income " Dog Tax,
56.32
Bal. Unexpended, 1871.
40.71
1
" 2.
Mary L. Burt.
Eudora M. Allen.
8
TREASURER'S REPORT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 1ST, 1872.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in Treasury, AprilfIst, 1871,
$285 47
State, County and Town Taxes,
3,159.59
Two Fish Notes,
176 00
One Oyster Note,
400 00
State Treasurer and State Paupers,
42 57
66
State Aid,
156 00
Nat. Bank Tax,
265 15
66
School Fund,
129 60
66
66
Corporation Tax,
12 67
56 32
County Treasurer, Dog Fund, Interest on Taxes,
8 22
$4,691 59
EXPENDITURES.
State Tax,
$925 00
County Tax,
424 95
Paid on Town Debt,
471 79
Selectmen,
99 26
Assessors,
103 98
School Committee,
72 00
State Aid,
124 50
Aid out of Almshouse,
121 90
Incidentals,
492 49
Roads and Bridges,
173 18
Public Schools,
1,402 08
Repairs on School Houses,
69 86
Cash in Treasury, April 1st,
$4,480 99 210 60
$4,691 59
1
10
EXPENDITURES IN DETAIL.
State Tax,
$925 00
County Tax,
424 95
Paid on Town Debt,
471 79
$1,821 74
SELECTMEN.
Benj. F. Chase,
$23 00
Philip H. Fletcher,
36 26
William Babbitt,
40 00
Expended for Selectmen,
$99 26
ASSESSORS.
John T. Townsend,
$27 00
Benj. F. Chase,
49 98
Thomas C. Dean,
27 00
Expended for Assessors,
$103 98
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Walter D. Nichols,
$35 00
Herbert A. Dean,
15 00
Calvin T. Crane,
5 00
Daniel S. Briggs, (1870,) .
17 00
Expended for School Committee,
$72 00
1
STATE AID.
Bildad Williams, Lewis Green, T. P. Burt,
$16 50
36 00
72 00
Expended for State Aid, $124 50
11
FOR AID OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
B. L. Burt & Co., Supplies to M. Newhall, $35 90
J. B. Green, Care of J. Claybrook, 28 50
A. Seekell, 66
25 00
Dr. S. Hathaway Med. Attend. on J. Claybrook, 13 00
Hubbard & Ransom, “ 66 P. Coleman, 13 50
City of Taunton Supplies to Stephen D. Briggs, 6 00
Expended for Aid. $121 90
INCIDENTALS.
Sumner Knapp, wood,
$3 00
T. P. Burt, town clerk, (2 years,)
37 30
W. D. Nichols,
4 00
Elijah Wilbur, digging grave,
2 00
N. G. Townsend,
14 85
P. T. & H. S. Washburn, on account P. Coleman,
11 50
Republican Office, printing,
27 50
C. A. Hack & Son, 66
2 00
Bennett & Fuller, legal advice,
3 00
Town of Middleboro', care of fish at East Taunton, 20 00 Geo. Marsden, 18 34
Stephen B. Allen,
7 80
Daniel S. Briggs,
2 00
William Babbitt, 5 88
Thomas Burt, 10 00
S. P. Dillingham, Tax refunded,
2 41
Discount on Taxes paid before October 1st,
236 06
Abatements on Taxes,
3 06
Sinkages on Taxes,
4 21
Collector's bill,
36 00
Treasurer's commission.
41 58
$492 49
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
James D. Dillingham, gravel, John Boyce, John H. Macomber, 66
$2 04
56
32
12
Philip H. Fletcher,
repairing roads,
28 09
John T. Townsend,
66
26 00
N. G. Townsend,
21 00
Israel Chace,
33 76
Benj. F. Chase,
66
6.
13 25
Israel Chace,
66
،٠
17 81
F. K. Williams,
..
..
21 70
A. Cummings,
3 40
Davis Allen,
66
5 25
Expended on Roads and Bridges,
$173 18
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Appropriation by the Town,
$1,200 00
State School Fund,
129 60
County Dog Fund,
56 32
Total for Schools,
$1,385 92
Expended for Schools,
1,402 08
Expended for Repairs on School Houses,"
$69 86
Expended for School No. 1.
Leila E. Cobb,
$28 00
E. H. Wish,
22 40
Daniel S. Briggs,
190 00
Repairs on School House,
60 86
Incidentals,
18 63
$319 89
Expended for School No. 2.
Mary L. Burt,
$96 00
Ella J. Bailey,
112 00
Incidentals,
31 00
$239 00
66
13
Expended for School No. 3.
Mary L. Burt, Eudora M. Allen, Incidentals,
$112 00
96 00
18 11
$226 11
Expended for School No. 4.
$208 00
Grace E. Smith, Repairs,
3 00
Incidentals,
26 94
$237 94
Expended for School No. 5.
Nellie R. Strange,
$208 00
Repairs,
6 00
Incidental's,
10 50
$224 50
Expended for School No. 6.
Julia R. Burt, Incidentals,
$208 00
16 50
$224 50
14
PROPERTY BELONGING TO THE TOWN OF BERKLEY.
Town House,
.' Farm,
$1,000 00 3,500 00
$4,500 00
Valuation of Stock, Provisions, Hay, Farming Utensils, &c., on Town Farm, $1,117 23
Iron Safe for use of Town, 75 00
Book Case "
18 00
Four Oyster Notes due June 1st, 1872, '73, 74, and '75, 1,600 00
Two Fish Notes due June 1st, 1872,
350 00
State Aid due from state, 155 50
Cash in Treasury, April 1st,
210 60
3,526 33
$8,026 33
INDEBTEDNESS OF THE TOWN.
Rebecca Webster, note dated April 1st, 1867,
$214 26
Enoch Boyce, 66 66 66
142 77
357 03
Balance in favor of the Town,
$7,669 30
T. PRESTON BURT, Treasurer of Berkley.
REPORTS
.
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-AND -
Treasurer,
-OF THE-
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1872-73.
TAUNTON : REPUBLICAN STEAM PRINTING ROOMS. 1873.
REPORTS
-. OF THE --
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Treasurer,
-OF THE=
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
1872-73.
TAUNTON: REPUBLICAN STEAM PRINTING ROOMS. 1873.
SCHOOL REPORT.
Agreeable to a statute of our Commonwealth, relative to public schools, and determining the duties of the School Committee, it becomes our task to present to the town at this time, a report of the condition of its schools, the past year, and the de- gree of prosperity obtained in the same.
We therefore submit the following :--
As is well known to all the residents of our town, our advantages are not so great as they might be, were we not scattered over so large a territory, thereby rendering it exceedingly difficult for our small children especially to regularly attend school. This serious interference cannot be obviat- ed. To multiply school houses, or districts, would not altogether remedy it, while, it would materially decimate the number of pupils in mnost every school in town. We cannot therefore at this present time suggest any better way than that already in vogue. But would earnestly exhort all parents to use their utmost endeavors to secure to their children all the advantages the town offers. We are convinced that were there a large interest manifested by the par-
4
ents on this one point, our schools would not be so poorly attended, and our average materially im- proved.
We shall not be called boastful, we trust, if we affirm that in our opinion, our schools are not in- ferior to those of neighboring towns, and in pro- portions to our means are full as long. If we want longer schools we can have them by simply increas- ing the amount of school money.
There has been no material change in our popu- lation so that our teachers have not been harrassed with overflowing schools, but rather, have had ample time to devote to the interests of their scholars. This has been done in every case, and the excellent results have been more marked in those schools where it was possible to classify to any ex- tent. We discover with honest pride positive marks of progress throughout the town.
We do not propose to use these pages for pur- poses of laudation as regards our teachers, and yet we cannot refrain from acknowledging that each and all have done well. Our children are much like the children of other towns, some of them turbulent and peevish, others kindly disposed and docile. To our mind it is not strange, that occa- sional ruptures occur in school. Marked manifesta- tions of willfulness and stubborness on the part of the scholars, excite similar elements in too many of our teachers, and a clash occurs. Happy is that teacher who has such complete control of himself that he can check the insubordinate, govern
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the unruly, without losing his dignity and influence by outbursts of bad temper.
All public instructors desire the co-operation of the parent or guardian of the children. Whenever a teacher does not wish this he is but an hireling, and will not succeed in his school. As parents, we can be of great service to the teachers, if we are so disposed, and can also give tone and character to the schools our children attend. The more we labor in harmony with our teachers, the more successful will our schools become. We have been cheered, as occasionally we have heard of parents who have been into the schools. This practice followed up by all the parents would reveal only such an interest as we all should take in the instruction of our children. We owe this much to teacher and pupil. We have a right and ought to know how the school appears, and we ought to become acquainted with the teacher and his methods of instruction. It is not enough that the town send its paid committee to see the school. You and I, the parents and guardians of the children, should at least, as often as once a month, visit our children and their teacher, and if we have time ought to extend our visits to other districts.
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