USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1874-1875 > Part 4
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John E. and Margaret. E. Watson and Maria V.
Edward and Lucy Jane. ?
George A. and Arabella A.
Charles E. and Lydia D.
John and Mary F.
Edward and Ellen.
Willard M. and Mary E.
Joseph A. and Laura Ann.
William Howe and Adeline H. William and Isabella.
t
Angenette Thayer. Henry A. and E. Anna.
Henry A. and Elizabeth S. William and Sarah.
Theodore and Elizabeth.
Edward and Catharine A.
Peter D. and Sarah B.
Aug.
8, Elsie Estella Drinkwater, 9, Viola M. Pratt,
13, George Frederic Beyette,
13, Albert Thomas Donovan,
17, John Hallissey,
22, Margaret Celia Preston,
26, Chester Hollis,
28, James Alfred Lynch,
30, R. McLanathan Stearns,
31, Mary Hellen Wales
Sept. 4, Edward Quinn,
16, Frank S. McAlpin,
Maurice and Mary E. Patrick and Eliza.
Eugene F: and Amanda J.
Edwin D. and Kittie. George and Julia.
1
52
DATE.
NAME.
Sept. 30,1/ Amos William Buker,
30, Timothy Gannon,
Oct.
9, Maurice Lucien Belcher,
V 13, Teresa Grace O'Rourke,, Mary Elizabeth Alden,.
15, 16, . Huff,
19, Warren Henry Crocker,
24, Edward Devany,
24, John Thomas Downes,
Nov. 3, Emily Cornelia Lochman, 4, George Francis: Dennehy,
II, Fannie Louise Mead,
10, - Jackson,
L 12, Henry Moulton Hollis,
17, Hattie Coy Cushman,
Alfred W. and Harriet.
Edward H. and Annie Cora.
Robert and Almira.
Thomas and Margaret. Austin and Mary F. Andrew and Mary.
C. Harrison and Abbie F.
John Edward and Mary J. Nelson E. and Mary A.
Sophia Lehman, Martin and Bridget.
Albert F. and Addie M.
31, Mary Louise Parks,
NAME OF PARENTS.
Syms G. and' Mary Ann. Thomas and, Bridget.
James and Jennie.
George H. and Sarah W.
Alexander T. and Addie E. :
Peter and Teresa.
George A. and Elizabeth.
Alonzo and Lucy H.
Eugene and Lydia.
Patrick and Margaret.
John J. and Annie.
J. Edmund and Harriet M .. Jeremiah and Hannah. ;
Charles A. and Mary S. Hosea and Adelaide.
Henry M. and Caroline D.
.27, John Edw. S. Drinkwater,
Hamilton,
Dec.
23, 5, 10, White,
Philip Sullivan,
V13, Mary Ann Havay,
19, Lizzie Marilla Hobart,
21, Alice May Mellen,
V25, - - Hayden,
27, Charles W. M. Lehman,
31, Mary Eagan,
30, 1 Alexander A. Raitt, 4, Miriam Blagden Lane,
The School Committee of the Town of Braintree beg leave to submit the fol- lowing Annual Report for the year 1874-5. :
REPORT.
Our present report must be to some extent a repe- tition of the last and former reports.
The Board of School Committee was organized immediately after the qualification of the members elected, with the choice of
N. L. WHITE, CHAIRMAN. N. TORREY, SECRETARY. :
And the usual Sub-Committees were selected to have immediate charge of certain specified schools. There have been monthly meetings held during the year, with reports of inspection, visiting, progress and gen- eral standing of the various schools.
Rev. F. B. Sleeper resigned during the month of September last, and the vacancy still exists. There has been no especial change in the studies and exer- cises of the schools during the past year. It has become more the custom for cities and towns to se- cure teachers and for men and women to graduate from institutions of learning, all parties making new arrangements in the Summer; and, if occasion re- quires, far better opportunities for the Committee to * secure teachers.
In consideration of these views, the Committee have made a change in the organization and arrange-
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ment of the High School for the future ; and in order to carry their project into effect, will continue this school year to the end of the Spring term, and not admit any class until the commencement of the Fall term. We will undoubtedly raise the standard of admittance. A more thorough preparation for enter- ing the High School will be expected in the Grammar Schools ; thus no disadvantage will arise to pupils as they now rank in their respective positions.
This arrangement will not interfere with the finan- cial affairs of the town. All accounts can be closed as at the present.
We notice at the examinations of some of the schools, exercises in calisthenics, of which we approve and recommend a part of the school time of each day exercises of that kind be participated in. Writ- ing is not generally so well taught as it might be. The children are put to writing words and sentences before they know how to form letters. The Com- mittee report good progress in Drawing, in some of the schools, this useful and interesting branch of instruction. It is a most desirable and profitable study and practice; in our opinion should be com- menced in all the Grammar and Primary schools; it will not prevent their progress in other studies.
The school property is not respected as it should be by some pupils in the schools. Any defacing or damaging the school building, interior or exterior, · the teacher must examine into, and, if necessary, re- port to the Sub-Committees, or they will hold them. responsible therefor.
More attention should be paid to teach and impress
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good manners. Our teachers should instruct the boys to salute their elders, clergymen, teachers, parents and friends, when they meet them; also, the boys and girls to practice politeness towards each other in the school room which they are sometimes required to display in society.
The duty of providing for vacancies is onerous, and one for the satisfactory discharge of which the Committee many times have not sufficient time nor facilities. We certainly agree, in order to secure the best results, of consulting and advising with each other, and deem it good practice in making selections for teachers, to give the preference to our people who have been educated in home schools, if they do not fall below others, of whom we have knowledge in. attainments and qualifications.
Truancies are less frequent than they have ever been in years before, doubtless owing to the appoint- ment of the truant officer.
It is to be regretted that parents and friends do not oftener visit the schools, and thus show some interest in their welfare. Their presence would always be welcomed by the teachers, and would certainly be encouraging to the pupils. Examinations of the schools are not fair tests of either pupils or the . ability of the teachers, which are usually well attended, while the school room, the place of daily labor and of daily advancement, if any be made, is seldom visited. We have, on the whole, a most ex- cellent corps of teachers in our schools, who labor : · with patience and good success.
.
The Grammar and Primary schools are in a flour;
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ishing condition. ' Their examinations were generally satisfactory, and well attended by the parents and public at large.
¡ The anuual exercises of the High School in the Town Hall were very successful, and will be remem- bered by the graduates of the school long after many other important events are forgotten, as a RED-LETTER DAY-when all the world appeared as bright in the future as the scene which surrounded them.
HIGH SCHOOL.
CHARLES S. STETSON, A.M. PRINCIPAL. MISS REBECCA M. HOLYOKE, ASSISTANT.
The whole number of pupils in the school at the opening was-71.
The number admitted in February last was 28; comprising 19 girls, 9 boys.
This school, like all others, belongs to the people, and is for their benefit. It should maintain a rea- sonable high standard of scholarship. To admit those who are not qualified, or to permit them to remain is a serious drawback on those who are capa- ble of more rapid advancement.
The Principal, Charles S. Stetson, has managed the school with great efficiency and success. He has been well supported by the able assistant, Miss Rebecca M. Holyoke, and the Committee are pleased to continue their valuable services in the future.
At the commencement of the Spring term will be . the time designated for those who elect to enter upon
5
THE ENGLISH COURSE OF STUDIES, which was arranged for scholars who completed them in two years and a half to graduate and receive diplomas, and probably not for some time can we see the result of the prac- tical working of this course. There seems to be some difference of opinion in reference to this method. We would prefer to give all parties interested an opportunity to educate their children.
THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 1875,
SUSAN ANNIE MARIA FREEL, CELIA HENRIETTA THAYER, IDA EMMA WHITE,
MARY JONES PRATT, FRANK AMASA BATES,
Acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner, exhibiting thorough knowledge of the studies they had pursued-with honor to themselves and reputa- ble to the teachers under whom they had been taught.
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CLASS of 1862.
SUSAN R. H. HUNT. N. ANNABELLA NILES,
CLASS OF 1863.
INDIANA GIFFORD. THEODORE C. HOWE. REBECCA S. ORCUTT. ANN MARY PORTER. LYDIA A. SIMONDS.
· CLASS OF 1864.
MARGARETTE E. BANNON. EDWARD W. HOWE. VIRGINIA NILES. SARAH J. PENNIMAN. MARY A. WAITE.
CLASS OF 1865 .- None.
CLASS OF 1866.
ANN E. HUNT. MARY C. HOWE. IBRAHIM MORRISON. HARRIET E. RICHARDS.
CLASS OF 1867.
SARAH ALLEN, HERBERT DOANE. SARAH L. PORTER. MARY SCOLLARD. AVIS A. THAYER. ELDORA S. THAYER.
CLASS OF 1868.
ELLA 8. COLBERT.
CLASS OF 1869,
KATIE P. BISHOP. MARY A. DYER. SARAH J. FREEL.
M. ROSA MINCHIN. INEZ A. PENNIMAN. S. ELLA TORREY. CLARA L. VINTON.
CLASS OF 1870.
CHARLOTTE E. ALLEN.
SUSAN ALLEN.
FLORA J. DYER. ELLA F. FISHER.
S. LUELLA HUNT. LOIS E. JENKINS.
JENETTE RENNIE.
MARTHA F. TYRRELL.
HELEN A. WILLIAMS.
CLASS OF 1871.
OSCAR M. CROCKER. F. EUGENE DYER. ALICE M. MASON. N. GLEASON TORREY.
CLASS OF 1872.
TELLIS F. KELLEY. W. H. SHAW. JOHN V. ALLEN.
ARTHUR E. SPROUL.
ELLEN E. MILES.
SARAH L. BURNHAM.
SARAH F. DOW. ABBY A. ALLEN.
CLASS OF 1873.
PATRICK H. BILLINGS. JOHN L. CRANE. WARREN B. KEITH. SANFORD P. RECORD, WELLINGTON RECORD.
CLASS OF 1874.
MINNIE ROSENFELD. M. JOSIE DEARING. CORA J. BATES. FREDERICK W. PENNIMAN.
EDWIN L. SHAW. WALTER D. ANGLIM.
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POND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MESSRS. AMES, ARNOLD AND MISS PENNIMAN, TEACHERS.
This school was commenced by Miss Abbie Penni- man, and continued through the Spring term.
Mr. E. C. Ames, of Brockton, was highly recom- mended, having had many years of experience, teaching schools of all grades, and with more than ordinary success. His services were secured to teach through the Fall term, but, on account of sickness, was obliged to resign in the latter part of December, and the term was finished by Mr. Freeman A. Arnold. The change of teachers has not been bene- ficial to the school; the pupils are not as far advanced in their studies as in former years; the examination was not up to the average of others; but we do not attribute this entirely to the teachers ; the scholars have somewhat lost their interest in the studies. The Committee expect, that during the Spring term Mr. Arnold will be able to regain the former stand- ard of the school.
POND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS E. M. THOMPSON, TEACHER.
It gives us pleasure to speak of this school in terms of high commendation. Efficient government has been maintained, both in and out of the school room, and excellent deportment has everywhere prevailed. The average attendance in this school, we believe, is greater than any other in town. Exercises which have served as recreation and relief to body and mind have been introduced, such as
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singing, manual exercises, drawing, &c., which have excited much interest and enthusiasm among the scholars. The examination was very interesting, and proved that both teacher and scholars had worked diligently.
POND PRIMARY SCHOOL. MISS S. ELLA TORREY, TEACHER.
Miss Torrey has continued in charge of this school, and when visited we have always found good order; the children seemed to be interested in their studies and making fair progress. The school is large, and, considering the severe winter, the average attendance fair. The examination was entirely sat- isfactory to the Committee, and the visitors no doubt were well pleased.
UNION GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISSES ISABEL C. LIVINGSTON AND AMY ALLEN, TEACHERS.
Miss Isabel C. Livingston, who taught this school last year, continued through the first term of this year, then resigned, to accept a more desirable situa- tion in Stoneham. Under her care, the school made excellent progress, and Committee, parents and schol- ars very much regretted her resignation.
For the second term, Miss Amy Allen was secured as teacher, and the Committee are happy to state that she has succeeded admirably as to discipline, and has been reasonably successful in other respects.
The map and other drawings in this school were very fine indeed.
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The parents and friends in this district show their interest in the schools by often visiting them, and at the closing examination there were about 70 present.
THE UNION INTERMEDIATE AND PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
MISSES SARAH L. BURNHAM, M. JOSIE DEARING, and CARRIE W. HAYDEN, TEACHERS.
Circumstances seemed to require several changes in these schools the past year; but we think they showed, on examination, a good degree of pro- ficiency.
The singing and drawing exercises, in these rooms, were very pleasing.
Miss Hayden, - successor to Miss Penniman, who had taught in the Intermediate several years, and who had shown some very efficient qualities, - introduced, we trust, a new era as to methods of in- struction ; viz: that of illustration, embellishment, and oral additions, from other sources than the pre- scribed text-book. The style of "base memorizing, without intelligent study, cannot be too strongly' condemned."
With Miss Burnham in the Intermediate, and Miss Dearing in the Primary, we hope these schools will be, not only places for instruction in the usual branches, and in which the children will be properly governed, but places of comfort and happiness, places in which they may feel at home, and have con- stantly before them, in their teachers, such manners and such unexceptionable language as shall be worthy their patterning after.
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THE MIDDLE STREET SCHOOL.
MISS LOTTIE E. ALLEN, TEACHER.
At the commencement of the present year, Miss Allen was transfered from the South-West District, where she had taught two years, to this school. Under her supervision the school has given evidence of careful and faithful training. Her classes in Grammar were remarkably good - giving evidence that this important branch of study, which is often, and particularly by beginners, considered dry and uninteresting, has been entered upon by them with a zest which indicates a lively interest therein. Her classes in arithmetic also showed that they had had careful and thorough instruction.
The closing examination was quite fully attended and entirely satisfactory.
THE SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
MISSES ALICE M. MASON and ELLEN L. WALLACE, TEACHERS.
Miss Mason taught this school till the close of the Summer term, when she was transfered to one of the schools in the Iron Works District, and Miss Wallace took her place for the remainder of the year. Miss Wallace is a recent graduate of the Girls High and Normal School of Boston, and this was the first school she had taught. . Her literary qualifications are excellent, and her success during this term indicates that she may become a very valuable and successful teacher.
The whole number of scholars who have attended
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this school the past year is small compared with the whole number of children of school age within the limits of the district, and the average attendance has also been small, though better than last year. It is to be regretted, too, that quite a number of scholars who had attended school during the term, absented themselves on examination day. The examination was creditable to those pupils who were present.
E
THE EAST SCHOOL.
MISS VICTORIA P. WILDE, TEACHER. 1
This is the largest mixed school in town ; and from the large floating population of the district, the elements of the school are continually changing. This makes it more difficult to manage, and retards its progress. But Miss Wilde's great experience as a teacher, and her tact and energy of character, has enabled her, with apparent ease, to preserve excellent order and discipline, while her own enthusiasm,
imparted to the scholars, has caused them to make good progress in their studies. The improvement in this school throughout the year has been very marked, and entirely satisfactory ; and the closing examination was in all respects excellent. Miss Wilde is eminently the right teacher in the right place.
THE WEST SCHOOL.
MISS AVIS A. THAYER, TEACHER.
Miss Avis A. Thayer, an experienced and faithful teacher, has continued in this school through the
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year, and is gradually producing a thorough change for the better. When we say this, we are well aware that there are circumstances beyond the control of teachers which may prevent the attainment, in all classes, of equally satisfactory results. Her labors are worthy of more commendation than the recita- tions at the examination would seem to warrant; but we believe that in due season she will bring this school up to that standard of excellence at which she is aiming, and that better results may be expected at the close of another year. On examination day, there was very good attendance, though we think one of the best scholars was unnecessarily absent. The rule of the Committee for such absence requires some explanation before the scholar can re-enter.
THE SOUTH-WEST SCHOOL.
MISS HELEN A. WILLIAMS, TEACHER.
Of the scholars in this district, more than 30 per cent. are taken or allowed to remain out of school. If ignorance is the parent of vice, then the larger per cent. of non-attendants the greater will that class of the body politic be which will threaten most the nation's existence, and prove the most troublesome to any portion of the community. Miss Williams has labored well and successfully in this school, and it has reached a stand-point far in advance of many preceding years. If it continues to advance as it has during the past year, it will soon be in the first rank.
.
13 THE SOUTH SCHOOL.
MISSES FLORA J. DYER and MAGGIE BANNON, TEACHERS.
This school was conducted during the Spring term by Miss Dyer. At the close, she resigned and re- ceived an appointmnt in a neighboring town, to teach. Miss Bannon has had the institution under her man- agement the past winter, and has apparently made rapid progress in scholarship and discipline, the aver- age attendance being nearly double what it was last year. The building has been frequently injured, and has been at times the abode of tramps; and when instances of that kind occur, the parties discovered, the Committee sanction the severest penalty of the law. The examination was well attended by the parents and friends. The school made an excellent · appearance, and will in time, if under the present teachers' instruction, compare favorably with either school of this grade.
IRON WORKS GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
MISSES MARY GINN and S. A. CHILDS, TEACHERS.
Miss Ginn has had charge of this school during. the Summer term, but resigned at its close. Miss S. A. Childs, who for the previous two or three years had had charge of the Primary school, very reluc- tantly, on her part, yielded to the earnest wish of the Committee to occupy the place thus made vacant. Her success in this school has demonstrated the wis- dom of our choice. Her management of the school has secured good order, the respect of her pupils
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and the confidence and esteem of their parents. Her efforts have been directed towards securing thorough- ness in the various studies, and, considering the diffi- culties encountered, she has succeeded remarkably well.
IRON WORKS INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
MISS ANNIE L. BUMPUS, TEACHER.
This school has pursued the even tenor of its way, the past year, as during the previous years of Miss Bumpus' teaching. 'Order secured' without harshness, and constant efforts to secure progress in the required studies have produced their legitimate results. Each prescribed study has received its proportion of atten- tion on the part of the teacher. The progress has been uniform, and greater than during any former year.
IRON WORKS PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISSES S. A. CHILDS and ALICE M. MASON, TEACHERS.
Miss Childs had charge of this school during the Summer term. Her success here and her skill in governing, induced the Committee to transfer her to the Grammar school, which had become somewhat demoralized and stood in need of a teacher of Miss Childs' characteristics. Only strong reasons would have induced the Committee to transfer so successful and so esteemed a teacher to another field of labor.
Miss Mason was appointed to the vacancy thus made. Success is usually more difficult when follow-
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ing a popular than an unpopular teacher. To love one teacher does not necessarily require that another. should be hated, although this sometimes seems to be the case. No difficulties of this kind have been encountered. The teacher has been kindly received and her efforts to please and instruct have met with success. She has adapted her instructions to the capacities of her pupils, and remembering that the attention of little ones cannot long be held on one subject, has wisely interspersed them with singing, calisthenics and other exercises instructive and amusing.
The three schools in this district are now in an excellent condition. The teachers unite in a com- mon purpose to secure the same end-the moral and intellectual development of their pupils.
DANIEL POTTER,
For the Committee.
-
No. of Scholars.
Average Attendance.
No. over 15 years.
No, under 5 years.
Length of Terms.
Wages per Month.
SCHOOLS.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
Summer.
Winter.
HIGH.
71
53
64
5112
30
27
0
0
5
5
50
50
POND GRAMMAR.
50
42
46
37
2
5
0
0
5
5
40
50
POND INTERMEDIATE,
33
37
30%
33
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
POND PRIMARY.
47
57
38%
42
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
1 - UNION GRAMMAR
43
39
34
33
2
0
0
0
5
5
44
44
UNION INTERMEDIATE.
31
44
2732
33
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
UNION PRIMARY ..
64
75
46
517%
0
0
1
0
5
5
36
34
IRON WORKS GRAMMAR ..
30
31
25
26%%
0
2
0
0
5
5
44
44
IRON WORKS INTERMEDIATE .....
48
45
38
37
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
IRON WORKS PRIMARY ..
66
70
48
52
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
EAST.
53
50
42
42
0
0
0
0
5
5
44
44
MIDDLE ..
38
39
29
28
0
2
0
1
5
5
36
36
SOUTH EAST
22
22
16
161/2
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
32
SOUTH ..
19
25
15
173/2
0
0
0
1
5
5
32
32
SOUTH WEST.
32
27
22
18
0
0
0
0
5
5
36
36
WEST ..
19
22
13
14
1
2
0
0
5
5
36
36
.
.
......
-
150
150
16
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