USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1897 > Part 4
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SCHOOL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL TEACHING.
The growth in good manners, especially among the younger children, is especially noticeable upon the street, where the boys of the primary schools lift the hat as easily and greet one as po- litely as if it were the most natural thing to do. To be sure this is not true of all children, for good seed does not always bear fruit even in the soil of the grown-up individual, but it shows the gen- eral treud of instruction in the amenities of life. None the less are lessons in good moral- instilled, not only by precept and disci- pline but, we believe, by that most potent of all instructors, exam. ple.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS,
GRADES I, II AND III - NUMBER OF CHILDREN 332
The erroneous idea which forumerly prevailed, that any one who co " read passably well, and could say the multiplication table back wards, was capable of teaching a primary school, has fortunately passed into oblivion with the old methods of teaching children to read by the "ancient and honorable" alphabetic system. Certain requisites for a primary teacher are as rigidly insisted upon today as are those for a High School principal. Indeed it would be better to have incompetency in the higher branches thau in the fundamen tale. As a whole we have in these schools a corps of teachers second to none in average ability and in some cases of exceptional excellence. The task of assimilating the three hundred and more children who enter these schools, is not an easy one, and yet upon the primary teacher's work depends in great measure the whole success of future instruction. The starting right is of immense im portance and this fact our teachers, as a rule, have fully recognized during the past year.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
With the exception of the Payne school, no room in this grade has been overcrowded and consequently, better sanitary conditions and better work on the part of the pupil- have been made possible. Both teachers and pupils take a noticeable pride and interest iu making their surroundings agreeable. The only interruption in the regular routine of work has been at the Payne school, In Novem- bar Miss Willcomb was transferred, temporarily, to the fourth grade in the Winthrop building, from which Miss Adams also had received temporary promotion. Miss Sulliyan was transferred with a portion of her scholars to Miss Willcomb's room, and Miss Grace E. Smith given entire charge of the remaining pupils, qum- bering nearly sixty. Especial commendation is due Miss Sullivac. and her assistant for the readiness with which they assumed the increased work and added responsibility, and for the faithful man- ner in which they have performed their duties.
There has been a very perceptible improvement in reading; a greater degree of self-dependence and more natural expression is noticeable. Number work has received a considerable impetus *od oral lessons in language, and geography have been prodtable. The principle of doing well whatever is worth doing at all has beon taught and acted upon. In addition to the classes promoted from these schools In September, sixteen pupils were advanced in Jau- uary,
WINTHROP GRAMMAR
GRADES IV, V, VI AND VII-NUMBER OF PUPILS, 184.
This building which has now boon occupied nearly two years may be considered ay a special contribution to good scholarship and, in the end, to good citizenship. The general excellence and improvement which was evident at the Visiting Day in June, and the attainments of the class promoted to the Manning Grammar
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SCHOOL REPORT.
School. speak for themselves of the work which is being done under the vigorous and tactful management of Miss Smith and her assistants. The beauty and convenience of the building has been a factor in stimulating the children to greater orderliness and pride in their schoolroom. They have become interested in the adornment of their building and nine new pictures, all good sub- jeots, have been hung upon their walls during the past year. They were purchased with money, earned or saved by the pupils with the exception of one dollar. Two more, copies of Gilbert Stuart's George and Martha Washington, have been provided by the school committee and will soon be hung. No one will dispute the educa tional agency of these decorations
In these grades the pupil makes long strides along learning's road. The primary work is reviewed briefly and language, history' nature study, composition, and letter writing are taken up, while the arithmetic, spelling and reading are still continued. Progress is steady and rapid, yet marked by a distinctive thoroughness. The only matter for regret during the year has been the illness and enforced absence of the principal, Miss smith, to whose executive ability both as a disciplinarian and an Instructor is due, in great measure, the success of the school. When an indefinite leave of abe, ace was granted to Miss Smith, Miss Arthur was placed in the principal's room, a similar raising up of the other assistants was made, and with scarcely an hour's hiatus, the school has gone on with its acoustomed good work. Seventeen promotions were made in these grades at the beginning of the present term.
MANNING GRAMMAR.
GRADES VIII AND IX-WHOLE NUMBER OF PUPILS ENROLLED, 132 AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP, 107.
Under the long-continued leadership of Mr. Horton this school has made the steady progress which has characterized it in former
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SCHOOL REPORT.
years. No changes have been made during the past year either in the teachers or in the school curriculum. The pupils arriving at this stage in their school-life are also standing upon that danger ous middle ground between childhood and young manhood and womanhood. The influence of the street now becomes a factor in their education and strives for mastery with that of school and home, Hore then, must be taught lessons not only in civil govern- ment, butalso in self government,for which the teacher needs broad culture, innate refinement an uplifting influence and
large endowment. Whether the life structure, to bs raised upon the foundation lessons in character taught here, shall be harmonious or otherwise, depends upon the standard held up for the imitation of the pupil.
For many boys and girls the School life ends with the comple tion of the Grammar Course, but during the past year there has been a decided improvement in this respect. Of the twenty - five pupils graduated in June twenty are attending High Schools either in this or other towns; one has entered a commercial school, and four have gone to work. In comparison with former years and with other schools in the state, this is a flattering showing. and may be considered complimentary to both the High and Grammar schools. The entering class from the Winthrop school was the best sver promoted to the eighth grade. If classes so well equipped can be assured in the future, there is no reason why this school should not advance to a position still higher than that already attained. With the exception of the fall term this school has been filled to overflowing ; and from present appearances it would seem that this condition must become a permanent one.
The examinations given in the different grades of this school are the same as those given in corresponding grades of city schools. The greater part of these papers have been taken from Salom and Gloucester schools, and the results thus far obtained have been gratifying. Many of our pupils have taken good rank in other schools. The higher branches now taught in some of our more pro- gressive city schools have, as vet, no place here. The value of these tests as a comparison with the schools of other towns must
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SCHOOL REPORT.
diminish, therefore, unless there is an expansion of the Grammar School course bere.
Special attention has been given towards broadening the pupil's knowledge of good literature and in making him tolerably familiar with a few of the works of our standard authors. We would sug- gest a still greater diligence in this ling, and in the correct vee of English in writing and speaking, even if a small part of the time now devoted to mathematies is sacrificed. A course of Friday afternoon lectures, by our leading citizens, has been given since the beginning of the fall term. These talks have been of great beneft In the school, not only on account of the practical knowledge rain- ed, but also in awakening an interest in matters wholly outside of the school curriculum. These lectures are given at three o'clock every Friday and all who are interested are cordially invited.
The visiting days appointed by the committee have not been wa will attended by parents and friends as they should have been ; but the attendance at the graduating exercises has been very gratifying.
With the present term Mr. Horton completes twenty consecutive years of teaching in the Grammar School, during which he has ever displayed a progressive spirit. a tireless devotion to his work and an unvarying interest in his pupils, which have been apprecia- ted by pupil, parent and committee.
The number of promotions in these grades in January was thres.
GRADUATES FROM GRAMMAR SCHOOL, JUNE 30, 1897.
Miriam Orswell Waters.
Bessie Norton Dane
Clara Etta Story,
Arthur Herbert Dane.
Fannie Bell Goodhue.
Beseie Lord Harris,
Katie Lord Brown,
Ruth Estes Wakeham,
Marion Gardner Brown,
Lillian Ethel Player,
Jesse Appleton Brown, Elsie Frances Brown,
William Ray Haskell.
Gertrude Mabel Foster,
Walter Benjamin Wilcox,
Ruth Estella Pike.
Nella Mannng Brown,
Ralph Libby Purinton,
Cora May Brown,
Lucy Grover Cheever. William Raymond Claxton, Harry Manson Purinton, Frank Russell Starkey,
Wayne Henderson,
Walter Perkins Ross.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
PROGRAM.
Piano Duet, Invocation, Singing.
Composition and Salutatory, "Our Homes"
Composition, "The Sources of Iron," "New England Weather," "Whittier" "Heroes" "The Pebble and the Acorn" "Arnold's Treason." "Mariner's Song," "Tomorrow," "The Manufacture of Sugar," "Absalom," Recitation, Composition, Composition, Recitation, Composition, Singing, Composition, Composition, Recitation, Composition. "The surrender at Appomattox," Composition, "Our Song Birds," "Midsummer," "A Hundred Years Ago," "Lightly My Bark " "seeing Things at Night" "Tramps," "Washington Irving," "A Greyport Legend" "Our Holidays" "Our First Wild Flower-," "In a Hundred Years," Recitation, Composition, ·Singing. Recitation, Composition, Composition, Recitation, Composition, Cvmposition, Recitation, Singing, "'Gloria," "Beacon Light," Composition. "Character Sketches,"
"Golden Star Galop" Misses Brown and Goodhue Rev. Geo. F. Durgin "The Red Scarf," School Bessie N. Dane Harry M. Purinton Walter P. Ross Cora M. Brown Ruth E. Wakeham Elsie F. Brown William Claxton School Fannie B. Goodhus Ralph Purington Bessie L. Harris William Haskell Wayne Henderson Nella M. Brown Marion G. Brown Girl Chorus Frank R. Starkey Herbert A. Dane Gertrude M Foster Clara E. Story Katie L. Brown Ruth E. Pike Lille Player School Lucy G. Cheever Jessie A. Brown . "John Brown," Walter B. Wilcox Miriam O. Waters
Composition,
Composition and Valedictory.
Présentation of Diplomas, Singing of Class Hymn. Benediction,
Chairman of the School Committee
Rev. T. F. Waters
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SCHOOL REPORT.
HIGH SCHOOL.
WHOLE NUMBER ENROLLED, 74.
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP, 63.
Quietly and without any "flourish of trumpeta" the work of the High School goes on under the firm, but gentle leadership of Mr. Marston and his able assistants, Miss Gardner and Miss Crocker Of the two former there is little need to speak; "by their fruits' they are known and the sequel to the story of their work is found in the steady Improvement of their pupils. Miss Crocker entered the school in September, fresh from college; and with an sager enthusiasm, modest demeanor and fine equipment for her work she has accomplished good results, and has established a reputa- tion as an able, dignified, and diligent teacher.
The efficiency of our High School course received hearty su- dorsement when, in September, four of those who had completed the four years' course were admitted to college as follows: one to Wellesley; one to Elmira; one to Radcliffe ; and one to Harvard A more earnest purpose seems to have been awakened in the pupils this year and, although there are still some who lament that "Of making many books there is no end and much study is a wearingss of the flesh," the majority realize that education means something more than the attainment of a certain per cent. and a diploma.
The class entering in September numbered twenty-two. Several of them have decided upon the four yeurs' course. The course of study remains practically unchanged. A Commercial Course should be introduced in connection with the English course, but it would necessitate an additional teacher for shorthand and type- writing. Such a course would be of practical vaine to those of our boys and girls who must take up some active work immediately
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SCHOOL REPORT.
on leaving school, and who now must'seek this training elsewhere.
Additional opportunities and advantages for work in the scienti - fic course have been furnished by the Manning Trustees who have provided new apparatus for the laboratory.
Early in September a request, approved by the principal of the school, was presented to the committee, asking that an address by some well known educator or orator may be substituted at the graduation exercises in June, 1898, for the usual essays and recita- tions of the graduating class. The committee voted to put the plan into experimental operation this year, leaving the question of its permanent adoption to be decided after the trial of the plan. There are several advantages to be claimed for the new order of exer- cises : preperation for graduation need no longer interfere with the regular school work ; it will save the pupils the expense (it is hoped ) of an elaborate toilet and the nervous strain attendant upon a first appearance before a large audience, The committee recommend the following programme: Salutatory by a Senior; Address to the Graduates, by the Rev. D. O. Mears of Albany, N. Y .; Valedictory by a Senior; Response for the School by a Sub-senior ; Presents- tion of Diplomas by Chairman of the school committee; Singing of Class Ode; the exercises to be interspersed with singing under the disection of the Music Teacher, and the honors to be awarded by merit. Dr. Mears of Albany has kindly accepted the invitation of the school committee to deliver the address upon June 30, 1898.
The increased ottendance of this school is very gratifying to the committee who feel that only by giving of the best to posterity can we pay the debt to our ancestry who left to us the rich heritage of the public schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
CLASS OF' '97
THREE YEARS ENGLISH COURSE,
Mabelle Irying Akerman,
Oria Louise Purington,
Annie Margarette Hayes. Grace Atherton Wallace,
Ernest Carter Rust.
FOUR YEARS COLLEGE
Edith Lyman Daniels,
Lucy Gerrish Harris,
PREPARATORY COURSE. Marion Pike Ross. Ralph Hallam Grant.
PROGRAM,
March, Invocation, -
Singing, Ston, Salutatory,-"The Beginning,"
Singing,-"The Better Land,"
Essay,-"Historic Massachusetts,"
Binging,-Duett, "Come Where the Roses,"
Claes History,-"Past and Present,"
Misses Spiller and Akerman Annie Margarette Hayes
Singing .- Ladies Chorus, 1 a. The Spinner
b. The Boat Song
Class Prophecy,-"Future,"
Oria Louise Purington
M. H. S. Chorus
Singing, -- "A way to the Fields." "Is the Present Age the Most Advanced in the Valedictory History of the World,"
Presentation of Diplomas, Class Song, -
Ernest Carter Rust Chairman of School Board
Class of '97 Rev. Edward Constant
Benediction, -
Bessie M. Boiles -
Rev. Milo H. Gates M. H. S. Chorus Mabelle Irving Akerman, M. H. S. Chorus Grace Atherton Wallace
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SCHOOL REPORT.
CLASS ODE.
[MUSIC: THE LORELEY,]
----
Three years of happy school-lite Too soon have passed away And Graduation Ånds us In Manning Hall today, Though this day means a farewell To teachers, school and friends "Tis also a commencement And joy with sadness blends.
Not parting, but beginning, Is graduation day, It tells of brighter prospects That shine along our way These years of pleasant study If we have spent them well Have given to us something Which in our lives will tell.
School life is a beginning Preparing, so to speak To help us in Life's battle Our duties well to meet, The hill of life before us Is ever hard to climb But at last the patient worker A sure reward will find. -Grace Atherton Wallace.
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SCHOOL REPORT
UNGRADED SCHOOLS,
NUMBER OF PUPILS, 118.
How to devise some system by which these schools, seven in number, can be brought in touch with the general plan of school work, is a question, that like the riddle of the sphinx. is difficult of solution. All educational ideas now tend towards centralization hut to bring these widely divergent corners of the town together at a common centre has been thus far impossible. The larger scholars might be transported easily, but for the smaller ones to be a whole day away from home seems rather impracticable. Yet both teachers and children are handicapped by the present method. Music, drawing and other studies now required in the regular our- riculum can have no place in a school where there are as many grades as pupils, or if taught at all, the instruction can be given only in a desultory way productive of little good.
With the exception of Miss Kimball, who was elected to the Village School upon the resignation of Miss Archer, and Miss Per- ler, who also has done excellent work at Willowdale, the corps of teachers has been the same as for several years past. Miss Cora A. Smith was granted a leave of absence in November on account of ill health, and Miss Cora H. Jewett has proved an acceptable substitute. It would seem advisable to discontinue the school at Grape Island, the number of children having been reduced to three.
REPORT OF MUSIC TEACHER,
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The development of this branch of study, which is now required in the entire course from Primary to High School, has been quiet but constant and sure. It is remarkable that with so limited an
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SCHOOL REPORT.
amount of time devoted to the work, so much has been accom- plished. A large share of this proficiency must be attributed to the enthusiastic work of the regular teachers and to the improved system of grading.
The work the Primary grades has been of a peculiarly satisfac - tory nature. The ease with which some of the youngest children rend music, their knowledge of the rules and their ability to write little scores, would do credit to pupils of a much higher grade. The singing of the Grammar school pupils, at the graduating exercises in June, proved the good results of the work in that grade; and the music in the High School has been pronounced by competent orit- ics to equal, and in some respects to excel, that of the schools in many of our larger towns and cities. In the High, Grammar and upper Primary rooms, a lesson is given each week; in the lower Primaries, once in two weeks.
Respectfully submitted LAURA A. HUBBARD.
REPORT OF DRAWING TEACHER,
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
One can truthfully say that no subject taught in our public schools has made such strides as has that of drawing, during the past four years. Tolay, the drawing teacher has other motivos be- sides that of simply teaching the children how to draw. As music and literature are taught to awaken a love for the best in these arts, so drawing aims to cultivate and elevate aesthetic ideals. To that end, as well as for purposes of health, our old schoolhouses are be- ing put into better repair; our new ones are built more artistically and the walls tinted and hung with photographs from the best paintings, sculpture and architecture. Tastes acquired in child- hood are not easily outgrown. For that reason we are making a study of pictures and artists, one at a time, and have introduced &
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SCHOOL REPORT.
'Picture Day" now and then, when all the pictures exhibited are to illustrate a certain subject.
The recent manufacturing of cheap but good colors and brus hes, has made the introduction of water colors possible in our schools. They have been used in the upper primary and grammar grades with good results and a great deal of enjoyment. If great artists were not created, an interest in the beau ties about us was certainly awakened. In the grammar grades, two months, February and March, are devoted to mechanical drawing and the more practical working drawings are made.
Drawing, in the High school is optional. At present there are but twenty pupils in the class. The subjects taken up are construct- tive geometry, projection and simple machine drawing, out-door sketching, practical designing and water colors. The pupils are al- lowed a choice of subjects but the classes are obliged to alternate and take a one hour lesson once a fortnight. The grammar and upper primaries are visited once each week, the lessons continuing from forty-five minutes to one hour. The lower Primaries are vis- ited once in two weeks, with lessons during the intervening time by the regular teachers. The grading of the schools and the con sequent decrease in the number of pupils in a single room, is mak - ing : gratifying difference in the results of the work. The interior of our school buildings is satisfactory. Few teachers in towns of this size can poast that the walls of all her schoolrooms, new and old, are so artistically tinted. My thanks are due the teachers for their hearty co-operation and to the committee for showing their confidence by allowing me such undisturbed freedom.
Respectfully submitted
HARRIET D. CONDON.
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT,
TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
During the past year we have been called upon to look up 59 casos of truancy. Of these, twenty-two haye been visited more than
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SCHOOL REPORT.
once. A few, only, were found who are confirmed in habits of tru- ancy. Probably as long as "man is born in sin" there will be tru - ants, but the number will be greatly lessened if parents will take more interest in seeing that their children are in school. The slightest excuse is often deemed sufficient by the parent, who is more responsible than the truant himself. With our increased school population, many of whom have so little idea of the import- ance of school attendance and school discipline, it is a matter for congratulation that the number of truants is smaller even than that of last year.
Respectfully submitted FRANK B. PAGE W. H. BROCKLEBANK Truant Officers,
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The committee on Repairs have exceeded the appropriation some- what, but they feel that they were justified in so doing, deeming the health of the pupils of greater consequence than the saving of a few dollars. Diphtheria had prevailed among the pupils of nearly all the schools, and, as a precaution, every school-room was thor- oughly cleaned and renovated. A new stair-case has been put in at the Payne School House, in compliance with the State Law. In putting in this stair-case we were obliged to do away with the rec- itation rooms, and some provision now must be made for the accom- modation of the pupils who have formerly occupied these rooms. The committee recommend that an addition be constructed upon the easterh side of the Payne School Building, 25 feet wide by 80 feet in length and 12 feet in height. This will give a school-room of sufficient size to accommodate 50 pupils.
The committee have procured, (without extra expense to the town) a plan of such an addition. which they are prepared to sub- mit to the town with a careful estimate of its cost. The double
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SCHOOL REPORT,
desks still to be seen in this building may be interesting as relics but they are chiefly valuable as a stimulus to disorder. As a matter of both economy and health, the furniture should be removed and plain, substantial single seats substituted. This is almost the only building in town which still retains the double desks although it has always held the largest number of pupily.
SCHOOL SIGNAL.
Arrangements have been made with the Millett & Woodbury Shoe Company. for the use of their steam whistle in the signals for ',No School" and "One Session" in very stormy weather. The No School signal will be sounded at 8 o'clock A. M., and the signs. for No Afternoon Session, at 11 o'clock A. M. The signal will con. sist of one short blast; wait ten seconds; one short blast; wait ten seconds; one long blast; wait one minute and repeat once.
SUMMARY OF EDUCATIONAL LAWS.
CHAPTER 498.
Sect 1. All children between the ages of 8 and 14. unless sick, feeble-minded, at an approved private school, or otherwise in- structed, mustattend the public school 30 weeks of the school year. 'They must begin within the first month of the fall term. Two weeks absence is allowed. Penalty $20 for each five days excess of 2 weeks, unless caused by sickness, or excused.by the school-com- inittoe.
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