USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1895 > Part 7
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200 Latin, 200
English History, 120 Geometry, 200 Greek, 200
Geometry, 200 Physics,
140 Geometry, 200
Physics,
140 Chemistry,
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Chemistry, 60
SECOND CLASS. (Twelfth Grade.)
English, 120 Latin, 200 Latin, 200
American History, 80 French,
200 Greek, 200
French, 200 English, 120 English, 120
Chemistry. 80 American History, 80 American History, 80
Physical Geography, 120
FIRST CLASS. (Thirteenth Grade.)
English, 80 Latin, 200 Latin, 200
Civics, 120 Englishı,
80 Greek, 200
Two of the following : Civics, 120 English, 80
1. Astronomy, 80 One of the following : One of the following :
Geology, 60 1. French, 200 1. French, 200
Book-keeping. 60 2. Review Mathemat-
2. Review Mathemat-
2. French, 200
3. Review Mathemat- ics, 200
ics, 200
ics,
200
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NOTES.
The figures after each study show the number of exercises cach year.
Every pupil is expected to have at least fifteen exercises each week, not counting drawing, singing, rhetoricals, and physical training.
Drawing is required in all courses during the first two years.
Singing, rhetoricals, and physical training throughout each course.
Before pupils enter the school or upon entering, they, under the direction of the parents and the principal, may elect any one of the courses; but they will not be allowed to change from one course to another without the consent of the princi- pal and the Superintendent.
All pupils must take one of the regular courses. Permis- sion to pursue a greater number of studies than the course requires will be granted only upon the request of parent or guardian, and then only in cases where the previous work of the pupil has been satisfactory, and the daily programme of the school makes it possible for the pupil to take such study or studies without conflicting with his regular work.
No person can enter a normal school in Massachusetts with- out a diploma of graduation from a high school, or evidence of an equivalent education.
The admission of pupils to the school and their promotion in and graduation from the school are governed by the follow- ing regulations :-
1. Graduates of the Elementary Schools shall be admitted
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to the High School upon their certificates of graduation. For all others, whether previously connected with the Middle- borough schools or not, a High School entrance examination shall be held prior to the opening of the schools in September. Persons receiving an average of Excellent, Good, or Fair, at said examination, shall be admitted to the first-year class in the High School.
2. The principal of the High School may, with the approval of the Superintendent, return to the Grammar Schools any pupils who are found to be unprepared for High School work.
3. It shall be the duty of each teacher to make and record, at the end of each week, upon blanks provided for the pur- pose, a careful estimate of each pupil's work in the different branches of study. These estimates are to be based on the fidelity and success with which the pupils do their assigned work, and also on their success in meeting the various oral and written tests which have been employed as an element of teaching. The estimates shall be indicated by letters accord- ing to the following scale, of rank : 90 to 100, or E., Excel- lent ; 80 to 90, or G., Good; 70 to 80, or F., Fair ; 60 to 70, or L., Low; 50 to 60, or P., Poor; below 50, or V. P., Very Poor.
4. The principal shall, from time to time, subject the pupils to such examinations as will indicate their progress and be helpful to both teachers and pupils. Whenever the esti- mates of such examinations are combined with the teachers' estimates, the former shall count one-third and the latter two- thirds.
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5. Pupils absent on account of sickness may have credit for the lessons lost, providing such lessons are made up to the satisfaction of the principal, but pupils absent for reasons other than sickness may be deprived of this privilege.
6. To be promoted a pupil's marks must average Excellent, Good, or Fair; but pupils falling below Low in any subject must repeat the subject, and in two subjects must repeat the year's work.
7. Pupils who have satisfactorily completed any one of the prescribed courses of study will, at the discretion of the School Committee, he graduated therefrom. At graduation diplomas will be awarded at public commencement exercises.
8. At the end of each school month a report of the record of each pupil in attendance, scholarship, and conduct, shall be made to the parent or guardian of such pupil, on a card pro- vided for the purpose.
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
COURSE OF STUDY .- LANGUAGE.
Punctuation and Capital Letters.
FIRST GRADE.
1. Use of the period and interrogation points at the end of a sentence.
2. Use of capitals (1) at beginning of sentences; (2) in proper names-pupils being taught to write their own names ; (3) in writing the words I and O.
SECOND GRADE.
Review of the work of the preceding grade.
1. Use (1) of the exclamation point ; (2) of the comma after direct address and after words in a series ; (3) of the apostrophe in contractions and in singular possessives.
2. Use of capitals in (1) proper names ; (2) names of places ; (3) names of streets ; (4) name of the school; (5) names of the days of the week ; (6) names of the months.
THIRD GRADE.
Thorough review of the work of the preceding grades.
1. Use (1) of the period as a mark of abbreviation ; (2) of the comma and period in punctuating date and address : (3) of quotation marks, and of the comma in connection with quotations.
2. Use of capitals in headings, or titles of books, and in quotations.
66
FOURTH GRADE.
Review of the work of the preceding grades.
1. Quotation marks thoroughly taught. Use of (1) comma and colon before a quotation ; (2) the apostrophe in plural possessives ; (3) the hyphen at the end of a line when a word is rightly divided.
2. Capital at the beginning of a line of poetry.
FIFTH GRADE.
Review and continue the work of the preceding grades.
1. Use (1) of the comma in separating the members of a compound sentence ; (2) of the semicolon in separating the members of a compound sentence, when they are subdivided by commas.
2. Use of capitals in (1) titles of honor or respect ; (2) names of religious sects, political parties, or special bodies of men ; (3) in words naming particular things or events of special importance ; (4) any name or title of God ; (5) words derived from proper names.
SIXTH GRADE.
Review and continue the work of the preceding grades.
1. Use of the comma in transposed, explanatory, and intermediate expressions.
SEVENTH GRADE.
Continue the work of preceding grades.
All important uses of punctuation marks and of capital letters not yet taught.
-
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EIGHTH AND NINTH GRADES.
Continue the work of preceding grades.
Grade D .- Work of the fourth grade and the first half of the fifth grade.
Grade C .- Work of the last half of the fifth grade and all of the sixth grade.
Grade B .- Work of the seventh grade and the first half of the eighth grade.
Grade A .-- Work of the last half of the eighth grade and all of the ninth grade.
68 CATALOGUE OF BOOKS
IN THE
TEACHERS' LIBRARY, SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.
Compayre's History of Pedagogy.
Painter's History of Education. (9.)
Quick's Educational Reformers.
Browning's Educational Theories.
Allen's Outlines of Educational History.
Davidson's The Education of the Greek People.
Rosseau's Emile.
Boone's Education in the United States.
Martin's Evolution of the Massachusetts Public School System. Spencer's Education.
Educational Foundations, Vol. 4.
Fitch's Improvement in the Art of Teaching.
Payne's Lectures on the Science and Art of Education.
Rosenkrantz's Philosophy of Education.
DeGarmo's Essentials of Method.
DeGarmo's Herbart and the Herbartians.
Page's Theory and Practice of Teaching. The Teacher's Mentor.
Northend's Parent and Teacher.
Putnam's Manual of Pedagogics.
Report of the Committee of Ten. Report of the Committee of Fifteen. White's School Management. (11.) White's Elements of Pedagogy. (12.) Fitch's Lectures on Teaching. (2.)
/
6.9
Compayre's Lectures on Pedagogy. Brook's Normal Methods of Teaching. (2.) DeGraff's School Room Guide. Prince's Courses and Methods.
Prince's Methods in the Schools of Germany.
Arnold's Waymarks for Teachers. (5.)
Partridge's Quincy Methods Illustrated. Parker's Talks on Teaching. Parker's Talks on Pedagogics. Noetling's Notes on Education.
Hughes's Mistakes in Teaching. Methods of Teaching Modern Languages.
Metcalf's How to Teach Language.
Calkins' How to Teach Phonics.
Burt's Literary Landmarks.
Hinsdale's How to Study and Teach History.
Gordy and Twitchell's Pathfinder in American History. Redway's Manual of Geography. King's Methods and Aids in Teaching Geography.
Crocker's Methods of Teaching Geography. McLellan and Dewey's The Psychology of Number. Shutts' Handbook of Arithmetic.
Hanus' Geometry in the Grammar School. Howe's Systematic Science Teaching. Payne's Nature Study. Ricks' Natural History Object Lessons. Bert's Primer of Scientific Knowledge. Harrington's Patriotic Reader. Harrington's Beacon Lights of Patriotism.
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Ladd's Psychology ; Descriptive and Explanatory.
Ladd's Primer of Psychology. (12.) McLellan's Applied Psychology. (2.) Kirkpatrick's Inductive Psychology. Kellogg's Elementary Psychology.
Tracy's Psychology of Childhood. Lange's Apperception-DeGarmo.
Publications of the Bureau of Education. School Reports.
NOTE .- The numbers in parentheses show the number of books of a kind.
71
HISTORY OF THE MIDDLEBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.
A paper read by Mrs. Annie D. Deane at the mid-winter meeting of the Middleborough High School Alumni Associa- tion, Friday evening, Dec. 27, 1895.
About 46 years ago, a man named Thomas Covington, and it is a singular fact that he lived in the old house which stood where our High School building of to-day stands, ambitious that his daughter should be instructed in the higher branches, arose in town meeting and said he was prepared to begin a lawsuit against the town at once if they did not take some action in regard to establishing a High School. Accordingly in the report of the town meeting held Aug. 6, 1849, we find -" Voted, to establish an High School as the law directs."
In the School Committee's report for the year '49-'50, which was the first report to be printed, we find this article : " Your Committee have attended to the duty assigned to them by the town in relation to the High School, and report as fol- lows : The first term commenced in the vestry of Rev. Dr. Putnam's church, which was the church at the Green, under the instruction of Ephraim Ward, Jr. Number of scholars, 21. The results were very satisfactory. The second term was taught in the schoolhouse in District No. 20, Titicut, with the same teacher as principal .. Number of pupils, 55." And the report goes on to say : "Your Committee share in the prevalent feeling of the town that the money expended for this school might be more usefully appropriated for the use of our other schools. The probable expense of the school will be about $400 for the year."
72
In the School Committee's report for '50-'51 we find this report of the High School : "The third term was held in the schoolhouse of District No. 22, the same teacher; fourth term, schoolhouse of District No. 31 ; fifth term was in charge of Rev. Mr. Simonds, school held in District No. 13. Whole number of scholars, 29."
From a digest of school laws printed at that time we copy the following law pertaining to High Schools: "Any town, containing 500 families, shall, besides the common schools, maintain a school, to be kept by a master of competent ability and good morals, who shall in addition to the branches of learning already mentioned, give instruction in History of United States, book-keeping, surveying and algebra, and such school must be kept for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the town, ten months at least in each year."
Middleborough and Lakeville being one town, it probably contamed the required number of families to support a High School, which was undoubtedly the reason for its existence at this time. After this year, 1850, the High School seems to have "sunk into oblivion," for we find not the remotest allu- sion to it in the following reports of the School Committee, no doubt on account of setting off Lakeville as a town by itself.
In 1865, or about 30 years ago, we find the subject of a High School being agitated. The law of the State made it necessary for every town having 4,000 inhabitants to maintain a school for all, having a teacher qualified to teach besides the common branches of study the higher branches, also the lan- guages. And the Committee earnestly recommended that such a school be established and maintained, as it would raise
73
the standard of education in the town, and be a means of im- proving the district schools, as the scholars would be ambi- tious to qualify themselves for the honor of being a member of the High School ; and that it would be much the better way to have it located in some place near the center of the town, as the idea of a movable High School was not practicable.
At the annual town meeting of 1867, it was voted to appro- priate $1,000 for a town High School, and the Committee were instructed to locate said school in four different sections of the town; but for lack of scholars, no school was estah- lished in but two sections.
At the Rock, the Rev. F. G. Pratt taught the fall term. There being no suitable building in the center for the High School, the Committee availed themselves of an offer made to the town by the Trustees of Peirce Academy, and placed the school in their building, and the services of an enthusiastic teacher were secured, Mr. C. A. Cole, who taught about a year. The Committee felt that a High School which should be the "head-center " of our system of common schools was now well started.
In '68, Mr. Elbridge Cushman, who was one of the Com- mittee, taught the school at the Rock. At the center, the chapel of the Congregational church was hired and Mr. Charles A. Smart, a graduate of Brown University, and Mr. S. J. Dike, a graduate of Amherst, were the teachers. It was in this year that the new law was enacted allowing towns to transport scholars at the public expense, and the Committee suggested that the town authorize them to pay a certain sum
74
for the transportation of scholars, so that the whole town, instead of a part, would patronize the school.
In the year '69, a supplement to the High School was taught at North Middleborough by Rev. H. L. Edwards in the form of a Latin class of about ten pupils, also a branch High School at the Rock by Elbridge Cushman. In this year the Academy building was hired at a rent of $300 per year, as it did not seem advisable to erect a building suitable for the purpose. The first term was taught by Mr. Henry Dame, and the remainder of the year by Mr. G. F. Robinson.
The standard of admission was low, and no attempt to classify the pupils had been attempted, and a three years' course of study was recommended by the Committee. At the town meeting in March, '71, the town voted $300 to pay trav- eling expenses to and from the High School ; consequently there was but one school during the year which was held in Academy building, the first term taught by Mr. G. F. Robin- son. For the remainder of the year the school was under the instruction of Prof. J. W. P. Jenks, and through him the pupils enjoyed the advantages of the extensive cabinet and apparatus belonging to Peirce Academy, and he attempted to organize the school upon a plan of a three years' course of study, arranging for three courses, English, English and classical, and classical.
The summer term of the next year was taught by Misses Lydia and Ella Robinson, both graduates of our higher semi- naries. They resigned at the close of the term, and Mr. E. E. Parker, a Dartmouth graduate, took their place. During his third term, the first regular assistant was employed,
75
Miss Annie D. Pratt, now Mrs. L. Deane. At the close of this term he resigned, greatly to the regret of the Committee. The services of Mr. A. W. Blair were secured, another Dart- mouth graduate. He labored faithfully to establish a course of study which should be strictly adhered to, in order that a class might be prepared for graduation. At the close of one year he resigned, to be followed by Mr. George H. Adams, who only remained one term.
Mr. J. H. Willoughby, another Dartmouth graduate, fol- lowed. Although there had been a frequent change of teach- ers, the Committee felt that the High School was making com- mendable progress. With the coming of Mr. Willoughby, the school took possession of the commodious and pleasant rooms provided for it in the new and elegant Town House, just completed, ('74). It occupied four rooms. Mr. Wil- loughby succeeded in getting the school well classified, and formed a graduating class from those who had been in the school for a number of years. During this year drawing was introduced into the High School, and a special teacher was employed, Miss Anna C. Eddy. Two courses of study were arranged at this time, English and classical, and English.
At the close of the school year in June, 1876, a class was for the first time graduated from the High School. I think the names of this class should be mentioned : Mariquita P. Eddy, Annie E. Leach, Mattie Lovell, Minnie D. Case, Helena Shaw, Annah Soule, J. Harvey Doane, Andrew J. Bisbee.
A large class entered with the fall term, and the High School has not failed of its graduating class from that year
76
to this, although the second class to graduate numbered but one lone member, Walton Clark. The school continued with only one assistant until 1885, when a second assistant was employed.
At the close of the summer term of '86, Mr. Willoughby severed his connection with the school, after a term of ser- vice of nearly 13 years, and the principals immediately fol- lowing were Dr. Charles S. Ober, who taught one term, to be followed by Mr. A. K. Potter, Jr., a graduate of Brown University.
In 1886 we find our High School in a new and costly building, with the largest enrollment since its existence, 110, and with the next year a third assistant was employed.
In the year 1890 Mr. Potter resigned his position, and Walter Sampson took his place. And we are glad to say that we still have him with us. We feel that it has been the determined purpose of his work to raise the standard of the school. Although there have been many and frequent changes among the assistants, still our High School has made progress in the right direction, and we have a school of which we are justly proud, though we have bright anticipa- tions for the future when our High School shall occupy a building exclusively its own, with the necessary rooms and appliances for its greatest growth.
In closing, a list of the assistant teachers in their order of service is presented. Miss Pratt resigned in 1878, and Miss R. E. Stacy came. Miss Stacy was succeeded by Miss Folger, who came in the fall term of 1879. In 1882 Miss Grace Robertson came for one year, when Miss Folger re-
77
turned. In 1885 Miss Dora Pierce, now Mrs. G. G. Leon- ard, an additional assistant, was employed. Miss Zilpha Chace and Miss Mary Emerson followed, with Miss Mary Chace next in line, to be succeeded by Miss Frances Nichols ; then Miss Sadie M. Lake, Miss Etta L. Chapman, Miss Ella MacGregor, and Miss Mabel B. Woodbury, A. B. In 1893 Miss Zilpha Chace, first assistant, resigned, greatly to the regret of all, to be followed by Miss Annie M. Greene, first assistant, with Miss M. Josephine Hodgdon and Miss F. Gertrude Coolidge as second and third assistants. Then came Miss Grace Allen, Miss Susie J. Mantle, and Miss Jennie Bennett. Miss Mantle, resigning her place, was followed by Miss Alice Collins.
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SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1896.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Winter term (twelve weeks) begins January 6. Winter term ends March 27.
Vacation, one week.
Spring term (eleven weeks) begins April 6.
Spring term ends June 19. Vacation, eleven weeks.
Fall term (fifteen weeks) begins September 7. Fall term ends December 18.
Vacation, two weeks.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Same as the Elementary Schools, with the following exceptions :--
Winter term (thirteen weeks) begins Dec. 30, 1895.
Fall term (sixteen weeks) begins August 31.
HOLIDAYS.
February 22, April 19, May 30, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
STORM SIGNALS. All Grades.
The storm signal, 2-1-2, will be given twice upon the fire alarm bell and whistle at 8.15 A. M., for suspension of the morning session, and at 12.45 P. M. for suspension of the afternoon session. For one session the signal will be given at 11.15 A. M.
79
Grades I- V.
The storm signal, 3-3-3, will be given twice upon the fire alarm bell and whistle at 8.15 A. M., for suspension of the morning session, and at 12.45 P. M., for suspension of the afternoon session.
ARTICLES IN THE WARRANT
FOR
THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING,
TO BE HELD IN
THE TOWN HALL, MONDAY, MARCH 9, A. D. 1896,
AT NINE O'CLOCK A. M.
ART. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To choose all necessary town officers. The fol- lowing officers to be voted for on one ballot, viz. : One Town Clerk, one Treasurer, one Collector of Taxes, thirteen Constables, three Fish Wardens, one Auditor, three Fence Viewers, all for one year each ; one Selectman, one Assessor, for three years ; one Overseer of the Poor for three years ; one Overseer of the Poor for two years, (to fill vacancy) ; and three Trustees of the Public Library, all for three years each ; two members of the School Committee, each for three years ; one member of the Municipal Light Board for three years, and one member of the Municipal Light Board for two years (to fill vacancy) ; one member of the Board of Health for three years. The polls for the election of these officers will be open at half-past eleven o'clock A. M., and will not be closed before half-past three P. M.
1
2
ART. 3. To vote by ballot, "Yes", or "No", in answer to the question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"
ART. 4. To raise such sums of money, by tax, or other- wise, as may be necessary to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year, appropriate the same, and to act any- thing in relation to the assessment and collection of taxes for the year.
ART. 5. To see what action the town will take in relation to hiring money in anticipation of taxes the present year, or for any other purpose.
ART. 6. To hear the reports of any of the officers or committees of the town, and act thereon.
ART. 7. To allow accounts against the town, or act thereon.
ART. 8. To see if the town will vote that the yards of persons chosen Field Drivers shall be town pounds so long as they remain in office, provided they shall be chosen pound keepers.
ART. 9. To dispose of the money received for "dog licenses", and all other licenses the present year, and act thereon.
ART. 10. To see if the town will pay the expense of a Night Watch in the Four Corners village, and act thereon.
ART. 11. To see if the town will appropriate any money to be expended by Post 8, G. A. R., on Memorial Day, and act thereon.
ART. 12. To see if the town will appropriate any sum of
3
money to defray the expenses of the Soldiers' Monument dedication services, and act thereon. (By request. )
ART. 13. To see if the town will appropriate a sum of money to meet any deficiency in the subscription to pay for the Soldiers' Monument.
(By request. )
ART. 14. To see if the town will pay their School Com- mittee for their services the ensuing year, and act thereon.
ART. 15. To see if the town will accept the list of Jurors, as reported by the Selectmen, and act thereon.
ART. 16. To take action in relation to the taking of fish in the ponds leased by the Fish Commissioners to the towns of Middleborough, Rochester, Lakeville and Freetown.
ART. 17. To see what action the town will take in rela- tion to sprinkling the streets, and act thereon. (By request. )
ART. 18. To see if the town will authorize the erection of a wind-mill and such other appliances as may be necessary for the purpose of furnishing a water supply at the Town Farm, appropriate money to defray the expenses of the same, and act thereon. (By request. )
ART. 19. To hear and act upon the report of the commit- tee appointed at the last annual town meeting to prepare revised By-Laws for the town.
ART. 20. To see if the town will authorize a contract with the Fire District, through its Water Commissioners, for a water supply for the town and public purposes for a term of years, and act thereon.
ART. 21. To see what action the town will take in refer- ence to the recommendation of the School Committee that a new school building be erected at Rock. (By request.)
4
ART. 22. To see what action the town will take in regard to purchasing one or more double teams for use on the high- ways and other purposes, and appropriate money for the same and act thereon. (By request. )
ART. 23. To see if the town will appropriate any money for the suppression of crime and act thereon. (By request. )
INDEX.
Town Officers . 2
Report of Assessors 3
Report of Selectmen 7
Report of Board of Health
12
List of Jurors 24
Report of Superintendent of Streets
26
Report of the Gas and Electric Plant 34
Report of Trustees of the Public Library 44
Report of the Overseers of the Poor
49
State Aid 56
Military Aid 57
Report of the Collector of Taxes
58
Report of Town Treasurer
60
Report of the Treasurer of the Municipal Light Loan Sinking Fund 66
Auditor's Report 68
Report of the Town Clerk :
Marriages Recorded 69
Births Recorded 71
Deaths Recorded 74
Summary 77
Vote of Middleborough, November 5 79
SCHOOL REPORT.
School Committee 2
Report of School Committee
3
2
Report of Superintendent of Schools
12
Statistical Table of the Schools 48
Report of the Principal of the High School 49
Graduating Exercises of the Grammar School 54
Training Class 56
Report of Truant Officer 57
APPENDIX :-
List of Teachers . 59
Courses of Study in High School 61
Notes . 62
Courses of Study in Elementary Schools 65
Catalogue of Books in Teachers' Library 68
History of High School 71
School Calendar . 78
Articles in the Town Warrant
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