USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1880 > Part 6
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In order to carry out successfully this plan of steady practice in writing, it was necessary for the teachers to specially qualify themselves for the work; and to assist in accomplishing this purpose, the sciences which seem to promise the most help have been taken up for study, and after preparation at home, the subject of the appointed lesson is reviewed at the fortnightly meetings of the teachers, in the High School room. In this man- ner, a hasty review has been made of Geology and Phys- ical Geography, which is to be followed by that of Vege- table Physiology and of other sciences, as the future may determine. The Natural History of Animals will take
a prominent place in this course. Every page of the excellent little books of Miss Stickney is illustrated with the picture of an animal, a flower, or of natural scenery, which is to suggest to the scholar the subject for his effort. These suggestions, together with the assistance
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of the teacher, will, no doubt, be effectual in preventing the complaint usually made by the young scholar, that he has nothing to write about, and leave no difficulties to alarm him but those of construction. In the Grammar Schools and High School, the topics take a wider range, and other composition-books are provided for the use of the scholars. The topics given to the scholars of these higher schools embrace questions of history, literature, science and the common events of life. It is the duty of the teachers to furnish, by oral instruction, all needful help preparatory to the work of composition. The books of reference in the schools, and those in the Public Library, are to be freely used, and all work to be sharply criticised by the teacher, and corrected by the writer himself. The teachers are now in possession of all needful information as to the general outlines of the work to be done ; the details are left to their skill and judgment.
Primary Schools.
At the present time an unusual interest is mani- fested in the Primary Schools of the Town. There is a quite general conviction that the success of the pub- lic school system depends very largely on the condi- tion of the Primary Schools. Ours, although generally in the hands of experienced teachers, and well taught, labor under serious difficulties, wherever it has - been necessary to continue the old arrangement of one teacher to about fifty scholars, and frequently, to more
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than this number. It is, of course, impossible for any teacher to do justice, or anything like justice, to fifty children between the ages of five and eight ; yet we require this impossibility of the teachers of the schools at Cold Spring, in School street, in Spring street, and at Oak Grove. The other Primaries have been divi- ded ; thereby simplifying the labor, as well as lessening it, by the reduction of the number of scholars. The youngest children are under the care of the teacher of the sub-Primary ; the oldest are prepared for the next grade by the Primary teacher. I consider all these schools under very favorable conditions ; and I think the others ought to be immediately made just like them. The only method of accomplishing this, it seems to me, is to add a room to the Oak Grove school-house, which ought to be of good size, as the present room is very small. A small room built in the rear of the Spring Street Primary would make that convenient for two teachers. The School Street house is already large enough and has a good recitation room, so it will need only another teacher. It would not be advisable to make any alterations in Cold Spring school-house, as it is certain that another primary school-house will have to be built for the accommodation of the children in the neighborhood of the Woollen Mill. The increase in the number of families in this district, within a few months, will render it impossible to receive the children into the school at Cold Spring, as there were fifty-four scholars there last year, before the recent arrivals at the
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Woollen Mill, and there was not room enough to seat them then, properly.
After duly considering the matter, it seems to me best to sell the house and lot at Cold Spring, and pur- chase a lot in some sufficiently central situation, suitable for a school-house of two rooms, large enough for the accommodation of the children of both districts. One · of these rooms could be used for a Primary, the other for a sub-Primary school. This situation would not only be central, but quite near to the homes of all the children that would attend the schools. 'The two Primaries, instead of one, would, of course, involve the expense of an additional teacher ; but the other changes which I have suggested would not necessarily be attended with any other expense than that of building the additional rooms referred to ; as there are always young ladies, graduates of the High School, who offer their services freely as assistants, for the purpose of get- ting experience in teaching, without incurring the responsibility of managing a school. This arrange- ment is advantageous in several ways ; it enables these young ladies to show their aptness in learning to teach, while they render important help to the overworked Primary teachers, under whom they serve ; and it gives an opportunity, when a vacancy occurs, to select a suita- ble teacher among these young assistants. I have the most favorable reports of the aptness and general help -. fulness of those graduates who are now thus employed,
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Ellisville and Indian Brook Schools.
For several years each of these two schools has been kept in session only five months in the year, one during the summer, the other during the winter, the same teacher having charge of both. This arrange- ment was made as a temporary expedient until one of the two houses could be moved to a situation as nearly central as circumstances would permit, and so render it practicable for the children of the two dis- tricts to attend school during the whole school-year. The small number of scholars in each of these communities has not seemed to justify the expense of the two schools, there being not more than five in one and seven in the other. Yet, however small the number, it is very much to be regretted, that the children should fail to receive the same amount of instruction that the other children of the Town enjoy. It would not, perhaps, be possible to fix upon a place that would satisfy all parties interested, but it would be very easy to select a suitable situation which all, who were so minded, could without much inconvenience, reach. I would therefore suggest that a further effort be made to settle this question as soon as practicable, so that the children may have the privileges to which they seem entitled.
The Gurnet School.
As the situation of this school did not please those whose children attended it; it was decided to move the house to some point that would satisfy them, if
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such a place could be found. After due consultation with all those interested, and the spot selected to which they all agreed, the house was removed and re- paired. Of course, the inhabitants of Clark's Island, and those. of the Gurnet, cannot both be very well suited, if one school is to receive the children of both ; for, if centrally situated, it must be more than a mile : from either community. It is also impossible to have two schools ; for, all told, the number of scholars has not yet exceeded ten. However, everything has been done that could be done for the accommodation of the people in these inconveniently situated commu- nities, unless it be an increase in the length of their school-year. Owing to the exposed sitnation on the seashore, it would not be advisable to require the children to attend school the year round ; but eight months might be practicable, which would be an addi- tion of two months, an increase that I would suggest.
Truancy.
This' unfortunate habit prevails to a considerable extent among the boys of the public schools. 'The present regulations with regard to this delinquency have been found to be entirely ineffectual. The offi- cers appointed to look up absentees from school have other employments to attend to, so that it is impossi- ble for the teachers to report cases of suspicious absence, with any certainty that the information will reach the proper officer in any reasonable time ; and
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if, by chance, the report is received promptly, the officer can do nothing more than conduct the boy to school. When the truant is handed over to the teacher, he or she supposes, naturally enough, that, as the reg- ularly appointed officer has had the case in hand, there is nothing more to be said or done. If the re- port of the teacher does not find the truant officer until the schools are dismissed for the day, it is very probable that he will not consider it necessary to in- vestigate the matter at all. The boy, by some inge- nious contrivance, gets a written excuse for his ab- sence, with which the teacher must be satisfied, if no fraud is apparent. It is very evident that this mode of treatment can never be of any use in restraining irregular boys who love the freedom of the streets and woods, and dislike the restraints of the school-room.
As the present regulation has proved so useless, it is imperatively necessary to make some other arrangement. For this purpose I suggest that it be made the duty of the truant officer to call at each school-room in the cen- tral part of the town, every morning, as soon after the opening of school as possible, to take the names of all absentees, not satisfactorily accounted for by the teachers, and immediately notify the parents or guar- dians of the absence of their children from school. In case of neglect on the part of parents to prevent. tru- aney, it shall be the duty of the officer to make the arrangements prescribed by law, and send the confirmed truant to the State School provided for such deliquents.
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Before concluding my report for the year, I de- sire to call attention to the matter of expenditure. It appears to me that, during the past year, every attention has been given to economy in the adminis- tration of school affairs. `The very loud demand which is heard in some quarters, for a reduction of expenses in the instruction of the children of the Town, can be listened to only with surprise and regret. It seems to be made without due consideration of the small amount which the schooling of each child costs, and without knowledge of what is being done in other towns for the advancement of popular education. The opin- ion that we are educating too much, can excite in the well instructed mind, no other feeling than that of aston- ishinent. We may be very justly pleased with the excellence which our schools have attained, but to sup- pose that we have reached a point where we ought to relax our exertions, would expose us to well-merited ridicule. The people at large seem to be well aware in what direction their true interests lie, and, as the years pass by, demand more and better education for their children.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES BURTON,
Superintendent of Schools.
.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The report of the Superintendent so fully presents the condition of our schools that your Committee feel it hardly necessary to furnish anything additional. But as the Principal of the High School may naturally have hesitated to speak of the success of his own work there, the following extracts are made from the report of the sub-committee to whom the supervision of the High School during the past year was specially assigned.
They say, " The condition of the Higl: School we consider sufficiently satisfactory ; the discipline is good ; the course of study wisely arranged ; the teaching thorough-keeping up with the times-and the interest of the scholars awakened and maintained. The follow- ing points may be noted.
First-That the relations of teachers in regard to each other, and of scholars in regard to teachers are such as secure cordial co-operation.
Second-That the present system of having monthly examinations, though it imposes much additional labor upon the teachers, has secured a decidedly greater regu- larity of attendance, and faithfulness of work on the
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part of scholars, as they know that their rank is based on the result of these monthly examinations, which test the real requirement of each pupil.
Third-That we foresee great good from the study of Geometry, introduced this year into the lowest class, with the intention of continuing it through the whole course, beginning with its simplest forms, but leading on to those higher parts which secure such a valuable disei- pline to the mind, and to the understanding of its important relation to practical ends,
Fourth-That there . is evident advantage gained from the present plan of reviewing in the High School, both the Arithmetic and English Grammar previously taught in the other schools.
Fifth-That the scholars are evidently advancing rapidly in the art of composition, and in the greater art of investigating for themselves any subject submitted for their consideration.
Sixth-That whenever any changes in text-books have been made, as some have been made during the past year, there is noticed what is most desirable, a move toward greater simplicity.
Seventh-That the last class admitted was, in thoroughness of preparation, evidently the best class ever received into the High School.
Eighth-The course of study in the High School seems better adapted to the wants of girls than to boys. A larger proportion of the girls than of the boys remain through the course, a fact which suggests
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that something may be wanting. Public opinion seems to indicate a demand for a more literary training for girls, -a more mathematical and scientific course of study for boys. We need an English course of study in the High School, in which the sciences which more immediately refer to the practical arts and trades should find a prominent place ; and, so far as the means at his disposal will allow, the Principal of the school is year by year endeavoring to secure this very desirable end.
Ninth-That the most marked needs of the school are additional " books of reference " to assist the cholars in their composition work ; some additional apparatus for the benefit of classes in Chemistry and in applied mechanics. The introduction of water to Le second floor would be a great convenience ; while new floor, to relieve the room from the dust which ow collects and scatters, seems ahnost a necessity. To this should be added the demand which exists for some method by which the whole building may be more thoroughly ventilated, so that, without exposure to cold draughts, the pupils may always breathe fresh air.
There is one fact which it may be worth .while calling attention to when the relative expense of maintaining the High School is discussed, viz. : that . the number of scholars in the High School consti- tutes generally one eighth of the school population of the Town, scattered over some sixty or seventy 8
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square miles, and about one sixth of the school population which really furnishes the scholars to the High School, and the instruction of all these is in the higher branches."
With these extracts from the sub-Committee's report of the High School, and a cordial endorsement of the report of the Superintendent, which we commend to the careful reading of all citizens interested in the education of the children of Plymouth, we close our report concerning the condition of the schools.
School Department.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation . $16,000 00
Massachusetts School Fund
217 72
Dog Fund
231 21
From sale of books
679 28
Other sources
5 00
-
$17,133 21
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers and Superintendent
$13,794 66
Repairs and supplies
1,057 12
Care of buildings
524 42
Fuel
647 20
Books and apparatus
826 59
Printing
60 50
Horse hire
160 00
Incidentals
45 34
Concreting
134 23
Old bills, exhibition, etc
157 00
Overdrawn, 1878
109 88
$17,516 94
Overdrawn, 1879 .
$383 73
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The Selectmen of the Town proposed to make improvements in the sidewalk in front of the High School building, by concreting. It was thought advis- able that concrete should be laid upon the walks and grounds connected with the building at the same time. "These improvements constitute the item of $134.23, which was charged to the school department. * It became necessary to slate one half the roof of the Russell Street school building, the other half having already been slated. It cost $128.63. These two items of expense, not anticipated or provided for when appropriation for schools was made, together with the item of $109.88, overdrawn in 1878, amount to $372.74.
The sum overdrawn, as shown by the exhibit, is $383.73. We deem it proper to make this explanation to the Town.
We recommend that $16,000 be raised for schools gor the current year, and $383.73 to balance the account of the school department.
WILLIAM H. WHITMAN, CHARLES B. STODDARD, FREDERICK N. KNAPP, JAMES D. THURBER, NATHANIEL MORTON, GEORGE G. DYER,
School Committee.
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...
Cost of
Instruction.
Whole
Number of Scholar.
Average
Atterder
-
Charles Burton,
700 00
90
80
High School,
Russell Street Grammar School, Green Grammar School,
David H. Gibbs,
600 00
47
23
Manomet Grammar School,
Emma Davie,
360 00
41
85
Green Third Grade Sehool,
Helen F. Ward,
360 00
50
40
Juila F. Sears,
320 00
50
45
Charlotte R. Bearce,
320 00
52
43.
Martha A. Verry,
250 00
62
School Street Primary School,
280 00
02
42.
Cold Spring Primary School,
Ellen M. Douglas,
280 00
19
84., 8.º
Spring Street Primary School, South Street Primary School,
Alice F. Blanchard,
280 00
3G
Addie M. Finney,
280 00
43
84:
Nella D. Burbank,
280 00
59 51 42; 40%
North Sub-Primary School,
Judith C. Hlowland,
250 00
45
Mary HI. Chandler, .
Clara M. Hadaway,
260 00
27
20.
Cedarville School,
Murtha W. Whitmore,
260 00
23
19,
South Pond School,
Mary A. Morton,
260 00
24
Russell Mills School,
Susie F. Churchill,
260 00
29 20.
East Chiltonville School,
Manomet Primary School,
Addie B. Holmes,
200
17
48 49
Chiltonville Grammar School,
Carrie R. Johnson,
360 00
52
41
Russell Street Third Grade School,
Carrie I. Muce,
380 00
46 37
North Intermedlate School,.
28
Addle L. Bartlett,
320 00
Wellingsley lutermediate School, Russell St. Second Grade School, Russell St. Second Grade School, Green Second Grade School,
Priscilla Perkins,
Frances E. Hovey,
280 00
35
2.
South Street Primary School, North Primary School, .
Sophronia C. Morissey,
250 00
South Street Sub-Primary School, Oak Grove Primary School, Cliff School,
260 00
33 2b; 10. 14
Long Pond School,
Helen F. Pierce,
360 00
Hepsie E. Pierce,
81,500 00
Carrie E. Small,
700 00
Lucia Bartlett.
1,000 00
58
Aaron HI. Cornish,
1.000 00
. 48
Gustavus D. Bates,
400 00
33
TEACHERS.
SCHOOLS.
STATISTICS.
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