USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1882 > Part 5
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In the third year the study of Algebra is pursued, and a larger work on Physics is commenced, and Chemistry is reviewed. Essay writing always practised. Thus far, the only elective study mentioned is Algebra.
In the fourth year, Geometry is reviewed, and the work on Physics which was commenced, in the third year, is finished. In the summer months a practical study of plants is made. Book-keeping is taught this year to all who may desire to study it.
The study of what is termed "General Knowledge," with "The School Herald" as a partial text book, is con- tinued through the fourth year, by the whole class. This study makes the pupils familiar with all the important movements of the day, in science, art, social reforms and live thought. During this year a course in Politics and kindred subjects is taken up, the text books used being
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small volumes published by the Society for the Diffusion of Political Knowledge-"A. B. C. of Finance," "Politi- cal Economy," "Politics for Young Americans," etc., giv- ing a very simple treatment of the subjects.
Besides these more practical studies, History and Eng- lish Literature are pursued by all scholars throughout the four years, and a large part of the school study some one or more of the three languages, French, German and Latin, all of which are elective.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $18,500 00
Massachusetts school fund
211 02
Dog fund. 270 43
Sale of books.
1,001 55
School building account
2 78
$19,985 78
88
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers and Superintendent $14,464 60
Books and apparatus 1,205 38
Repairs and supplies . 991 45
Care of buildings, making fires, etc ... 494 29
Fuel 758 91
Furniture 59 25
Printing 44 90
Tuition of scholar at Warehanı
10 00
Transportation of scholars at Ship Pond 60 00 Horse hire 207 50
Incidentals-express charges, use of
Davis Hall, services of truant officers, etc 204 50
$18,500 78
SPECIAL, REPAIRS.
At Cedarville School-house
76 51
Long Pond School-house
54 62
Russell Mills School-house
158 20
East Chiltonville School-house.
59 15
Chiltonville School-house .
35 67
High School-house
418 59
North Grammar School-house 112 38
Cold Spring School-house
89 84
Overdrawn in 1880
$384 06
Balance undrawn 95 98
. .
1,004 96
480 04
- ៛19,985-78
89
SPECIAL APPROPRIATION.
For new school-house on Oak Street
$2,600 00
EXPENDITURES.
Bills for land and grading
$615 00
for buildings.
1,377 25
stove and freight.
52 98
furniture
131 25
2,176 48
Balance undrawn .
.
$423 52
FREDERICK N. KNAPP, CHARLES B. STODDARD, JAMES D. THURBER,
-
School Committee.
NATHANIEL MORTON,
GEORGE G. DYER,
PHEBE R. CLIFFORD, L
O
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF PLYMOUTH :
In compliance with the rules and regulations govern- ing the schools, I respectfully present the following as my annual report.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
Population of the Town 7,091
Children between the ages of 5 and 15 years 1,193
Number of Public Schools. 31
Number of Private Schools 2
Months the Public Schools were in session 10
Months the Private Schools were in session 10
School-houses 24
Number of teachers in High School 3
Number of teachers in Grammar Schools 3
Number of teachers in Intermediate Schools 8
Number of teachers in Primary Schools
13
Number of teachers in Ungraded Schools 6
Number of pupils in Public Schools 1,405
Average number belonging 1,154
Average attendance 994
Number between 8 and 14 years of age 835
91
GENERAL STATISTICS.
LOCATION OF SCHOOLS.
GRADES.
TEACHERS.
Salaries.
Enrollment.
Average
Membership.
A verage
Attendance.
Nu!aber between
8 and 14 years.
Green.
High School.
Chas. Burton.
$1,500 700
140
131
122
21
Carrie E. Small.
Lucia Bartlett.
700
Russell Street
Grammar.
Aaron II. Cornish.
1,000
77
63
55
73
Green.
Grammar.
Seth S. Crocker.
1,000
60
52
48
60
Chiltonville.
Graminar.
Gustavus D. Bates.
600
42
30
25
41
So. Plymouth North.
Intermediate.
Helen F. Ward.
380
53
44
39
53
Wellingsley.
Intermediate. Third Grade. Third Grade.
Carrie I Mace.
360
47
43
41
47
Augusta Morton.
320
48
47
40
48
Alice F. Blanchard.
320
45
41
35
43
Mary A. Aldrich.
320
53
47
41
53
Frances E. Hovey.
280
32
28
25
12
Cold Spring.
Sub Primary.
Mary J. Ellis.
280
49
30
24
1
South Street.
Primary.
Ellen M. Douglass.
280
36
31
31
30
Sonth Street. School Street
Sub Primary. Primary.
Priscilla Perkins.
280
65
46
41
20
Oak Grove.
Primary.
Mary 11. Chandler.
280
63
41
34
36
North.
Primary.
Helen F. Pierce.
280
54
44
38
33
North.
Sub Primary. Primary.
Jennie C. Whitten.
280
37
23
19
14
Spring Street Clin.
Primary.
Anna A. Jones.
260
37
24
21
23
Chiltonville.
Primary.
Susie Churchill.
260
25
24
21
15
So. Plymonth
Primary.
Addie B. Holmes.
260
24
19
17
8
South Pond.
Ungraded.
Martha W. Whitmore.
260
25
21
18
11
Long Pond.
Ungraded.
Lilian G. Sampson.
260
19
16
12
1.4
Ellisville.
Ungraded.
Hannah B. Harlow.
260
19
15
8
11
Cedarville.
Ungraded.
Hepsie E. Pierce.
360
26
16
15
15
West District
Katie Sampson.
5.00 pr wk
10
7
G
G
Gurnet.
Ungraded. Ungraded.
Emma Walker.
16.50 pr wk
10
5
4.
3
Grammar.
Carrie R. Johnson.
400
26
23
20
99
Addie F. Bartlett.
360
34
28
2.4
18
Emma Davie.
360
58
47
41
58
Russell Street Russell Street Green.
Second Grade. Second Grade. Second Grade. Primary.
Judith C. Howland.
280
56
43
36
2
South Street.
Primary.
Addie M. Finncy.
280
56
42
38
9
Russell Mills.
Primary.
Mary A. Morton.
260
23
17
16
13
Nella D. Burbank.
280
60
43
39
5
Russell Street Green.
Cold Spring.
92
ATTENDANCE.
Among the many discouragements of teachers, that arising from irregularity of attendance is, perhaps, the greatest, and that against which they feel least able to contend. Much of this irregularity is doubtless due to a want of appreciation on the part of parents of the extent of the hindrance caused by the absence of their children from school ; a small part of the evil is caused by tru- ancy, and it may be presumed much of the absence is unavoidable. In a community conditioned as ours is, there is much domestic work which must be performed by the children, and parents will needlessly multiply their duties if they are not strongly impressed with the impor- tance of persistent attention to school, as the means without which satisfactory progress cannot be made.
In order to do all that can be done under present conditions to remove this obstruction to progress, it has been made the duty of a truant officer to call once a week at each school in the centre of the Town, in order to receive instructions from the teacher as to any absentees who may need special attention. The parents are duly informed of their children's absence from school, inquiries are made and reasons are urged for more regular attendance, and in case of truancy the delinquents are sought out and conducted to school.
This arrangement has served a good purpose. but it is feared that the influence of the officer in cases of truancy
93
may not be potent enough to break up the inveterate habits of a bold and daring boy, since he cannot be sub- jected to any punishment by the officer in charge more than a reprimand and a reference of the case to the teacher, whose influence may not be equal to the emer- gency. The officer needs authority to inflict such pun- ishment as will make his presence respected. The matter is referred to the consideration of the School Committee.
DRAWING IN THE SCHOOLS.
During the past year the beautiful and useful art of drawing has been introduced into nearly all the schools, with very gratifying success. Everywhere the drawing lesson seems to be received with pleasure, and the prog- ress which scholars have made, considering the fraction of time devoted to this study, is very encouraging. The only instruction which the teachers have received has been given in a few lessons by an agent of the publishers of the drawing books which we use ; but, by the aid of the manual and other books, they have been able to do very acceptable work. It is not expected that any re- markatle advancement in the art of drawing can be made in our schools, where so many other things must take precedence of this, but so much cultivation of the eye and the hand will result from the practice and instruction there given, that it will remain a lasting benefit to the mechanic and to the man of taste.
94
INTRODUCTION OF MUSIC.
The perfect enthusiasm with which the scholars have received their first music lessons removes all doubt about the immediate success of the enterprise, under the skilful management of Mr. F. L. Diman, the gentleman appoint- ed to conduct the instruction in this department of the schools. In order to prepare himself for this work, Mr. Diman has visited the schools of Boston under the guid- ance of Mr. Holt, one of the principal teachers of the principles of music in the schools of the city, and by being present whilst this gentleman was engaged in giving instruction to his classes, he enters upon his work in our schools with well-defined plans which have already pro- duced most favorable results. Much may be expected from the pleasant manner in which he presents his subject to the schools and the hopeful spirit with which he has commenced his work.
ELOCUTION.
During the present Winter we have been favored by the presence among us of Miss L. E. Mace, of Westford, a specialist in the art of reading. The lady's instruction has been given in private, but her influence has been felt in almost all the schools of the central part of the Town, as her scholars have included the teachers and many of the pupils of the Public Schools. She is an excellent reader, trained under the best teachers of her art, and it
95
is a great advantage to the educational interests of the Town to have one so qualified among the teachers and young people, scattering fresh ideas, imparting new en- thusiasm and an ambition to excel in the very desirable. but much neglected art of reading.
CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
At the close of the last session, after a faithful service of fifteen years as master of the Chiltonville Grammar School, Mr. Gustavus D. Bates has resigned his situation, in order to connect himself in business with his sons in the city of Providence. Mr. Bates has always been an active and useful member of the community in which he has resided, not limiting his activity to the school-room, but extending it to the varied interests of society ; and he leaves his old home with the best wishes of all for his future prosperity.
After much inquiry and care in selection, Mr. Charles F. Cole, of Wellfleet, recently employed in Sandwich, was elected to fill the place of Mr. Bates. Mr. Cole comes well recommended, with an experience of some years in actual teaching, and with acquirements gained by a resi- dence of four years at the Normal School, at Bridge- water. Being well trained in the practice of music and drawing, he will be able to give the requisite instruction in these branches, without any assistance from teachers who may be employed for other schools. Under a teacher so well equipped, the school will enjoy all the advantages which the central grammar schools have, and is sure to give satisfaction to those who depend upon it
1
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for the education of their children. We have also . to record the resignation of another faithful teacher, Miss Helen F. Ward, who has long been employed in our schools, but for the last few years she has labored very successfully in the North Intermediate School, where she has shown remarkable talent in discipline, as well as im- parting instruction to those under her charge.
NEW SCHOOL HOUSE IN OAK STREET.
The completion of this new, large and convenient school-house gives the facilities to the district which it has so long needed. It is well located ; the grounds are ample; the furniture is the best and the ventilation is satisfactory. Now, all that remains to be done is to re- 1 move the old Oak Grove school-house to some place on the hill, near the reservoir, so as not to be too far from the Primary school-house in School Street and that in Spring Street. These two primaries are too large, and one sub-primary would relieve them of their superfluous numbers, and make each a school that one teacher could manage with efficiency.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
In the past the Town lias generally responded very liberally to any demand made upon it for money to sup- port and improve its schools. If any hesitation has man- ifested itself, it has been due to a want of information, and not to an unwillingness to appropriate any amount of money which the best interests of the school may have required, as soon as it was generally well known what
97
these best interests really needed. There is a strong and ahost universal conviction that the schools are the most important department of the Town government, and that money wisely spent in their advancement yields a better dividend than any other investment.
!
The condition of the High School and the two central Grammar Schools, at the present time, seems to demand special consideration. There are now one hundred and forty scholars in the High School, and next December, if none leave in the meantime, there will be a class of sev- enteen to graduate, leaving one hundred and twenty-three. In the two Grammar Schools there are, at the present time, over one hundred and thirty, half of whom will apply for admission to the High School, together with some ten from the Chiltonville Grammar School, making the number of scholars in the High School, at the end of the year, one hundred and ninety-eight. This number will doubtless be reduced by withdrawals from these schools, but there must be, in any event, enough left to overwhelin the High School, which can accommodate only one hundred and fifty.
The condition of the Grammar Schools as to numbers is no better than that of the High School. One of them has sixty-nine names on its register ; the other, sixty-four ; and as no teacher can manage more than forty scholars efficiently, another school seems inevitable.
A satisfactory solution of these difficulties seems to de- mand a new High School-house ; and that developes a new difficulty; the determination of its location. All con-
7
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:98
siderations seem to point to the Green as the only place about which any unanimity can be expected. Present occupancy and established custom render that position strong.
There are three situations on streets around the Green, either of which might answer the purpose very well. First, the lot owned by Mr. George F. Weston, together with that on which the Manter house stands, north of the Green ; second, the one south of the Green, the lot owned by „.Maj. Samuel HI. Doten, which is large, and can be obtained at a reasonable price ; third, that on which. the High School-house now stands, increased by the addition of the lot to the north, now occupied by a double house not of very great value. This last arrangement would give. a frontage on three streets ; on Pleasant Street, one hundred and ten feet ; on Franklin and Jefferson Streets, each one hundred and forty feet. If the present High School building were moved to the rear of the lot, there would be room for a new High School-house on the front, Then the Grammar School, which is now below, in a room very insufficiently lighted, could be placed in the present High School-room, where the accommodation would be ample for eighty or more scholars, whom, with the aid of an assistant, one . master could teach ; and the present difficulty about Grammar Schools would be removed.
Of course an assurance is needful that the present pressure in the schools referred to is not temporary, so that the Town should not be subjected to an expenditure which the experience of a few years might show tobe entirely unnecessary.
991
As to the High School, the want of larger accommoda- tion has existed for years, rendering it necessary to do outside a considerable part of the work of the school, under great disadvantages. Another teacher has been needed, and consequently, another recitation room; but it was nearly impossible to add any thing; more to the High School building in its present position, if it had been admissible to expend more money where expenditure had never given satisfaction.
The Grammar Schools have been crowded for a series of years, but this year and last the number has in- . creased over former years.
The larger attendance in the higher schools is not to be accounted for merely by the increased number of children in the Town, but also by the greater interest on the part of both parents and scholars, in the improved condition of our schools, which are certainly advancing every year; and an increased attention to some rather popular studies has had its effect.
As the number of the pupils in the High School at the present time, taken with those in the schools below who are to come up at the end of the year, demonstrate the urgency and necessity of enlarged accommodations to meet the demands of the school within a year ; and as the statistics of the schools taken for a series of years show a steady increase in the number of scholars, there seems to be no doubt as to the duty of the Town in order to meet the emergency. To harmonize conflicting views
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100
as to location, to mature plans for a suitable building and then to complete the work of construction would require more time if the work is to be well done than now re- mains before the promotions will take place in the schools, which will probably render the present accommodations entirely insufficient.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES BURTON,
Superintendent of Schools.
PLYMOUTH, March 1, 1882.
GRADUATING EXERCISES
-OF THE-
PLYMOUTHI HIGH SCHOOL,
DAVIS HALL,
THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 15TH, 1881.
·
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....
-
GRADUATING EXERCISES
PROGRAMME.
-
GREETING SONG.
LATIN SALUTATORY JOHN B. WASHBURN.
ESSAY, Perseverance ANNIE G. ATWOOD.
ESSAY, Electricity COLBURN C. WOOD.
ESSAY, Home EMMA E. THAXTER.
Music : - HOME, SWEET HOME.
ESSAY, The Sun , HATTIE M. GODFREY.
ESSAY, School Studies GEORGE F. FULLER.
ESSAY, Ambition MARIANNA L. MONING.
ESSAY, Flags. . ABBIE J. ROBBINS.
Music : - THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.
ESSAY, Birds. HERBERT W. BARTLETT.
ESSAY, The Sky . ALICE C. CHASE.
ESSAY, Education EDWARD L. WEBSTER.
INTERMISSION.
PIANO DUET, Le Mardi Gras Quadrille. .. . Misses CHASE & DYER. ESSAY, Trifles. . NELLIE THOMAS.
ESSAY, Industries of Plymouth I BRONTES HOWLAND.
ESSAY, Change. FLORA A. HOWLAND.
RECITATION, The Death of Minnehaha. HATTIE M. GODFREY.
Music : - A FINLAND SONG.
ESSAY, The Voyage of Life ANNIE P. BROWN.
ESSAY, A Plea for a New High School-house E. F. MCHENRY.
CLASS CHRONICLES, MARY S. DYER.
CLASS PROPHECIES,. LIZZIE W. HARLOW.
Music: - THE HAPPY PEASANT.
".VALEDICTORY, . GRACE B. DODGE.
Music : - THE GRADUATES' FAREWELL.
Presentation of Diplomas.
104
CLASS SONG.
"Good-bye, old school, within whose walls We've stayed this many a year ; Where hours of toil have seemed so light, Shared with companions dear ; · Where hours of recreation, too, Have quickly passed away, Till now we've reached the limit set, And bid good-bye today.
Some leave us here, no more to walk In Learning's pleasant bowers ; While some pass on to further quest Of Wisdom's fadeless flowers ; No more unbroken are our ranks, This one last time we stand Together, as we long have stood, A close, united band.
But as we break our ranks, and go 'To fields untried and strange, We breathe the wish that friendship's bond Shall never meet with change ; That in a land more glorious far Than any we have known, We all may meet to part no more, Beside the Father's throne."
GRADUATING CLASS.
ANNIE G. ATWOOD,
ANNIE P. BROWN, '
ALICE C. CHASE,
GRACE B. DODGE,
MARY S. DYER, HATTIE M. GODFREY,
MARIANNA L. MONING,
LIZZIE W. HARLOW, ABBIE J. ROBBINS,
FLORA A. HOWLAND, EMMA E. THAXTER,
NELLIE THOMAS,
HERBERT W. BARTLETT,
JOHN H. DAMON,
GEORGE F. FULLER,
I. BRONTES HOWLAND,
E. F. MCHENRY, JOHN B. WASHBURN, EDWARD L. WEBSTER, COLBURN C. WOOD.
"INCEPIMUS, NON FINIVIMUS."
DAILY EXERCISES IN HIGH SCHOOL. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
MR. BURTON.
MISS SMALL.
MISS BARTLETT.
S.30 to 8.40,
Opening Exercises.
8.40 to 9.30,
Natural Philosophy, Monday, School Herald, Wednesday, -
Div. 2, 4th Geometry, Monday, Div. 1, 4th Latin, Wednesday, Div. 1. 4th Geometry, Friday, Div. 1, 4th Geometry, Monday, Ist French, Wednesday and Friday, -
3d German.
2d German. 4th German.
-
1st Literature.
3d History, Monday and Friday. Div. 1, 4th History, Wednesday. Div. 2, 4th History, Monday and Wednesday. Div. 1, 4th History, Friday.
105
9.30 to 10.15,
3d Latin,
10.15 to 11.00, 11.00 to 11.15,
1st German, Monday, 1st Politics, Friday, Recess.
2d French,
11.20 to 12.00,
2d Physics, Monday and Friday, 3d Physics, Wednesday,
12.00 to 12.45,
4th Physics, Monday and Friday Ist Latin, Wednesday,
12.45 to 1.00,
2d Latin,
Divisions 1 and 2, 4th Latin, Mon- day and Friday, ( 2d Algebra, Wednesday, 1st French, Monday, General Exercises, Wednesday, ( 1st Geometry, Friday,
3d French,
1
DAILY EXERCISES IN HIGH SCHOOL. Tuesday and . Thursday.
MR. BURTON.
MISS SMALL.
MISS BARTLETT.
8.30 to 8.40,
Opening Exercises.
8.40 to 9.30,
Natural Philosophy, Tuesday,
Extras during Winter term, 1st Class, "Study of Plants," (in Summer term).
Div. 1, 4th Literature, Tuesday.
8.30 to 9.00,
Music, Thursday, Book-keeping, Thursday, 3d Physics,
The same as Tuesday, 2d Algebra,
Div. 2,4th Literature, Thursday. 1st History. Div. 2, 4th Literature, Tuesday. Div.1,4th Literature, Thursday.
10.15 to 11.00,
1st German, Thursday,
( Div. 1, 4th Arithmetic, Tuesday, Div. 2, 4th Arithmetic, Thursday,!
11.00 to 11.15,
Recess.
11.20 to 12.00.
3d Latin, Thursday,
12.00 to 12.45,
4th Physics, Tuesday, 2d Physics, Thursday, 1st Latin.
( 3d French, Tuesday, Div. 1, 4th Latin, Thursday, 1st Geometry, Tuesday, Div. 2, 4th Geometry, Thursday, Div. 2, 4th Latin.
2d Literature. 3d Literature. 2d History.
12.45 to 1.00,
Half of the School write Essays every week.
106
9.00 to 9.30,
9.30 to 10.15,
107
DAILY EXERCISES IN GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
MONDAY.
TUESDAY.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY.
FRIDAY.
9 to 10,
10 to 11,
11 to 12,
2 to 3,
3 to 4,
4 to 5 .
Geography, Composition,
Singing, Reading, Aritlunetic. Study, Ilistory, Grammar,
Study, Spelling, Arithmetic, Study, Geography, Grammar,
Singing, Reading, Arithmetic, Study, Ilstory, Grammar,
Study. Drawing. Arithmetic. Writing. Study. Composition.
Recess from 10.30 to 10.50 A. M., and from 3.30 to 3.50 P. M.
DAILY EXERCISES IN THIRD GRADE SCHOOLS.
MONDAY.
TUESDAY.
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY.
FRIDAY.
0.10 to 10, yotoll, 1 to 12,
2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 5,
Aritinnetic, Spelling, Geography, Writing, Reading, Study,
Arithmetic, Reading, Composition Drawing, Singing, Spelling,
Arithmetic, Spelling, Geography, Writing, Reading, Sindy,
Aritlunetic, Reading, Composition, Drawing, Reading, Spelling,
Composition. Spelling. Geography. Writing. Reading. Study.
Devotional Exercises from 9 to 9.10 A. M.
Recess from 10.30 to 10.50 A. M., and from 3.30 to.3.50 P. M.
AILY EXERCISES IN SECOND GRADE SCHOOLS.
MONDAY.
TUESDAY.
WEDNESDAY.
THURSDAY.
FRIDAY.
to 9.30, tu 10. ৳ 10 30,
Speiling, Arithmetic, Writing,
Spelling, Arithmetic, Singing,
Spelling, Arithmetic, Writing,
Spelling, Arithmetic, Singing,
Spelling. Arithmetic. Writing.
RECESS.
No 12. 2.30,
Geography, Drawing, Composition Rendlug.
Geography, Writing, Composition Reading,
Geography, Drawing. Composition Reading,
Geography, Geography.
Writing,
Drawing,
3.15. Flo 3.30.
Composition Composition Reading. Reading,
RECESS.
50 to 4.30, 1 30 to 5.00
Reading, Arithmetic,
Reading, Arithmetic,
Reading, Arithmetic,
Reading, Arithmetic, -
Reading. |Arithmetic.
1
Study, Spelling, Arithmetic, Study,
?
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