USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1850-1864 > Part 5
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WEST DISTRICT. PRIMARY SCHOOL.
REACHER,
MISS C. S. BURRELL,
Summer. Winter .
Whole number of scholars, -
-
130
92
Average attendance,
82
66
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
MISS. L. C. RICHARDS.
Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars,
86
63
Average attendance, - - . -
55
44
Number over fifteen years of age, -
3
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
S. DEWING, JR.
Whole number of scholars,
80
83
Average attendance, -
72 79
Number over fifteen years of age, -
2
SOUTH DISTRICT. PRIMARY SCHOOL, - No. 1.
TEACHER,
MRS. S. BURRELL.
Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars, -
74
69
Average attendance, - -
- -
57 51
Number under five years of age,
-
4 1
-
-
Summer. Winter.
4
PRIMARY SCHOOL, - No. 2.
TEACHER, -
MISS MARY T. W. BE -
Summer. Win
Whole number of scholars,
79
8
Average attendance, -
-
-
64
6
Number under five years of age,
7
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
MISS CAROLINE ALDI
Summer. Wir
Whole number of scholars,
65 6
Average attendance, -
50
5
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
S. MORSE,
Whole number of scholars,
76
2
Average attendance,
64
6
CENTRE DISTRICT. PRIMARY SCHOOL, - No. 1.
TEACHERS,
MISS M. J. BASSE'
Summer. Wir
Whole number of scholars,
81
Average attendance, 67
4
Number under four years of age,
7
PRIMARY SCHOOL, - No. 2.
TEACHER,
MISS H. A. F. ALEXAND -
Summer. Wir
Whole number of scholars,
72
5
Average attendance, - 51 -
4
Number under five years of age, - 4
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
TEACHER,
MISS A. J. EMERS -
Whole number of scholars,
66
Average attendance,
54
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
S B. F. BROWN,
TEACHERS,
B. DICKERMAN,
ASSISTANT,
MISS NANCY A. DURG
Summer. Wi
Whole number of scholars,
84
Average attendance, £ - 68 6
Number over fifteen years of age,
Summer. Wir
€
Summer. Wir
5 QUINCY POINT DISTRICT.
PRIMARY SCHOOL.
TEACHERS,
MISS A. A. HALL. MISS M. J. HERSEY. Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars,
68
56
Average attendance,
53
40
Number under five years of age,
14
4
INTERMEDIATE SCHHOOL.
TEACHERS,
MISS M. A. SMITH, MISS A. A. HALL.
Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars, -
42
33
Average attendance,
37
Number over fifteen years of age,
-
1
0
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
TEACHERS,
S D. B. WHEELER, C. MURDOCK.
Summer. Winter.
W'hole number of scholars,
48
58
Average attendance, -
38
50
Number over fifteen years of age,
-
-
9
NORTH DISTRICT.
TEACHER,
D. MC'KENDRIE. Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars,
69
62
Average attendance, - -
40
39
Number under five,
5.
EAST DISTRICT.
TEACHERS,
ELMER WASHBURN. ¿ MISS A. G. B. BEAL
Summer. Winter.
Whole number of scholars, -
30
40
Average attendance, -
.
17
28
Numbed over fifteen years of age,
Number under five, . .
1 .
-
-
Number over fifteen years of age.
-
6
HIGH SCHOOL.
TEACHER, -
ASSISTANT, -
A. WELLINGTON. MISS C. R. BURGES Summer, Wint
Whole number of scholars,
-
66 66
Average attendance,
-
64 62
RECAPITULATION.
Whole number of schools, - -
17
Win
Teachers,
Summer. 19
18
Scholars, - -
1216
108
Average attendance,
933
866
Number over fifteen years of age,
-
6
20
Number under five,
38
15
Whole number of children between the ages of
fiveand fifteen on the first day of May last,
1,159
REMARKS.
THE Primary Schools are, in many particulars, the most impo tant which come under our supervision. It is here, that the ch must learn what a school is, - how to behave and how to stu when at school, - and where the foundation for future scholars must be laid. If the work is well done in these nurseries of lear ing, the effect may be clearly seen, not only throughout the peri professedly devoted to education, but it will never be lost in subs quent life. On the contrary, bad habits established here, giving wrong direction to the mind in the beginning, must be followed injurious consequences which will be lasting. The Commit have been careful not to neglect these schools. Both of those the South District, and that at the Point, need no other remark fr us, than that they are highly creditable to their respective teache It would be difficult to find anywhere, better schools of this grad either with regard to learning or discipline. That, in the W District, we regret to state, is in a very backward condition. is but justice to the teacher, however, to say, that this has been part, owing to causes which she could not control. The num! of scholars, reaching at one time as high as one hundred and thir and greater at all times than in any other school of its class, I
(
- -
7
been far too large to be taught successfully by a single teacher. Sixty of this number had never been to school before this year, and fifty-five of them were without a knowledge of the alphabet. It has been no small labor simply to learn so many young children how to go to school. Besides, the standard of scholarship has been kept low, by sending into the other department many of the best scholars, who would have remained but for the necessity of reducing the num- bers of the school to the capacity of the room. It is unfortunate, also, that there has been little co-operation between many of the parents and the teacher, which is an element indispensable to the prosperity of any school. But notwithstanding these circumstances, the orderly behavior of the scholars and the industry of the instruct- ress, have been uniformly commendable. The Primary Schools in the Centre District are in a better state than they were at the com- mencement of the year; yet, they cannot be said to be entirely sat- isfactory. The one under the charge of Miss Alexander, contin- ues to preserve its migratory habits, much to the discomfort of the teacher and the dissatisfaction of the parents. And while it is be- lieved by the Committee, that the Selectmen could have procured no better rooms than those which have been occupied, still, their inconveniences are so manifest as to show the necessity of imme- diate measures to provide a more suitable and permanent place for this school.
Of the Intermediate Schools, those in the Point, Centre, and South Districts, exhibit a good degree of order and industry, and have made corresponding improvement. It was with regret that we received the resignation of Miss Smith, who had been very suc- cessful throughout her connection with that at the Point; but by the transfer of the present teacher, from the Primary department, to fill her place, its continued prosperity was fully secured. The Intermediate in the West District, cannot be represented as favor- ably as we could wish. The scholars appear to be somewhat dull, and not to have made that progress in their studies which is desir- able. But much allowance must be made for the irregularity in the attendance, which has been greater than in any other school of this grade in the town, and for the want of a cordial co-operation on the part of many of the parents. The comparatively low grade of scholarship, as in the case of the Primary, is also, in a good de- gree, the result of sending up into the Graminar department, many of the most forward pupils to make room for others that were not properly qualified for this school, but who were received into it merely to relieve the pressure of numbers in that below. The or-
8
der, however, is good, and the teacher has labored hard to do duty. But neither this, nor the Primary, can be materially proved without a division of the latter, and the establishment another school. There are about one hundred and fifty child in this District that belong appropriately to the Primary dep ment. One half of that number are as many, considering t age, as ought to occupy one room, or as one teacher can prop instruct. Should such a division take place, each child wo have an opportunity to become qualified before entering the In mediate, which would soon produce a happy effect upon its p perity .
As far as it respects the Grammar Schools, it is gratifyin the Committee that we are able to speak of those in the W South, and Point Districts, with great approbation. In spirit discipline, they are excellent; the sympathy of the children their parents, with the teachers, is what it should be; and the provement of the scholars, in their various studies, particularly reading and grammar, highly creditable. It is doubtful whet there are many schools, better conducted, of this class, to be fo in the Commonwealth. That the labors of the teachers are app ciated by the inhabitants, is proved from the length of time they have been employed in the town. Nor ought we to al much of this commendation in speaking of the Grammar Schoo the Centre District. A change of teachers, where both are go is attended, not unfrequently, with an unfavorable influence. good will of the children, and the confidence of the parents, can be transferred at once, from a long-tried and popular instructor a stranger. We were very sorry to part with Mr. Brown, and unusual pains to secure a competent successor, who had scar entered upon his duties, when the assistant tendered her resig tion also, being drawn away by the offer of higher wages i neighboring town. As the school was but a trifle larger than in the West District, with the prospect of soon becoming smal the Committee was led to believe that the time had come w prudence required that we should dispense with the assist and the departure of Miss Durgin furnished a favorable occas to affect the change. In arranging the classes, by putting some instances, two of them together, for the purpose of provid in the best manner for their instruction by a single person, the gress of the school was necessarily retarded for a short time. we are sorry to add, that feelings of hostility to the master, h prevailed among the scholars, from the moment that he first t charge ofthe school, Such a spirit of prejudice, however nat
9
to children in whom affection for a former teacher predominates, should meet with no countenance from parents. Notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances, the instruction has been faith . ful, the scholars industrious, and the school still continues to merit in a good degree, the high reputation which it has so long enjoyed.
The same causes remain to exert an unfavorable influence upon the school in the North District, which have been referred to in the reports of preceding committees, namely: irregularity of at- tendance, and the difficulty of classing scholars, whose ages vary so much. The younger portion do not appear to have made so great improvement during the past year as they ought to have done, nor so much as those who are older, among whom there are a few very good scholars. The Committee cannot refrain from expres- sing their opinion that this school would be materially improved by employing a female teacher in the place of a master.
The resignation of Mr. Washburn in the East District, at the close of the spring term, afforded a convenient opportunity to try the effect of placing that school under the charge of a female. Having been very fortunate in securing the services of one who has long sustained the character of a good teacher in another dis- trict, the result has fully justified the wisdom of the change. This school is now, in all respects, in an excellent condition.
The High School continues to maintain the reputation which it has earned for itself ever since it was established. At the begin- ning of the year the applications for admission showed a great in- crease of interest in it on the part of the parents in the town. The number of scholars offering themselves for examination was thirty- seven, of whom thirty-two proved in the judgment of the Committee fitted for admission. Not knowing at the time how many of the old members of the school would decide to continue for the third year of the course, the Committee could adopt no rule of admission but that of fitness. The consequence was a most unexpected and rather embarrassing increase in the whole number of scholars. Origi- nally, a limitation had been made of that number to fifty. The reason of this was stated in the report of the committee for the year 1852 -3. " It was deemed most prudent not to undertake the ex- periment with a greater number than could be thoroughly instructed by one person." Hence it was that of those who applied at first, nearly one third were not admitted. From that time until April last, the applications for places did not much more than keep pace with the vacancies that occurred. But then it happened, for the reasons stated, that the whole number of scholars, including those
10
who decided to remain another year, and those newly admitte suddenly rose to sixty-seven. In this unlooked for state of thing Mr. Wellington, although aware of the difficulty of doing equ justice to so many, pursuing as they do, a great variety of studie signified his willingness to go on, nevertheless, just the same before. But after an experiment of some weeks duration, he b came convinced and so reported to the Committee, that he shou not be able to keep up the school to its former standard without a sistance. At any rate, he declined to go on without warning the of the possible consequences to the school, since he should inevit bly be compelled to neglect some of the studies, or what is wors diminish the amount of attention paid to each scholar. The Co mittee could not avoid observing that this was a just statemer neither could they find fault with Mr. Wellington for making They were aware that in schools of the same grade, in other towi assistants are employed, where the number of scholars is not great as in Quincy. Yet no provision whatever for such a cont gency had been made in the estimates for the annual expense of t schools presented by the Committee of last year, and it was r likely that they should be able to meet it out of their funds with the risk of overrunning the appropriation. Here was a dilemm On the one side was the danger of injury to the discipline and ha its of study of the children, whom the parents had sent in the pectation of having them as well cared for as ever; on the othe the necessity of incurring some responsibility for exceeding t annual appropriation made for the support of the schools, by gaging an assistant to Mr. Wellington. After mature consul tion, the Committee did not hesitate as to which branch of the ternative to adopt. They decided to keep up the school at le as high as at its former grade, by endeavoring to secure aid for remainder of the year. If they have erred in this, the town has in its power to alter the arrangement for the future, and the ditional expense to which they have been put has not been ve great. Of the good effects of their decision upon the school its they can speak with great confidence. The Committee were f tunate in obtaining the services of Miss C. R. Burgess, at quit reasonable rate of compensation; and she has proved herself efficient and faithful instructress in her department. The con quence is that the scholars have never appeared better than at visitations of this year. Instead of diminishing the number of studi they have all been continued with increased activity, and the pur in general manifested more proficiency than they have ever bef
11
done in the same space of time. This was particularly visible in the examinations in Geometry, and in the languages, both Latin and French. The Committee need say no more respecting this school than to express the opinion that all the reasonable anticipa- tions entertained at the outset, of its effect in advancing the grade of instruction in the town, have thus far been fulfilled. It remains with the citizens to say whether they value the advantages it fur- nishes sufficiently to be willing to continue to incur the expense which will be necessary to insure for the future the thoroughness and the extent of instruction such an institution is designed ultimately to / provide for all those who may desire to avail themselves of it.
We cannot leave this subject, however, without adverting to the unfinished state of the grounds around the High School build- ing. To say nothing of the inconvenience to the scholars, and the effect which such manifest neglect must have upon their minds while under the process of education, the present condition of what should be the yard, ungraded and unfenced, and of the lane leading to the street, is an offence against good taste, which is discreditable to the town. We would, therefore, suggest the propriety of making an appropriation for the purpose of fitting up the grounds to correspond with the house.
The schools in the West District now occupy a fine edifice just erected at the cost of about six thousand dollars. It is the wish of the inhabitants of the district that it should be called the " Willard School," in honor of Solomon Willard, Esq., the superintendent of the building, who has devoted much of his time during the past season, to present to the town a house, which in regard to its inner and outward conveniences, shall be the "model school house." The basement is divided into two separate compartments, one for he exclusive use of the girls, the other for the boys. The lower story of the building is occupied by the Primary and the Interme- diate Schools; and each are of ample capacity for eighty-four scholars. The upper story for the Grammar School, consists of one large room of about forty-two feet square, and is now provided with ninety seats, a sufficient number for the present wants of the school, leaving unoccupied space for twenty additional seats. There is connected with the Grammar School a fine recitation room, about twenty feet square, which will be of invaluable service when the school is so much enlarged that the town may think it expedient to employ an assistant teacher. The grounds around the buildings are in the process of being graded, and when completed according !o the plan of the superintendent, will present an appearance in strik- ing coutrast with the old school yard.
12
APPROPRIATIONS AND EXPENDITURES.
There was raised by the town to defray the expenses of the schools during the past year, $ 7115 275 75
To which add the amount received from the State, And the interest of the Coddington School Fund, -
Making in all,
$ 7465,
Which has been expended as follows :
For the Centre District,
1195
South
1076
Point
928
West
937
North
303
East
227
High School
1047
Amount of incidental expenses in the several districts, 270
Total, - -
$ 6077
Leaving a balance unexpended of
-1387
This sum will not be sufficient to carry the schools through remainder of the year. The incidental expenses have been mu larger than the appropriation for that purpose, and the price of c considerably higher than was anticipated when the estimates w made. Besides, the schools in the West District being unexpecte obliged to remain in the old house throughout the fall and wint have been furnished with coal from time to time, while that wh was intended to supply them was not delivered until the new ho was occupied where it now remains for future use. This has ad about seventy dollars to the expenses of the present year, whi together with the salary paid to the assistant in the High School sufficient to explain the manner in which the expenditures will ceed the appropriation.
In compliance with the vote of the town that the School Comm tee should " State in their Report what sums of money should, their opinion, be raised for the succeeding year, and how th should be appropriated," we would respectfully name the sum seven thousand five hundred and fifteen dollars to be raised by t ation, over and above the sum that will be necessary to meet the ficiency of the present year. This will be barely sufficient to fray the expenses of the schools, as at present conducted, and retain the services of the assistant in the High School.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
A. CURTIS, W. S. MORTON, W. B. DUGGAN.
W. W. DEAN, C. F. ADAMS, H. N. GLOVER, H. LITTLEFIELD.
THE AUDITORS
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF QUINCY, .
THE SAME BEING FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1st, 1856.
PREPARED AND PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN.
BOSTON: MOORE & CROSBY, PRINTERS, No. 1 Water Street. 1856.
THE AUDITOR'S"
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
THE
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF QUINCY,
THE SAME BEING FOR THE
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 1st, 1856.
PREPARED AND PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN.
BOSTON: MOORE & CROSBY, PRINTERS, No. 1 Water Street. 1856.
ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
SCHOOLS.
-
Expended for Schooling for the quarter ending April 1st, 1855.
Paid Asa Wellington and others, H. S. $313 70
B. D. Dickerman, C. S. 342 50
Stephen Morse, Jr.,
S. S. 342 50
S. Dewing, Jr.,
W. S.
282 50
C. Murdock,
P. S.
293 30
D. McKendry,
·
N. S. 120 00
Miss A. G. B. Beal,
E. S. 105 00
Sundry persons, for making fires, 1854-5,
128 00
$1,927 50
Note. The school year commences on the first of April. The above items are for the last quarter of the school year 1854-5. The items below, are for the three quarters end- ing Jan. 1st., 1856, with. the exception of bill paid to town of Milton.
Paid Town of Milton for schooling five children of Jas. Glover, one year ending April 1st, 1856. 25 00
$25 00
4
HIGH SCHOOL.
Paid Asa Wellington, Teacher, 753 41 Miss C. R. Burgess, 318 75 For fuel, 87 24
$1,159 40
Incidental Expenses.
Paid John Briesler & Co., merchandize,
2 30
Howard Vinal,
50
E. S. Fellows,
8 68
D. Baxter & Co.,
50
J. West & Co., bell,
1 75
M. J. Reynolds & Co., black board wipers,
2 00
Ide & Dutton,
4 50
Joshua Spear, labor,
8 03
C. Gill, & Co., set of maps,
56 00
E. Clapp, 3 brooms,
75
$85 01
CENTER DISTRICT.
Paid Bernard Paine, teacher,
$487 50
Miss J. E. Underwood, “
165 00
" F. A. Dodge,
165 00
" A. Small, 66
135 00
" L. E. Hall,
30 00
For fuel,
86 10
J. T. French, moving coal, and labor in yard,
5 25
$1073 85
Incidental Expense.
Paid John Briesler & Co., merchandize,
$6 69
E. S. Fellows,
4 12
W. Abercrombie,
1 84
E. Clapp, mats,
2 37
$15 02
5
SOUTH DISTRICT.
Paid Stephen Morse, jr., teacher,
$525 00
Mrs. S. Burrell,
165 00
Miss M. A. Veazie,
165 00
E. F. Frye,
110 00
For fuel,
76 00
$1041 00
Incidental Expense.
Paid John Briesler & Co., merchandize,
75
E. S. Fellows,
62
D. Baxter & Co.,
8 41
.
$9 78
WEST DISTRICT.
Paid S. Dewing, Jr., teacher,
$500 00
Miss E. J. Ayer,
165 00
" L. F. Belcher,
165 00
" S. A. A. Beal,
128 00
For fuel,
42 00
$1000 00
Incidental Expense.
Paid John Briesler & Co., merchandize,
2 16
E. S. Fellows,
22 10
G. H. Locke,
13 51
J. C. Underwood, labor,
1 00
Mary Swane,
1 68
$40 45
POINT DISTRICT.
Paid C. Murdock, teacher,
$487 50
Miss A. A. Hall, «
145 00
" M. A. Smith, «
145 00
" E. A. Packard, "
20 00
For fuel,
64 75
$862 25
6
Incidental Expense.
Paid John Briesler & Co., merchandize, 2 98
E. S. Fellows, stove and fixtures, 5 95
Newcombs & Chapin, stone dust,
14 00
Chas. Holms, stock and labor,
7 88
Adams & Hersey,
5 50
P. W. Newcombs, brooms,
1 76
- NORTH DISTRICT.
$38 07
Paid D. McKendry, teacher,
$220 00
L. B. Forbush,
150 00
For fuel,
30 75
Incidental Expense.
Paid E. B. Taylor, washing and cleaning,
4 00
" advertising and brooms, 1 60
$5 60
EAST DISTRICT.
Paid L. S. Woodbridge, teacher,
203 00
Adams & Hersey, wood and coal,
18 50
Hiram Prior, housing coal & wood,
4 35
Incidental Expense.
Paid Chas. Holms, merchandize, 1 07 J. G. Whiton, 92
H. Prior, stove, pipe and cleaning,
4 00
$5 99
Recapitulation.
Amount of expense for quarter ending April 1st, 1855,
$1,927 50
Amount on hand, for quarter ending April 1st, 1855, $1,387 79
Excess of expenditure, 539 71 - $1,927 50
$400 75
$225 85
7
Total expended under appropriation, H. S.
$1159 40
66
66
C. S.
1073 85
66
66
S. S.
1041 00
66
66
66
W. S.
1000 00
66
66
P. S.
862 25
66
66
66
N. S.
400 75
66
Paid Town of Milton,
25 00
66
66
66
66
E. S.
225 85
$5788 10
66
incidentally,
H. S.
85 01
66
66
C. S.
15 02
66
66
S. S.
9 78
66
W. S.
40 45
P. S.
38 07
N. S.
5 60
66
E. S.
5 99
$199 92
Note. The school money is drawn from the School appropriation. State and Codding- ton School fund, and the incidental expense from the miscellaneous appropriation. The incidental expense not being drawn from the School Appropriation ; but from the miscel- laneous, will be found carried forward to the miscellaneous account.
Town appropriation, $7,550 00 Amount received, State school fund, 257 30
Coddington “
75 00
66 expended and drawn from appro- priation, $5,788 10
$7,882 30
Amount unexpended, the same being for quarter ending April 1st, '56. 2,094 20
Note. The incidental expense, which amounts to One hundred and Ninety-nine dollars, and Ninety-two cents (199.92) is carried for- ward to miscellaneous account.
$7,882 30
8
COST OF SCHOOL HOUSES.
CODDINGTON SCHOOL.
Paid W. Parker, Jr., for plans,
building per contract,
4,950 0
66
fence and extra work, 471 7
725 00
Newcombs & Chapin, stone work per contract,
66 66 extra work, 72 6'
J. L. Ross, school furniture,
1,018 50
E. B. Hersey, painting fence,
52 8
A. Furnald, carting,
26 80
West Castleton R. R. & Slate Co., black boards,
29 79
O. Whyte, wire netting,
4 63
$7,367 9
ADAMS' SCHOOL.
Paid W: Parker, Jr., for plans,
5 00
C. Fisher, for building per contract,
4,652 00 70 1
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