USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1865-1872 > Part 10
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" What is the general condition of your School?
" What is the condition, and what are the needs of your schoolroom ?
" Add any suggestions that may occur to you on the subject of schools and teaching."
From the replies, - which, though very satisfactory, were not, as a whole, so full as was to be desired, - we select the following statements and suggestions as of general application and interest : -
" The teacher has endeavored to teach the sense as well as the sound of words, to cultivate the perceptive faculties, to teach the pupil to observe and think for himself. The children are interested and eager to learn, and are making satisfactory im- provement."
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" The attendance has been remarkably good. One pupil has not been absent or tardy during the year."
" Many of my pupils are of sufficient age and capacity to study and comprehend readily the subject presented. While there are others who require a more direct teaching, whose little minds have acquired but little tenacity, but need to be led step by step.
" Although I have but one class, I find a great diversity, not so much in present attainment as in intellectual capacity. In view of this, a portion of each day is spent in ' general exercises,' - oral and object-teaching, -thus bringing the school more entirely to a common standard.
" In regard to discipline, I must frankly confess that my favor- ite theory of governing entirely by ' moral suasion,' I have found to be quite inadequate in a few cases. During the first week of my experience here, I found more occasion for the use of the rod, than in the entire course of my previous teaching. I am happy, however, to report favorable results, and have a reason- able prospect of banishing this unpleasant aid to discipline entirely from the schoolroom."
" The condition of my school is hopeful and encouraging in every respect. Finding many pupils addicted to profanity, deception, and untruthfulness, I thought it necessary to devote much time to moral instruction and training, and am happy to report very gratifying results.
" During the present term, several pupils were admitted pre- viously noted for truancy. They are now constant and prompt in their attendance, -two only of the number having played truant at all, and those but one half day each. My pupils are generally obedient, respectful, affectionate, and much interested in their studies. They are enthusiastic and ambitious to equal or excel in moral attainment and scholarship any school of similar grade in town.
" Particular attention should be given to training in morals and manners, as well as sciences, especially in the primary and inter-
25
mediate grades ; thus better fitting them for admission to higher schools.
" I think promotion by attainment preferable to the ordinary slow method of advancement by classes.
" In these times of exorbitant prices, allow me also to sug- gest the propriety of a considerable increase of salary."
" I would recommend some rule regulating the admission of scholars ; so that they shall not be allowed to enter the school at any and all times."
" The condition of my school, as regards their studies is far from satisfactory to me. The scholars have not the habit of fixing their attention upon their books, and so their progress is slow, considering their abilities. Most of my pupils are, I believe, truthful.
" I wish very much to ignore the Geography altogether next term, - the book I mean, - and to teach my classes according to a plan which I have tried in - very successfully. The plan is hard to describe, it consists in dividing the subject into topics, such as climate, soil, people, &c. By this plan I think I can avoid the terrible waste of time which attends the use of the book.
" I would respectfully suggest that a uniform course of study be pursued in all our schools of the same grade."
" The percentage of attendance of those who are kept at school the 'year round' is very good, with a very few exceptions. But there is a very large number who come and go, and go and come ; some of them, poor, boys who are obliged to remain away to work, and some, indolent boys who come to school as long as work is easy, and the ' master pleasant.'
" It seems to me, that, if boys and girls were advanced only as they are fitted for advancement, after some length of time, and after passing through some sad experiences, like those of ' falling back,' the better class of these absentees, and those from the better families, would be brought to see the necessity of being at school every day, and of devoting themselves to 4
26
study while there. This is the course that I have adopted in previous teaching, and I have never had cause to complain of irregularity in attendance after the first year. Such a law would be the more just, because it would affect only the absen- tecs without excuse, and the penalty could by no cquivocation - be avoided.
" I would like a new text-book in Arithmetic. The present one is generally acknowledged to be ill adapted to our schools at the present time. What we want is a drill-book. I would recommend to your notice ' Walton's School Arithmetic.'"
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COURSE OF STUDIES.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS. - Reading, Spelling, and Defining. Printing, Writing, and Drawing, on Slates and Blackboard. Oral Arithmetic. Oral Geography. General Object Lessons. Dictation Exercises. Singing. Gymnastics.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS. - Same continued. Written
Arithmetic. Primary Geography. Writing in Writing Books.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. - Reading, Spelling, and Defining. Writing. Arithmetic, Written and Oral. English Grammar, with Compositions. Geography, with Map Drawing. Decla- mations. Dictation Exercises. History of the United States. Bookkeeping. Physiology. Singing. Gymnastics.
28
LIST OF BOOKS
Prescribed by the School Committee to be used in the Quincy Common Schools.
READING AND SPELLING BOOKS. - Sargent's Series of Readers : * Hillard's Series of Readers ; Sargent's Pronouncing Spelling Book ; tWillson's Series of Readers.
ARITHMETICS. - Colburn's Mental ; Greenleaf's Primary ; Greenleaf's Common School.
GEOGRAPHIES. - Cornell's Series.
GRAMMARS. - Tower's Elements of Grammar ; Tower's Common School Grammar.
HISTORY. - Lossing's Primary History of the United States. PHYSIOLOGY. - Dr. Cutter's First Book.
į DICTIONARIES. - Worcester's ; Webster's.
WRITING BOOKS. - Payson, Dunton, and Scribner's Series ; Spencer's Series.
SINGING BOOKS. - Golden Wreath ; Day School Bell,
* Each Sub-Committee is permitte d to introduce one number of Hillard's Series into the Schools under his charge.
t The Sub-Committee of the Coddington Schools is permitted to introduce one number of Willson's Series into the Schools under his charge.
¿ The several Sub-Committees are permitted to introduce either Webster's or Worcester's Dictionary into the Schools under their charge.
29
CATALOGUE OF PUPILS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST CLASS.
Abbie I. Hails,
Jerůsha C. Keating,
Maggie T. Mundy,
Emma M. Savil,
Mary Sheahan,
J. Edward Arey,
Ensign E. Fellows.
Joseph M. Sheahan.
SECOND CLASS.
Rebecca P. Basley,
Ellen Garrity,
Mary J. Garrity,
Mary Marsh,
Anna L. Thayer,
Cora I. Young,
Arthur E. Baxter,
William H. Mitchell.
THIRD CLASS.
Lottie Beale,
Vina H. Bunton,
Mary S. Bumpus,
Eliza A. Curtis,
Emily A. Dinegan,
Emma J. Eaton,
Lucie F. Hardwick, Marian L. Jones, Emma I. Keith, Ada E. Locke, Lizzie J. Locke,
Annie N. Newcomb,
Lucy B. Newcombe, Francesca Packard, Mary Swithin,
Albert A. Brackett,
Thomas W. Curtis,
George W. Flint,
John Q. McDonnell,
James H. Stetson.
FOURTH CLASS.
Emily Bosworth,
Ella E. Eaton,
Emma C. Feltis,
Sophia French,
Katie Garrity,
Viletta Johnson,
Isabella Johnson,
Mary I. Meade,
Lizzie E. Morse,
Katie Lane,
Ella M. Pattee,
Mary E. B. Penniman,
Fannie Page,
Eunice Robins,
Florence P. Savil,
Clara Sargent,
Mary Williams,
Martha Whiton,
Frederick Bent,
George Butters,
Richard D. Nash,
Clarence Sampson.
GENERAL TABLE.
.1,550
Whole number of children between five and fifteen years of age in the town, May 1, 1865
.. 1,519
Number, May 1, 1864
31
Increase.
Names of Schools.
Names of Teachers.
ber First Term.
Whole num- Average at- Whole num- Average at- Percentage Percentage Term. tendance ber Second tend'ce Sec- of attend'cc of attend'ce First Term.
ond Term. First Term. Sec. Term.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Charles B. Travis, Principal ... Miss Cora A. Chapin, Assistant ....
50
40++
60
55++
.80-+
.92++
30
ADAMS SCHOOLS.
Mr. W. E. Endicott, Principal .....
95
80
Grammar .
Miss S. V. Wilde, Assistant ..
56
44++
53
46
.79++
.87-
Intermediate
Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick. .
51
43
84+
50
.61+
.85+
Primary, No. 1.
Miss E. H. Fisher . .
66
52₺
67
43+
.79+
.65+
Primary, No. 2.
69
45++
61
46++
.65+
.76++
Primary, No. 4.
Miss Ellen B. Churchill .
78
47
68
46
.60+
.68++
CODDINGTON SCHOOLS.
Mr. W. E. Eaton, Principal ....... Miss Emma A. French, Assistant ..
102
80
Grammar.
Miss M. A. Prescott ..
57
48
62
50
.84+
.80+
Intermediate ·
Miss Mary S. Thayer. ...
65
56
62
53
.86+
.85+
Primary, No. 1 ..
Miss Julia E. Underwood . ..
80
57
79
68
.71++
.86+
Primary, No. 2.
Miss Josephine M. Wright ...
Primary, No. 3.
Miss Mary A. Holbrook ..
.
WASHINGTON SCHOOLS.
Grammar .
Miss Dora A. French, Assistant ... Miss Hannah A. French.
57
46 34++
70
56号 36+
.81- .82+ .86+
.83+
Primary, No. 2.
Miss C. A. Thomas. ..
88
76
65
53
.82-
WILLARD SCHOOLS.
Grammar . .
Mr. S. Dewing, Jr ...
56
42
66
52
.75
.79
Intermediate ..
Miss Augusta C. Foster.
57
46
52
48
.81-
.92-
Primary, No. 1.
Miss E. A. Newcomb ..
60
46
62
55
.77
.89-
Primary, No. 2.
Miss Ellen F. Nightingale .
60
45+
51
43
.75
.84+
Primary, No. 3.
Miss Eliza C. Sheahan.
57
47-
49
37-
.82+
.75-
Primary, No. 4.
Miss M. A. Spear ...
49
39
48
38++
.80-
.79+
QUINCY SCHOOLS.
Grammar .
Mr. Lewis F. Hobbs
46
33-
48
32+
.72
.67
Primary .
Miss E. A. Flint. .
53
32++
61
39-
.60-+
.64-
CRANE SCHOOL. MIXED.
Mrs. E. S. Smith . .
30
22+
34
28-
.73+
.83
71
54+
77
.76-
.88-
Intermediate .
.81-
Primary, No. 1.
Miss Susie G. Baxter.
44
46
.
.
.
.
·
31
Mr. C. W. Carter, Principal ..
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
CHAPTER I.
ORGANIZATION.
SECTION 1. The first meeting of the Board shall be on the Wednesday following the second Monday in March, when a Chairman and Secretary shall be chosen by ballot.
SECT. 2. There shall be appointed at the same meeting six Sub-Committees.
CHAPTER II.
CHAIRMAN.
SECTION 1. The Chairman shall take the chair precisely at the hour appointed for the meeting of the Board ; he shall call the members to order, and on the appearance of a quorum shall cause the minutes of the preceding meeting to be read, and pro- ceed to business. In the absence of the Chairman, the Board · shall choose a Chairman pro tempore.
SECT. 2. The Chairman shall call a special meeting of the Board whenever he may deem it necessary, or when requested by any member.
33
CHAPTER III.
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
SECTION 1. The Secretary shall have charge of the records of the Board, and shall have them present at each meeting. In the absence of the Secretary the Board shall choose a Secretary pro tempore.
SECT. 2. He shall keep a fair and true record of the doings of the Board, and preserve, or cause to be preserved, files of the documents and communications belonging to the Board.
SECT. 3. He shall prepare the Annual Returns required by the Acts of the Legislature, and transmit them to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, in order to secure the Town's portion of the School fund.
SECT. 4. He shall notify all meetings, inform Teachers of their appointment, give such other notices as the Board may require, and perform all other duties appropriate to his office.
SECT. 5. If the term of office of the Secretary as a member of this Board shall expire with the year, the Board at its last meeting shall appoint a Secretary pro tempore, who shall notify the remaining members, and those newly elected, of the time and place of the first meeting for the new year.
CHAPTER IV.
DUTIES OF THE BOARD.
SECTION 1. There shall be a meeting of the Board on the first Wednesday of each month at three o'clock P. M.
SECT. 2. Four members shall constitute a quorum to do business.
SECT. 3. The Board shall examine all the Schools.semi-an nually ; at the close of the First and Second Terms respec- tively. .
5
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CHAPTER V.
DUTIES OF SUB-COMMITTEES.
SECTION 1. The Sub-Committees shall visit their respective schools once a month in accordance with the Statutes of the Commonwealth, for the purpose of satisfying themselves as to the condition of the Schools, the fidelity of the Teachers, the course of instruction pursued, the discipline preserved, the pro- ficiency of the scholars, and generally concerning the welfare of the Schools ; and they shall also at all times observe the con- dition of the school buildings and furniture, and make all re- pairs required for their preservation and use.
SECT. 2. The Sub-Committees shall give their advice to the instructors on any emergency, and adjust any difficulty which may have occurred between the instructors and parents and guardians of pupils, or between the instructors themselves rela- tive to the government or instruction of the school. An appeal, however, may be made to the whole Board by any citizen or instructor.
SECT. 3. The several Sub-Committees shall approve all bills of Teachers in the schools committed to their charge, and all bill for necessary repairs and fuel, incidental requirements, and other charges authorized by the Board.
CHAPTER VI.
ELECTION OF TEACHERS.
SECTION 1. The annual election of teachers shall be hel on the week next preceding the last Monday in January. A. appointments and reappointments shall be made by ballot, an the votes of a majority of the members present shall be neces sary to an election.
. .
35
SECT. 2. All examinations and elections of Teachers, except the annual election, shall be made at such time or times as the Committee may determine, and notice thercof shall be given, and applications received, in such manner as the Board may direct.
SECT. 3. No Teacher shall be removed from office except at a meecing of the Board called for that purpose.
SECT. 4. Teachers may not resign except at the end of a Term ; and then only by giving three weeks' notice of their in- tention.
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE SCHOOLS.
SECTION 1. All Teachers in the Public Schools are required to make themselves familiar with these Regulations ; and the least violation of any one of them shall be considered a fair ground of complaint against any Teacher.
SECT. 2. The morning exercises of all the Schools shall commence with reading the Bible, and it is recommended that the reading be followed by prayer.
SECT. 3. The Teachers shall devote themselves earnestly and exclusively to the duties of the schoolroom during the school term and school hours established by the Committee, and no absence shall be allowable, except for sickness, without pre- vious notice to the Sub-Committee, and permission obtained.
SECT. 4. When a Teacher is absent on account of sickness for more than a week, the bill shall not be allowed for the time of absence, except by a special vote of the Board ; and no Sub- stitute shall be employed for more than one day at a time with- out the approbation of the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 5. Teachers shall have the privilege of taking one half day in each term to visit any school or schools in Town.
36
They shall also have the privilege of taking one day in the year to visit the High School.
SECT. 6. It shall be the duty of the Teachers to see that the fires are made in time to warm their respective schoolrooms before the hour appointed for opening their schools; and also to keep the schoolrooms, entries, and outhouses in a neat con- dition.
SECT. 7. No pupil or other persons shall cut, deface, defile, or otherwise injure the school buildings or furniture thereof, or the fences, trees, shrubbery, or any other property thereto be- longing ; and any pupil or other person suspected of being guilty of such an offence shall be reported forthwith, by the Teacher, to the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 8. Teachers shall aim at such discipline in their schools as would be exercised by a kind and judicious parent in his family ; and shall avoid corporal punishment in all cases where good order can be preserved by milder measures. And it shall be the duty of the several Teachers to keep a record or all instances of inflicting corporal punishment, which they shall exhibit to their respective Sub-Committees at each monthly visi- tation, when said record shall be erased.
SECT. 9. It shall be the duty of all the Teachers to give vigilant attention to the ventilation and temperature of their re- spective schoolrooms. A regular system of ventilation shall be practised, in winter as well as in summer ; and the temperature of the rooms shall be kept as nearly as possible at 66° Fahren- heit.
SECT. 10. No child who comes to school without proper attention having been given to the cleanliness of his person, and of his dress, or whose clothes have not been properly repaired, shall be permitted to remain in school, but shall be sent home to be prepared for school in a proper manner.
SECT. 11. The Teachers shall carefully observe and follow that requirement of the State Laws which enjoins it upon " all
37
instruetors of youth to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their eare and in- struetion the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benev- olenee ; sobriety, industry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and temperanec, and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society and the basis upon which a republican consti- tution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instruetors to endeavor to lead tbeir pupils, as their ages and eapaeities will admit, into a elear understanding of the tendeney of the above- mentioned virtues to preserve and perfeet a republican constitu- tion and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness ; and also to point out to them the evil tendeney of the opposite vices."
SECT. 12. It shall be the duty of the several Teachers to exereise, so far as praetieable, a general inspeetion over their pupils while going to school and returning home.
SECT. 13. Any teacher may exclude from school for the time being any pupil who shall exhibit habitual disobedience to the rules of the school, or who shall be known to be guilty of habitual immoralities, or habitual rudeness or impropriety of manners ; and the Teacher shall immediately inform the parent or guardian of the child of such exelusion, and shall apply to the Sub-Committee for advice and direction. The Sub-Com- mittee may preseribe any temporary exelusion which may be desirable, and sueh seholar shall be admitted to no other school without the vote of the Board, and the Sub-Committee shall report all such cases at the meeting of the Board next following the expulsion ; and no permanent expulsion shall be made except by the Board.
SECT. 14. Tardiness shall be subject to sueh penalty as in each ease the feather may think proper. Pupils absent from chool must, on returning, bring an excuse for such absence ; nd any pupil absent for more than two half days in any month or other eauses than siekness or family bereavement, shall be
38
reported to the Sub-Committee at the next monthly visitation, and no pupils so reported shall be allowed to remain in the school unless by the consent of the Sub-Committee. Every pupil, wishing on any day to be dismissed before the close of the session, must assign satisfactory reasons therefor, and obtain the consent of the Teacher. Teachers having charge of pupils who are habitually truant shall, with the approval of their re- spective Sub-Committees, report their names, residences, and the names of their parents or guardians, to the Truant Officers of the town.
SECT. 15. The teachers of all the schools shall be required to fill up with accuracy the blanks prepared for school returns, and to hand the same to their respective Sub-Commitees, duly signed, at the close of the school year; and accompany them with such suggestions in writing as may seem to deserve the attention of the Committee, and to be for the welfare of their schools.
SECT. 16. Children not less than five years of age may be admitted into the Primary Department without an examination.
SECT. 17. No pupil shall be admitted into any school with- out first exhibiting to the teacher satisfactory evidence of vacci- nation ; but such evidence shall not be required of pupils who go from one Public School in the town to another.
SECT. 18. Every scholar in the Primary Schools shall be provided with a slate, and shall employ the time not otherwise occupied, in drawing, printing, or writing.
SECT. 19. Singing shall be taught and practised daily in all the schools.
SECT. 20. There shall be daily exercises in Gymnastics in all the schools.
SECT. 21. The several schools shall commence at 9 o'clock A. M. and 2 P. M. from April to September, and at 9 o'clock A. M. and 1} P. M. from September, to April ; provided, however, that other hours may be substituted by the respective Sub-Com- mittees when the convenience of pupils and parents may render
39.
it expedient, subject to the approval of the Board. These hours shall not be altered without permission of the Sub-Committees.
SECT. 22. No Principal shall on any account leave his school in charge of his Assistant, without special permission of the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 23. The doors of the several schoolhouses and school- rooms shall be opened, and the teachers shall be present for the reception of the scholars, at least ten minutes before the time fixed for the schools to begin. The teachers shall require the scholars to be in their seats, and shall commence and close the exercises of the schools punctually at the prescribed hours.
SECT. 24. There shall be a recess of fifteen minutes in length during each half day ; and every pupil shall be allowed his full recess ; although he may, for punishment, not be permitted to take it at the regular time with the school.
SECT. 25. In addition to the usual recesses, there shall be, in all the Primary Schools, two intermissions of study, of five minutes each, in each half day; the first intermission to take place midway between the opening of school and the recess ; and the second intermission midway between the recess and the close of the session.
SECT. 26. The School Year shall begin on the first Mon- day in February, and end on the day next preceding the first Monday in February following. It shall consist of two terms ; the First Term to begin on the first Monday in February, and the Second Term to begin on the first Monday after the close of the summer vacation.
SECT. 27. There shall be the following holidays and vaca- tions : -
Every Saturday in the year ; Washington's Birthday ; Fast day ; May day ; the last week in May ; the Fourth of July ; the six weeks immediately following the third Monday in July ; Thanksgiving week ; Christmas day ; New Year's day ; and the week immediately preceding the first Monday in February ; - and the Chairman of the Board is authorized to suspend the
.40
schools on such public occasions as he may think proper, not ex- ceeding three days in the year. No other holidays shall be al- lowed except by special vote of the Board ; and no school shall be suspended on any other occasion, except for special and im- portant reasons relating to a particular school, and then only by express permission of the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 28. No subscription or contribution, for any purpose whatever, shall be introduced into any Public School. No per- son whatever shall read to the pupils in any school, or post upon the walls of any school building or fences of the same, any advertisement. Nor shall any agent or other person be permit- ted to enter any school for the purpose of exhibiting either to teacher or pupil any new book or article of apparatus.
SECT. 26. The schoolhouses shall not be opened . or used for any other purpose than the regular instruction of the public schools, except under the direction of the Sub-Committees re- spectively.
SECT. 38. No teacher shall make any purchase at the ex- pense of the Town, without first obtaining the consent of the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 31. The text-book used and the studies pursued in all the Public Schools shall be such and such only as may be authorized by the Board. The several teachers shall be at liberty to avail themselves of such books as they may deem useful for the purpose of illustration and example ; but the pupils shall not be required to furnish themselves with any but the pre- scribed text-books.
SECT. 32. Written Compositions shall be required of all the pupils in the High and Grammar Schools.
SECT. 33. Declamations shall be required of all the boys in the High and Grammar Schools.
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CHAPTER VIII.
HIGH SCHOOL.
SECTION 1. The examination of candidates for admission to the High School, to be conducted by the Board, shall take place in the first week of the summer vacation, and at such other time as the Board may order.
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