USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1865-1872 > Part 21
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We do not think that the reading of our Grammar Schools is all that can be desired. Excellent specimens were given us in almost every one of these schools, and yet, taking the reading as a whole, there is ample room for improvement.
We would earnestly call the attention of the several teachers and scholars to renewed efforts in this direction. We have no- ticed and often remarked, that as we advance from the Primary Schools upward, the reading is not proportionally good.
The spelling of these schools was quite satisfactory. Lists of words prepared by the Committee were given to the several schools, and both in oral and written spelling they acquitted themselves well.
The writing has generally proved good, and the improvement in the same commendable.
The general attendance during the year has been quite praise- worthy, as will appear by the statistical table accompanying this report.
In all our Grammar Schools, in fact, in all our schools of every grade, the efforts of the teachers seem to have been directed to the moral, as well as the educational welfare of those committed to their charge, and we can assure the people of Quincy that few Towns have a better, a more efficient, and more interested corps of teachers than those who have the charge of their children and their schools.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The necessity, the importance, and the usefulness of this institu- tion are day by day more apparent. Wealth, station, family con- nections, make many distinctions in society. There should be none in education. It should be distributed with an equal hand. Like the sun in the heavens, it should pour forth its bounteous radiance upon all. None are too high to be above its bounty, and none are too poor to be beneath its blessings.
Many think that the education obtained in our Grammar Schools (and too often in those of a lower grade) is sufficient to bear a man onward to that goal where a simple headstone marks the place where his ashes repose. Perhaps it is. Possibly " where igno- rance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise," but such is not the belief of our year and our day.
15
Newton and Arkwright, Franklin and Fulton, stopped not at mediocrity in their onward career, and the whole wide world bend before them in wonder, in gratitude, and almost in adoration. Let us give to our children all the advantages within our power. It is folly to say that we have lived to manhood and age with a small amount of book learning, that we have had enough to eat and to drink, yet have been unacquainted with mathematics, social science and foreign.tongues. The latter might be 'said of the beasts of the field, but it should be our endeavor to raise up our children to those higher and nobler walks of usefulness and knowledge which an all-wise Providence unquestionably designed for all those created after his own image. ·
This school during the past year has equaled our best anticipa- tions. The fidelity of Mr. Travis and Miss Chapin is manifest in the good order of the school, in the promptness of the recitations, in the marked progress made in the varied branches of education, and in the regularity of attendance, averaging for the year ninety- seven and one-half per cent., a rate rarely if ever excelled in any public school.
The Committee have endeavored to do all things needful for the comfort, convenience, and advancement of the school. The .em- ployment of a teacher to give lessons in music twice a week has been of great advantage, and afforded much pleasure to the pupils.
The course of studies has not been materially changed. That of the Latin language is still required, but by application to the Committee by parent or guardian of the pupil it can be dispensed with. A familiarity with the classics is of inestimable utility in every walk of life. It may not be palpable to all where the advan- tage is felt, but few who have had that course of educational training will ever regret it.
The Committee are aware, however, that there is a feeling in the community that the studies pursued in the High School are not as practical as they should be ; that they ought to be more closely confined to Grammar, Mathematics, Book-keeping, and other mat- ters fitting the pupils for the ordinary business of life.
The Committee, therefore, recommend an additional department, in which the common school branches shall be perfected, and the
16
higher English studies pursued, and in view of that matter ask for an additional appropriation.
Very few of those who are entrusted to our care will prosecute their studies in the higher seats of learning ; therefore it becomes us to whom their welfare is entrusted to make our Town schools, as far as possible, a fountain from which all that knowledge flows, needful in the business relations of life.
GYMNASTICS.
We are pleased to report an improvement in Physical Exercises during the year, more especially in the schools of higher grades. We are still more fully convinced of the value of gymnastics as practiced in our schools, than we were at the commencement of the year. Tired and cramped by forced and long continued positions at their desks, these exercises afford just the muscular relaxation necessary for the relief of the pupil.
A strong sympathy existing between the mind and body, both be- come invigorated, and the scholar goes to the duties of the session with a renewed zest. We believe that more actual work will be performed by that school where the labors of the day are inter- spersed with gymnastic exercises of reasonable length, than where physical drill is entirely neglected.
One of our most successful Principals assures us that he finds much less difficulty in enforcing ready obedience to the school regu- lations since he adopted and enforced these exercises. He asserts that the scholar thereby acquires a habit of prompt obedience, that he can secure as well in no other way.
The few objections which have heretofore existed on the part of some parents and scholars to this exercise, have in our opinion nearly subsided, and in our best regulated and disciplined schools the scholars seem to enter into them with eagerness, and with as laudable a desire to excel therein as in the intellectual exercises. We desire no better test of the inherent life and activity of a school than we can get from witnessing a general exercise in gymnastics. But the beauty of this exercise is to have it well done. Far better a few changes with perfect uniformity of action, than studied com- binations of discordant movements. Their great success in the principal schools of the State has been pleasing and satisfactory in
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proportion to their harmony, activity, and precision, especially in the exercise of marching, which partakes somewhat of the nature of military movements.
We regret that owing somewhat to local causes, these exercises have not been practiced with more zeal and earnestness in a few of the schools.
But we feel assured that the causes of this delinquency will no longer continue.
Those Primary Schools of which especial mention was made in the last report, fully sustain their former reputation in this respect.
We would also recommend the combination of vocal with the physical exercises in our schools.
MUSIC.
While we think that the use of this exercise should always be made subsidiary to the leading idea of intellectual development, we nevertheless wish to express our hearty concurrence with the opinions advanced in former reports, in favor of the regular and systematic practice of music in our schools.
It may seem extravagant to many, when we speak of music as a means of moral culture ; and yet we believe that its tendency is to refine and elevate the moral nature. Man is a many-sided being, and requires cultivation in all directions. To think of the intel- lect only, and to forget the heart ; to train the mind in logic, and lose sight of sentiment and feeling, - without which a man is but half a man, - this were a grievous error. We venture the asser- tion that a musical people can not be thoroughly bad in character, but must of necessity be quickened to an appreciation of the beau- tiful, both in art and nature, and to a ready sympathy with the joys and sorrows of their fellow-creatures.
Furthermore, it is a source of rational pleasure open to all, and purchasable, almost without price, - as all of the really best of God's blessings usually are, - and it is the right of the people to have their powers of enjoyment in this respect enlarged and grati- ied.
Much might also be said of the practice of music as an aid to good reading, and as facilitating the acquisition of a free and proper se of the vocal organs, and of a habit of concerted and sympa-
3
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thetic action with others ; a habit worth acquisition in a democratic community.
The brief space allowed in this report forbids a statement even of the arguments in favor of this study ; but so well are we assured of its importance, that we do not hesitate to recommend the em- ployment of a teacher, who shall visit the several schools at stated times, and give instruction in this special department. And to this end we include in our appropriation list a sum of $400, to be applied to this purpose.
And in this connection we desire to express our gratification at the considerable attainments already made by our several schools. In some instances the singing was of decided excellence.
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEES.
The vote of the Town at the last annual meeting, authorizing the several school districts to choose Prudential Committees, has occa- sioned to some extent a divided and necessarily conflicting juris- diction. But two of the Districts, the South and the West, have availed themselves of that questionable privilege. We are pleased, however, to bear testimony with reference to Mr. Lary, Prudential Committee of the West District, not only that we have met from him no opposition, but on the contrary have received his cordial co-operation in promoting the welfare and comfort of the teachers and pupils. He has given all the information and assist- ance to the Committee in the discharge of their duties, as contem- plated by the statutes of the Commonwealth.
APPROPRIATION.
It will be seen by reference to the statistical table of the " Ex- penses of Schools " accompanying this Report, and made a part hereof, that an appropriation of $16,400.00 will be required for the ensuing year, for the puposes herein contemplated by your Com- mittee.
CONCLUSION.
Your Committee would take this occasion, to return their thanks to the parents and friends of the pupils, for their generous and hearty co-operation with them during the past year, thereby ren
19
dering their arduous duties more pleasant to the Committee and profitable to the schools than they otherwise might have been. We are also grateful for the increased interest in the welfare of the schools, as manifested by the unusual number of visitations during the year. Yet we fear that too many parents little realize the im- portance of such visitations. Their effect upon the schools is almost magical. In what department of business would you employ assist- ance and then leave the workman, however trusty, without ever once examining the nature or quality of his work. Who of you would be satisfied with a meager annual report of such workman's prog- ress, without once ascertaining from personal observation whether such report was correct or otherwise. No thrifty business man would ever be guilty of such neglect, even in the ordinary business of life. How much more important is it, then, when the welfare of your own sons and daughters is involved, when interests that can not be measured by a pecuniary standard are staked upon such labors, that you should give a thorough personal examination to the work of those who are shaping the minds and characters of those as dear to you as your own lives. You generously appropri- ate all needed sums of money to the maintenance and support of your public schools, and even amid the severe pressure of heavy taxation, you have never once forgotten your duty to your common schools, or given grudgingly. In this you have done well.
Will you not give to the cause of popular education the further assistance of your occasional presence, and thereby stimulate your schools to increased activity, and encourage the teachers in their faithful devotion to their laborious calling.
E. GRANVILLE PRATT, Chairman, HENRY BARKER, Secretary, WILLIAM B. DUGGAN, WILLIAM S. MORTON, H. FARNAM SMITH,
School Committee of
Quincy.
QUINCY, February, 1867.
APPENDIX.
COURSE OF STUDIES.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS. - Reading, Spelling, and Defining. Print- ing, Writing, and Drawing on Slates and Blackboard. Arithmetic. Geography. General Object Lessons. Dictation Exercises. Singing. Gymnastics.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS. - Same continued. Written Arith- metic. Primary Geography.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS. - Reading, Spelling, and Defining. Writ- ing. Arithmetic, Written and Oral. English Grammar, with Compositions. Geography, with Map Drawing. Declamations. Dictation Exercises. History of the United States. Bookkeeping. Physiology. Singing. Gymnastics.
CATALOGUE OF PUPILS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
FIRST CLASS. Rebecca P. Basley,
Ellen A. Garrity, Mary J. Garrity, Mary Marsh, Anna L. Thayer, M. Ella Wilson, Wm. H. Mitchell.
SECOND CLASS.
Lottie H. Beale, Mary S. Bumpus,
Vina H. Bunton, Eliza A. Curtis, Emily A. Dinegan, Emma J. Eaton, Lucie F. Hardwick, Marian L. Jones,
Emma J. Keith,
Ada E. Locke, M. Franceska Packard.
THIRD CLASS.
Emily A. Bosworth,
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M. Nellie Dyer, M. Ella Eaton, Sophia W. French, Emma F. Feltis, C. F. Garrity, Katie Lane, M. J. Meade, L. E. Morse,
Mary E. B. Penniman,
Clara F. Sargent, Martha D. Whiton, Clarence Sampson.
FOURTH CLASS.
Alice Aldrich, Angie L. Amsbury,
Annie M. Bigelow,
Annie C. Billings,
Minnie J. Carr,
Abbie L. Ewell,
Lizzie B. Glover,
Sallie R. Gregg,
Fannie H. Hersey, Ellen F. Hobart, Flora E. Howe, M. Isabella Howe, Edriana Johnson, Sarah Mundy, M. Jennie Newcomb, Ella L. Pope, Emily Packard, Florence Randall,
Carrie F. Ricker,
Jennie Sampson,
Annie L. Savil,
Maggie Thompson, Emily Whitney, George D. Cahill,
Julius W. Freeman,
Charles L. Hovey,
Fred C. Parker, John C. Randall,
Charles H. Sherburne,
James E. Starbuck.
Statistics of the School for 1866-7.
Number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years, May 1st, 1865, 1,550
Number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years. May 1st, 1866, 1,512
Decrease, 38
Number of Schools. 25
Number of pupils in all the schools, 1,525
Increase from last year,
38
Average attendance in all the schools.
1,208
or about 80 per cent.
22 +
.
Number of teachers,
29
Number of pupils in the High School, 60
Number of Grammar Schools, 5
Number of Grammar School Teachers,
8
Number of pupils belonging to the Grammar Schools, 398
An increase from last year of
28
An average attendance of
329
There is one Mixed School with 36 pupils, with an average at- tendance of 30.
Number of Primary Schools, 14
Number of pupils belonging to those schools, 770
With an average attendance of 577
Giving an average to each school of
55
EXPENSES OF SCHOOLS.
The salaries of the teachers and the expense for fuel for the en- suing year, as estimated by the Committee, are as follows :
The salary of Principal of High School,
$1,200
66
" 2 Assistants ' 66 925
66 66 " 4 Grammar School Principals, at
$1,000 4,000
66 " 1 66 Principal,
900
66 66 4
66 Assistants, at $350
1,400
66
" 4 Intermediate Teachers, at $350
350
. 6
" 14 Prin.ary " Teachers, at
$325
4,550
66 " 1 Teacher of Vocal Music,
400
For fuel at the rate purchased by the Town last year, $1,175
" for two additional schools, 100
1,275
$16,400
1,400
66 " 1 Mixed School Teacher,
23
The following is a statement of the number of applicants for admission to the High School who passed a favorable examination, together with the number from each school, with their percentage of attainments.
Adams Grammar School,
10
79.4 per cent.
Coddington “
66
7
76.4 " 66
Washington " 66
8
79.6
Willard 6:
2
82.7 66 66
Quincy 66
6
69.2
66
Crane Mixed
1
78.5 66 66
Private
3
69.5 66
Total,
37
Average,
76.5
FINANCIAL.
Appropriation by the Town,
$14,400
State School Fund,
307 50
Coddington
75 00
$14,782 50
Expenses of Teaching,
13,454 17
" Fuel,
1,175 14
14,629 31
Expenditure less the appropriation,
$153 19
GENERAL TABLE.
Names of Schools.
Names of Teachers.
Whole Number 1st Term.
Average Attend- ance 1st Term. .
Whole Number 2d Term.
Average Attend- ance 2d Term.
Per cent. 1st Term.
Per cent. 2d Term.
HIGH SCHOOL.
S Mr. C. B. Travis, Principal ...... Miss Cora A. Chapin, Assistant ..
46
44-6
60
563
97
94
ADAMS SCHOOLS.
Mr. J. O. Norris, Principal.
87
55
104
83 1-6
63
80
Grammar.
Miss S. V. Wilde, Assistant.
55
45
73
58
82
79
Primary, No. 1
Miss Mary S. Travis
59
53
47
44
89
93
Primary, No. 2
Miss J. M. Wright ..
62
48
62
47
77
75
Primary, No. 3
Miss Mary E. Dinegan
70
48
71
51
68
72
Primary, No. 4
Mrs. F. E. Whicher .
91
53
60
34
58
56
CODDINGTON SCHOOLS.
Mr. Edw'd Southworth, Principal.
72
67
86
72}
94
84
Grammar.
Miss A. L. Arnold, Assistant
S
·
Intermediate
Miss M. A. Holbrook.
58
41
58
49
70
84
Primary, No. 1
Miss A. M. Porter ..
70
57
58
47
81
81
Primary, No. 2
Miss J. E. Underwood.
58
42
52
34
72
65
Primary, No. 3
Miss Ida Edwards ..
68
47
53
35
70
66
WASHINGTON SCHOOLS.
Mr. C. W. Carter, Principal ......
?
71
50
82
68
71
83
Intermediate
Miss H. A. French .
63
52
63
53
83
84
Primary, No. 1
Miss Mary P. Butters .
52
35
33
24
68
73
1
Intermediate
Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick
24
Grammar. .
Miss D. A. French, Assistant.
.
Primary, No. 2
Miss C. A. Thomas.
74
66
66
57
89
87
WILLARD SCHOOLS.
Grammar ..
Mr. Seth Dewing, Jr ..
71
54
74
65
Intermediate
Miss A. C. Foster. .
60
45
67
57
75
85
Primary, No. 1
Miss E. A. Newcomb ..
50
42
47
39
84
82
Primary, No. 2
Miss Ellen F. Nightingale ..
57
42
52
45
74
87
Primary, No. 3
Miss M. A. Spear
74
65
56
49
88
88
Primary, No. 4
Miss E. S. Cole ..
53
42
46
33
79
72
QUINCY SCHOOLS.
Grammar ..
Mr. John Smithwick
44
24
52
40
53
76
Primary ..
Miss E. A. Flint .
73
42
67
38
58
57
CRANE SCHOOL. MIXED.
Miss M. Lizzie Cobb
40
37
36
29
92
80
25
·
.
4
.
EXTRACTS FROM THE "RULES AND REGULA- TIONS" OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL REGULATIONS OF THE SCHOOLS .- DUTIES OF TEACHERS.
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 com- mence 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 school-room during the school term and school hours established by the Committee, and no ab- sence shall be allowable, except for sickness, without previous 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 Substitute shall be employed for more than one day at a time without the approbation of the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 5. Teachers shall have the privilege of taking two days in each term to visit any school or schools.
SECT. 6. It shall be the duty of the Teachers to see that the fires are made in time to warm their respective school-rooms before the hour appointed for opening their schools ; and also that the school-rooms, entries, and out-houses are kept in a neat condition.
SECT. 7. Teachers shall aim at such discipline in their schools as would be exercised by a kind and judicious parent in his fam-
27
ily ; 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 of all instances of inflicting corporal punishment, which they shall exhibit to their respective Sub-Committees at each monthly visitation, when said record shall be erased.
SECT. 8. It shall be the duty of all the Teachers to give vigilant attention to the ventilation and temperature of their respective school-rooms. A regular system of ventilation shall be practiced, in winter as well as in summer ; and the temperature of the rooms shall be kept as nearly as possible at 66º Fahrenheit.
SECT. 9. The Teachers shall carefully observe and follow that requirement of the State Laws which enjoins it upon " all instruc- tors of youth to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruc- tion the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence ; sobriety, industry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and tem- perance, and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society and the basis upon which a republican constitution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above-mentioned virtues to preserve and perfect a republican constitution and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness ; and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."
SECT. 10. It shall be the duty of the several Teachers to exer- cise, so far as practicable, a general inspection over their pupils while going to school and returning home, and the Principals of the several Grammar Schools shall in addition to their present powers have jurisdiction over all the scholars belonging to their several buildings, so far as the preservation of order and good conduct about the school-house premises, outside of the school-rooms, is concerned.
SECT. 11. 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
28
immoralities, or habitual rudeness, or impropriety of manners ; and the Teacher shall immediately inform the parent or guardian of the child of such exclusion, and shall apply to the Sub-Com- mittee for advice and direction. The Sub-Committee may pre- scribe any temporary exclusion which may be desirable, and such scholar 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. 12. 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-Committees, duly signed, at the close of each term; and accompany them with such sug- gestions in writing as may seem to deserve the attention of the Committee, and to be for the welfare of their schools.
SECT. 13. No Principal shall on any account leave his school in charge of his Assistant, without special permission of the Sub- Committee.
SECT. 14. The doors of the several school-houses 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. 15. No Teacher shall make any purchase at the expense of the Town, without first obtaining the consent of the Sub- Committee.
DUTIES OF PUPILS.
SECT. 16. No pupil or other person shall cut, deface, defile, or otherwise injure the school-buildings, or furniture thereof, or the fences, trees, shrubbery, or any other property thereto belonging ; and any pupil or other person suspected of being guilty of such . an offense shall be reported forthwith, by the Teacher, to the Sub-Committee.
SECT. 17. No child who comes to school without proper atten- tion having been given to the cleanliness of his person, and of his dress, or whose clothes have not been properly repaired, shall
29
be permitted to remain in school, but shall be sent home to be prepared for school in a proper manner.
SECT. 18. Tardiness shall be subject to such penalty as in each case the Teacher may think proper. Pupils absent from school must, on returning, bring an excuse for such absence ; and any pupil absent for more than two half days in any month for other causes than sickness or family bereavement, shall be 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 satis- factory reasons therefor, and obtain the consent of the Teacher. Teachers having charge of pupils who are habitually truant, shall, with the approval of their respective Sub-Committees, report their names, residences, and the names of their parents or guardians, to the Truant Officers of the town.
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