USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Town annual report of Quincy 1865-1872 > Part 25
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CODDINGTON SCHOOL-HOUSE.
No material changes have been made in this house during the year.
The walls of the lower school-rooms and halls, which have greatly needed covering, have been newly papered, which gives them a much more tidy, cheerful, and homelike appearance.
We have to regret that we have been unable to procure a suita- ble room in the district for the use of Primary No. 2; therefore we are still obliged to occupy the basement room of this house. The room formerly used by Primary No. 3 has been abandoned, as the same was needed by the Town for an Armory. An exchange was effected by the Committee, and this last-named school has been removed to the hall over the store of Wyman Abercrombie, Esq., which we now rent at the same price heretofore paid, - the room being much better for the purposes of a school-room, than the one vacated.
ADAMS SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The Prudential Committee of the South District has taken charge of the school buildings, in accordance with the wish of the district, and we have noticed no change in the same since the last Report.
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WILLARD SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The Prudential Committee of the West district has retained the house at " the Rail" for the use of Willard Mixed Primary ; and the lower room of the Bass and Robertson building, better known, perhaps, as the " Old School-house, " for Primary No. 3.
New desks and seats have been added to the Willard Grammar School room to accommodate the greatly increased and increasing numbers of the school, which are still manifestly insufficient, and a new recitation room has been fitted and furnished for the use of the assistant teacher. The other rooms remain essentially the same as at the time of the last Report.
We would suggest to the Prudential Committee that an early at- tention be paid to the grading of the yard of the Willard School house proper.
WASHINGTON SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The insufficiency of the old furnace in the Grammar School building in respect to heating power, and more especially to leak- ing of the gas therefrom so badly as to endanger the health of the children, has necessitated its removal, and the substitution of a new one of much larger size, and better adapted to the require- ments of the building.
From our experience with the new furnace, we feel justified in the belief that the improvement is well worth the cost, and that the scholars may in the future expect comfortable school-rooms.
The painting of the building has become absolutely necessary, and must not, we think, be delayed beyond the ensuing summer.
QUINCY SCHOOL-HOUSE.
During the past year several necessary repairs have been made on this building, and quite a number of new desks placed in the Grammar Schoolroom, which have increased the ordinary inciden- tal expenses. Even now, the exterior of the school-house re- quires painting for the better preservation and appearance of the building.
CRANE SCHOOL-HOUSE.
No expenses have been incurred on this building during the year, as it was put in good condition by the last Board of Com- mittee.
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TEACHERS.
The following is a list of teachers employed during the last school year : -
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. C. B. Travis, Principal ; Miss Cora A. Chapin, Miss An- nette E. Long, Miss Lucinda P. Cole, Assistants ; Miss Annie L. Arnold, Mr. Edw. P. Hayward, Teachers of Music.
CODDINGTON SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. Edward Southworth, Principal ; succeeded by Mr. H. B. Brown ; Miss Annie L. Arnold, Assistant.
Intermediate. - Miss Mary A. Holbrook.
Primary No. 1. - Miss A. M. Porter.
Primary No. 2. - Miss Julia E. Underwood,
Primary No. 3. - Miss Ida Edwards.
ADAMS SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. J. O. Norris, Principal ; succeeded by Mr. A. H. Carvill, Miss S. V. Wilde, Assistant ; succeeded by Miss Mary S. Travis.
Intermediate. - Mrs. Emily A. Hardwick.
Primary No. 1 .- Miss Mary S. Travis ; succeeded by Miss Lizzie C. Crowell.
Primary No. 2 .- Miss J. M. Wright ; succeeded by Miss Mary E. Dinegan.
Primary No. 3. - Miss Mary E. Dinegan ; succeeded by Miss Eliza C. Sheahan.
Primary No. 4. - Mrs. F. E. Whicher.
WASHINGTON SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. C. W. Carter, Principal ; Miss Dora A. French, Assistant.
Intermediate. - Miss H. A. French.
Primary No. 1 .- Miss Mary P. Butters, succeeded by Miss S. Addie Souther.
Primary No. 2. - Miss C. A. Thomas.
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WILLARD SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. Seth Dewing, Jr., Principal ; Miss S. V. Wilde, Assistant.
Intermediate. - Miss A. C. Foster.
Primary. No. 1. - Miss E. A. Newcomb.
Primary No. 2. - Miss E. F. Nightingale.
Primary No. 3. - Miss M. A. Spear.
Mixed Primary. - Miss E. S. Cole.
QUINCY SCHOOLS.
Grammar. - Mr. John Smithwick, succeeded by Mr. Lewis F. Hobbs.
Primary. - Miss Lizzie A. Flint.
CRANE SCHOOL.
Miss M. Lizzie Cobb.
GRADING OF THE SCHOOLS.
Although your Committee feel that there are yet manifest defects in the present grading of our schools, arising out of the location of some of our school buildings, and the widely scattered popula- tion of our more rural districts, yet we have not deemed it expe- dient to change the grading heretofore established by your former Committee, but have strictly adhered thereto.
We would suggest to the voters of the West District the neces- sity of such arrangements as will enable them to complete the sys- tem of grading in their schools, as adopted two years ago and which gave entire satisfaction to the Committee. We fully believe that the superior advantages of a purely graded school will far more than compensate those members who are subjected to addition- al travel to reach the same.
And we hope that, whenever the Town shall feel it expedient to furnish this district with the additional school accommodations so much needed, their especial attention will be given to this matter. The Committee also think that the interest of the schools in the Point District absolutely requires that the measures pursued so success- fully in other parts of the town should be adopted there, and to
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this end we would recommend that the incoming Board should give their early attention to the establishment of another school ranking between the Intermediate and Primary Departments.
If the Neck School-house be abandoned, this would not require any additional expense for teachers, and it is thought that arrange- ments can be made for hiring a room which will be sufficient, at least, for present wants.
Perhaps the removal and enlargement of the Neck School-house may be advisable.
No change has been made in the grading of the Adams Schools, and we feel satisfied that we can adopt no system better in all respects than the present, though we are aware that there is much complaint on the part of the patrons of those schools in being obliged to send their children from one extreme of the district to another ; yet, with the school-houses located as at present, we feel unable to remedy this defect.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
We have now fourteen Primary Schools, of various grades, in town; most of them under the charge of tried and faithful teachers, and we are pleased to report them as in generally good condition.
The discipline of almost all these schools has been, throughout the year, uniformly good, and the progress in study all that can reasonably be expected.
It is seldom that we find the same number of schools conducted with more earnestness and fidelity than ours have been, under the present corps of teachers.
It is truly a pleasure and satisfaction to bear our united tes- timony to the successful results of their arduous labors.
In some of these schools object lessons have been given and practised to a considerable extent, and have been, without excep- tion, productive of good fruits.
We have an increasing confidence in this method of instruction particularly in schools of lower grades, and they have proved scarcely less profitable and successful in those more advanced. We find, in some of our Primary Schools, general and mental ex- ercises that would do honor to any Intermediate Schools.
We also notice an improvement in reading in these schools,
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more attention having been paid to this most important branch of study than heretofore.
We consider as a whole, that our Primary schools are in better general condition than we have known them for several years.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
We have four Intermediate schools, all under the care of teach- ers of experience and acknowledged ability, and so well known to the citizens of the Town as scarcely to need individual mention.
These schools number 233 members, and annually graduate about 100 scholars.
The Adams Intermediate still remains under the control of Mrs. E. A. Hardwick, who, by her large experience and thorough de- votion to her work, has gained the full confidence of the parents and pupils, as well as of the Committee.
The Coddington Intermediate is still fortunate in retaining the services of Miss M. A. Holbrook, under whose efficient manage- ment it is steadily advancing in all that goes to make up an ex- cellent school.
The Washington Intermediate under Miss H. A. French, has, we think, made marked improvement. We have no more faithful and trusty teacher in our employ than Miss French, who, by years of patient and unceasing labor, has well earned the rank she now occupies, as one of the most successful of Quincy teachers.
The Willard Intermediate has prospered well under the judi- cious and firm management of Miss A. C. Foster, who, during her connection with this school has done worthy service, and as she leaves the school, she goes forth to new duties, with the best wishes of those who know how to appreciate a good teacher.
CRANE SCHOOL.
The Crane School is the only ungraded one we have in Town, which, from its isolated location cannot be otherwise than mixed.
It has been throughout the year in charge of Miss M. Lizzie Cobb, a teacher in whom your committee have much confidence.
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The school is very small and suffers much in being made up of all ages and qualifications.
We noticed a commendable improvement in the reading of this school, since the commencement of the year.
Miss Cobb, by her faithful attention to her duties, has gained the universal confidence and esteem of the East District, as evinced in various ways.
Owing to the remoteness of this school from the other villages of the Town, the general committee have been unable to visit it often during term time ; but the reports of the sub-committee have been uniformly favorable.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Adams Grammar School commenced the year under favora- ble auspices, with Mr. J. O. Norris, as Principal, and Miss S. V. Wilde, as Assistant ; but the Principal left the school soon after the commencement of the year, on account of insufficient salary (the prudential committee of the District refusing to pay the amount appropriated by the Town), and after some delay Mr. J. H. Carvill, of Maine, was selected for the vacancy, and Miss Mary S. Travis was transferred from the Adams Primary No. 1, as his Assistant. As might be expected from the substitution of two new teachers in a school of the size and character of this, notwithstand- ing the arduous labors of the Principal and Assistant, the school made little progress for several weeks ; but it gradually came into line, and from that time forward has shown marked improvement, and at the closing examination acquitted itself well; reflecting much credit upon both teachers and scholars. The discipline of this school has been satisfactory to the committee.
The Coddington Grammar School has sustained the high repu- tation previously acquired, and under its excellent teachers, Mr. Southworth and Miss Arnold, has taken a rank second to none of its grade in Town. In the height of its prosperity and in the full flush of victory, it was doomed to disappointment by the loss of Mr. Southworth, who was called to the Dwight School of Boston Miss Arnold, assisted by Miss Abbie I. Hails, conducted the school for some weeks, with commendable success. After which we procured the services of Mr. H. B. Brown, as Principal, and under his charge it retains its former advanced position.
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The Washington Grammar School, under the charge of Mr. C. W. Carter and Miss Dora A. French, has been conducted with much success, and to the satisfaction of the Board. We expected much of this school, and it has not disappointed our expectations. Under a succession of good teachers, this school has taken a favor- able rank, and through the faithful and untiring energy of its in- structors, has acquitted itself nobly. We regret being obliged to note the resignation of Mr. Carter, who has abandoned teaching for mercantile pursuits. The faithful and conscientious devotion of this gentleman to his duties as a teacher, and the personal in- terest which he has invariably shown in the advancement and wel- fare of the pupils under his charge, has told most beneficially upon the character of the school. In this change the common schools lose one of their most earnest and devoted teachers and advo- cates.
The Willard Grammar School, under its well-known Principal, has been doing all that could be reasonably expected during the year. This school has grown to be one of the largest in Town. Its spacious room has become insufficient to accomodate the school. Owing to its great increase in numbers, it became necessary to furnish an Assistant, and Mr. J. F. Eaton - the prudential committee - promptly procured the services of Miss S. V. Wilde, late of the Adams Grammar School. By the united efforts of Mr. Dewing and Miss Wilde, the school, with zeal and earnestness, has advanced itself to an enviable position among the grammar schools of Quincy.
The Quincy Grammar School commenced the year with Mr. John Smithwick as teacher, who continued until the end of the summer term, when he tendered his resignation.
He was succeeded by Mr. Lewis E. Hobbs, who had formerly been connected with this school in the same capacity. Under the efficient management of Mr. Hobbs, the discipline of the school has been satisfactory to the committee, and noticeable improve- ment was manifest at the closing examination. This school has greatly increased in numbers during the year, until the school-room is barely sufficient for their accomodation. If this section of the Town shall continue to increase in numbers as during the last year, the time is not far distant when we shall be obliged to ask
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for more extensive accommodations. Perhaps the increased at- tendance is in part attributable to the popularity of the teacher.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The High School has completed another year of successful labor, and has won good opinions from the Committee, and all who have had occasion to witness its progress. The same Principal has remained in charge, and with the aid of his competent assist- ants has kept the school up to its former standard. The good discipline which has heretofore characterized the school, and the same readiness and accuracy which has marked the recitations have been observable at the several visitations during the year, as well as at the closing examinations. Essential changes have been made in this school to meet the wants of the public. We have added a new department, in which the common and higher English studies are pursued, thereby affording facilities for scholars who do not desire to pursue the classics. This department is designed to supply what has long been needed in this school, a course in which our scholars, by a thorough, systematic, and practical training can be fully qualified for the several callings they desire and intend to follow in active life.
This change necessitated the employment of another assistant, and we placed Miss Lucinda P. Cole in this department. Having, at the end of the first term, received the resignation of Miss Cora A. Chapin, who has long and faithfully served this school as As- sistant teacher, we were fortunate in procuring the services of Miss Annette E. Long, as Classical Assistant.
We have established three courses of study, viz., English, English and Classical, and Classical. The first and second are completed in three years, at which time graduates take their diploma. In the Classical course, graduates are entitled to a diploma after three years' study, but they can remain for four years, and graduate as an advanced class. Scholars, on entering the school, have their choice, as to which course they will take, but having once elected, they are bound by their choice, except by special permission of the Committee, and for good cause shown. The studies pursued in the several courses, will be found in detail in another part of this report. From what we have thus far seen of the fruits of the new department, we are satisfied that it will
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prove a decided success, and render the High School of far more practical value, than at any time heretofore. We are equally assured that the plan is meeting with very general favor from the parents, scholars, and friends of the school, and is removing very much of the opposition which attended the early years of the High School, and we no longer hear the complaint, that we are making a useless expenditure of money in sustaining the same. We have availed ourselves of a portion of the appropriation made by the Town for teaching music, and have employed Miss Annie L. Arnold and Mr. Edward P. Hayward, to give semi-weekly lessons in this school, in the rudiments of music, whose labors have been attended with good success.
The Committee are pleased to make favorable mention of the following members of the advanced first class of the High School, Misses Emily A. Dinegan, Vina H. Bunton, Marion L. Jones and Ada E. Locke, who, having completed a four years' course in this school, with honor to themselves, and credit to the school, have expressed a desire to take their diplomas at the present time, rather than at the time of annual graduation, and the same have been awarded them by the Committee.
WRITING.
Considerable attention has been given to writing in our Gram- mar Schools, and the same has been attended with good success. The books of most of the schools have been characterized by neatness, and a noted improvement has been made in this too- much-neglected branch of study. We especially noted as worthy of commendation the writing of the Crane School. We think the penmanship of the High School indicated less culture in this respect than we could desire.
SPELLING.
We discover quite a general accuracy in the spelling of our schools of lower grade. An increasing attention seems to have been given to this essential branch of education during the year. The spelling of the Grammar Schools we found quite up to its former standard, and we believe a little in advance of former years.
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GYMNASTICS.
More than ordinary attention has been given to the practice of Gymnastics in our Grammar Schools, and with far more than their usual success. Considerable emulation has been excited in this direction, and the results have been quite gratifying to the Com- mittee. We are pleased to note that the decided opposition to these physical exercises, seems to have given place to approbation. or at least to silence. We think this practice, carried to the extreme, might work serious injury to our schools, but as used with us, we deem the practice of gymnastics an excellent relaxa- tion for both mind and body, and a valuable assistant to a prompt and thorough discipline in the school-room. We regret that these physical exercises have been partially, or wholly neglected, in a few of our schools, as appeared at their closing examinations. The lower schools have formerly led the upper in this particular, and are now doing all that can be expected of them, considering the ages of the scholars. In the combination of mental exercises and gymnastics, we think the lower fully equal the higher grades of schools.
MUSIC.
The election of. Prudential Committees, taking the choice of Music Teachers out of our hands, in two of the largest schools of the town, and some of the regular teachers being competent to give instruction in this department, we have not thought it ex- pedient to use the amount appropriated for this purpose, excepting so far as the same has been expended for special music teachers in the High School. The success which has attended this partial experiment warrants us in recommending an appropriation for the ensuing year, to be devoted to this branch of education.
APPROPRIATION.
It will be seen by the statistical table of " Expenses of Schools," annexed to this report, and made a part hereof, that assuming the State School Fund, and the income of the Coddington Fund, to be the same for the coming year, as for the last, we shall need an appropriation, by the Town, of $15,600 for expenses of teaching and fuel, for the ensuing year.
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VISITATIONS.
We are pleased to notice an increased number of visits from parents and friends of the schools during the last year, which argues well for their growing interest in the matters of education.
At several of the closing examinations we were favored with a full attendance of the patrons of the several schools.
The importance and influence of such visitations cannot be over- rated and we would renew the suggestions of last year upon this important topic, and urge upon the consideration of the citizens of the town, an increased effort in this direction.
GENERAL REMARKS.
We much regret the repeated attempts which are made to lessen the appropriation for educational purposes ; and yet from the promptness and decision with which the Town has ever met the question, we have gained an increased confidence in the sound judgment and honest purpose of the people.
Poor indeed is that financial policy which would fill our schools with third-rate teachers, because they can be had for the asking.
Every workman is worthy of his hire, and school teachers like other mortals must live. A town like ours cannot afford to sustain a Teachers' Institute, for the training of instructors for more pro- fitable situations abroad, and in the present state of financial em- barrassment we cannot afford to keep poor teachers. They are a luxury beyond our means.
Retrenchment in town expenses is desirable, and none will ad- vocate it more strongly than your Committee. But let retrench- ment commence in proper departments, and do not hazard interests so momentous as the cause of our Common Schools upon the ex- periment.
The responsibility is yours, voters of Quincy, to guard with ut- most care the historic reputation of our ancient town, and you can never do it as safely and well as through the widening chan- nels of popular education that flow from your public schools.
Your Committee in conclusion would take this opportunity of returning their thanks to the citizens of the town, for the uniform courtesy shown them on all occasions during their terms of service, and more especially during the last year.
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A uniform action between the public and its servants and representatives is of vital importance to the welfare of the cause of education, and there is no position in the State in which section- al jealousies and party animosities produce more disastrous fruits than in the petty quarrels in the management of her common schools.
But during the last year our efforts at reform have met with your generous approval, and we hope that in the exercise of our best judgment our success has been commensurate with our intent.
E. GRANVILLE PRATT, Chairman, HENRY BARKER, Secretary, WILLIAM B. DUGGAN, WILLIAM S. MORTON, H. FARNAM SMITH, NOAH CUMMINGS,
r
School Committee of Quincy.
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- ting, Arithmetic, Written and Oral. English Grammar, with Compositions. Geography, with Map Drawing. Declamations. Dictation Exercises. History of the United States. Bookkeeping. Physiology. Singing. Gymnastics.
HIGH SCHOOL. - ENGLISH COURSE.
1st Term, Ist year, Arithmetic, English Analysis, Geography, and Map Drawing. Reading, Spelling, Writing.
2d Term, 1st year, Algebra commenced, U. S. History, Book- keeping commenced, English Prose, Writing, Spelling.
1st Term, 2d year, Algebra completed, History of England, Bookkeeping completed, Compositions, Declamations.
2d Term, 2d year, Natural Philosophy commenced, Physiolo- gy, Rhetoric.
1st Term, 3d year, Natural Philosophy completed, Geometry commenced, Physical Geography.
2d Term, 3d year, Mensuration, English Literature, Botany, Constitution of United States.
Rhetorical Exercises, weekly.
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ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL COURSE.
1st Term, 1st year, Arithmetic, Latin commenced, Geography and Map Drawing, Reading, Writing, Spelling.
2d Term, 1st year, Algebra commenced, Latin Reader, Book- keeping commenced, Writing, Spelling, English Prose.
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