USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1857 > Part 3
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The condition of the school is such as to afford the highest satisfaction to the Committee. And we hope her services may be secured the ensuing season.
Grammar School-Summer Term. The teacher, Miss Abby L. Bates, to whom this department was assigned from her well-earned reputation as a faithful and popular teacher, afforded us much ground to hope for a term of signal success. And doubtless such would have been the result, had the teacher been sustained by the parents, and enjoyed the co-operation of the pupils. But instead of this, many of the parents manifested a painful indifference to the interests of the school, an evidence of which was seen in the irregularity of attendance; and also in the disreputable conduct of some of the larger pupils towards the teacher.
While they should have appreciated her services, and recipro- cated her interest in them, they were disorderly and unkind.
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After eight weeks the teacher became discouraged, and notwith- standing the remonstrances of the Committee, resigned her post.
The school was then given in charge to Miss Margaret A. Vining, a lady whose standing and reputation as one of our most thorough, successful and able teachers, need no comment. She entered upon her duties actuated by a laudable ambition to pro- mote the progress of her pupils, and so to elevate the character of the school. And had the pupils felt as much interest in them- selves as she felt for them, much more would have been accom- plished.
At the examination there were between thirty and forty vacant seats, many of which belonged to the larger pupils. The closing exercises were conducted mainly by the Committee, and the result was, that they were satisfied with the thorough manner in which the pupils had been taught, and the excellent progress they had made.
Winter Term-Mr. James O. Scripture, Teacher. It will be recollected that at the last term the Committee felt obliged to report somewhat unfavorably in relation to this school ; and we are sorry to say it still has its defects.
In the former report we alluded to its irregular attendance, to the absence of pupils, excused apparently indeed by parents' billets, but for the most trifling reasons.
It is feared the parents do not realize fully the necessity of the strict regulations of the school, requiring some justifiable excuse in cases of tardiness and absence.
Their hearty co-operation would at once remedy this great evil, a greater one than they may at first imagine.
The discipline of this school has not at all times been satisfac- tory, although the teacher was untiring in his efforts to secure order, and to awaken a desire of improvement in the minds of his pupils ; and had they been studiously disposed, the closing exami- nation would have been more satisfactory. We are happy to state that the several examinations in this district were enlivened by the presence of a large number of parents and friends.
FOURTH DISTRICT .- The Grammar Department of this District was taught by Miss L. A. Harlow during the summer term. At the different visitations of the Committee the scholars appeared to
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be orderly and industrious, and the closing examination was very satisfactory.
The same teacher had charge of the Grammar Department during the winter term. She fully sustained the reputation pre- viously gained, of being an efficient teacher; and the appearance of the school at the closing examination reflected much credit upon both teacher and scholars, and gave much satisfaction to the Committee.
The Primary Department was taught by Miss Angeline M. Webster, during both the summer and winter terms, with her usual success, and fully sustained her well-earned reputation of being a good and faithful teacher.
The closing examination of each term was quite satisfactory.
FIFTH DISTRICT .- The Primary Department during the sum- mer was taught by Miss Mary R. Parrot, six months ; whole number attending school, 61, and the average attendance, 49. The school was conducted in a manner well calculated to insure success. The order was good, and the appearance at the monthly visitations testified to the industry of the scholars and the fidelity of the teacher. The closing examination gave much satisfaction to the Committee. The winter term of this department was short, continuing but two months. The school was under the direction . of Miss Ellen G. Parrot, by whose judicious management the scholars fully sustained the reputation they had acquired during the summer. The Committee were highly gratified at the close of the term, to find the school in good condition, and the improve- ment such as to merit approbation.
The summer term of the Grammar Department continued about six months, under the superintendence of Miss L. F. Reed, who taught the same school the previous summer. The order was generally good, and the industry and accuracy in recitation as exhibited at the monthly visits, were thought worthy of commen- dation ; but at the close of the term there did not appear to be that energy and promptness which are a very sure indication of success, nor that familiar acquaintance with studies pursued which is desirable, and the Committee felt constrained to say that the examination did not equal their expectations.
The winter term commenced under the charge of Mr. Farr, of the State of Maine. At the expiration of seven days, the school
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was visited by the Committee having the care of the same. The school-room was found to be exceedingly dirty, and the boys outrageously noisy and disobedient. No improvement could be expected under such an administration, and a full expression of this opinion in the presence of the teacher and the school, was followed on the same day by a resignation of the teacher. It is but justice to the prudential committee to say that Mr. Farr was not engaged by him to teach the school, but was sent as a substi- tute by the person expected. After an interval of one week, this school was reopened under the superintendence of Miss Maria A. Hatch, from Vermont, who had had experience in teaching. She opened the school under very unfavorable auspices, but with a determination that no effort should be wanting on her part to insure success. The girls, with few exceptions, among the younger ones, behaved with great propriety ; they were industrious and generally prompt in their exercises, and appeared to be desirous of improvement. But the idle habits and disorderly behavior of most of the boys gave the teacher much trouble, and required a severity of treatment which was extremely unpleasant to her, but which appeared to be absolutely necessary to secure any thing like order or improvement. They manifested an utter disregard of the requirements of the teacher and the directions of the Committee ; and the insolence with which some of them treated the teacher, both in school and out of school, was deserving of the punishment inflicted. A few of the parents complained that their children were treated with undue severity; but on inquiry, it was found that no scholar had been punished either for sobriety of conduct or industrious habits, or conformity to the rules of the school; but on the contrary, that the punishments were occasioned by the insolence or stubbornness of the child and his resistance to constituted authority. Now if parents really desire to do away with punishment at school, they must enforce obedience at home; for where family discipline is maintained there is generally no occasion for severity by the teacher. And we believe that had some of the parents in this district exerted their influence in favor of good order in school, instead of mani- festing an indifference to its success, by complaining of the teacher in the presence of their children, for her efforts to preserve order in school, the necessity for punishments would have been greatly diminished. There may be cases of this kind where parents are
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more culpable than their children, and yet the children should not be held guiltless, because their disobedience is voluntary ; and in such cases we can readily see the necessity of visiting the iniquities of the parents upon the children, that the latter may not grow up in disregard of all law, divine and human, and be thrown upon society at an age when the habits of insubordination may be so firmly fixed as to defy the restraints of parental authority and the laws of the land. Under all the adverse circumstances which existed during the early part of the school, the order gradually improved and the boys became more industrious, and though their improvement was slow and their advancement not equal to their privileges, their appearance at the examination was better than could have been expected, and reflected great credit on the teacher for her fidelity and perseverance. The recitations of the girls were prompt and generally accurate, and received, as they deserved, much praise. This school continued ten weeks. During the last three weeks several left the school for reasons unknown to the Committee ; one under the prospect of punishment, and two have been expelled by the teacher.
SIXTH DISTRICT .- The Primary Department of this school has been under the instruction of Miss Elizabeth White through the year. During the summer term the appearance of the school at the monthly visits was encouraging; the order was good and the recitations generally correct ; and at the close the exercises gave evidence of industry on the part of many of the pupils, and of commendable improvement. During the winter term the children appeared to be more interested in their studies, as well as more animated in their recitations ; and the closing examination gave evidence of decided improvement, showing the fidelity and success of the teacher and the industry and the acquisitions of the pupils. One exercise in written arithmetic was excellent, and would serve as a model for any school.
The Grammar Department during the summer was intrusted to Miss Susan M. Magoun, who appeared from time to time to take much interest in her school, and to manage it with propriety. Good order was observed and flattering anticipations of success were entertained. But the examination at the close of the term did not equal the expectations of the Committee. Some of the scholars recited remarkably well, while in others there was a want
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of promptness, energy and accuracy in recitation, which we did not expect. There was probably some want of energy on the part of the teacher, but it should be observed that another and greater cause for the deficiency was the irregularity of attendance, the average being only two-thirds. This fact would in a great measure account for the condition of the school at its close. The daily tasks might be well performed, but the numerous absentees who, during the term, had hindered the progress of those who were present, could not fail to impair the character of the school and nullify, to a certain extent, the best directed efforts of any teacher.
The winter school has been taught by Mr. Elbridge Torrey, who has waked- up an interest among the children in regard to study, and given an impulse to their exertions, which have been productive of great improvement ; and the school now appears to be rising to that eminence of position which it formerly attained. For some years past the frequent change of instructors has operated unfavorably on this school ; but Mr. Torrey has shown that the friends of learning in this district need not be discouraged, and that the work of reform has been well begun. The school has been well managed ; good order has been preserved, great promptness and accuracy have been manifested, and the general appearance highly satisfactory. The examination was one of the best we have seen the past year, exhibiting fidelity and energy in the teacher, and industry and a desire for improvement in the pupils. The recitations exhibited not only a retentive memory on the part of the pupils, but an ability to apply the principles they had learned to the common affairs of life, all which gave great satisfaction.
SEVENTH DISTRICT .- The schools in this District for the past year have been progressive, and on the whole successful. The Grammar Department in the summer was intrusted to the care of Miss Josephine Lane, who for the first time undertook the business of teaching. Her uniform energy in the management of the school was followed by excellent order, and the teacher, as the Committee believe, succeeded in securing the good will of her pupils. They seemed to manifest a desire to gratify her by a prompt compliance with her wishes, and the result was very clearly shown in correct and ready recitations at the several visits of the Committee, and also by the very respectable advances made on their previous
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attainments ; and at the closing examination the Committee were highly gratified with the general success of the school.
The winter term was taught by Mr. Henry F. Woodman, a gentleman of considerable experience, well qualified, and in some respects eminently so. The order was good and the pupils were favored with a clear and critical exposition of the principles of the various studies pursued. The Committee believe that if the scholars would practice more self-reliance they would be better able to retain their lessons. Clear and distinct articulation in reading was very conspicuous, and afforded much satisfaction. The Committee at the examination were satisfied with the exer- cises, and that the state of the school was progressive, reflecting much credit on both teacher and pupils.
The Primary School in this District in summer was placed in . charge of Miss B. M. Holbrook, a teacher who had had but little experience in teaching. It was soon very apparent that she pos- sessed qualifications well suited for the employment she had chosen. In about two weeks from the commencement of the school the teacher was obliged to leave the school in consequence of indisposition. After waiting two weeks for her recovery, it was thought best to procure a substitute, and Miss H. A. Fuller was engaged, who remained in charge of the school one month with good success, when the former teacher returned and continued through the term. The school was large, but the teacher fully succeeded in winning the love of her pupils, and by her untiring industry accomplished a good work, and at the closing examina- tion the school appeared to good advantage. The winter term was under the same charge and continued twelve weeks with like success. The progress of the school through the year was thorough and steady, creditable alike to teacher and scholars. The school was too large, and a portion of the scholars would have been sent into the Grammar School if they had been qualified to enter the classes there ; but experience has proved that pupils not qualified to enter a Grammar School do not have that attention their circumstances require, and yet they so multiply classes as to be a serious injury to the progress of all in the school.
EIGHTH DISTRICT-(Pond Street.) The Primary Department of this school for the summer term was placed under the care of Miss Harriet Cloud. The school was very large and many of the
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pupils were very young and unused to the restraints of the school- room. The teacher was herself without experience in teaching, and although she was very industrious and anxious to benefit her scholars, she failed in order and also in securing in the pupils that love of, and attention to study that are indispensable to success. Some of the scholars made considerable improvement, while others seemed to have made none. At the examination the exercises were dull, incorrect, and deficient in most of the points that characterize a profitable school. The winter term was intrusted to the care of Miss L. A. Paddock, a teacher of much experience. At the first visit of the Committee, it was very apparent that the teacher possessed uncommon skill. The attention and promptness of many of the dullest scholars in their recitations plainly showed the effect of the teacher's tact, and throughout the entire term the chief delight of the pupils was in their lessons. The progress of the school was very thorough, particularly in reading and spelling, the most important branches in every Primary School. The examination was excellent in almost every particular, and fully met our highest expectations.
Grammar Department .- This school was in charge, during the summer term, of Miss Susan M. Torrey, one of our most expe- rienced and successful teachers. The appearance of the school at the several visitations was highly satisfactory. The order was excellent, the instruction thorough, and the scholars were generally industrious. The closing examination afforded gratifying evidence that the school had been well conducted, and the Committee expressed themselves as highly pleased with the fidelity of the teacher and the progress of the pupils. The average attendance was unusually large, it being 30, while the whole number of pupils was but 33.
In the winter term the school was in charge of Mr. Lewis E. Noyes, who had taught it for several preceding winters with eminent success. The Committee were gratified with the appear- ance of the school at each visitation. The closing examination was one of peculiar excellence, and elicited much praise from the Committee.
(Randolph Street.)-The summer term was commenced under the care of a young and inexperienced teacher, whose literary qualifications were fully sufficient for the trust, but who, from want of experience or tact; did not maintain that order that is
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indispensable to the success of any school. The school was com- posed of all ages, from four to sixteen years, as it is the only school in that section of the District. At the end of seven weeks, (on consultation with the Committee,) she resigned her charge.
After a lapse of three weeks, Miss Henrietta A. Fuller was procured to take charge of the school, and although she was young and had had but little experience in teaching, yet on the first visitation of the Committee it was very manifest that the teacher possessed great skill in governing the school, for the most perfect order prevailed and was continued through the term. She also conciliated the good will of her pupils, and her labors were crowned with much success. At the closing examination the exercises were such as did honor to both teacher and scholars.
The winter term was under the care of Miss Susan M. Torrey, a teacher of much experience and success, who fully sustained her former reputation. This school is not so far advanced as many of the schools in town. The quiet energy of the teacher and the thoroughness of her instructions were attended with the best results. The order was excellent, and the requirements of exact recitations were very conspicuous at every visit of the Committee ; and at the closing examination, although the Committee put nearly all the questions, the answers were remarkably prompt and correct, and showed very conclusively the energy, perseverance and capability of the teacher and the industry of the scholars.
NINTH DISTRICT .- The Primary Department, during a part of the Summer Term, was in charge of Miss Elizabeth S. Allison. She was obliged, on account of sickness, to relinquish the school about the first of July. At the different visitations of the Com- mittee, the scholars appeared orderly and industrious, and the school generally to be doing well.
Miss Mary A. Rugg had charge of this Department during the remainder of the term. At the different visitations of the Com- mittee it was very evident that the school was suffering much for the want of order ; and at the closing examination it was apparent to the Committee that the school had not sustained its former reputation for good order and progress.
The Primary Department, during the Winter Term, was under the instruction of Miss Sarah H. Rugg. Although the school was in a bad condition at its commencement, owing to previous mis-
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management, the Committee were pleased to see the faithful labors of the teacher for the restoration of the school to its former stand- ing ; and the school, at the closing examination, gave gratifying evidence of the success which attended her efforts, in the good order and correct recitations of the scholars.
The Grammar Division has been in charge of Mr. Theodore C. Pratt, who taught the same school the preceding year.
Good order has uniformly prevailed ; impartiality has been the rule ; and very considerable progress has been made in all the branches receiving attention.
The examination of each Term was creditable both to teacher and scholars, although not of superior excellence.
The Intermediate .Division has been under the instruction of Miss Lydia C. Trufant for three consecutive years. She has earned and is fully entitled to the high reputation accorded her by former Committees, and she has sustained that reputation during the past year. The closing exercises of the Summer Term were excellent, and the appearance of the school during the Winter Term gave full assurance to the Visiting Committee that the examination at its close would not be surpassed, if equalled, by any of its grade in town. Three weeks previous to the time of closing, Miss Tru- fant was obliged, by reason of sickness, to suspend her school, and finding after a week's respite, that her health was not improved, it was deemed best to consider her school as closed, that her mind on this subject might be at rest.
A serious difficulty arose in this District, in the early part of the year, in consequence of a misunderstanding of the relative duties of the School Committee, Prudential Committee, and Teach- ers, at one time threatening serious injury if not ruin to the schools. The evil feared has not, however, been realized. The teachers and Committee, having the best interests of the schools in view, did not suffer their feelings to become so alienated as to prevent free consultation in reference to the welfare of the schools or the giving and receiving, in a proper manner, advice respecting the same .*
* In the month of July last, the Prudential Committee of this District, during one of the regular school days of the Summer Term, closed the school-house, and excluded the teachers and scholars therefrom, claiming to act under a vote of the District directing him to close the school-house for the purpose of permit. ting the teachers to attend a Pic Nic of the Sons of Temperance at Abington.
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TENTH DISTRICT .- In this District there is but one school in the summer. This was taught by Miss Ellen G. Parrott.
This school is a mixed one of primary, intermediate and gram- mar school scholars. The teacher faithfully and cheerfully encoun- tered the extra labor, and, notwithstanding the too many classes, has not failed to secure respectable order and good progress in the several studies pursued.
The examination of this school gave evidence of such a degree of mutual love and confidence between teacher and pupils as tells well for the fidelity with which they have been watched over and cared for during the term. The number of parents and friends present was evidence of their sympathy and interest in the school.
Primary Division-Winter Term. This school was given in charge to Miss Lydia A. Tirrell. Though inexperienced, she brought to her aid ample literary qualifications.
The condition of this school has been uniformly excellent throughout the term.
A pleasing feature of this primary is the cheerfulness and kindly. social feeling of the scholars, and their sincere attachment to their teacher,-a point the Committee are happy to remark upon. Order was maintained without any labored effort, and the school has made commendable progress.
Grammar School .- Mr. J. H. Clark, Teacher. Mr. Clark has had the charge of this school but one term; but in that short period has proved himself well qualified for this great work. A little more of the genial, with his present thoroughness in teach- ing, and firmness in the maintenance of order, will place him amongst our ablest teachers. He made no effort at the examina- tion, for display ; neither did he appear especially desirous to aid his scholars by asking suggestive questions.
The entire exercise showed that there had been a good degree
The School Committee, believing that neither the District, nor the Prudential Committee had the right thus to suspend the schools, and having good reason to suppose the house was thus closed for the purpose of breaking down a rule on that subject properly established by your Committee, they deemed it essential to the protection of the interests of the schools committed to their superintendence. that this purpose should be defeated, and they accordingly broke open and entered the house and admitted the scholars. To recover damages for these acts of alleged trespass, a suit has been commenced by the District against a majority of the members of the School Committee, and is now pending in the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Norfolk.
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