USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1859 > Part 3
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She was painstaking and critical in the formation of correct habits.
The distinctness in reading, and accuracy in pronunciation, wit- nessed at the examination, in the different exercises, reflected much credit upon her method of teaching.
Length of term, eighteen weeks. Whole number of scholars, 47. Average attendance, 38 and a fraction.
Winter Term .- For this term Miss Lois B. Vining was engaged as teacher. Considering this was her first attempt, she was by no nieans unsuccessful. The first few weeks of labor showed a want of experience, and induced her to doubt of success.
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But, ambitious of meeting the expectations of the Committee, patient in the discharge of onerous duties, ready to receive and profit by the suggestions of those interested in the progress of the school, evidence was soon furnished of improvement in the method of instruction adopted, and advancement of the pupils.
Notwithstanding very little time was afforded them for review (on account of sickness of teacher), the examination was highly creditable.
Length of term, seventeen weeks. Whole number of scholars, 45. Average attendance, 37 and a fraction.
SECOND DISTRICT. - Summer Term .- Length of school, twenty- five weeks. Whole number of scholars, 50. Average attendance, 38.
This school was again placed in charge of Miss Eliza French, of whom such favorable mention has been made in our previous reports. The relations subsisting between the teacher and her pupils continued to be of the most pleasant and profitable charac- ter, enabling the former to accomplish a good work for the intel- lectual and moral culture of the latter.
The order of the school, as usual, was good ; the interest of the scholars in their studies, and their proficiency therein, were fair, and the several exercises, at the closing examination, of a praise- worthy character.
Winter Term. - The school this term, or at least the first part of it, was less fortunate and successful than the preceding. It commenced under favorable auspices, and continued some seven or eight weeks, when the teacher, Miss French, felt obliged to sus- pend the school, on account of severe sickness in her family : and, on going into school again, after a short recess, she, herself, was soon taken sick and obliged to leave for the term.
Being unable to secure, at once, a suitable teacher to take her place, the school was again suspended for some weeks. At length, Mrs. H. F. Woodman, whose labors had been attended with great success in another part of the town, was put into the school for six weeks. The school is still in progress; and, from the known efficiency and thoroughness of the teacher, the most favorable re. sults are anticipated.
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THIRD DISTRICT .- Grammar School .- Miss Susan J. F. Pratt, teacher.
This school has held a very high rank among the Grammar Schools of the town for several years past, and under its present very efficient teacher, fully sustains the high character that has been so justly awarded to it.
As a disciplinarian, she stands preëminently high, enforcing order and obedience quietly and with but little apparent effort ; and at the same time thoroughly vital, with no undue severity.
Being a good scholar, the instruction which her pupils re- ceived was of a very high order. Her habits of thought and action, are accurate and energetic; and these qualities have been largely imparted to the school.
A gratifying moral and intellectual influence was manifestly extending itself throughout the department. Thus, by her admirable tact, unceasing labors, and extra exertions, the progress of the scholars has been in every particular most satisfactory.
The classes generally, showed the quality of the labor that had been bestowed, and were justly entitled to commendation.
At the close of the school, the reading and spelling by elements and dictation exercises, were particularly gratifying, and are seldom surpassed.
Mention might be made of the classes in the Mathematics, Geography, and History, as presenting a fine appearance.
Summer term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 52. Average attendance, 40.
Winter term, twenty-one weeks.
Whole number of pupils, 55. Average attendance, 45 and a fraction.
Intermediate School. - Miss Mary C. Cowing, teacher. This school has been under the care of the same teacher for several terms, and still merits the commendation of the Com- mittee.
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This school is composed of a grade of pupils that demand no limited amount of labor on the part of the teacher.
In order to establish and maintain good government, to infuse spirit and animation into the exercises of such a school, a teacher must possess rare qualities ; patient, inventive, possessing an aptness for the work.
Should the present relation be continued, we hope the teacher will feel the importance of being fully prepared for this post of trust.
The government of a school is decidedly more excellent, when founded on affection, than on oft-repeated words and unmeaning threats.
The teacher has labored hard, and encountered many diffi- culties. Improvement in the discipline and order, has, we think, within the last few weeks, been quite apparent.
This school now sustains a favorable rank among the schools of this grade.
The teacher manifests earnestness and activity, in the per- formance of her duties.
The closing exercises were regarded by the Committee as worthy of commendation.
Summer term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 57. Average attendance, 40 and a fraction.
Winter term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 52. Average attendance, 43.
Upper Primary Department .- Miss Maria L. Bates, teacher. Our visits to this school have been frequent, and quite satis- factory. The school is large and laborious, nevertheless the government was uniform and efficient.
The recitations evinced a want of clearness in the studies, to which the attention of the pupils had been directed. The relation between the teacher and her pupils has evidently been one of tenderness and affection.
In the several exercises, there was manifested from time to time, the result of continued diligence on the part of the
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teacher; and had she been inventive, and combined the oral system of teaching with that of the text-books, she would have been more successful.
The parents and friends of this school, have, during the past year, taken a lively interest in its welfare, and a large number were present at the examinations.
Summer term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 58. Average attendance, 43.
Winter term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 52. Average attendance, 44 and a fraction.
Lower Primary Department .- At the commencement of the year, this school was under the charge of Miss Marianna Bates, of Hingham, who left at the close of the Summer term.
It is but due to state, that the teacher, having no experience, was unsuccessful in securing order and good discipline, until near the close of the term; when, in this particular, there was some improvement.
She was succeeded by Miss Sarah E. Loud, who entered the school, promising from her long experience, to render efficient aid.
With mildness of manner, she unites firmness and decision- traits of great excellence in any instructor, and absolutely indispensable to success here.
There was evidently much improvement in the appearance of the school. Several of the classes in the Alphabet at the commencement of the term, read quite fluently at the examina- tion, and only a few in their letters.
Summer term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 76. Average attendance, 48 and a fraction.
Winter term, twenty-one weeks. Whole number of pupils, 73. Average attendance, 40 and a fraction.
FOURTH DISTRICT. - Primary Division. - Summer Term. - Length of term, twenty-six weeks. Whole number of scholars, 78. Average attendance, 53.
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It is sufficient to say, in approbation of this school, that it was taught by Miss A. M. Webster, who has rendered so much valuable service therein in years past, and that this was, confessedly, one of her most successful terms. The government of the school was mild and equable, and uniformly excellent ; and the teacher, possessing a happy tact for com- bining oral instructions with the lessons of text books, suc- ceeded admirably in keeping up the interest of her pupils, and making the school-room to them an attractive place of resort. It is true, the teacher suffered much from impaired health during the term, but it is believed that the school did not sustain any loss thereby. The closing examination was very satisfactory, giving evidence of unusual aptness to teach, and fidelity on the part of the instructor.
Winter Term .- Length, fourteen weeks. Whole number of scholars, 46. Average attendance, 38.
By the promotion of Miss Webster to the Grammar Depart- ment, a vacancy occurred in this school, and Miss Mary Proc- tor was selected to fill the same. From her known moral worth, her excellent scholarship, and her experience in teach- ing, we anticipated the most favorable results from her connection with the school, but for reasons incomprehensible to us, our anticipations failed in part to be realized. Although the teacher appeared to be conscientiously devoted to her task, and desired to do her whole duty, yet the school was not at any time carried up to a condition entirely satisfactory to us, either as respects its order, or its systematic and thorough instruction.
Grammar Department .- Summer Term .- Length, twenty-six weeks. Whole number of scholars, 35. Average attendance, 30.
This school was taught this term by Miss Lizzie W. John- son, whose experience as a teacher had hitherto been in a sister State. Securing, at the outset, the confidence and love of her scholars - seeking to induce them to do right for its own sake, she ruled her school by the law of love, and with most excellent results. Devoting herself with unfaltering
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fidelity to her task, she infused a portion of her own earnest spirit into the hearts of her pupils; and the love and interest she manifested for them, were well repaid by the good order and diligence in study which prevailed in her school.
In consequence of her sickness, her school was closed with- out the usual examination.
Winter Term .- Fourteen weeks in length. Whole number of scholars, 41. Average attendance, 38. The school, this term, was taught by Miss A. M. Webster, of whom mention has already been made in connection with the Primary Depart- ment. Bringing to her charge here the same tact, ability and devotion to duty which characterized her efforts in the lower school, she earned and achieved a gratifying success. Her school always appeared orderly and industrious, and, as might be expected, accomplished a good amount of work. Most of the exercises at the closing examination were of a high order of excellence, and received, as they deserved, the commenda- tion of the Committee.
It is due to Miss Webster, who has gone from us with health, we fear, serious impaired, to say that during the three years she has been in our schools, she has shown herself a conscientious, laborious, and successful teacher, and that her labors for the development and culture of those under her charge have given much satisfaction to the Committee and her patrons generally. May a kind Providence smile upon her, granting her renewed health and strength, and continued usefulness.
FIFTH DISTRICT .- Grammar Department .- Summer Term .- Miss H. Maria Vining, teacher. Length of term, twenty-seven and a half weeks. Whole number of scholars, 47; average attendance, 34.
As Miss Vining had had no experience in teaching, and as the school had given trouble to some former teachers, the Committee had fears, when she took charge of it, as to her ability to govern it. But the first visit sufficed to remove
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these fears, she having succeeded in bringing the school into a satisfactory state of order, and establishing her authority over it. This authority she maintained through the term, though not without great exertion. She was as thorough in instruction, as she was efficient in discipline. The general appearance of the school was satisfactory to the Committee at his several visits. The closing examination gave evidence of great fidelity on the part of the teacher, and of much appli- . cation on the part of the scholars. It was spoken of by the Committee in terms of high commendation.
Winter Term .- The same teacher. Scholars, 55. Average, 43.
A spirit of insubordination was manifested by a few boys, which made it necessary for the teacher to be prompt and firm in her discipline. This may account in part, if not entirely, for a government which seemed to some severely rigid. The general appearance of the school was satisfactory. The teacher was wholly devoted to its interests, and the pupils generally were industrious. There was the same thoroughness of instruction, as in the preceding term. The closing examina- tion was highly commended. Miss Vining is one of our most promising teachers.
Primary Department .- Summer Term .- Miss Elizabeth Tor- rey, teacher. Length of term, twenty-eight weeks. Scholars, 72. Average attendance, 57.
The school always appeared well when visited by the Com- mittee. The order was perfect, and the recitations good. The teacher was faithful, and the scholars were well disposed, quiet, and studious. The closing examination gave great satis- faction. The pupils read and recited distinctly, as well as correctly.
Winter Term .- The same teacher. Length of term, twelve weeks. Scholars, 60. Average attendance, 50.
The school was taught with the same ability and success as in the preceding term. Miss Torrey succeeded to a remark- able degree in securing the good will and confidence of her pupils. The closing examination was highly commended.
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SIXTH DISTRICT .- Grammar Department .- Summer Term .- Mr. W. F. Sampson, teacher. Length of term, twenty-nine weeks. Scholars, 46. Average attendance, 31.
The school was in a good state when Mr. Sampson took charge of it, and for a time it appeared to be doing well under his care. He was familiar with the studies pursued, and gave thorough instruction in them. But it became manifest, later in the term, that the discipline was not sufficiently thorough, and that the scholars were losing their interest in study. The teacher received kindly the suggestions of the Committee, and exerted himself to remove the existing evils, and with partial success. But he failed to secure such propriety of conduct and attention to study as the prosperity of the school required. The closing examination was not satisfactory to the Committee or to the teacher.
The Winter term continued fourteen weeks. Scholars, 58. Average attendance, 49.
The teacher, Mr. C. D. Pratt, succeeded, with much effort, in bringing the school into a state of subordination, and in awaken- ing in the scholars an interest in study. The school appeared to be doing well when visited. The teacher was interested and faithful, and the pupils generally industrious. The school was interrupted near the close by the measles, which prevented a full review of the studies of the term. The closing examina- tion gave evidence that the school had been a profitable one. Although some of the exercises were deficient, yet many were of high excellence.
Primary Department .- Summer Term .- Length, thirty weeks. Scholars, 74. Average attendance, 50.
Length of Winter term, fourteen weeks. Scholars, 56. Average attendance, 38.
This school was taught through the year by Miss Elizabeth White, who has been its teacher for several years. The order of the school was generally good, and the scholars seemed to be interested in their studies. The closing examination of the Summer term was of great excellence. The exercises at the
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close of the Winter term were not equally good, which may be owing to the interruption of the school by the measles. The exercises in reading and spelling were excellent.
SEVENTH DISTRICT .- Grammar Department .- Summer Term. Length, twenty-four weeks. Whole number, 46; average, 35.
This school was under the charge of Mr. H. F. Woodman, who taught it so satisfactorily the preceding term. He exhib- ited his usual efficiency in government and thoroughness in instruction, and the school made a gratifying progress during the term. The closing examination elicited much commendation.
He continued in charge of the school through the winter term, which was twelve weeks in length. Whole number of
scholars fifty-nine, average forty-eight. Good order was maintained. Most of the pupils were diligent in study. The teacher was eminently thorough in all his instructions, giving to his scholars a rare opportunity of becoming acquainted with the principles and ground work of the studies pursued. That most of them improved this opportunity was manifest at the closing examination, which was one of great excellence. This school suffered from the prevailing epidemic.
Primary Department .- Summer Term. - Twenty-five weeks. Whole number, 52. Average, 34.
Winter Term .- Eleven weeks. Whole number, 58. Aver- age, 37.
Teacher, through both terms, Miss Lucy E. Hunt. Miss Hunt conducted the school in the same faithful and satisfactory manner as in the preceding year. She maintained good order, secured the good will of her pupils, and gave them thorough instruction. The closing examination of each term was satis- factory to the Committee. This school also suffered from the measles the latter part of the winter term.
BRANCH PRIMARY SCHOOL .- In accordance with the vote of the District, a Primary School was kept in the summer, in the north part of the district. It was entrusted to Miss Melinda J. Blanchard, and was continued twenty weeks, the whole
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number of scholars being forty-two, and the average atten- dance thirty-three. The teacher was interested in her school, and spared no exertion for its welfare. Had she had the con- veniences of a good school room, she might have succeeded better in maintaining order in her school, and, consequently, advancing her pupils in knowledge.
EIGHTH DISTRICT .- Grammar Department .- Summer Term .- Length, twenty-four weeks. Scholars, 51. Average attend- ance, 42.
Winter Term .- Ten weeks. Scholars, 49. Average, 42.
This school was in charge, during the year, of Miss Susan M. Torrey, of whose success in other schools the Committee have spoken in former reports. The appearance of the school when visited was highly satisfactory. The teacher was mild, yet efficient in discipline, and thorough in instruction. The scholars were orderly and industrious; and, generally, their recitations were good. The closing examination of each term was highly commended.
Primary Department .- Summer Term .- Length, twenty-four weeks. Scholars, 65. Average, 42.
Winter Term .- Ten weeks. Scholars, 55. Average, 35.
Miss Lydia A. Paddock taught the school through the year. She has much tact to interest children, and her scholars made great proficiency under her instruction. The Committee were pleased with the exercises at each of the closing examinations. The pupils generally spoke distinctly and with animation.
Randolph Street School .- Summer Term .- Length, twenty weeks. Scholars, 59. Average, 45.
Miss Henrietta A. Fuller, teacher. The school appeared well when visited. The pupils were orderly, and most of them studious ; some of them were exceedingly interested in their studies. The closing examination, though not free from im- perfections, was yet creditable to the teacher and scholars. Some of the pupils had made very commendable progress.
Winter Term .- Length, twelve weeks. Scholars, 45. Average,
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39. The teacher, Mr. J. French, having had many years' ex- perience in teaching, much was expected of him. His mode of instruction, however, being somewhat different from that to which the scholars had been accustomed, and the term being short, the progress of the school was not great. The teacher aimed to improve his pupils morally as well as intellectually, and there is reason to think. that, in this respect, he accom- plished a good work. But it did not appear at the closing examination that the scholars had advanced much in their studies.
NINTH DISTRICT .- Lower Primary Division .- Length of first term, twenty-seven weeks. Whole number of scholars, 84. Average attendance, 61.
Length of second term, fourteen weeks. Whole number of scholars, 52. Average attendance, 35.
This school has been taught another year by Miss Sarah A. White, the young lady who managed it so efficiently last year. Her first term this year was even more successful than the preceding terms, and notwithstanding her school was so large, and composed of children of a tender age, it always appeared well, and the little ones seemed to be commencing aright the acquisition of knowledge.
At the closing examination, the pupils made a fine appear- ance ; reading and spelling quite well for beginners, practicing calisthenics in a pleasing manner, and there was one class in Arithmetic, the members of which recited so promptly and accurately, that they received much praise.
The second term was badly broken up by sickness-the whooping-cough being very prevalent amongst the scholars- consequently the number in school, and the average attendance, were comparatively small ; and, of course, less was accomplished than in preceding terms.
Upper Primary Division .- Length of first term, twenty-seven weeks. Whole number of scholars, 61. Average attendance, 52.
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Length of second term, fourteen weeks. Whole number of scholars, 58. Average attendance, 52.
This school was conducted during the year by Miss Anna E. Wright, a young lady who resides in the district, and who was educated in our own schools. Young and inexperienced in teaching, she entered upon her task with much solicitude. Ambitious to succeed, and very conscientious in the discharge of her duties, she devoted herself with great fidelity to the interests of her school. And the results were such as to reflect much credit both on the teacher and scholars. As a disciplina- rian, Miss Wright is surpassed by very few teachers ; and the order and decorum prevailing in her school-room, were always gratifying. The first term was a decided success, and the exercises at the closing examination were quite satisfactory to the Committee. In the Winter term, although there was the same faithfulness on the part of the teacher, yet, perhaps in consequence of her protracted ill health, the results reached were not quite so satisfactory.
Some of the classes at the examination did not do as well as we could wish, and others exhibited much which we could heartily commend.
James Merritt and John Orr were not absent nor tardy during the year.
Intermediate Division .- Length of first term, twenty-seven weeks. Whole number of scholars, 55. Average attendance, 47.
Length of second term, 14 weeks. Whole number of scholars, 60. Average attendance, 51.
Miss Maria V. Boardman, who taught this school the previous year, and of whom favorable mention was made in our last report, continued in charge of it during the past year, with her accustomed success.
In some respects the school has done well, and in others, not all that could be wished. The order of the school has generally been good, though perhaps not quite up to what it was the
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year before. The teacher aimed to be thorough in her system of instruction, and had she always been critically accurate herself, she would have been a very efficient and successful instructor of youth.
The examination at the close of both terms, presented much to gratify and commend, there being comparatively but few failures or errors. The classes in Arithmetic and Geography were worthy of special mention, on account of the excellence of their performances.
Walter Allison was neither absent nor tardy, during the year. Charles Merritt absent but one day, and that on account of sickness.
Grammar Division .- Length of first term, 27 weeks. Whole . number of scholars, 39. Average attendance, 31.
Length of second term, 14 weeks. Whole number of scholars, 47. Average attendance, 42.
Miss Mary T. Clapp, who taught with universal acceptance in one of the primary schools in the district last year, was, at the commencement of this year, promoted to the grammar division, and the result of her efforts there has vindicated the wisdom of her election to that important post. Our expecta- tions, based upon her previous success, were somewhat high, and they have been fully realized. Being herself a live teacher, she succeeds in infusing a good degree of her own enthu- siasm into the minds of her pupils. The school has always been in a satisfactory condition, and her scholars have made good proficiency in their studies. The examination at the close of both terms was in most respects highly creditable to the scholars and honorable to the teacher. The first class in Arithmetic, and the first in Grammar, the classes in Algebra and in History, deserve to be especially mentioned for the excellence of their several performances. The spelling, also, of the first class, as evidenced by the report, was of a high order. In addition to the exercises in the speller, 1200 words were given them during the term, to be written in a hand book, as
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