USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1863 > Part 4
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EIGHTH DISTRICT - MISS NORTON.
Very much praise and many pleasant things could be written of this school and its beloved teacher, did space permit. We will only say, it abounds in excellent material of both sexes. Its two examinations were highly gratifying evidences of thoroughness in every department, and of the ability and appli- cation of both children and instructor, and its closing exhibition a very pleasant occasion, though somewhat saddened by the closing of Miss N.'s connection with the school. The reading here, from almost the oldest to the youngest is remarkably good. Map drawing and composition are also fine features. At the close of the last forenoon, a beautiful gold pen was presented by the children to their departing friend and preceptress.
EIGHTH DISTRICT - RANDOLPH ST. SCHOOL.
. This is a mixed school, and, at the commencement of the year, was found to be below other schools of its kind, and many of its classes below other classes of their age and grade. Miss
55
Pratt, a new teacher from abroad, was instructed to seek the advancement of the classes and the elevation of the tone and order of the school as wisely and quietly as possible, and she has succeeded somewhat in the matter of improvement, though much yet remains to be done. In difficult cases, a teacher should be very wise and forbearing, learning not to answer again to angry and provoking words; and parents, especially, should learn to subdue wrath, and set good examples to the children they send to school. There have been some difficulties in this district tending to the injury of the order and the overthrow of authority ; but at the closing examination, the classes appeared much better than was feared, and we are happy to learn that the superior and larger portion of the district will sustain the teacher in her orders, her demands for study, and her penalties. Miss Pratt resigns, but the succeeding teacher should hold the standard high, and should be sustained.
NINTH DISTRICT.
Miss Sarah A. White, the teacher of last year, took the school again, but her health failing at the close of the summer term, Miss Emma C. Leach, a successful instructor, was promoted from the Fourth Primary to fill her place. Bringing fresh vigor, and governing chiefly by a quiet, persistent moral power, which the school felt the first week, she has already achieved a large and encouraging success. The closing examination was a good one. The reading needs to be brought up in the matter of distinctness, and there were a few failures at the board; but even in these exercises the majority were exceptions, while Geography, Spelling, Colburn were all good, and some very good. Order excellent.
TENTH DISTRICT.
Here we have some very fine material of both sexes, and some that needs a firm womanly or manly hand to mould it aright. Not maliciousness is required, but fun alone can injure
56
a school, unless it be kept in its place. Laughing, much whis- pering in the class and in the seat, inattention and bad beha- vior during recitation, are marked frequently in my notes. And yet, I have no doubt that the best which can be done by this teacher, with this school and these scholars, has been done, un- less home influence is brought to bear in such a way as virtu- ally to do the work of government. Parents, if they choose to labor enough, can sustain almost any one in a school; but this should hardly be demanded, though we ask much of them. Giving the teacher credit for the best intents and for scholarly ability, recognizing that there has been some considerable ad- vance in the studies and a closing examination with many fine features, it must be said, I think, that the school is too difficult for the present teacher to cope with successfully and with best results, unless a rigid gradation oblige the large and. capable boys, irrespective of distance, to attend the grammar school. Even then, there will be more need of law than of liberties.
ELEVENTH DISTRICT.
This school was taught until Thanksgiving vacation, by Miss Reed, who did her part faithfully toward making it a good one, and this also with fair success considering the material, the lack of " the stimulus of numbers," and the apparently low standard of attainment desired. Some of the pupils were punctual and regular, industrious, and worthy of praise, and it was owing to these, that the first examination passed so creditably as it did. Several times this school has had but seventeen present, and this in the best of weather, and without detention by sickness ; - sometimes fifteen only. Whatever may be the excuse, it is unfortunate for all parties. Miss Priscilla B. Shaw, who has taught with good repute in our town before, took the school for the remainder of the year. Either under the influence of new- ness in teacher, or of some worthier reason as we hope and trust, the order of this school has improved, and the twenty present at the closing examination did well.
57
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
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This, with one exception, has been an eminent success. The school in the First District during the summer term was under Mr. E. V. Lyon. Mr. L. was not demonstrative with the affec- tions, but he had gained the confidence of the parents by his manly bearing and character, and could he have remained, would have won the love, as he had already the respect, of the schol- ars, by his impartiality and true interest in their welfare. He had a very high standard, was thorough, an excellent mathema- tician, and closed with an examination only inferior to one in the town. Mr. Armington succeeded, and, with his pleasant yet entirely truthful spirit, has moved successfully about his work sustained by the parents and liked by the children. Con- sidering the disadvantages almost necessarily arising from a change, even when teachers are equally worthy, this school has done remarkably well. There is need of more genuineness, so to speak, in reading - giving up false inflections and abstain- ing from unnatural pauses, a strange temptation in some schools, as though the rules had mastered the feeling that underlies them, and had robbed us of soul. Distinctness, too, and volume of tone should be cultivated here, and especially the former because of the largeness of the room. The other studies and exercises of the school deserve to be well spoken of, as very commendable progress has been made in them all, though two classes, and they considered the best in school, disappointed us at the black-board at the final examination. The classes in geography, map drawing, history, grammar, spelling, and “ the first " in arithmetic did themselves justice.
The school in the Third District, under Mr. J. P. Brown, has been fully requited for the disadvantages of last year, and has equalled our good and just expectations. Mr. B. governs almost with a glance and a word, easily and well. In arith metic, though this teacher does not undertake to be so nice in
8
58
his formulas and exhaustive in his explanations as some, chiefly emphasizing the work and the processes, the how rather than the why, yet a great amount of ground has been gone over, and that well for all the practical purposes of life, and without the temptation to rebelliousness, which a finer and fuller and more disciplinary demand has sometimes brought. The reading here is full and distinct, and, in many cases, has the higher virtues of imaginative sympathy and manifest appreciation. Let this department be magnified in all our schools. The final exami- nation, which fell into our hands to conduct entirely - Mr. B. being sick, - was a very good one, and especially praiseworthy under the circumstances. At the close, the scholars, headed by Dr. Fay and the superintendent, proceeded to the rooms of Mr. Brown, where, in a neat speech by one of the young ladies, a rich photograph album containing many of the children's " faces " was presented. Mr. B. resigns for another profession.
FIFTH DISTRICT.
This school, under Mr. Torrey, has made a very evident progress, while some of the difficulties overcome, evince a patience and a quiet wisdom for which the parents and friends of learning here will not be too thankful, and which are among the best guarantees of future success. Thoroughness and criti- cal accuracy in every thing are here the rule, and this from the necessity of the teacher's own loves and mental habits. This is as it should be. When an instructor is trying to force self, because of outward pressure, to an altitude for which he or she has not had preparation or the native taste, all must go grat- ingly and slow. If there is one thing to be criticized here, it is a little hurry and consequent want of distinctness in some recitations, which is less apparent to the teacher, familiar as he is with voices and technicalities of studies. Both examinations in
59
this school were of a high order, - the algebra, the explanation of square and cube root, and the application of the former ; also problems in mensuration, explanations of fractions, and some features in Colburn were noteworthy for their promptness and finish. Whispering, it may be said in conclusion, has been a trouble here, but is nearly eradicated.
SIXTH DISTRICT.
This school under Mr. Rogers has continued in the good course commenced last year. It has some very excellent material, a fine collection of boys, who, with their sisters, have enjoyed almost the best of drill through the sessions. The reading here is better than average in the direction of distinct- ness, spirit and sensibility ; the written arithmetic, both text and explanations at the board, showed faithful labor upon part of both teacher and taught; the Colburn class, taking up difficult questions not in the book, was excellent, and the geography · and declamation unusually good. Of course committee folks are never to be perfectly satisfied, and the critical appetite grows by what it feeds on. We recall some mistakes in pro- nunciation and grammar, and finally near a whole class in spelling, which like a tumbling row of bricks concluded to follow suit in failing, so that a word which any one must have been able to have stopped on common days, about conquered them ; - so necessary is poise and a quiet spirit for the intellect. Mr. Rogers resigns.
EIGHTH DISTRICT - MR. WOODMAN.
It would be a source of happiness, could I do what I conceive to be justice in my report, to this teacher and his faithful scholars. Then, too, I should perform my duty and serve the town. Here is a school of the very highest standard known among or near us, and this in every respect. And here are
60
thirty-nine or more scholars, who, through all difficulties and much hard work, have stood by their instructor and sought to carry out to their very best ability, his high ideals of accuracy, thoroughness and general excellence. And for this, neither they nor the parents who have so well encouraged and held them up to the toil, will be sorry to their dying day. We are all thankful as we look back for the kind severities and loving violences that knew better than we, and spurred and persuaded and obliged, at last, our backward spirit or our half rebellious feet over the ground. As was said by the superintendent of last year, and both instructor and the instructed may share the word -" this school is now in its attainments a noble achieve- ment of skill and energy." Not that we have perfectness ; " to err is human," and strong natures are sometimes impatient with weak ones or forget to measure the whole distance that lies between. And though there are good suggestions and timely council for parents to offer which if frankly and manfully given, a noble mind will meet as frankly, yet let us. beware that hurt pride or unworthy feelings of any kind do not attempt to drag down to their own dead level. The closing examination of this school, which, with all its excellencies, was only a repetition of what transpires essentially every day, was most satisfactory to all present, and left but little, if anything, to be desired. Not only are reasons given, underlying principles understood, and in grammatical analysis fine distinctions insisted upon, but this is to be done in the best way, logically, joining sentences neatly, and even careful, amid all; of the pronunciation. And this promotes that fineness and vigor of mind, which, like the gold and fine gold, is better than mere learning. To know is glorious, but to feel mental power, glowing within you, born of many difficulties grappled with, many conquests achieved and much drill endured - this is glory and joy superior. Where
61
all was good it seems needless to specify, but the performance of some very difficult sums - from " the National " - by sheer intellectual grasp, and without going to the board, was a feature which elicited much admiration. The thoroughness of the grammar department, brought out by some special exercises, and the superior penmanship, were noted with much gratifica- tion.
THE NINTH.
This school has been unfortunate and so unsuccessful, com- pared with the others. It has had to struggle with many ab- sences, especially in the summer term; has been closed for sickness and fear of an epidemic, and has had several teachers. It was doing well on an average, and would have taken a fair stand with the rest could it have kept the services of one faith- ful teacher through the year. The first instructor leaving, Mrs. Stetson, a lady of rare attainments and admirable adaptedness for her work, consented to serve us the remainder of the term, " gathering up " in her own expressive language, " the broken threads of another's work." But being taken sick after having taught a few weeks, and gaining the affections of her whole school, Mr. Tirrell succeeded. The closing examination was better than might have been fairly expected, but not good. May we be repaid here for our misfortunes, by a thorough and faithful teacher, meanwhile learning to appreciate, that we may learn to co-operate.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Again, under disadvantages of distance, this noble school has fought through its year with heats and colds, and rains and snow, as well as inward foes that tempt, and has " come out " with a larger " whole number " and " average " for this winter, than the preceding. The " average," also, for the year, as compared with the year's " whole number," is larger than last; and this is partly owing, it is thought, to the three years'
62
course introduced, followed by graduating diplomas and stimu- lating perseverance. And here it may be suggested, that it would be greatly for the benefit of education in this town, if, following the lead of the best, a more graded and detailed course of study could be arranged, commencing with the Sub- Primary, and extending to the High School, fitting for and ending in that. It would not injure, but benefit, those who never entered the school.
A very great amount of work has been performed here the past year, and indeed, if any criticism is to be offered, it is our old one, in Latin phrase, " Festina lente "; or in good Saxon, " hasten slowly." Health underlies all power that endures, and " a cripple in the right, beats a racer in the wrong." Since last year the library has received one hundred volumes, making now two hundred and fifty, beside many pamphlets and papers. The cabinet of Natural History has received some fine contributions. The list of studies is the same as last year, and a weekly paper, very fine extracts from which were read at the closing examination, is sustained with much ability.
Too much cannot be said of the influence, in a thousand ways - none the less real for not being coarse and gross - which this or such a school exercises upon all the rest. It has been frequently referred to in the " talks" of the Superintendent with the other schools, and besides, must con- tinue to send out for our own children, excellent or inferior teachers, unless, indeed, we are content with foreign importa- tions alone.
At the close of the summer term there was a public exhibition, of which, speaking, composition and singing constituted the staple, and crowned by the annual re-union, where were en- joyed both " the feast of reason and the flow of soul."
The final examination, in February, was one unsurpassed in merit by that of any previous year, and was an uninterrupted
1
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stream of good things from morn till late toward night, telling only to the initiated eye, and only dimly to that, of the thorough, accurate scholarship of the Principal and the co-operation of his faithful pupils.
The drill furnished in this school to young men seeking a liberal education, is equal to what many men enjoyed only fifteen or twenty years ago, during the first year of a college course ; while the instruction in reading, book-keeping, literary composi- tion and criticism, mental and natural philosophy, preparing for the attainment and enjoyment of all within the folds of the English language, is superior.
Declamations and original compositions were interspersed, like commendable exclamation marks, in the programme, and à valedictory oration finished this whole literary and scholarly exhibit. To the graduating class, consisting of five young ladies, diplomas, certifying to honorable completion of the pre- scribed course, were presented in a few pleasant and appropriate remarks by Hon. J. W. Loud, Chairman of the Committee, after which, with a hurried word of commendation from the Superin- tendent, and praise and prayer to the good Father of all, we parted.
GENERAL REMARKS.
TEACHERS.
The Teacher should be healthy and happy, teaching with an overflow of love and wisdom. Indeed, some of the most opposite goods will be united in the best educators, pliability and firm- ness, persuasiveness and command; the sunshine of sweetness on the face of strength. We say the whole, when we say that the instructor should be an inspirer as well as governor, and able to oscillate at pleasure to any one point in the whole arc of thought and feeling which lies between the child and the man.
PARENTS AND HOME GOVERNMENT.
No thoughtful visitor of our schools, can fail to see the homes of many children in their demeanor and countenance. Whether
64
rich or poor makes little difference to these hieroglyphs of character. Some are sullen and rebellious and insincere ; others clear-eyed, frank and obedient. In the background of these, we seem to see the steady parental hand of mingling firmness and affection, and to hear the words of fredom, council, and command; in the former, too plainly, we read carelessness, misrule, anarchy, and low-sphered thought. What we need is a high and honorable co-operation with teachers-always the presumption that these are right, never a discussion of an instruc- tor's character or ability before the child, and, in case of diffi- culties, immediate and courteous reference to the same with a willingness to admit, that very possibly, after all, our darlings may have some smallest taint of that old leaven which plagued our own youth, and that needs the loving and judicious home management for its extirpation. Better rather, though we do not fully endorse it, yet better the old, strong prescription of a generation ago, " Son, if you are whipped at school, I'll whip you when you get home," than that unfortunate, murmuring weakness, the no government and spoiled children, which it is to feared, characterize so many of our homes.
D. F. GODDARD, Superintendent.
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School Statistics.
No. of District.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
No. Scholars.
Average attendance.
No. under 5 years of
No. over 15 years of
age.
Months.
Days.
Wages of Teachers per month.
TERM.
High Sch ·
L. Z. Ferris, A. B. .
39
33
.
29
5
15
$90 00 90 00
Summer. Winter.
Summer.
Mr. J. W Armington, .
36
28
6
5
15
42 00
Winter.
Miss L. Maria Pratt,
44
33 2-3
1
6
. .
18 00
Winter.
Miss Lizzie W. Clark, .
55
42
.
.
II.
Miss Ellen G. Parrott, .
61
2
3
15
30 00 30 00
Summer. Winter.
III.
Mr. J. P. Brown, .
38
33 1-3
5
4
. . 45 00
Summer.
36
32
-7
6
50 00
Winter.
Mrs. S. Ellen Nash, .
46
35
.
.
.
4
. .
16 00
Summer.
Miss Mary C. Cowing, .
59
40
.
.
·
3
15
14 00
Summer.
Miss Maria L. Bates,
48
35
. .
.
.
4
5
14 00
Winter.
Miss Margaret Raymond, . S
77
48
13
3
15
14 00
Summer.
76
43
14
.
.
4
5
14 00
Winter.
34
31 1-2
. .
.
IV.
Miss Carrie M. Clapp,
35
30
. .
·
.
5
15
18 00
Winter .
Miss Emma C. Leach,
55
45 1-5
1
.
3
10
16 00
Summer.
Miss M. Ella Hunt,
56
42 2-5
.
.
.
5
10
16 00
Winter.
42
36
·
V.
Mr. Bradford Torrey, .
40
29
.
.
5
15
40 00
Winter.
Mrs. Lydia T. Cushing, .
60
48
8
4
·
.
16 00
Winter.
Miss Lizzie L. Cushing .
36
29 1-2
8
4
. .
16 00
Summer.
36
24
5
·
5
·
16 00
Winter.
VI.
Mr. Charles M. Rogers, .
40
30
.
2
5
.
42 50
Winter.
61
43
3
·
3
5
16 00
Summer.
Miss Ellen M. Williams, .
66
39
. .
. .
5
15
16 00
Winter.
I.
Mr. E. V. Lyon, .
38
29
.
.
·
·
4
. .
· ·
18 00
Summer.
48
40
.
3
15
16 00
Summer. Winter.
Miss Ellen M. White, .
60
44+ 45++
1
Miss Amy Adlington, .
53
40
.
.
4
5
18 00
Summer. Winter.
5
15
18 90
54
37
Winter.
42
30
.
.
4
4
5
40 00
Summer.
Summer.
55
41
3
·
.
.
2
5
42 50
Summer.
42
32
. .
34
4
5
· {
46
43
33 1-3
4
·
5
5
16 00
6
. .
+
.
.
5
16 00
. .
4
5 18 00
Summer.
16 00
5
42 00
39
Length of Term.
age.
66
School Statistics - continued.
No. of District.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
No. of Schools.
Average attendance.
No. under 5 years of
No. over 15 years of
age.
Months.
Days.
Wages of Teachers per month.
TERM.
VII.
Miss S. L. Vining,
41
35
66 2-5
13
.
.
16 00
Summer.
Mrs. Maria A. Morrill, .
66
60
5
·
.
.
VIII.
Miss Lucy M. Norton,
47
42
. .
.
.
1
6
10
18 00
Summer.
Miss E. Jennie Pratt,
50
30 1-2
.
1
3
. .
18 00
Winter.
Summer.
Miss Eunice Sprague,
54
46
1
10
6
15
50 00
Summer.
Mr. Henry F. Woodman, .
39
34
.
10.
3
5
50 00
Winter.
Mr. C. D. Pratt,
43
26
·
14
3
15
50 00
Summer.
Mrs. - Stetson,
47
34 18-25
.
·
Miss Sarah A. White,
47
34
.
.
4
5
18 00
Summer.
Miss Emma C. Leach,
48
37
5
15
18 00
Winter.
Miss Carrie F. Trott, .
61
44
. .
. .
5
16 00
Winter.
Miss E. M. Phillips,
68
52
. .
Miss Lizzie E. Bailey,
64
52
Winter.
Miss Lizzie E. Bailey.
67
47 1-2
8
3
·
14 00
Summer.
Miss Emma A. Trott,
42 .
30
1
5
·
14 00
Winter.
X
Miss Martha J. Stevens, .
43
31
Winter.
Miss M. Louise Graves, .
42
27
1
·
.
16 00
Winter.
XI.
Miss J. Ellen Reed, .
S
32
24 1-3
. .
1
3
15
18 00
Summer.
Miss Priscilla B. Shaw, . .
28
24
Winter.
48
34 1-3
3
. .
3
15
16 00
Summer.
Miss Sovia S. Thomas, .
48
33
·
. .
5
10
16 00
Winter.
47
37 7-10
.
6
15
18 00
Summer.
HO
3
5
18 00
Winter.
81
45
41
3
15
18 00
Summer.
6
5
18 00
Winter.
45
37
52
47 3-5
8
.
5
5
16 00
Winter.
54
45
.
44
35
. .
.
.
6
18 00
42
29 1-2
1
4
16 00
Summer.
.
1
3
5
18 00
.
·
4
15
14 00
Summer.
61
40
4
.
.
.
4
18 00
Summer.
.
1
5
5
50 00
Winter.
.
.
3
5 14 00
Summer.
3
15
16 00
Winter.
16 00
.
.
.
IX.
I
Length of Term.
age.
6
3
5
1
16 00
؟
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