USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1866 > Part 5
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improvement, but the first class in parsing and analysis man- ifested a want of real interest in the exercises.
Not absent during the summer term :- M. D. Stowell, M. L. Cleverly, H. Prince, Clara Cleverly. During the year :- F. Stowell, M. Terry, A. Terry, George Hunt, W. Pratt.
INTERMEDIATE .- This department was taught by Miss Maria F. Burrell, who was manifestly interested in her vocation. She was faithful and industrious, evidently more intent upon imparting solid instruction than in making a mere show. At the examination, the children were freely.questioned in those studies to which they had attended, and their usually prompt answers showed good acquaintance with the subjects upon which they were examined. The reading and spelling were very creditable, and the exercises in geography and arithmetic were rendered quite entertaining by the trial of proficiency to which the scholars were subjected.
PRIMARY .- This school was under the care of Miss Alice M. Cushing. Though previously inexperienced, she exhibited a high order of adaptation to the work of teaching. She min- gled kindness, and a degree of familiarity, with dignified reserve, and won the love of her scholars, without losing either their confidence or respect. In visiting the school, it was pleasing to witness the good order that pervaded her school- room and the attentive interest of the pupils. The closing examination gave satisfactory evidence that the labors of both the teacher and scholars were judiciously applied and mani- festly productive of good.
Not absent during the summer term :- Wilbur H. Swan, Geo. H. Wise, Charles Baker, Geo. L. French. During the year :- Abner L. Stowell.
SECOND DISTRICT.
MIXED GRAMMAR .- Miss Eliza French, the teacher of this school, had had much experience, and her connection with the school was a natural guaranty of success. At the first visit to the school, it was evident that a pleasant feeling existed between the teacher and her pupils, foreshadowing agreeable relations in the prosecution of the studies. The teacher labored indefati-
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gably for success, and a commendable interest was manifested by the pupils. The discipline was good, particularly satisfac- tory, since it is an ungraded school. The large number of classes was an annoyance, both to the teacher and superintend- ent. A limited time to these recitations was unavoidable. To remedy this evil, partially, at least, some of the more advanced scholars were selected to act as assistants; attending to some of the younger classes.
The reading at the commencement of the year was quite monotonous and lifeless ; but by the subsequent efforts of the teacher, this was much improved. At the closing examination, the recitations were prompt and generally correct, excepting those in spelling. The classes in grammar, arithmetic and geography, proved themselves familiar with these parts which they had been over. The writing books were very neat and exhibited commendable improvement.
Not absent during the year :- Harriet J. Farren, Charlotte E. Briggs. Summer term :- Frederic W. Stoddard, John Nash, Herbert A. Swears. Winter term :- Carrie E. Dunbar.
THIRD DISTRICT.
GRAMMAR .- This school was under the charge of Mr. Frank- lin Jacobs, who acquitted himself very commendably as a teacher well qualified for his work. Energy, efficiency and a happy adaptation, distinguished his services and rendered them valuable. The scholars were strongly attached to him, while strictly controlled by the most thorough discipline. Their steady advancement in the various studies pursued, contributed to the pleasantness and profitableness of the year's labor. The school was well classified and all of the studies received a due share of attention. The study of grammar, which is generally too much neglected in schools of this grade, received special attention and good results were realized. The study of geogra- phy was rendered more attractive and practical by the intro. duction of a set of outline maps. The closing examination gave unmistakable evidence that time and labor here had been well employed. The classes generally appeared well. Those in arithmetic showed a familiarity with the principles studied. The parsing and analysis of sentences were satisfactory. The reading and spelling did not equal the good standard of the
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other exercises. The writing generally was good and the books neat.
Not absent during the summer term :- E. D. Nash, A. H. Vining, F. W. Vining, J. M. Ford. Winter term :- S. H. Tirrell, A. H. Vining, C. B. Cushing.
INTERMEDIATE .- This school was taught by Miss Sarah J. Cushing, who has answered the expectations entertained, by a faithful discharge of her duties. She was accurate and thorough in her method of imparting instruction, and succeeded in mak- ing her classes understand the principles, as well as the general topics of the branches pursued. The discipline of the school was good and the scholars, though accustomed to close applica- tion, uniformly appeared cheerful and happy. The examination was creditable to both teacher and scholars. The classes recited fairly in spelling, definitions and in mental arithmetic. The recitations in written aritmetic, geography and grammar, together with the first class in reading, were good. The read- ing of the second and third classes was wanting in distinctness, spirit and accuracy of expression.
PRIMARY .- This school was under the care of Miss Augusta Raymond. This was her first attempt at teaching, and though in her own district, she was very successful. She possessed those traits of character which well fitted her for the work. Naturally fond of children, she governed with ease, and readily won the love and confidence of her scholars. There was system in the school, and the order was excellent. The closing examination was perfectly satisfactory. I would particularly commend the clear and audible tone in which the exercises were all conducted.
PRIMARY .- This school was taught throughout the year by Miss Mary A. Healey, who entered upon the work as a beginner in the art of teaching. At the first visit to this school, the order was far from satisfactory. The attention of the teacher being called to this point, it was soon corrected, and good dis- cipline was maintained. Good progress was made in spelling and mental arithmetic ; reading too monotonous. The closing examination was very creditable.
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The room in which this school was kept, is entirely unsuita- ble for a school-room, being quite small, low in the walls, and poorly lighted and ventilated.
Not absent during the summer term :- Thomas Hogan, Julia Sullivan, M. Daly, J. Clark and Mary Tobin.
INTERMEDIATE-PLEASANT STREET .- This school was taught by Miss Hattie E. Bates, who labored faithfully to improve those intrusted to her care. The several branches of study in this department were pursued with commendable interest and desir- able attainments. During the fall term, the attendance was very irregular. It is hoped that parents will remedy this evil, by sending their children to school more regularly in future ; by so doing they will greatly advance the interests of the school. Good discipline was maintained, and the advantages of system- atic management were prominent among the gratifying results. Animation and spirit characterized the every day exercises of the school. The examination gave good proof that the work had been well done. There were some fine specimens of print- ing and map-drawing exhibited upon the blackboards.
Not absent during the summer term :- John Noonan and Lucia A. S. Osborne.
PRIMARY-PLEASANT STREET .- This school was under the care of Miss M. Raymond through the summer term, when she resigned her situation on account of ill-healthi. It is sufficient credit to refer to the records of the past, since to enter into the details of her success during this term would be but a reitera- tion of the report of her success during several years of labor. Miss Fannie M. Burrell was appointed to fill the vacancy. She had no former experience as a teacher. She was faithful and industrious, and succeeded quite well, both in the instruction and government of the school. Low speaking was a fault in this department.
FOURTH DISTRICT.
INTERMEDIATE .- This school was taught by Miss E. N. Gardner, a teacher of considerable experience. At my first visit to this school, I felt that there was. not sufficient system and order, to which attention was kindly directed. The sug-
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gestions were as kindly received, and in a short time much improvement was apparent, particularly during the summer and fall terms. During the winter there was another change, the condition of the school not being satisfactory. A laxity of discipline necessarily retarded the progress of mental develop- ment. At the closing examination, some of the classes appeared quite well, especially those in geography. The spelling was fair, the reading was faulty, while the classes in arithmetic appeared rather deficient in the principles. The school, as a whole, was not satisfactory.
PRIMARY .- This school was taught by Miss Emma A. Trott. The school, numbering eighty-two scholars, was one of the largest in town the past year, and its proper management severely taxed the teacher, who was not found unequal to the demand. The order was good, and a steady improvement was made. The greatest embarrassment experienced arose from the difficulty of so classifying the scholars as to prevent some from retarding the progress of others. The chief source of this evil was irregular attendance. At the closing examination the school appeared well. In reading and spelling very decided progress was observed. All of the exercises were highly satis- factory.
FIFTH DISTRICT.
GRAMMAR .- This department was under the charge of Miss Priscilla B. Shaw, whose experience and previous connection withi the school were natural guarantees of success. The prog- ress made during the year demonstrated the fact that the teacher labored, not only. with commendable assiduity and fidelity, but with good results. In my visits from time to time, I was pleased with the attention to study, and the teacher's method of instruction. In teaching arithmetic, the analytical method was. adopted to a greater extent than usual; giving reasons, being a prominent part of a recitation. In grammar, subjects were investigated more by topics than by the usual manner of asking and answering questions merely.
The order was generally good. The examination was highly satisfactory. The classes in arithmetic were clear in the state- ment of principles, and correct in their demonstrations upon
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the blackboards. The classes in grammar were very familiar with the principal elements of this science. The reading and spelling were very creditable to the school. Some quite inter- esting compositions were read, and several pieces were very well spoken.
Not absent during the year :- Addie Cushing, Minnie Locke, Sarah Stowell, Maria Torry, Lizzie White. Summer term :- Florence Locke, Sarah Vining, Alice Nash, Emilie White.
PRIMARY .- This school was taught by Miss Lizzie L. Cush- ing, of whose experience and ability as a teacher I need not speak. The school, which was large, was in all respects well- conducted. The most pleasant relations existed between the teacher and pupils. The discipline was good ; and a degree of interest was manifested, both by teacher and scholars, seldom met in schools of this grade. As the result of such a state of things, much improvement was made, rendering this a very successful school. The exercises at the closing examination were of a high order. The reading, as a whole, was good, and in some of the classes excellent ; the same was true of arith- metic and geography. The scholars were self-possessed and prompt, and in most instances really enthusiastic.
Not absent during the last twenty-three weeks :- William Shaw, George Barnard, Fremont Chambers, Lawrence Shaw, Henry Lowell, Louis Estes, Josie Sargent, Clement Gardner, Arthur Gardner, Addie Tirrell, Nellie Moore, Cora Lowell, Louise Merritt, Flora Barnard. Not absent during the year : -Jennie Tirrell, Clara Merritt, Janie Loud, Lizzie Cady, How- ard Locke, Leavitt Tirrell, Charles Nash.
PRIMARY .- This school was continued during the year under the care of Mrs. Lydia T. Cushing, who has for some few years occupied the same position. Her government was of the parental or maternal character, decidedly appropriate for a school like this, composed of very young scholars. Their age rendered her task quite difficult, yet her success was very appa- rent, especially so in giving instruction in mental arithmetic. The parents may well feel grateful for her efforts in the man- agement of so youthful a class, and appreciate her success in
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developing these tender minds at this peculiarly interesting and impressible age.
Not absent during the last twenty-three weeks :- Emilie Nolan, Helen A. Cushing, Everett W. Gardner, Timothy Des- mond, Charles Stowell, Freddie White. Not absent during the year :- Mary L. Sargent, Nellie Nolan, Quincy I. Loud, Frank A. Cushing. Average age, six and one-half years.
SIXTH DISTRICT.
GRAMMAR .-- This school was in charge of Miss L. E. Hunt, during the summer and a part of the fall term, when ill-health compelled her to resign, much to the regret of the committee and patrons of the school. The school, while. under her care, was in an excellent condition, and made very commendable progress. The mental discipline was highly satisfactory, and the government of the right kind.
Miss Fannie A. Porter, a lady of superior literary attain -. ments, was appointed to fill the vacancy. The first appearance of the school after her connection with it, gave favorable indi- cations of success; yet subsequent developments somewhat changed the prospects. It is manifest that had all been well- disposed, the school would have been a perfect success. Too many of the larger boys, some sufficiently large to be called young men, were disorderly, this being one of the principal causes of the failure of success, at least the success that was anticipated. If these larger scholars had co-operated with the teacher, conducting themselves properly, governing themselves, it is quite certain that a high degree of progress would have been made. A failure in government necessarily rendered the mental discipline defective. At the closing examination, I was agreeably disappointed in regard to the general exercises, since they were better than was anticipated, and indeed most of them quite satisfactory. The reading and spelling were generally good. The examination in arithmetic exhibited a good degree of proficiency on the part of the scholars. The recitations in geography were particularly good, but those in grammar were not as a whole satisfactory.
Not absent during the winter term :- P. W. Loud, D. V. Poole, W. B. Lovell.
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PRIMARY .- At the commencement of the year, this school was given in charge of Miss L. M. Pratt, an experienced and faithful teacher. Miss Pratt labored indefatigably to improve her school in all of the required branches of study and espe- cially that of reading. In my visits to the school, I was gratified in observing the gradual but sure progress made. The order was good. During the latter part of the fall term she was obliged to resign on account of ill-health, and Miss Hattie H. Tirrell was appointed her successor. 'At first the school suffered from the change; the pupils were restless and inattentive ; system and order seemed to have retired with the former teacher ; but this state of affairs did not long exist. The teacher soon became accustomed to her new position and out of confu- sion instituted order. This having been accomplished, the work of instruction was successfully prosecuted. The closing exam- ination was perfectly satisfactory. The improvement was very apparent, reflecting great credit upon the teacher.
Not absent during the summer term :- Mary E. Loud, Rosie Crocker, Hattie R. Poole, Sarah R. Poole, Ellie Crocker, John W. Shaw. .
SEVENTH DISTRICT.
GRAMMAR .- Teacher, Miss Carrie L. Lovett. The condition of the school for the year was deserving of high commendation. The order was uniformly good, being generally secured by mild measures. A spirit of mutual confidence, kindness and good will was manifest, constituting the school-room a pleasant place. There was an evident desire for improvement, observable among most of the pupils, which was a pleasing feature of this school, an atmosphere that a good teacher attempts to secure. The school was removed to its new room in February, where its improved accommodations and its favorable surroundings gave a fresh impetus to the progress of the school. At the closing examination the school appeared well. In reading and spelling very decided progress was noticeable. The classes in geography were prompt and generally accurate. The examination of the classes in arithmetic was thorough, and on the whole satisfac-' tory. Creditable recitations were made in grammar and in the history of the United States.
INTERMEDIATE .- This school was taught by Miss S. L. Vining, who fully maintained her reputation as a faithful and successful
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teacher. She spared neither time nor energy in her efforts to advance those under her charge. At first there was too much of listlessness and inattention to study, which, however, by the persevering efforts of the teacher, were overcome. The improved state of the school when visited was manifested in the greater promptness and accuracy of the recitations. The exam- ination of this school afforded ample evidence of the teacher's industry and tact in the instruction of her school. In geography and arithmetic the recitations were prompt and correct, the answers to questions being given without hesitation and in a distinct manner. The reading and spelling were generally good, especially the latter. Time and labor here were well employed.
Not absent during the year :- Arthur Littlefield. Summer term :- Fannie Sprague, Charles Hayes, F. Thayer.
PRIMARY .- In this school, the continued services of the tried and approved teacher, Mrs. M. A. Morrill, have insured another year of commendable progress. After seven years spent in the same district, the teacher has established a character, which is not dependent upon annually repeated commendation. It may, in short, be said however, that the school has lost none of the energetic and progressive character for which it has been dis- tinguished in previous years. The teacher and scholars have labored together with a love for the work in which they were engaged, and the foundations have been well laid in all the branches of this department. At the closing examination, the recitations were prompt and spirited. The reading was excel- lent, awakening the hope that these pupils, having learned in the Primary School to read correctly and naturally, will show the same proficiency as they pass through the various classes of higher grades. Such a school really needs no special com- mendation, but stands upon its own merits.
Not absent during the year :- M. T. Gilligan, Edward Moneghan, W. Abott Howe. Summer term :- Everett B. Howe, Horace B. Derby, Charles Cloutman, Charles S. Custiss, Frank Tower, Volney C. Daggett, Everett Loud, Freddie Loud, Sarah A. Graves.
INTERMEDIATE .- UNION STREET .- This school has been some- what unfortunate, and its progress retarded from the frequent
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change of teachers, having had three during the year. During the first part of the summer term, Mrs. E. Torry had charge of it temporarily, until the committee could obtain some one as permanent teacher. She is a lady of marked ability, a thorough disciplinarian and succeeded in gaining the love and respect of the scholars under her care. While she taught, it was in all respects a good school, and the improvement made was very satisfactory. Mrs. Torry left, after having taught nine weeks and Miss C. P. Torry, of Quincy, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Miss Torry was a teacher of some experience, having previously taught in Boston. She brought to her work a large share of energy and was not wanting in interest, but she failed to secure the respect and affections of her pupils. Hence the discipline of the school and the advancement of the scholars were not altogether satisfactory. At the close of the summer term Miss Torry resigned, and Miss Kate A. Barrows was appointed teacher. She entered on her duties in September and continued through the remainder of the year. She was industrious and faithful in the performance of her labors, and the closing examination gave proof that commendable improve- ment had been made.
PRIMARY-UNION STREET .- This school, under the manage- ment of Miss Mary E. Allen, was in excellent condition. During the year, both teacher and pupils manifested great interest in the business of the school and much progress was made. At the examination the exercises were highly com- mendable. The recitations in mental arithmetic and geography were good. Those in reading and spelling were excellent. Promptness was a pleasing feature.
Not absent during the summer term :- J. Madden, E. E. Hagden, F. H. Thomas, F. L. Shores, W. Clapp, F. I. Thomas, E. M. Healey, E. McGuire, R. Donahoe, M. J. Donahoe. Winter term, 19 were absent only one day.
INTERMEDIATE-POND STREET .- The teacher during the sum- mer and fall terms was Miss H. C. Folger, who devoted her time and energies to the school. In a few cases, she felt obliged to resort to corporal punishment in order to enforce obedience. In the earlier part of the summer term, some
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complaint was made in respect to the teacher's classification of her scholars, which was removed as soon as teacher and parents understood each other better. The classification and the teacher's authority established, the way was prepared for the scholars to apply themselves to their studies, which they did with commendable diligence, and hence with good results, not- withstanding the want of harmony between the teacher and some of the parents. At the close of the fall term, Miss Folger resigned, and Miss Alice R. Rogers was appointed her successor. Of the school, while under her care, I am able to speak in terms of commendation. The teacher, though pre- viously inexperienced, was faithful in the discharge of her. duties, mild, yet firm, in her discipline, and the kindest rela- tions existed between teacher and pupils. At the closing examination, the improvement exhibited by the scholars proved that the school had been faithfully and successfully taught.
PRIMARY-POND STREET .- This school was under the care of Miss Emma J. White. This was her first attempt at teaching. In visiting the school I was satisfied, however, that she endeav- ored to give her attention faithfully to her work. During the earlier part of the year, there was a want of system in the school exercises. When her attention was called to this fact, the teacher saw the deficiency and rectified it. A pleasant relation existed between teacher and scholars. The exercises of the examination showed that many of the teacher's efforts to advance her pupils in reading, spelling and mental arith- metic had been judicious and successful.
MIXED INTERMEDIATE-RANDOLPH STREET .- This school was taught through the year by Miss A. Clementine Orcut. Upon my first visit to the school there was an apparent want of order and attention to study on the part of the scholars. The atten- tion of the school was called to these points. Improving some- what by the suggestions made, the teacher evidently desired to discharge her duties faithfully and well ; and had her efforts been seconded by the co-operation of the parents, in seeing that their children attended regularly, the results would have been more satisfactory. Irregularity of attendance throughout the year has been a serious injury to this school. The teacher
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received no less than three hundred and forty-eight excuses, which is sufficient to account for some of the defects in mental acquisition, however faithfully the teacher may have labored. At the examination, the classes in reading gave evidence of some improvement. Those in spelling were prompt and gen- erally correct. In arithmetic, the scholars were deficient in a knowledge of principles.
NINTH DISTRICT.
GRAMMAR .- This school commenced under the direction of Mr. T. H. West, its former teacher, who taught during the summer term, at the close of which he resigned. His services as a teacher were appreciated by the committee and by those whose children were under his care, and he retired from the school with the warmest affection of his scholars. Miss Lizzie C. Wood had charge of the school through the fall and winter terms, and performed her duties in a most satisfactory manner. Under her instruction, the school more than maintained its former rank. Miss Wood is a lady of large experience as a teacher, possessed of unusual energy and perseverance, and will take a high stand in the community. In this school, a decidedly strong government proved hardly less popular than beneficial, and the proficiency made was only equalled by the superior discipline maintained. The school was well taught and governed and its good regulations were accompanied with that skilful and thorough mental training which is essential to all true education. The examination at the close, fully realized the expectations of those having the school in charge, the scholars having made steady progress in all the studies to which they had given their attention. The recitations in arith- metic were excellent. The classes in grammar and geography appeared well. The reading was not as good as the other exercises.
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