USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1869 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
The School on Front Street .- Mrs. LYDIA T. CUSHING, teacher. This school, in attendance, ranks first among those of its grade. The percentage of attendance for the summer was eighty-nine and seven- tenths, and but little less for the winter. Its condition through the year was entirely satisfactory. The pupils sustained a very thorough examination at the close of the winter term.
65
The School on Summer Street was taught by Miss ARVELLA A. SMITH. This school was larger than that of the previous year, but the average attendance was not as good, there being a loss of five per cent. The government was good, especially so, when it is remem- bered that there are but forty sittings, while there were fifty-three names upon the register, leaving thirteen pupils to be provided with seats. A good degree of care was given to the reading exercises and fair progress made. In spelling and arithmetic the improvement was more marked. The exercises at the close, including those of a gen- eral character, furnished evidence that the time in this school was well employed.
SCHOOLS AT THE LANDING .- Upper Primary .- This school was taught by Miss A. M. ADLINGTON, who was untiring in her efforts to make it a success. The government was good, and all that a teacher could do for the advancement of scholars, she did. Prompt- ness and vivacity in school exercises were prominent characteristics when visited. The teacher's method of briefly explaining some of the more difficult principles involved in the lesson to be studied, at the time of assigning it, is highly commended. Sickness of the teacher for two weeks was a matter of regret. Nothing occurred during the year to disturb the harmony and good order of the school. The closing examination was perfectly satisfactory.
Lower Primary-Miss LIZZIE FOYE, teacher. Had any reasonable parent visited this school, while in session, with its fifty-one pupils crowded together in a room 19} by 14 feet, the surprise would have been, not that more was not done, but that so much was accomplished. Notwithstanding the limited accommodations, the teacher, by her patience and perseverance, maintained good order and gave her young charge a good beginning in the first steps of mental acquirements.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
There were ten schools of this grade. Five of them were taught by the teachers of the previous year. In two of the ten there were changes. They did not all contain scholars of the same degree of attainment, but were adapted to the requirements of their respective localities. The branches of this grade are, reading, spelling, mental and written arithmetic, geography, grammar and writing. To writing more time and attention should be given.
The School at Old Spain was taught by Miss LIZZIE C. PRATT. This was her first year as principal, she having had one year's experi- ence as assistant in a mixed grammar school. Her method of govern-
9
66
ment is mild, but decided and firm; in her explanations, she is clear and comprehensive. Naturally fond of children, she secured the respect and love of her pupils, and, so far as known, the confidence and cooperation of the parents. While all of the studies received their appropriate share of attention, reading was especially prominent, and one in which the pupils made marked improvement. The disci- pline was excellent through the entire year. The teacher is deserving of commendation for her well directed efforts, and the pupils for their cooperation and industry. The examination was very satisfactory.
The School on High Street-Miss AUGUSTA RAYMOND, teacher. From her previous success, much was expected, and was fully realized. The school more than maintained the rank of the former year. Effi- cient discipline, interest in study, and promptness in recitations, were prominent characteristics. Failures in recitation were infrequent, and what the pupils attempted to learn was thoroughly mastered. The final examination was in perfect keeping with the good condition of the school throughout the year.
School on Pleasant Street .- This school was committed to the care of Miss ELLEN G. PARROTT, whose experience and previous connec- tion with it were natural guarantees of success. To secure and main- tain the requisite discipline, required the exercise of a strong will, combined with firmness of purpose and promptness of action, all of which were possessed by its teacher, who devoted herself wholly to the interests of her pupils. There was a conscientious effort on her part to make thorough work, both in government and instruction. Much importance was attached to reading, in which the school was quite deficient in the early part of the year. In arithmetic and geography, the improvement was good. The class in grammar was thoroughly drilled in the first principles, which were practically applied in written exercises upon the blackboard, a method which cannot be too highly commended. The condition of the school, as shown by the closing examination, fully realized previous expecta- tions.
School on Front Street .- During the first part of the summer term Mrs. HATTIE F. LYON was the teacher, when impaired health made it necessary for her to resign, and Miss TIRZAH E. NORTON Was appointed. The position was new to her. On visiting the school, it was apparent that with the change of teacher, there was also a change in its condition. The discipline and attention to study were not as good as formerly. The attention of the teacher was directed to these
67
defects, and on subsequent visits, some improvement was clearly per- ceptible. The discipline during the winter term was generally satis- factory, but the lessons were not well studied, as shown by the recita- tions, since failures were too often the rule instead of the exception. The attention of the pupils and their position at the time of reciting were invariably good. At the closing examination, the school appeared better than at any previous visit.
School on Main Street-Miss LIZZIE L. CUSHING, teacher .- In con- sequence of the limited accommodations of the Primary School, quite a number of children who properly belonged in that grade were neces- sitated to attend the Intermediate. This necessarily increased the number of classes and the labor of the teacher. Notwithstanding this, she allowed no interest of the school to suffer from want of effort. Not being able to give so much time to the younger pupils as she de- sired, the older ones were permitted to hear them in reading and spelling, after which the same lessons were recited to her; thus time was saved and still all received her attention. The " drill " in mental arithmetic was thorough, and the progress made, very satisfactory. Reading received that attention which its importance demands. Sel- dom have we heard, in schools of this grade, so clear and distinct artic- ulation and correct emphasis in this exercise. In geography, a large amount of work was done, and well done. It is a pleasure to record for this teacher and school another year of success.
CENTER SCHOOLS AT SOUTH WEYMOUTH .- Lower Intermediate- Mrs. MARIA A. MORRILL, teacher .- In attendance, this school ranks first of its grade. The average per centage for the summer term was ninety-four and two-tenths, and for the winter term ninety and six- tenths. Nothing occurred in the school during the year to interrupt its steady progress. The classification was excellent. The invariable neatness of the school-room, the attention and correct position of the pupils while reciting, together with their promptness and accuracy, were prominent features. The order was unexceptional. Good progress was made in all of the studies. The exercises at the exami- nation were in harmony with the routine of daily duties, and gave excel- lent satisfaction.
Upper Intermediate .- This school was taught by Miss ALICE R. ROGERS, who entered upon her duties, not as a beginner, she having had the experience of more than two years in other schools. She early won the confidence and respect of her pupils by her devotion to their interests. This rendered the government comparatively easy.
68
The school generally presented a quiet and orderly appearance, and the pupils appeared interestedly diligent. Their recitations in arith- metic and geography were especially good. In reading and spelling, very decided progress was noticeable, particularly in the first class. A commendable interest was taken in the study of grammar. During the first part of the winter term, there were some additions to the number of pupils, and these sensibly affected, for a time, the harmo- nious working of the school and greatly increased the labors of the teacher. The examination was thorough and well sustained by the pupils in all of their studies, the second class in reading and written arithmetic excepted.
SCHOOLS AT THE LANDING .- Third Intermediate-Miss ADELAIDE A. KEELER, teacher .- The school was in admirable condition through the entire year, of which fact any person could have fully satisfied himself by visiting it. Each study received its appropriate share of attention. The discipline of the school was strict, and the instruction very thorough, a fact which was clearly demonstrated by the accuracy of recitations at the closing examination.
Second Intermediate .- This school was under the care of Miss EMMA J. BAKER until the tenth of December, when she resigned. It was, in all respects, a good school while under her charge, and the improvement made by the pupils was very gratifying. Her resignation was a loss to the school. She was succeeded by Miss SUSAN M. BLANCHARD, who taught but one week, when impaired health made it necessary for her to resign, very much to the regret of those interested in the school. The term was completed by Miss ALICE M. BAKER. The position was new to her, yet she evinced a determination to make the school all that could be desired ; she did not, however, succeed in enforcing a sufficiently strict discipline ; consequently her exertions were not so successful as they would otherwise have been.
First Intermediate-Mrs. HANNAH E. MILLER, teacher .- The con- dition of this school through the year was such as to merit high com- mendation. Good order, generally secured by the mildest means, and a spirit of mutual kindness and confidence between teacher and pupils, together with a manifest desire for improvement on the part of the latter, were pleasing features. The average attendance was over ninety per cent. for the year. In all private examinations the school invaria- bly appeared well. The progress made in mental and written arith- metic was perfectly satisfactory. Seldom have we found the subject of fractions so well understood by pupils in this grade. In geography
69
and grammar the pupils were very familiar with those portions which were studied. The exercises at the examination furnished evidence that the standard of scholarship in this school was higher than at any previous period.
MIXED INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.
Of this class of schools there were three, which were taught by the teachers of the previous year. The attendance in them was much better than formerly. In consequence of their mixed character, the number of classes was necessarily large, while the number in each class was small.
School on Randolph Street-Miss A. C. ORCUTT, teacher .- The past year completes the fourth that Miss Orcutt has had charge of this school, during no one of which was the improvement so decided as in the last. The school at all times appeared well, and more than the usual amount of work was accomplished in a satisfactory manner, with the exception of reading, which was too rapid, and was wanting in correct emphasis.
School on Pond Street-Miss EMMA J. WHITE, teacher .- In conse- quence of the diversity of attainments of the pupils in this school, the classification was unavoidably very imperfect. The school was not so large as the previous year. The whole number for the summer was thirty-seven, and the average thirty and one-half; for the winter the whole number was thirty-one, and the average twenty-six and eight- tenths. There was good progress in all the branches taught and the discipline was judicious. The examination at the close was satisfac- tory.
School on Union Street-Miss EMMA L. WHITE, teacher .- This was emphatically a good school. In its management, the teacher secured prompt and respectful obedience, and awakened in her pupils an apparent love for and interest in their school-work. She evidently allowed no interest to interfere with that of her school. Excellent order, promptness and accuracy in the recitations were prominent characteristics. There was a gain of more than fifteen per cent., in the average attendance as compared with the corresponding time of the previous year. This speaks well for the efforts of the teacher, the interest of the pupils and the cooperation of the parents. At no time within the past four years has the discipline of the school been so good and the standard of attainments stood so high as at the closing exami- nation of the past year.
70
MIXED GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
There were only two schools of this class, each taught by the teacher of the preceding year. Though classed under the same gen- eral name, they were somewhat different in character.
The School at North Weymouth .- This was taught by Miss ELIZA FRENCH. It was emphatically a mixed school, since it was composed of pupils of all ages and attainments, from those just commencing to read, to those preparing to enter the High School. The discipline through the year was very satisfactory. The classes were numerous, and the time that could be devoted to each consequently limited. The teacher was faithful and persevering in her work. Her object was not to see how fast or how far her pupils could proceed, but to have them do thoroughly what they did. The practice of the teacher to read to her pupils some interesting story or event in history, and requiring them to write, from memory, a description of it, is highly commended. More of such exercises in our schools is recommended. At the closing examination, the school appeared well and there were evidences of good improvement in all the studies. The recitations in mental and written arithmetic were especially good.
School on Middle Street-Miss S. W. BOWLES, teacher .- At the commencement of the year the grade of this school was changed from Intermediate to that of a mixed Grammar. By this change, the pupils in that vicinity who were qualified for the Grammar School, were better accommodated. The whole number of pupils was forty-seven. The school was well disciplined and instructed. The classes in geog- raphy, history and arithmetic, made very decided improvement. The progress in grammar was not as satisfactory, in which study there was an apparent want of interest on the part of the pupils. In reading, while the volume of voice was sufficient, there was a want of distinct articulation and careful attention to the pauses.
.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
All of our schools are important, the lowest, that correct principles may be early instilled, and the highest, that the "finishing work" may be well done, and yet in a certain sense a special importance at- taches itself to the Grammar Schools. These schools, to many at least, are the last in which the preparation to assume the duties and to brave the obstacles and difficulties of life, is enjoyed. The instruction in these should have direct reference to the practical duties of life. The teachers employed should possess not only the power to impart in-
71
struction, but also the requisite "tact " for governing satisfac- torily.
There were seven schools of this grade the past year. The instruc- tion in most of them was more thorough and practical, and conse- quently more remunerative than formerly. The prescribed studies are arithmetic, grammar, geography, reading, writing and spelling. In four of the schools history was taken in addition.
School at Old Spain .- Miss CARRIE W. CLAY, was promoted to this school from the Intermediate department, where she taught suc- cessfully the previous year. Her experience and acknowledged ability as a teacher were regarded as good evidence of her fitness to dis- charge her duties faithfully in this department. She spared neither time nor energy in her efforts to advance those under her charge. There was evidently a conscientious effort on her part to make the instruction thorough. The discipline of the school was generally good during the year, though good order was not always secured, particu- larly in the Winter term, without a recourse to coercive measures. These, however, were rendered necessary principally, if not wholly, by the absence of a proper sympathy and cooperation with the teacher. Promptness and accuracy were prominent features ; hesitation and guessing were inadmissible. In arithmetic, the principles were clearly presented, the processes concisely stated, and the reasons definitely given. The recitations in parsing and analysis, as well as in geography, evinced the same correctness. While good progress was made in all of the studies, in no one was the improvement more apparent than in reading, in which branch this school was most deficient at the com- mencement of the year. The examination gave good satisfaction.
School on Front Street-Miss SUSAN B. PORTER, teacher .- This school, in attendance, ranks first among those of its grade. The gov- ernment was strict and the instruction critical and thorough. It was not a matter of choice with the pupils whether they would do little or much ; they were required and induced to apply themselves diligently to mental work ; idleness and inattention found no place in the school- room. As a result of such a state of things, much mental labor was accomplished, much improvement made, and the year was one of great intellectual benefit to the pupils. The exercises at the examina- tion were in perfect harmony with the every-day work of the school.
School on High Street .- The transition in this school from a male to that of a female teacher, at the commencement of the year, ren- dered the situation a difficult one. This was occupied by Miss N. C. M.
1
72
WINSHIP, who had had previous experience, and who furnished ample testimonials of good success. At first, the indications for a prosperous school were favorable, and subsequent visits, during the Summer term, furnished evidence of fair progress and commendable order. But, during the last part of the Fall term, the condition of the school was not as satisfactory. The attention of the teacher was directed to ex- isting evils, and some' improvement was effected. The teacher was interested in her work, and did all in her power to advance those committed to her care ; but a spirit of mutual kindness and confidence between teacher and pupils was apparently wanting; this retarded the progress of mental development. A failure in government necessarily rendered the mental discipline defective. The condition of the school, as shown by the closing examination, was not satisfactory.
School on Main Street .- This was committed to the care of Miss L. MARIA PRATT, who entered upon her work as an experienced teacher. She soon learned the condition of the school and the wants of her pupils, and labored indefatigably to advance them in all of the required studies. The discipline was fair. There was an apparent disposition on the part of the pupils to rely too much on the teacher for direct assistance, instead of putting forth individual effort to overcome diffi- culties in their lessons. This was quite obvious in the study of arith- metic, and rendered the pupils less positive in their statements and reasoning at the time of recitation. The progress made in geography and the exercises in parsing, analysis of sentences and application of rules were very satisfactory. The reading of the first class was good, the pupils of the second and third classes were wanting in attention to the pauses and clear articulation. The examination gave general satisfaction.
Center School, South Weymouth .- Miss S. L. VINING, teacher. Though numerically this school was smaller than that of the previous year, yet there was the same interest and persevering effort manifested on the part of the teacher. The discipline did not at all times com- pare favorably with the character of the instruction. In arithmetic, the instruction was comprehensive and practical, in the recitation of which, the principles and rules were correctly stated and questions solved upon the blackboards with facility. While each branch of study received its appropriate share of attention, that of grammar ap- peared prominent. The closing examination afforded proof that good progress had been made in most of the studies. In reading, the pupils were deficient in distinctness of enunciation and correct em- phasis, and were too monotonous. The examination of the first class
73
in arithmetic was very satisfactory, but the second class did not appear as well as on former occasions. The recitations in parsing and analysis were especially good. In geography the pupils were prompt, and ex- hibited a familiar acquaintance with the subject.
The Pratt School .- Miss MARTHA W. SEYMOUR, teacher .- The condition of this school through the year was good. While the amount studied was more than during some former years, the quality of the instruction was highly satisfactory. The government, which was unexceptional, was comparatively easy, from the mutual confidence and respect which existed between teacher and pupils. System, order and method were characteristic features of the school. While in regard to all of the branches taught, a good report could be given, the reading of the first and second classes was deserving of special commendation for clear and distinct articulation and correct em- phasis. The closing examination exhibited the school as in excellent condition, both in government and mental attainments.
School at the Landing .- This school was under the charge of Miss LIZZIE C. WOOD until October 1st, at which time she resigned to accept a position in one of the Grammar Schools at Jamaica Plain. The condition of the school, while under her care, was excellent. Her resignation was a source of much regret, both to the pupils and. their parents, by whom she will be gratefully remembered. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of Miss. HENRIETTA WOODS, who entered upon her duties with an earnest desire to improve those entrusted to her care. She brought to her work a large share of energy, and was not wanting in interest. In the immediate connec- tion with the school exercises, the government was good, when visited, but the control beyond the limits of the school-room was not as effec- tual. The closing examination was very satisfactory. The order was excellent. While all of the classes gave proof of thorough instruction, those in arithmetic and grammar did especially well. Had there been a more general sympathy and cooperation on the part of both pupils and parents, the teacher would have labored with feel- ings of less discouragement. Notwithstanding this, the examination exhibited favorably the results of her zeal and efforts.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. G. W. SHAW assumed the charge of this school during the Fall term of the preceding year, and it was for the interest of the school that his services were continued. The school was large, numbering sixty-six pupils-too large a number for one teacher. The studies
10
.
74
pursued in the High School are of such a character as to impose upon the teacher much more labor than the common branches require, with the same number of pupils. Classes often meet with difficulties, which must be removed as an indispensable condition of further prog- ress. It is pleasing to be able to say that this labor was faithfully performed, and with highly satisfactory results. The relations of the teacher to the members of the school were of a. gratifying charac- ter,-those calculated to inspire mutual confidence, regard and re- spect,-an atmosphere in which we might reasonably, if not neces- sarily, expect cheerful and laborious effort, and consequent progress. It was evident that there was a steady and gratifying increase of interest from the commencement of the year till its close, with a corresponding progress in all of the studies. The attendance was uniformly good,-as good as could be reasonably asked under the circumstances, alike creditable to the teacher for the interest inspired, and to the pupils for a generous response and cooperation. Under such circumstances, when the teacher brings to his position a consci- entious regard for the progress of his charge, industry, ability and love for his profession, seconded by the efforts of his pupils, a com- mendable progress is reasonably certain. The harmonious intercourse of teacher and pupils was uninterrupted, and while the government and efficiency of the school were satisfactory, at the same time the "law of love " sufficed to accomplish those important ends.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.