USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1882-1883 > Part 2
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Joseph W. Jenney,
.70
Isaac P. Francis,
2.30
John G. Bailey, 1.91
William Watterson,
6.96
24
Paid Seth A. Mitchell,
$1.67
Alexander Tripp,
2.18
William Hoeg,
.69
John Quirk,
1.05
Phineas Terry,
2.79
Charles H. Morton,
2.79
Roland Holcomb,
1.74
Edwin J. Howard,
1.74
$618.55
Military Aid, under chapter 252,
$403.00
State Aid, under chapter 301, 526.00
$929.00
Amount carried to Fire Department,
$484.83
Amount carried to debt and interest,
1,826.83
Amount carried to salaries, 15.25
$2,326.91
School Book Agency.
Paid S. Hutchinson,
$183.28
J. M. Lawton, Jr.,
56.03
S. H. Robertson,
10.15
Ginn, Heath and Co.,
17.82
Van Antwerp, Braggs & Co.,
16.56
Wm. Ware & Co.,
18.28
$302.12
$4,176.58
Balance to new account,
3,889.86
$8,066.44
Special Appropriations.
Pennock road machine,
175.00
Phoenix Hall sidewalk,
160.00
Center street sidewalk,
50,00
North Main street sidewalk,
171.00
North street sidewalk,
100.00
$656.00
25
Paid S. Pennock and Sons, $150.00
Road machine, freight Old Colony R. R. 10.35
John Bertram & Co.,
66.79
John Bertram & Co., 46.14
A. J. Barney, setting curbstone,
15.50
Wm. C. Ford, teaming,
5.25
John S. Tinkham, stone,
.75
Addie T. Jenney, stone,
2.10
Benj. T. Randall, labor,
4.50
John Bertram & Co.,
135.52
Cyrus Peckham,
12.00
Benj. T. Randall,
2.25
Reuben W. and Loring P. Austin, on account, 80.00
Amount unexpended,
124.85
$656.00
Salaries of Town Officers.
Amount of appropriation,
$1,250.00
Amount from incidentals account to
balance,
15.25
$1,265.25
Paid by orders on town treasurer on account of Eben Akin Jr., treasurer, $250.00
George Jones, collector, 250.00
George A. Briggs, selectman, 73.34
D. W. Deane, 73.33
R. E. Leavitt, selectman, 73.33
Albert Jenney, assessor,
91.25
Benjamin P. Tripp, assessor,
90.00
Henry B. Gifford, assessor,
2.50
George E. Fuller, school committee, 98.50
Lucy M. Davis, school committee,
90.00
C. C. Cundall, school committee, 50.00
James Davis, board of health, 10.00
Phineas W. Record, constable, 79.75
John M. Hammond, special, 33.25 $1,265.25
4
26
Town Debt.
Town debt, February, 1882, $34,900.00
Town debt, February, 1883, bonds, $25,000.00
Town debt, New Bedford Institution for Savings, February, 1883, note,
5,900.00
Present debt, $30,900.00
Town Property.
Almshouse and farm, $6,000.00
Nine school houses and seven lots,
9,500.00
Watch house and lot, 350.00
Hook and ladders and shed,
125.00
Two engine houses and lots,
700.00
Steam fire-engine and hose,
1,000.00
Hand fire-engine and hose,
1,000.00
Three safes and office furniture,
300.00
Weights and measures,
25.00
Stock and produce at town farm,
1,009.00
Farm tools,
430.00
Burial lot,
50.00
$20,489.00
Amount of balances to the credit of each department :
Poor account,
$21.73
School account, 289.45
Lighting streets account, 25.18
Incidental account,
3,889.86
Highway department,
206.95
Sidewalks and road machine,
124.85
$4,558.02
Paid by treasurer :
National bank tax, 1881,
$105.46
Balance of corporation tax, 1881, 24.52
State tax, 1,780.00
National bank tax, 1882,
1,108.47
George Jones, for sale of Fair- haven Iron Works, 211.98
Cash in hands of treasurer, 1,327.59
$4,558.02
. 27
Summary of Appropriations for 1822.
Repairs of highways,
$2,000.00
Fort street sidewalk, 100.00
Support of schools,
4,500.00
Incidentals for schools,
800.00
Support of poor,
2,500.00
Interest and liquidation of town debt,
4,500.00
Salaries of town officers,
1,250.00
Fire Department,
1,000.00
Incidental expenses,
500.00
Lighting streets,
250.00
North Main street sidewalk,
171.00
North street, by stone school house, sidewalk,
100.00
Center and Main street sidewalk,
160.00
Center street sidewalk, 50.00
Pennock road machine,
175.00 $18,056.00
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. A. BRIGGS, Selectmen
DANIEL W. DEANE, of
ROBERT E. LEAVITT, Fairhaven.
The undersigned have examined the foregoing accounts and believe them to be correct,
ROBERT BENNETT, A. G. BOURNE.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
FOR
1882-83.
NEW BEDFORD : MERCURY PUBLISHING COMPANY, CITY PRINTERS. 1883.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
LUCY M. DAVIS, term expires 1883. GEORGE E. FULLER, term expires 1884. C. C. CUNDALL, term expires 1885.
REPORT.
The School Committee of Fairhaven respectfully submits the following report :-
"Tis" education forms the common mind :
Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined."
We begin to learn as soon as we are born, more by habit, at first, perhaps, than otherwise. It is a well understood fact that the mind finds manifestation through the bodily or- gans ; to give no attention to these is like the engineer, who fully conscious of the nature and power of steam is still un_ concerned about the machinery through which it is applied. A sound physical system, is essential to a well developed mind ; therefore, make the conditions of the school room such as will tend to this result. An instructor should speci_ ally understand the principles of physiology and hygiene in regard to light, heat, and constant supplies of pure air in the school room. A failure here brings lassitude, weakness, headache, sickness, and nervous debility ; and the whole course of education is persued with imperfect success, and enveloped in a cloud of painful associations.
Many suppose that education consists in so many quarters of grammar, geography and arithmetic ; these are but means
4
and not the end. The great object of the educator is to teach the child to think.
"The mind is made wealthy by ideas, but the multitude of words is a clogging weight.
"Therefore be understood in thy teaching, and instruct to the measure of capacity.
"Analogy is milk for babes, but abstract truths are strong meat.
"Precepts and rules are repulsive to a child, but happy illustration winneth him."
Let the pupil form the habit of patient, clear, consecutive thought, and you can safely trust to social intercouse and the daily scenes of the world's stage to regulate and moder- ate it. Thinking, not knowing, makes the great difference between the mind of the philosopher and that of the fool ; the ability to reason is the measure of mental excellence, and the instrument of high achievements. To teach the pu- pils to think for themselves is the great object for which we make our annual outlay of money.
In reviewing the work of the year, the committee is pleased to state that there has been great improvement in all depart- ments of scholarship ; notwithstanding, there have been many changes in the corps of teachers. It has been the aim of the committee, to employ. as for as practicable, home talent, but to secure good methods and discipline, it has been obliged, in some cases, to go elsewhere for teachers. At the present time, the schools are supplied with talent that will compare favorbly with the best towns. It is a great mistake, to employ in our primary departments, persons who have had no experi- ence in methods of teaching etc ; here, in these first steps in a course of education, we need, and must have, experience, if we have flourishing schools. The best teachers, especi- ally in methods, are needed in the primary departments, more than in the Grammar and High Schools. Lay your foundation sure and strong, and the edifice will stand; but no Grammar or High School can make up for bungling work performed in the lower grades.
5
The Committee has found an unusual amount of labor to perform during the year. Without a specified and printed course, the scholars were in a fearfully "mixed" condition in their studies. Scholars, in the lower grades more particu- larly, were found persuing studies in at least three grades at the same time. Studies in which pupils were especially deficient were neglected, and studies in which they were especially bright, were encouraged. The teachers have not been wholly in fault for this ; but parents have insisted that, because the child is especially fond of reading, he or she should be advanced even to the fourth reader, while in arith- metic he is dull in the elementary steps.
To put an end to this invasion on the well-tried and estab- lished system of graded schools, the Committee has prepared and issued a course of study, prescribing the limits of each grade yearly ; and by this means scholars who have been dull and deficient are brightening up, and all the grades are progressing uniformly.
The grade of the Grammar school has been raised some- thing more than one year ; so that pupils now complete their Grammar school course, including common school geogra- phy, arithmetic, grammar, and United States history, at the end of their eighth school year, thus giving them a practical knowledge of those branches that will be of service to them in every-day life when they graduate from that department. Formerly these branches, which are the characteristics of a thorough grammar school course, were carried to the High school, and by this means the distinction, that should always exist between the two, was, to a considerable extent, oblit- erated ; and there being no dividing line, scholars "dropped out" without certificate or diploma from the Committee, at- testing their scholarship in that grade. The Committee has restored this distinction, and in the future scholars of merit are to receive a diploma from them, certifying their scholarship.
5
6
By this means, also, the grade of the High school has been considerably raised, and the course made to embrace the more advanced studies, such as are proper for the High school only, leaving the principal and his assistants unembar- rassed with work properly belonging to the Grammar school grade.
Rules and regulations have been adopted by the Commit- tee that have largely increased the punctuality of the scholars, decreased tardiness, secured a better discipline, and produced a salutary effect on the truants. If parents could be thoroughly convinced that punctuality is what really gives success to our schools, other things being equal, trivial excuses wonld not so often be made to multiply absences. If the teacher has the pupil but half of the time,. it cannot be expected that the same results will follow as when the pupil is not absent at all ; and yet parents seem to think that this half-of-the-time attendance is just as servicea- ble, and that their children are to be advanced from grade to grade with those who attend punctually, and are actually ad- vanced in their scholarship; but such lack of interest on the part of parents and scholars, and the resulting stupidity will also result in "found wanting" at the end of the school year when diplomas are to be awarded. Promptness, punct- uality, and respect for the teacher, can mostly be taught at home, and will lay the foundation for a thorough education in the mind of the child.
The moral discipline of the schools has been very gener- ally maintained, but still further improvement is needed ; parents and all citizens should co-operate with the teachers and committee to produce the desired result. "The school- house is the fountain of national character, and sends forth sweet or bitter water through all the streams of the nation's thought." While it is difficult to define just how far to teach morals in our common schools, yet we should certain- ly go to the extent of statute limitations, which declares,
that, the moral purity of our schools shall be maintained, and defines, lasciviousness, profanity, theft etc., as indicta- able offences.
The committee, after due consideration, has changed the time of the commencement of the school year, from the be- ginning of the summer term, to the commencement of the Fall term ; thus changing the graduating exercises from the last of March, to the last of June. This change avoids a long summer term, and places our school year in conformity with the school year of our cities, and larger towns.
With the increased appropriation, made by the town last year, the committee has been able to continue the High School forty weeks, and all others thirty eight ; and, also, to make the necessary repairs on the different school buildings in town. The High School building has been thoroughly repaired and painted in colors, which, has made a decided improvement in the appearance and attraction of the building, and its surroundings.
The High School has been favored with the continued ser- vices of the same efficient teachers. The discipline and de- portment of the school has been much improved, and the instruction full and accurate, gaining a high degree of profi- ciency reflecting credit alike upon scholars and teachers. The High School is winning golden opinions, and expressions of appreciation from the community, and the committee is pleased to bear testimony to the fact that they are merited by the accomplished principal, and his efficient assistant.
It should be mentioned here, that, by raising the grade of the Grammar School, it has reduced the number of Classes or grades in the High School, from five to four, and by adopting a new course of study for the High School, em- bracing only the more advanced branches, as it does, the committee has dispensed with the services of one assistant ; and the money thus saved, has been used in procuring teach- ers of more experience, and better methods, for the lower grades and primary departments.
8
The Grammar School has made excellent progress, and has demonstrated that the methods persued have accomplish- ed what was otherwise impossible. The scholarship is far in advance of previous years. The discipline of the school has been thoroughly maintained, without resorting to unmer- ciful and questionable modes of punishment, and the deport- ment of the scholars greatly improved under the present administratiou. This, evidently, is due to the kindly, and mild spirit infused by those having the school in charge.
Music, in this school, is receiving more attention than formerly. The committee has purchased a small organ which is sufficient to lead the voices, and under the direction of the newly appointed assistant, who understands this branch of education, the school is doing finely, and a better spirit is inparted by the sentiments expressed in daily song.
All the other schools have made excellent progress in all the branches of study persued, and the discipline and de- portinent have been good ; except in a few cases, in which the fault did not entirely belong to the teacher, yet, in these cases, at the present time, improvement is noticeable.
With the present standing in scholarship, and the able and accomplished corps of teachers that now fills the office of in- structors, the committee is confident that the future is a promised success, if no retrograde steps are taken. If our schools are to maintain their present standing, and progress to still higher attainments, it will be necessary for the town to make liberal appropriations in the future, that the same grade of talent may be continued, and employed for suc- cessive terms and years. There is an incalculable advantage in having the continued services of a well tried and ex- perienced teacher for successive terms and years, and an un- told disadvantage in frequent changes. Nothing but proper compensation will secure and retain such talent. Fairhaven, for the want of sufficient appropriation to fully compensate her teachers, has for years been a training school for sur-
9
rounding larger towns. As soon as it was known that we had a teacher of unusual ability and accomplishment, larger salary has been offered, and we have had to submit to a change, and further experiment to our disadvantage, in the majority of instances. We trust that day has gone by.
Could all our schools be in one building, and under the supervision of a competent principal, thus giving us the ad- vantage, practically, of a superintendent, like our larger towns and cities, we should soon sce a rapid advance in all the grades. The disadvantage under which we now labor, giving each teacher too many grades or classes at one and the same time, necessitated by having schools in so many localities, would be avoided by bringing them all, as far as practicable, into one building. The result would be, each teacher would have but two grades or classes instead of from five to eight, as now, to look after, consequently, their effi- ciency and results would be more than doubled. It is by this, and this alone, that larger towns and cities having the above named advantages, have better schools than we. As our school system is now arranged, no teacher can make a specialty of any one or more studies, for want of time to give them undivided attention, and specialty in any pursuit is al- ways successful.
By the munificent proffer of our former townsman, Henry H. Rogers, Esq., of New York, all the above named advan- tages will be made available, as no one who has had expe - rience in educational matters will fail to appreciate.
SCHOOL YEAR.
The school year has been divided into three terms, viz. : Summer term, from April 16th to June 29th, eleven weeks : Fall term, from Sept 3d to Dec. 14th, fifteen weeks : Winter term, from Jan. 7th to March 28th, twelve weeks.
The High School, having forty weeks, will close one week later in each of the first and second terms.
10
SCHOOL CENSUS.
The census was taken in May, 1882, and 461 children recorded between the ages of 5 and 15, an increase of 41 over the previous year.
PUPILS NOT ABSENT.
The following are the names of pupils who were not absent during the Summer and Fall terms of thirty weeks :
HIGH SCHOOL.
Summer Term-Harry Allen, William Blossom, Norman Paull, Nellie Jackson.
Fall Term-Harry Allen, Samuel Babbitt, William Blos- som, Mamie E. Smith, George E. Ellis, Norman Panll, Alice Charry.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Summer Term-E. W. Fuller, Fred Fish, Bertie Morse, Charlie Maxfield, Alton Paull, Silas Rounsville, Harry Ray- mond, Lizzie Beetle, Lillie Bryant, Mabel Gurney, Nellie Lloyd, Lulu Loomis, Jessie Raymond, Annie Thompson.
Fall Term-Emelie P. Allen, Lillie Bryant, Nellie Cope- land, Mary Gilett, Grace Gifford, Lulu Loomis, Agnes Mer- rihew, Annie Raymond, Annie Thompson, Lizzie Mackie, Solomon Young, John Frawley, Eddie Frawley, Bertie Hanna, Andy Kelley, Charlie Harris, Harry Raymond, George Taber.
CENTRE PRIMARY.
Summer Term-Robbie W. Bisbee, Willie B. Cunning- ham, John M. Hillman, Morton M. Snow, John A. Young, Mary Bonnell, Charlie Cunningham, Harry W. Taber, Arthur D. Taber, Henry Haskins, Charlie Haskins.
Fall Term-Robbie W. Bisbee, Willie B. Cunningham, John M. Hillman, Morton M. Snow, Harry W. Taber, Arthur D. Taber, John A. Young, Mary Bonnell, Lizzie S. Parks, Cordie Hillman, Emma F. Hanna.
11
GREEN STREET.
Summer Term-None.
Fall Term-Albert Morse, Lettie Allen, Nettie Bryant, Lizzie Ellis, Lizzie Quirk.
SPRING STREET.
Summer Term-Annie Maxfield, John Jenney, Warren Maxfield, Arthur Wilcox.
Fall Term-Annie Maxfield, Warren Maxfield, Bertie Akin, Lizzie Burgess, Charlie Burgess.
PEASE DISTRICT.
Summer Term-None.
Fall Term-Channing Wilde.
OXFORD VILLAGE.
Summer Term-None.
Fall Term-Helen E. Gifford, Alice Omey, Elsie Whit- ing, Albert Charry.
NASKATUCKET.
Summer Term-Annie S. Studley, Bertie F. Howland, Willie S. Howland.
Fall Term-Gertie M. Howland, Annie S. Studley, Wil- lie S. Howland, Willie B. Studley.
NEW BOSTON.
Summer Term-Susie Luther, Bertie Howard, Herbert Godfrey, Dennis Stevens.
Fall Term-None.
SCONTICUT NECK.
Summer Term-Willie Glascow, Frank J. Glascow, Ella Dunn, Mary J. Dunn, Mabel Potter.
Fall Term-Frank J. Glascow, Willie Glascow, Charlie F. Mackie, Mabel L. Potter, Lizzie D. Hiller, Georgia Sherman.
TABULAR VIEW OF THE SEVERAL SCHOOLS, 1882-83.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Wages of
Teachers
per month.
Number of
Average
Attendance.
Tardy
Marks.
Number not
Absent.
Length of
Terms
in Weeks.
TERMS.
Lewis R. Wentworth. Principal.
$100.00
-
64 . .
51 . .
SI
. .
15 . .
Summer.
Evelyn S. Wardell, Assistant, .
35.00 )
Lewis R. Wentworth, Principal.
105.00 }
53 . .
44.77
65 .
6 . .
15 . .
Fall.
Annie J. Fairchild. Assistant. .
50.00 )
Amanda F. Scars, Principal.
45.00 }
78 . .
68.75
36 .
16 ..
15 . .
Summer.
Carrie Jenney. Assistant. .
25.00 }
Grammar, . . ·
Amanda F. Sears, Principal.
50.00 }
Carrie Jenney, Assistant, .
28.00
76 . .
69.33
91 .
IS .
15 . .
Fall. · ·
Centre Primary,
Myra A. Barney. Myra A. Barney.
28.00 .
. 49 50 .
42.50 46 . .
40 .
II . .
15 . .
Fall.
Green Street.
.
Lena Chubbuck.
30.00 .
57 .
.
45.50
48
5 .
15 .
.
. .
Spring Street. .
1
Carrie D. Baker, R. Ella Sears,
25.00 .
30.00 .
30 .
120
.
.
.
.
15 . .
Summer.
Pease District. .
1
Lucy F. Winchester.
30.00 .
++ . .
37.50
69
.
.
15 .
.
Summer. Fall.
Oxford Village, 1
Lillie B. Allen. Hattie M. Howland.
30.00 .
43 .
40 .
69
.
+ . .
15 . .
·
Naskatucket.
·
Ellen II. Akin.
25.00 .
23 . ·
20 . .
98
.
4 . .
15 . 15 . .
Summer. Fall.
.
1
Annie A. Shaw,
25.00 .
30 .
24.35
3
4 .
15 .
.
Summer.
New Boston, .
·
Annie A. Shaw,
25.00 .
27
22.70
29
. .
.
.
. .
Hattie M. Howland.
30.00 .
.
.
5
.
15.
.
Summer.
Sconticut Neck.
1 Mary E. Hancy.
25.00 .
27.27
15
Fall.
.
.
.
·
15
.
.
.
.
15 . .
Summer. Fall. . .
Lucy F. Winchester.
30.00 .
24. · 26. .
20.72
37
.
.
15 . .
Fall.
.
·
Ellen HI. Akin.
25.00 .
21
.
·
18.75
31
3 .
.
.
.
·
.
15 .
Fall.
27.50
33
.
+ .
6. .
15 . .
18.
67
·
.
.
.
.
Minnie Nye, .
25.00 .
27
22.50
96
34
7 .
15 .
Summer.
Annie J. Fairchild, Assistant, .
45.00
.
High. . .
.
30.00 .
44 . 4.5
32.75
Summer. Fall.
.
I .
.
30.00 .
34 . 36
Pupils.
12
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The foregoing table embraces the Summer and Fall terms only. The present term commenced Jan. 8th and will come into the report of next year.
SCHOOL BOOK AGENCY.
DR.
To cash on hand Feb. 15, 1882,
$ 1.31
Books ..
120.15
Books purchased,
315.54 $437.00
CR.
By books on hand Feb. 15, 1883, furnished schools.
74.85
" cash paid town treasurer. 6 . .. for books,
85.00
..
63.48
" agents commission
25.13
" cash on hand,
4.24
$437.00
Statement of appropriations and expenditures for teachers salaries, fuel, care and incidentals, from Feb. 15th, 1882. to Feb. 15th, 1883.
Amount on hand Feb. 15. 1882, $ 1.32
Appropriation for teacher's,
Salaries. care and fuel. 4.500.00
Incidental appropriations including special for repairs on High School building,
S00.00
Rec'd from State.
191.88
Rec'd from County,
183.12
$5,676.32
Amount paid teachers, $4,065.00
Amount paid for care,
287.88
Amount paid for fuel,
292.09
Incidental expenditures,
741.90
Balance unexpended,
289.45 $5,676.32
PROSPECTIVE STATEMENT.
Balance unexpended. $289.45
Amounts that will be required to pay teachers at the end of the year, $194.75
Amount required to pay for care. 59.00
Balance unexpended at the end of the year as near as can be determined, 35.70 $289.45
184.30
14
The committee would submit the following recommen- dations :
1st. That the town appropriate the sum of $4,800.00 for teacher's salaries, care and fuel.
2d. That the town appropriate the sum of $500.00 for school incidentals.
All of which is respectfully submitted, by order, and for the School Committee.
GEORGE E. FULLER, Chairman.
GEORGE E. FULLER,
LUCY M. DAVIS, School C. C. CUNDALL, $ Committee.
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