USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1884-1885 > Part 2
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The Pease District School is ungraded. There are nearly
5
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
twenty classes and about thirty scholars. The present teacher is an excellent disciplinarian, and is careful and painstaking in her instruction. She has had a long experience in ungraded schools. In the beginning of the Fall term the school was under the charge of a teacher who was popular with both parents and pupils. Her name being on the list of approved teachers for the New Bedford schools, in the middle of a term and week, she was required to leave the school and take a position in a New Bedford school. This requisition was preceded by no notice to the Committee and followed by no apology. To prevent further reprisals, we shall not, if it can be avoided, employ teachers who are accepted candidates for the New Bedford schools. During the delay incident to obtaining a teacher of the requisite experience, the school was conducted by substitutes. The Committee appreciates the value of a corps of substitute teachers. We desire that any lady qualifying herself for a teacher, or intending to make it a profession, shall put her name on our list as a substitute. She will obtain valuable experience, and a pref- erence will be given her for a permanent position. We desire teachers residing in Fairhaven, because they will be less tempted to leave by increased salaries and will add local pride to professional ambition.
The Sconticut Neck School building needs enlarging. A. new outbuilding for boys should be built, and a shed pro- vided for fuel now stacked in the entry. The room has been reseated, so that more space is obtained, and scholars take the light from the sides instead of the front. The interior is now tidy and cheerful. The desks are awkward and un- comfortable and should be replaced by those of the Gram- mar School on the occupancy of the Roger's Building. There is a sharp contrast between methods of the present teacher who is of Normal training and three years' experi- ence, and those of her immediate predecessor, who was
6
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
enthusiastic and successful. The present teacher reduces the time devoted to music and rhetorical exercises to a minimum, compels scholars in the first instance to do un- aided work and requires written recitations in history, spelling, language and descriptive geography. Although a severe tax upon the pupils, the Committee is satisfied the method will result in higher scholarship, and will watch the outcome with interest.
The Naskatucket School building and outbuildings are in good order. The room is well seated and lighted. The teacher, a recent Normal graduate, brings to her aid the best methods and an enthusiasm in her work which is resulting in an apparent excellent scholarship and discipline.
The New Boston School building could be improved in ex- ternal appearance. It is well seated and lighted, but is poorly ventilated. The methods are advanced and intelli- gent. There is better scholarship than heretofore, and the order is excellent.
There are no schools which demand more attention from the Committee, or require more liberal support from the community, than those of the country districts. They must necessarily suffer from irregularity of attendance, confusion of many grades and the natural reluctance of trained teachers to accept their charge. The education of country children, who are needed for the home cares and work of the farm; who are compelled to traverse long distances over bad roads in all weather ; is attendant with far more self-denial of parents and heroism of the children than is necessary to an attend- ance in a village school. Oftentimes necessarily limited, the education of country children should be the best possible. They should receive the instruction of trained and expe- rienced teachers. After some disappointments, the Commit- tee has the satisfaction of knowing that the country districts are now supplied with teachers of experience and profes-
7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
sional training - teachers of as high a rank as any in town. We trust the parents will give them such encouragement and aid that their tenure of office may be as permanent as their good behavior.
The acceptance of the Roger's School Building should be a more direct advantage to the country districts than the inci- dental benefit of town improvement. The liberal-minded donor desires to benefit all the children of the town. In justice to him, as well as to the community, the Committee earnestly recommends that upon the acceptance of the building, and consequent sale of the school property in the village, the proceeds of such sale shall be devoted to the repairs and other immediate needs of such schools as are not provided for in the new building; and, if in a wise economy, a surplus re- mains, it shall be funded, the proceeds to be applied from year to year, in addition to the regular appropriations, to the needs of such schools.
The Committee has noticed a marked deficiency in spell- ing in all the schools. Spelling is not taught as thoroughly as it once was. Parents who are unable to assist their chil- dren in other studies are frequently called on to spell a word. The Committee has introduced Harrington's Speller and requires a daily drill in all the schools.
History is not as successfully taught as it might be. Tem- porarily memorizing names, dates and localities is destitute of mental nourishment and insufferably irksome. Memoriz- ing should be reduced to a minimum. Teaching should be mainly by reading and oral dissertation. The same criticism and suggestion apply to descriptive geography. To this end, the Committee has changed the text book in history for the lower classes for one more simple and less detailed in its nar- rative; and has introduced, as collateral reading, historical and geographical readers.
Object teaching should be more largely employed in the
8
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
primary grades. In some schools, children below seven years of age, in whom memory, perception and observation are untrained, are taught nothing but reading. If the prac- tical features of the kindergarten methods were first em- ployed, reading, language and numbers could be far more readily taught. The Committee has introduced, during the past year, blocks, numeral frames, bundles of small rods, fac similes of current coin, measures, etc .; and hopes as such teaching is more generally adopted that, at a nominal cost, there can be gradually added all the necessary material for such work.
With the aid of the teachers, and the course for New Bedford schools and Mr. Harrington's admirable Manual, the Committee has thoroughly revised the course of studies for the schools. The grade of the Grammar School is one year behind that of New Bedford, Quincy, Worcester and New- ton. In order that the schools may be worthy of the new building; that the best education shall be given where there is the greatest demand, (viz .: to the larger number in the lower grades), and that the High School may also be im- proved ; the Committee proposes to raise the grade of the Grammar School so as to embrace the present studies of the first year of the Fairhaven High School.
Absorbing one-quarter of the appropriations for one-tenth of the scholars (only 40 per cent. of whom graduate, and those at 16 while the average age in Massachusetts is 18) - unfitted for college or even the Normal, Scientific or fitting schools ; debarred from the Swain Free School through ignorance of French or German ; - our High School is not doing its best work. The elevation of the grammar grade will now add a year's additional instruction to the High School in languages and physics, with the possible elective study of French. The plan has been submitted to former teachers of the school and pronounced practicable. It has
9
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
been adopted, after study and comparison, with long estab- lished courses in the majority of large towns in the State. The High School will now fit our young ladies for admission to Vassar and Smith Colleges without conditions, and possi- bly, our young men to any New England college not re- quiring Greek. The completion of this course will open to the High School graduate the Swain Free School, where an education equal to Wellesley and a Normal training superior to the State Normal Schools, may be obtained without cost and with the children retained at home.
Franklyn Delano, Esq., of New York, gave, during this last year, about 200 children's picture books for amusement and collateral reading in the schools. This thoughtful gift is of inestimable benefit in the primary grades.
Warren Delano, Esq., of New York, presented to the schools a set of unmounted maps, printed in Germany. They are of rare chorographical beauty and finish.
Under the Act of the last Legislature, text books and sup- plies are required to be furnished by the town to the pupils, free of cost.
In carrying out this law, we have adopted the following system : Applications for school books are made by the pupils to the teachers. The latter fill out requisitions on the School Book Agency in duplicate. These are counter- signed by the Committee. The Agency covers the books, labels them with printed regulations as to their use and suitably stamps them. The Agency then charges and for- wards the books to the teachers. The latter write upon the label the number of the book and the name of the scholar to whom it is loaned. The number and title are entered upon the catalogue, and upon a separate account each pupil is charged with the number of the book loaned him. At the end of each term all books are called in, and the teachers are
IO
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
required to make a detailed report of books on hand, their condition, etc.
At the last annual meeting, $6,000 was placed at the dis- posal of your Committee. With this amount it has conduct- ed the schools, and, at the present time, has a balance in its hands of $1,249.78.
It will be seen from the School Book Agency report that text books and supplies cost the town about $1,000, which amount was paid from the town incidental account. In the future it will be wise for the town to make special appro- priation for this purpose to the School Committee.
Your Committee, after careful consideration, finds that while in some respects the expenses for the coming year will be increased by the occupancy of the Roger's School Build- ing, they will be lessened in other respects to an equal, and probably greater, amount. It will not, therefore, recommend any increase of appropriation for all purposes over the amount made last year.
II
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL BOOK AGENCY.
DR.
To cash on hand February 15, 1884, $ 1 62
To books and supplies on hand February 15, 1884, To books and supplies purchased,
19I II
906 82
-$1,099 55
CR.
By books and supplies furnished schools, - - $807 70
By books returned,
19 O2
By books on hand,
226 62
By cash paid Town Treasurer,
40 00
By cash on hand, - 6 21
-- $1,099 55
February 10, 1885. S. H. WILCOX, Agent.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Amount unexpended February 15. 1884, -
$ 393 18
Appropriation for salaries, care, fuel and inci- dentals,
6,000 00
Income from State fund,
182 06
Income from County,
302 32
Cash for mutilated school books,
30
-$6,877 86
BILLS APPROVED.
Teachers' salaries,
$4,538 25 -
Fuel,
269 93
Care, -
364 25
Incidentals,
455 65
-$5,628 08
Balance unexpended February 15, 1885,
$1,249 78
I2
TABULAR STATEMENT OF FIRST TERM, 1884.
January 7th to April 4th.
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS.
Wages per
Month.
Number of
Weeks.
Whole number
Enrolled.
Membership. Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance
Per centage
Absence.
Number of
Tardy Marks.
Number not
Absent once.
High,
Annie J. Fairchild,
50
Amanda F. Sears,
50
Grammar,
Lucy F. Winchester,
30
I 2
93
87
78
89.6
IO.4
I22
II
Ida E. Cundall,
13
30
9
64
59.5
51.5
86.6
13.4
9
4
Centre Primary,
Ida E. Cundall,
13
I 2
47
40.8
37.3
91.4
8.6
58
O
Spring Street,
Ruth E. Sears,
30
I 2
43
41.4
34.4
83
17
II2
5
Pease,
W. Bessie Nickerson,
30
I 2
32
29
25. 5
88
I 2
77
3
Oxford,
Carrie E. Jenney,
30
I 2
33
30.3
26
85.8
14.2
84
I
Naskatucket,
Elenor Jackson,
26
I 2
22
20 7
18.I
87.4
12.6
61
4
New Boston,
Alice P. Winchester,
30
I 2
22
16.6
14.2
85.5
14.5
33
I
Sconticut Neck,
Hattie O. Warren,
25
I 2
27
25. 2
2I
83.3
16.7
95
4
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
( L. R. Wentworth,
$105
13
46
44
4I
93
7
57
II
Green Street,
Everett H. Jenny,
25
Lena A Chubbuck,
Per centage
13
TABULAR STATEMENT OF SECOND TERM, 1884.
April 14th to June 27th.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
Month.
Number of
Weeks.
Whole number
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Attendance,
Per centage
Attendance.
Absence.
Number of
Tardy Marks.
Number not
Absent once.
High,
( L. R. Wentworth
$105
II
40
39
36
92.3
7.7
53
I2
Annie J. Fairchild,
50
Amanda F. Sears,
50
Grammar,
Lucy F. Winchester,
30
II
81
79
73
92.4
7.6
90
15
Centre Primary,
Ida E. Cundall,
13
II
67
55.9
52.5
94
6
25
14
Green Street,
Bessie E. Taber,
30
II
46
44.8
40. 2
89.8
IO. 2
I20
5
Spring Street,
Ruth E. Sears,
30
II
48
47
4I
87 2
12.8
93
2
Pease,
W. Bessie Nickerson,
30
II
32
30.5
26.5
87
13
63
5
Oxford,
Carrie E. Jenny,
30
II
34
27.8
24. I
86.7
13.3
37
I
Naskatucket,
Elenor Jackson,
27
II
18
15
I3
86.6
13.4
35
I
New Boston,
Alice P. Winchester,
30
II
33
30
26
86.6
13.4
96
4
Sconticut Neck,
Hattie O. Warren,
28
II
29
28
23.3
83.2
16.8
91
6
Ida E. Cundall,
I4
Lena A. Chubbuck,
30
Average
Per centage
14
TABULAR STATEMENT OF THIRD TERM, 1884.
September 1st to December 19th.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
Month.
Number of
Weeks.
Whole number
Enrolled.
Average
( Membership.
Attendance.
Per centage
Attendance.
Absence.
Number of
Tardy Marks.
Number not
Absent once.
High,
Clara A. Bourne,
40
Amanda F. Sears,
50
I 5
IO5
97
88.5
91.2
8.8
7I
II
Grammar,
Ida E. Cundall,
14
Centre Primary,
Ida E. Cundall,
14
1 5
56
45.4
40.5
89. 2
IO.8
22
I
Green Street,
Bessie E. Taber.
30
I 5
46
42.7
40.4
94.6 88.4
11.6
49
3
Spring Street,
( W. Bessie Nickerson and
30
14
33
3I
28
90.3
9.7
58
2
Pease,
Sara A. Balcom,
Oxford,
Carrie E. Jenny,
30
1 5
44
31.6
27.5
87 87.6
13
37
I
Naskatucket,
Sadie B. Clarke,
28
I 5
24
19.4
I7
12.4
IIO
I
New Boston,
Alice P. Winchester,
30
1 5
35
26.6
23
86.5
13.5
I30
2
Sconticut Neck,
Hattie O. Warren,
30
I 5
29
28.2
25.5
90.4
9.6
167
2
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
F. W. Elliott,
$100
16
53
49
46.3
94.5
5.5
6
13
Lucy F. Winchester,
30
Lena A. Chubbuck,
30
Ruth E. Sears,
30
I 5
54
44
38.9
5.4
I2I
9
Per centage
Average
I5
SUMMARY FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, 1884.
SCHOOLS.
Number of
Number of Pupils
Enrolled.
Membership.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Absence.
Tardy Marks.
Amount paid for Books and
Stationery.
High
40
70
44
41.I
93.4
6.6
116
$218 69
Grammar,
38
I37
87.7
79.8
9I
Centre Primary,
35
79
53.6
48.2
90
56
46 44
Green Street,
00 00
Un
42.7
39.3
0 ~
299
43 71
Spring Street,
00
61
44.I
38. I
86.4
I 3.6
254
46 02
Pease,
37
36
30. I
26.7
88.7
11.3 in
I28
37 42
Oxford,
00 00 00.
54
29.9
26
87
I3
I35
54 63
Naskatucket,
2
18.3
16
87.4
12.6
206
46 44
New Boston,
39
24.4
2I. I
86.5
13.5
259
39 33
Sconticut Neck,
38
35
27.I
23.3
86
I4
353
36 77
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Weeks.
Average
Average
Per centage
Per centage
Number of
00000
283
226 48
16
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
ORDER OF TERMS FOR 1885.
TERMS
COMMENCE.
CLOSE.
LENGTH.
Summer. Fall. Winter.
Monday, April 13. Monday, September 7. Monday, Jan. 4, 1886. -
Friday, June 26. Friday, December 18.
Friday, March 26, 1886.
II weeks. 1 5 weeks. I 2 weeks.
The High School, having 40 weeks, will close one week later in the Summer and Fall terms.
Your Committee submits the following recommendations :
First. That the town appropriate the sum of $5,000 for teachers' salaries, care and fuel.
Second. That the town appropriate the sum of $500 for school incidentals.
Third. That the town appropriate the sum of $500 for text books and stationery.
JOB C. TRIPP, C. C. CUNDALL, A. B. COLLINS.
327
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