USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1853-82 > Part 13
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that teaching is her vocation - and with a more thorough and systematic training, she will take her position among the first.
The examination at the close of the Fall Term showed good improvement, excellent order, and a profitable school. Some very good compositions were read by members of the first class; we heard them with pleasure, and feel that the exercise merits our highest approval. The good order, the reading and singing, elicited particular commendation. An in- teresting episode was the presentation of eighteen beautiful and valuable books, to those who had been neither absent nor tardy, during the term -by Mr. William A. Wilde -each book being bestowed with some short and appropriate remarks by the giver.
The Winter Term was taught by Mr. William A. Wilde. Mr. W. is a man of large experience in teaching, that having been a profession with him for many years. This school being in his own district, he felt naturally a very strong desire to produce a good work. He made great effort in the school, by maintaining and enforcing good order, diligence in study, by patience, perseverance and thoroughness in all his teachings. The exercises for strengthening the memory by association in arithmetic and in spelling and defining words in their order, were pleasant and profitable. The progress of the school, with some slight exceptions, was harmonious and successful.
The examination, in which was given an example of an ordinary day's work in school, showed that labor had been bestowed here freely. The result
12
was excellent order and good improvement - indeed, the teacher says, of the sixteen hundred youth who have been under his care, none ever advanced more rapidly than the members of this school. During the vacation the school-room was neatly papered and painted. The scholars were duly careful in their treatment of the house -indeed, we think the pleasant aspect of the room, neat and clean as it always was, had a happy influence on the school.
NORTH SCHOOL.
JAMES KEYES, Local Committee.
Mr. Keyes was very much perplexed to decide which one, among the many good teachers who ap- plied for the school, he should employ. He earnest- ly wished to do the right and pleasant thing ; steer wide of all trouble and ill feeling, but, more than all, to secure a good teacher, who would unite the dis- trict in her support.
Miss M. C. Harris was finally placed in the school. She is an accurate and careful teacher, critical in pro- nunciation, emphasis, and the cadences, exact and methodical in all the operations of school. She la- bored faithfully and successfully. This school is now the smallest in town ; yet, by diligence on the part of the scholars, by direct personal efforts of the teach- er, it still holds its place among the first.
The examination was well attended by the parents and friends, who were much interested in witnessing such excellent results of the labors of this teacher. The order was good, the improvement very good, and the whole a very pleasant and gratifying affair.
13
Mr. L. V. N. Peck, a member of Dartmouth Col- lege, taught the Winter Term. He passed a very good examination before the whole committee, and is a teach- er of considerable experience. During our frequent visits to the school, we were always pleased with both scholars and teacher. He made himself very useful in his school, and acceptable everywhere. The scholars here, from their desire to excel, and the con- stant, direct, personal aid given by their teacher, made very rapid advances in their studies, especially in arithmetic. We had some slight fear that they had passed over their lessons too rapidly ; but every- thing appeared right and well. The school, as a whole, was quite satisfactory to us, though we would have been glad to have seen more perfect order. Good recitations never show better than when set off by good behavior. The respect accorded to a teach- er, and his usefulness, are generally in direct propor- tion to the enforcement of every proper and useful law of schools. The reading, declamation, and the exercises of the first grammar class deserve particular notice and commendation. We are happy to say it was a pleasant and profitable school.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
SILAS CLARK, Local Committee.
The Primary Department of this school, for both Spring and Fall Terms, was placed in care of Miss Sarah E. Sherman. She is admirably fitted for a teacher, as well by her promptness, earnestness, and decision, as by her gentleness of spirit, even temper,
14
and culture of mind. We had great expectations of the good work she would perform, and have never been disappointed in the slightest degree. Her nu- merous company of little ones, all nearly of the same size, was admirably managed; indeed, they seemed to manage themselves, so gentle, and yet so perfect was the power of the teacher over them all. They made rapid progress, could not well avoid it, every- thing was made so plain and pleasant. The repre- sentatives of many nations were here, and none smarter or prettier than the Irish and German. Reading, spelling, geography, arithmetic, and sing- ing, were the chief exercises. This last was delight- ful. They seemed to take to it naturally, and sing as the birds sing. At the examination, the room was prettily dressed with autumn leaves in their beauty. Among the mottoes, " love " and " order " were prom- inent. They fitly figured forth the spirit of the school. There was a crowd of visitors, all of whom looked pleased and interested. The school was just what a school should be, from beginning to end.
The Spring and Fall Terms of the larger school were taught by Miss. Lottie C. Faulkner. We said years ago we would like to write the history of this young and promising teacher. It has been done and well done by other and abler hands ; all we can do now is to give our most cordial assent to those words of commendation so richly merited. Miss. F. com- menced her school with the same anxiety and the same determination to succeed which fills the heart of every true teacher. All the praise so freely be- stowed and so well deserved, only stimulates her to
15
still higher and better effort. We never felt the slightest anxiety, when entering her school-room, that we would find it otherwise than in perfect order. It was always so, and if every teacher felt the same strong desire and put forth the same effort-their schools too, would show the same good results. The examination at the close of the fall term was well attended. Among the spectators we noticed many of the mothers and some of the grandmothers. This i right. The room was finely adorned with crimson forest leaves, which were made to utter great truths in morals as plainly as they spoke of the glory of God where they grew in beauty. They told, too, of the spirit and effort of the place; of "patience," that never failed ; of "perseverance," that never faltered ; of prompt "obedience" of the school, which was always met by heartfelt " kindness " by the teacher. This school was excellent as a whole and in every part.
Miss. F. also managed the Winter Primary with the same energy and the same success. The same com- pany of interested visitors were present at the ex- amination ; they and we were delighted with the school, their good recitations, their good behavior, excellent and appropriate songs, dialogues and single pieces. One by Hattie Handley alluding to the death of little Willie C. was spoken lovingly and tenderly, and heard with marked feeling.
The Higher Department of this school was taught by Mr. Ephraim Graham, of Lunenburg. He is an old teacher, and we presume a very good one. There was something needed in this school, and indeed in
16
all our schools, above and beyond mere teaching, or government even. The teachers must have health and strength, and the power to awaken the dormant faculties, to enliven and sustain the mental operations of all his various charge. This teacher did what he could to give a right direction to the minds of his scholars, laboring, we doubt not, faithfully and well- We wish we could say that the measure of his suc- cess was as great as his desire.
There was much labor and study done in this school. It was performed by those, however, to whom study is a delight, and not by the dull and backward, who of all others most need the effort. We would have been glad to see better order - more evidence of study, a better appreciation of the teacher's kind- ness, and more regard for his authority. In the ex- amination, the first grammar class, the classes in com- mon and physical geography, the latter especially, were excellent, and would have been an ornament to any school. Of the remaining portion of these scholars we can say but little, though we do most earnestly hope their next effort will be more favored than this has been.
CENTRE SCHOOL. JONAS BLODGET, Local Committee.
Miss Sophia Harris taught the Primary Depart- ment, Spring and Fall Terms. She is well known as an earnest and successful teacher. This was one of her very best efforts. During all the school, the at- tendance was good, the order excellent, and the im- provement well marked. The examination fully re-
17
vealed how steadily and faithfully this teacher had exerted herself. The school excelled in reading and singing, and in every part was equal to any other. There were thirteen who had been neither absent nor tardy. Their names were placed in roll of honor, made conspicuous by a beautiful wreath.
The Higher School was placed in care of Miss S. A. Dole. She is too well and favorably known to need any words from us. The school was found in a state which called forth all her patience and effort in the correction of errors, and to bring all her pupils into good working order. She labored perseveringly and with good results. Very little time was spent in re- viewing studies at the close of school, that having been well done day by day.
The examination, though no attempt was made at display, was a pleasant performance, and gave good assurance of the work which had been done, and well done, in the two terms. The room was tastefully adorned ; the ornaments still remain. The examina- tions of both these schools were attended by a large company of interested and intelligent visitors.
Miss Dole had the care of the Winter Primary School. Her efforts here were concentrated on a less number of studies, and her labor was therefore more visibly successful. The teacher who intends to do a good work in her calling, must make an outlay of all her power of thought and action, even in a Primary School. She must be a teacher, and nothing else ; at least, everything else must be only secondary to this great object, and resorted to merely as a recreation.
The examination was well attended by friends of
2
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scholars and teacher, who acquitted themselves well, receiving and deserving much praise.
The Higher Department of this school was taught by Luther Conant, Jr. It has been a long time since we have had a good Winter School in this district. Of the various causes of this state of things, we are not expected to speak. After much diligent inquiry, the Committee employed Mr. Conant. He has been a teacher of more than ordinary merit for some ten or eleven years, and, we really believe, is constantly increasing in power and ability. He falls into no dull routine of teaching, but is always presenting some- thing new and useful, adapted to all the variety of mind under his care, thus exciting and maintaining a constantly increasing interest in thought and study. Keeping himself fully up with the times, he does not grow old, and would not were he to teach these thirty years. This school was by far the largest of the graded schools, numbering fifty-seven; and, for the first half of the term, there were never less than fifty- two present, and generally fifty-five. The attendance in the last part, though good, was considerably dimin- ished by sickness. The work performed by this teacher was nearly, if not quite, double that done by
others. His perfect health of body and great power and activity of mind enabled him to perform the un- usual amount of labor necessary to bring this school up to the highest position of any in town. He was not content with six hours work every day, but gene- rally spent an hour or more with those who were de- sirous to stay after school to avail themselves of the personal, direct, and interesting instruction then
19
given. Add to this, that two long evenings every week were spent in writing, reading, and spelling. They were very pleasing and profitable exercises, en- joyed, too, not merely by the day scholars, but by all the young men and women of the village, who availed themselves freely of the advantages of such instruc- tion. They will long remember those pleasant even- ings with gratitude. Great attention was given to the common studies of arithmetic, grammar, reading, etc.
The first class was thoroughly drilled in reading and spelling once a day, the others, both forenoon and afternoon. Indeed, they were well and earnestly exercised in all the proper business of the Common School; the teacher bringing all his personal influence and varied store of knowledge to bear directly on the mind and memory of every pupil. The government of this school was of the most desirable order ; good behavior being secured by keeping every scholar wide awake in study. It is difficult, where every effort is a success, to specify what pleased us most.
We think the greatest progress was made in read- ing, spelling, and grammar. These exercises were of the best order. The most thorough knowledge of principles was shown in arithmetic and geography. The examination was highly interesting and very satisfactory to the one hundred and thirty visitors ; every-body looked pleased, and many spoke of their pleasure when opportunity offered. We must not forget the declamations and recitations, the sweet singing, nor the three cheers for the Stars and Stripes, after Hail Columbia - which were given
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with a will, in every variety of voice. The crowning work of the day, however, was the presentation of a beautiful Bible by Lorette Tuttle, in behalf of the school. Lorette performed her part very prettily. The teacher was taken perfectly by surprise, ex- pressed his heartfelt thanks in a few broken words, fol- lowed by a silence more expressive than words can be.
It was a grand school, and in progress and standing is now equal to any in town. These good results are mainly attributable to the correct, earnest, and un- tiring labors of this teacher.
EAST SCHOOL. JAMES E. BILLINGS, Committee.
This school was taught during the Spring, Fall, and Winter Terms, by Susan Augusta Davis. For four or five years she has proved herself a true teacher; and the people of this district are equally true and right in all school matters, aiding and encouraging the teacher in her many laborious and anxious hours. The whole course of the spring and fall schools was quietly and steadily onward. We always found the school in good order, studious and thoughtful. The examination was held in one of the most pitiless storms of November. Still the parents, or their next friends, were all there ; even good Aunt Chaffin, who is mother of them all, could not be kept away.
Mothers, who will turn out on such a day, will not be found wanting in their duties of every day. They will, of course, aid their children in all their studies, and by good advice, and words of hearty encourage-
21
ment. With such mothers, the children must be pos- sessed of more than ordinarily good qualities. The exercises of examination were all interesting, and some of them could not be surpassed.
The Winter School was an experiment. It proved a very successful one. The Committee believed this school sufficiently civilized and humanized to be well managed by an intelligent female teacher. Our best hopes were fully realized. We think the work of this teacher, day by day, equal to any other in this grade of school. The order was good, and the im- provement well marked. The grammar classes were very good. The facility with which the first class analyzed Milton showed close study as well as correct teaching. The reading of some recitations excited marked attention. If we can find such female teach- ers as Miss D. - and there are many of them - we can have at least one-third more school for the same money heretofore expended for male teachers, some of whom, doubtless, came here mainly to recruit their worn bodies, or fill their empty purses.
.
While we gladly aid the struggling scholar in his onward course, even he, should never be permitted to rest as a dead weight on any school. We must have live men and strong workers, if any. As an in- dication of the feeling and opinion of this school in this matter, we will now state, that here, too, was a presentation of a beautiful and costly Bible to the teacher. It was no common gift, yet truly and affec- tionately speaking the good-will and confidence of the givers.
The nine schools in town were visted by the
2*
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Chairman of Committee in the Spring Term forty- eight, in the Fall Term thirty-seven, and in the Winter Term forty-one times, exclusive of short calls, making one hundred and twenty-six visitations which, we hope, will fully answer the demand of the law and of the town.
We cannot say how well we have done our duty; but we can say our wishes and endeavors have been all in the right direction. In writing this Report, we know we have omitted many good things, which we might have said, and especially of the good schools and best teachers, and may have said others which were better omitted. Of this, others must judge. In excuse, we can only say that what we have written was written in the bits and ends of time, amid the labors and anxieties of an engrossing profession.
Many suggestions formerly made to the whole town are now directed solely to the Local Committees. We beg leave to make a few suggestions to the town, and first, that it is thought expedient to do something, in regard to a High School. It is thought best by some to raise a sum not exceeding $300 to establish such a school in the Centre and one in the South or West, for a term of three months in the fall of 1861.
2nd. That, though the crime of truancy is almost unknown, absentees and tardy boys are abundant. Let the finger of public rebuke be pointed at those who are so much inclined to linger round where idle men and idler boys are wont to congregate ; at the stores, depots, shops, etc. Let the loiterers also re- member that those places are not made for them ; and they are not wanted there, though the proper
23
occupants may not have the courage or honesty to tell them so. This habit of absenteeism seems to run in the blood of some families. We can tell, before looking at the register, whose names will have the most black marks against them. These families in- jure the average attendance very much. We are glad there are no more of them; and that generally the absences are chargeable to sickness or some other actual necessity.
4th. We wish the town to consider the propriety, at some time, of fitting the old Town Hall for school- rooms.
And, finally, we wish a deeper interest may be felt in the progress of our schools, by the fathers and mothers of the town ; not only that money should be granted freely, as it has been ; not only should the teacher and the school have kind wishes and kind words at home, but both be cheered and encouraged by their frequent visits at the school-room.
We ask that our schools may be fostered and cher- ished, because it is through them we are to maintain our intellectual standing, labor made effective and honorable, and the town prosperous and happy ; for it is now well understood that, when we have raised up true men and women, vigorous in body, cultivated in mind, and pure in heart and life, material prosper- ity cannot be far off.
HARRIS COWDREY.
For the Committee.
24
EXPENSE OF THE WEST SCHOOL.
WEST ACTON, July 13, 1860.
Paid Miss Emily Hersey, for 10 weeks teaching at $5.00, $50 00
Miss Carrie E. Mayhew for teaching Pri- mary Department 10 weeks at $4 00, 40 00
FALL TERM.
Philo Hersey, $50 00
Miss Mayhew, for two months, 40 00
WINTER TERM.
Philo Hersey for 22 months, $100 09
66 Miss Mayhew for 22 months, 44 50
4 brooms 1 08, 2 pails 40, 2 dippers 25, 1 73 Building fires, and taking care of house, 7 00
$333 32
Wood, repairs,
ALDEN FULLER.
NORTH DISTRICT.
Appropriation,
$233 20
Due from last year,
4 63
$237 83
Paid M. C. Harris, 21 weeks, $94 50
H. Chapman, for wood, 15 00
66 for cleaning house, 1 25
pail, dipper, and broom, 69
Amount carried forward, $111 44
25
Amount brought forward, $111 44
Paid for building fires, 2 00
L. V. N. Peck, 3 mos. 4 days, 124 39
$237 83
JAMES KEYES.
CENTRE SCHOOL EXPENSES.
Appropriation, From L. Conant, Jr.,
$359 70
1 67
$361 37
SPRING TERM.
Paid Miss S. A. Dole, 10 weeks at $4 50, $45 00
Sophia Harris, 10 weeks at $3 75, 37 50
FALL TERM.
66 S. A. Dole, 10 weeks, $45 00
66 Sophia S. Harris, 37 50
WINTER TERM.
Paid Luther Conant, Jr., $122 50
66 Miss S. A. Dole, 11 weeks at 4 00, 44 00
for building fires, 2 50 ; clean'g house, 1 00, 3 50
66 cloth for curtains, 1 26 ; 2 dippers, 12, 1 38 3 brooms, 84 ; 1 pail, 25, 1 09
66 4 cords wood, etc., 5 62} per cord, 22 50
66 sundries, 50
Jonas Blodget, Committee, $360 47 90
26
SOUTH ACTON.
MARCH 13, 1861.
Amount received from the town treasurer, $359 70
Luther Conant, Jr., 4 08
$363 78
SPRING TERM.
Miss Lottie Faulkner, 10 weeks at $5 00, $50 00
Sarah E. Sherman, 10 " 4 00, 40 00
FALL TERM.
Lottie Faulkner, 8 weeks at $5 00, $40 00
Sarah E. Sherman, 8 " 4 00, 32 00
WINTER TERM.
Mr. Ephraim Graham, 11 weeks at $10 00, $110 00
Miss Lottie Faulkner, 5 00, 55 00
$327 00
Paid for wood, 24 75
66 2 pails, 36; dippers and brooms, 84; chair, 33; bell, 34, 1 87
66 nails, 10; L. Piper, setting glass, 1 70, 1 80
66 lock on desk, 18; building fires, 2 00, 2 18
$357 60
Balance due the District, $6 18.
SILAS CLARK.
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EAST DISTRICT.
Appropriation, Received of Luther Conant, Jr. 6 53
233 20
239 73
Paid S. Augusta Davis, Spring and Fall Terms, 21 weeks, $4 70, 98 70
" S. Augusta Davis, Winter Term 14 weeks, $6 50, 91 00
for 2 brooms, 63, dust pan, 17, door trimming, 14, 94
Repairing key, 15c., washing house twice, $2 50, building fire, $1 50, 4 15
Wood, 15 00
$209 79
Balance in the hands of Committee,
29 94
JAMES E. BILLINGS.
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STATISTICAL TABLE FOR 1860-61.
DISTRICTS.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Length of School in
Wages per Month.
Amount of Wages.
Whole No. of Scholars.
Average No. of Scholars.
| No. over 15 years of age.
! No of Visitors at Exami-
nation.
Not absent or tardy.
Centre,
Sophia S. Harris,
2₺
15.00
37.50
36
31
0
6
00
9
West,
Carrie E. Mayhew,
23
16.00
40.00
42
33
0
0
00
2
South,
Sarah E. Sherman,
22
16.00
40.00
55
38
0
7
00
6
22
18.80
47.05
43
38
0
0
00
4
East, S. East, North,
Nellie J. Fletcher,
2₺
18.00
45.00
37
33
1
2
00
11
Martha C. Harris,
2₺
18.00
45.00
31
26
1
5
00
8
Total,
22₺
$159.80
$399.55 359 298
7 20
00
FALL.
25
$18.00
$45.00
36
30
0
0
30 14
Centre,
Sophia S. Harris,
23
15.00
37.50
37
31
0
0
31 14
West,
Carrie E. Mayhew,
2
20.00
40.00
48
40
0
0
20
8
South,
Lottie C. Faulkner, Sarah E. Sherman,
2
16.00
32.00
45
38
0
6 46 14
East, S. East, North,
S. Augusta Davis,
23
18.80
51.70
41
32
1
0
23
6
Nellie J. Fletcher,
3
18.00
54.00
39
35
1
3
20
18
Martha C. Harris,
2ª
18.00
49.50
25
21
1
4
20
7
Total,
19} $143.80
$399.70 311 212
13
Centre,
Luther Conant, Jr.,
34
$40.00 $122.50
56
52 17
130|11
West,
Philo Hersey,
25
40.04
100.10
45
40|19
0
80
1
South,
Ephraim Graham,
2ª
40.00
110.00
45
39
7
0
12
East,
Miss S. A. Davis,
3₺
26.00
91.00
46
39
10
0
30
S. East,
Wm. A. Wilde,
2į
39.00
107.25
39
31 14
0
10
North,
L. V. N. Peck,
40.00
124.39
43
36 15
1 30 10
Total,
17% $225.04 $655.24 274 237 82
1
WINTER PRIMARY. S. Augusta Dole, Lottie C. Faulkner, C. E. Mayhew,
$16.00
$44.00
41
39
0
0
25
0
West,
2}
18.00
45.00
45
37
0| 0
30 10
Total,
8
$54.00 $144.00 134.115
00
-
SPRING.
S. Augusta Dole,
2₺
$15.00
$45.00
38
33
2
0 00 11
Emily Hersey,
25
20.00
50.00
34
28
1
0
00
3
Lottie C. Faulkner,
2₺
20.00
50.00
43
38
2
0
00 11
S. Augusta Davis,
man
Philo Hersey,
0
00.00
50.00
00
00
0
0
00
0
2
20.00
40.00
40
35
2
0
50 16
Centre, South,
0
40
8
20.00
55.00
48
39
0
No. under 5.
Months.
S. Augusta Dole,
WINTER.
TWENTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1861-62.
ALSO, THE
REPORT OF THE TOWN CLERK,
AND
SELECTMEN'S REPORT,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 26, 1862.
BOSTON: S. CHISM,-FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE, No. 112 CONGRESS STREET. 1862.
REPORT.
IN obedience to State law, and in accordance with established usage, the School Committee present their Annual Report.
Our school year opened with very favorable cir- cumstances. A Teachers' Institute, commencing Mon- day, April 8th, and continuing through the week, was an event to us of unusual interest, and highly enjoyed by a large and intelligent company of teach- ers, as well as the citizens generally of this town and vicinity. The town showed their appreciation of the object of the gathering, by offering, in a unanimous vote, the use of their fine Hall, warmed and lighted, for the sittings of the Institute.
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