USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 17
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$6.00
from town of Acton, 20 70
$26 70
CR.
By cash paid Martin Pike, mowing brush in Cemetery,
$23 70
do. Samuel Hosmer, for work in Cemetery, 2 00
do. H. M. Smith, numbering lots, 1 00
$26 70
H. M. SMITH, SAMUEL HOSMER, CHARLES HASTINGS,
Cemetery Committee.
(19)
THE
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
-OF THE-
TOWN OF ACTON,
-FOR THE-
SCHOOL-YEAR 1869-70.
PRINTED BY TOLMAN & WHITE, 221 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON. 1870.
REPORT.
CITIZENS OF ACTON :.
Owing to failing health, Dr. Little resigned his position of local committee for the Centre District, and chairman of the Board, at the close of the Spring term of the schools. At a meeting of the Selectmen and School Committee, during vacation, Mr. Moses Taylor was chosen to serve out the unexpired term of Dr. Little, as local committee ; and we as chairman of the Board. We assumed the duties of the office with extreme reluctance ;- indeed, would hardly have accepted at all, had we not cherished the hope that Dr. Little, after a rest, would so far recover his usual health as to assume the chairmanship again during the winter. This hope, however, proved delusive ; for, ere that time arrived, we sadly joined in the requiem over his mortal remains, and saw them carried to their final resting place. In the death of Dr. Little, the town lost an honored and respected citizen, and the cause of education a devoted friend.
We claim your indulgence while we present a few thoughts, which, we trust, will prove beneficial to our schools.
SCHOOL-HOUSES .- We heartily commend the action the town took, at its March meeting, to immediately commence the erection of one or more convenient buildings for the use of schools. The action was not taken a moment too soon, we can, from personal knowledge, most positively assert. We repeat what we have said before on this point, that we can never cultivate proper feelings of respect for property,
4
either public or private, in the minds of our children, by constantly sending them to school in rooms that present such an inconsistent, dilapidated aspect, as to render the temptation irresistible to hit the hanging ceiling a poke, or try their knives and pencils here and there, on the walls and benches, all the while reasoning to themselves,-and not far from the truth,-" can't make them look much worse." We hope the town will take the same action each succeed- ing year, until we have school-houses in every part of it that we shall not feel ASHAMED of ;- for what tends more directly to degrade a town, and lower it in public estimation, than a set of "old tumble down school-houses " that will not compare with the average of stables? We know the expense will be considerable, but we know, too, that we cannot put our money where it will yield a more sure or greater interest than in investing it in what will promote a right and judicious education of our children. If there is any class of, men who hang like a dead weight upon progress, and the true moral and intellectual elevation of the masses, it is those who shrug up their shoulders and groan to think they cannot invest quite so much in government bonds and bank stock, because they must pay a tax towards promoting a truly worthy object. They are constantly harping that scholars " would tear new school-houses to pieces in a little while, so they would look as bad as the old ones." Such men would set their sons to mowing grass with a stub-scythe, for fear they would injure a better one, or let their daughters get down on their hands to wash floors to save the expense of a mop-handle. What, we ask, ought to give us more pleasure, when age has crept upon us, and our heads are whitened for the grave, than to think we contributed cheerfully towards those means of education and improvement that directly tended to place our sons and daughters in positions of honor and trust? And will not these same sons and daughters, when far away they hear some one speak in terms of praise of their native town, and
5
her educational facilities, proudly say : that is my town- there I was educated ?
DISCIPLINE .- That there has been an evident lack of ef- ficient discipline in some of our schools the past year, we will not deny ; neither do we admit that the teachers have been wholly to blame. We know that, in some instances, parents have hurled their anathemas at teachers, and said they ought not to be retained in charge a single day, and blamed the Committee because they were. We would like to ask such, if they ever consider all the bearings of the case, as the Committee has to. That there is usually a cor- responding laxity of parental discipline at home; that a first-class experienced teacher cannot always be obtained, and the Committee must take a novice in the art, and help them through as best they can. There are some who clamor loudly for order just so long as the rules are applied to somebody's children but their own; but when their child- ren are made to " toe the mark," the teacher is all wrong, and no business to make such rules and regulations, and inflict punishment in this manner or that. Ah ! parents, do you ever stop to think, when using such language before your children, that they may sometime be placed in cir- cumstances where they will have the very life crushed out of them by just such opposition? When, with proper en- couragement, they might have become eminently successful. To those who wish for better teachers, and a more efficient discipline, as far as teachers are concerned, we would say : we must raise the standard of wages, and attract them to us, rather than repel by their meagerness. And yet, the rate of wages is not the whole reason why many teachers will not enter some of our schools. They well know there are some scholars who do not intend to come under the dis- cipline of any teacher, or any one, perhaps we might say. Now we have got to depend mainly upon female teachers, and cannot expect, in a majority of instances, to obtain those who are physically competent to cope with vicious
6
scholars,-nor should we expect it. An excellent teacher remarked to us, at the close of her Winter term, "I shall not, for any consideration, enter into an engagement to teach this school again ; for, besides hearing in a thorough manner, some twenty recitations a day, they expect me to 'thrash' some of the largest boys into obedience, which I consider neither right nor proper to expect of any female." What shall be done? Shall we continually submit to have our schools broken up and become a by-word and reproach, because some scholars will neither avail themselves of the advantages afforded, nor let others? Is it right or just to let honest, industrious scholars be cheated out of their time and money in this manner, as many are? The answer is plain, the law must be enforced. Not that we would have wrong, by any means, done to any scholar, but rather, that justice be visited upon the few who are guilty, and not injustice upon the many who are innocent.
READING .- Good reading is to be. regarded as the most important branch of education. It is, indeed, a great ac- complishment; and the common school is the place for acquiring it. The teacher should not only understand the pauses and pronunciation, but he should understand the elocutionary department, so that he can read.a passage, and give the various modulations of voice, as a perfect example for his scholars to imitate. One paragraph, or one verse, taken up at each lesson, and so thoroughly studied that each member of a class can read it correctly, is better than pages read over in the hasty careless manner that is practiced in some schools. Good reading, like good music, thrills with its magic power, and awakens an answering chord in every breast.
WRITING .- That this branch of education is altogether too much neglected, those who examine the writing-books in most of our schools will testify. What Henry Ward Beecher says of dress will apply to writing. He says that " dress does not make a man, but when a man is made he looks bet-
7
ter dressed up." So writing does not make ideas, but if a person has ideas worth committing to paper, they certainly ought to be written in a neat, legible manner. A few days ago we received a communication from a publishing house in Boston, with the agent's name signed in such a scrawling manner that had we not seen it in print we must forever have remained in ignorance as to what it was. Such writing is a nuisance and imposition to the person who must try and decipher it. Teachers should take more pains to thoroughly qualify themselves to give instruction in this branch. They should be able to illustrate to their scholars how the pen should be held, and how the letters are formed. And when the writing-hour comes, insist that every scholar gives his undivided attention to it, and conforms to the explanations and copy given them as models, else there will be but little improvement.
GRAMMAR .- This is usually considered by scholars a dull, dry study, and teachers should understand and appreciate its importance, so as to be wide awake in devising interesting methods of teaching it. We would like to see Aids to Eng- lish Composition introduced into all the higher departments of school, to be taught in connection with grammar. In the only school where it was introduced the past year, the teacher assured us that the class, consisting of some twenty-five members, were much interested, and certainly the results were highly satisfactory. We have not a very high opinion of those who think more of dead and foreign languages than they do of our own. When we meet with such, we are reminded of a young man who engaged to teach school in the same town where we were once teaching. He was brought before the chairman of the committee (with whom we boarded) for examination, and, among other questions, was asked, " What connects North and South America ?" Scratching his head and looking quite perplexed, he finally saïd, " he had not paid much attention to the common branches ; he had been studying the higher, preparing to en-
8
ter college ; really, he had forgotten whether it was land or water."
ARITHMETIC .- Of this branch we cannot say but what there is time enough spent in studying it. Most children commence it at the age of six or seven, and continue to drone over it as long as they attend school, if to the age of twenty- one. In one school we found Robinson's Higher and Prac- tical ; Greenleaf's Higher, besides some four classes in alge- bra. We thought this "too much of a good thing," and requested that the algebra classes be combined into two, at least, and that Greenleaf's Arithmetic be excluded from the list of studies. In another school we found the same written arithmetics, algebra, and several classes in Robinson's Men- tal and Primary. We requested Greenleaf's to be excluded from this school. Now, with the numberless classes or divisions that a teacher must make-especially in a mixed school-in arithmetic, it takes nearly one-half of each school- day to hear these recitations ; much more, we think-and we would not undervalue it-than its importance demands. We believe one text-book on written and one on mental arithmetic, is sufficient for our common schools. These, with a teacher competent to teach them in a thorough, prac- tical manner, will furnish a scholar with all the knowledge he need have of this branch, to enter any of our higher institutions of learning in half the time spent upon the study now.
We now pass to a brief view of the schools and teachers, for the last year, which, with the knowledge we have of them, we will endeavor to give in an impartial manner. .
WEST PRIMARY SCHOOL .- This school, throughout the year, was under the instruction of Miss Sara M. Newhall. Miss Newhall is an excellent teacher, and performed a work in this school that will long be remembered by both pupils and parents. Her examinations called forth much and well- deserved praise for herself and scholars.
9
WEST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL .- This is a difficult school to keep in working order, and needs a teacher of much firm- ness and decision. Such an one was found in Miss E. I. Draper, who had charge throughout the year. It gave us much pleasure, at the examinations, to highly commend this teacher for the labor she had performed, and many of the scholars for the advancement they had made.
WEST GRAMMAR SCHOOL. This school was taught by Miss Jennie A. Conant during the Spring and Fall terms, who fully sustained her well-established reputation as a teacher. The examination was well attended, and gave good satisfaction. Miss Lizzie M. Burr taught during the Winter term. Miss Burr is a good teacher, and had not a few scholars so far demeaned themselves as to injure the govern- ment, the school would have been a highly successful one. This school contains some of the most advanced scholars of any in town.
EAST SCHOOL .- Miss A. J. Whittredge was placed in charge during the Spring and Fall terms, and Mr. W. L. Hurd during the Winter term. Both were inexperienced teachers, and did not succeed so well as we could wish. We think, however, it might have been otherwise, had the teachers met with proper encouragement. Mr. Hurd came well recommended, and is a young man of good abilities.
NORTH SCHOOL .- This is a quiet and orderly school, where the scholars appreciate the advantages afforded and try to make the most of them. Miss Lottie A. Dutton was placed in charge during the Spring term, and commenced the Fall, but left, when part through, for reasons that hardly met our approval. Mrs. Angie Harris finished the term with her usual success. The Winter term was under the care of Miss Sarah W. Loker. Miss Loker is a thorough scholar herself, and an excellent teacher. Suffice it to say, that her instrúc- tion, and the advancement of the school, met our warm approval.
10
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL .- Miss Martha A. Whitney was placed in charge during the Spring term, and considering the size of the school (part of the Intermediate were placed in this school for this term), and that it was her first effort, did very well. Miss Hattie E. Handley, also a " beginner," had charge during the Fall term. The examination was very pleasant indeed and showed that her labors had been a decided success. Miss Whitney again had charge during the Winter term, and governed and instructed the school much to our satisfaction.
SOUTH INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL .- The scholars belonging to this school were divided, and part sent to the Grammar, and part to the Primary, for the Spring term. The Fall term was taught by Miss Whitney with fair success. The Winter term was commenced by Miss Nellie M. Bradley. Some of the scholars behaved so badly that she became dis- couraged, and left the third day. Miss Handley succeeded her, and did the best she could to restore order, but did not succeed quite so well as we could have wished. There are some rogues in this school who need severe discipline.
SOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL .- This school had the advantage of the same excellent teacher for another year. Miss Com- stock has labored here with such untiring industry that her school, in many respects, has become a model one. The examinations were of that high order that need no praise from us. We will 'only speak of the large class in Aids to English Composition ; every member answered promptly, and not a question was missed.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL. - This school was unfortunate enough to have four teachers during the year. Miss Cor- rinna Shattuck taught during the Spring term, how well, we cannot say, as our predecessor left us no minutes. Miss Lizzie S. Piper taught during the Fall term with excellent success, considering it was her first effort at school teaching. Her examination showed that the scholars had made good
11
improvement. Miss Piper has two good traits for a teacher : energy and decision. The Winter term was commenced by Miss Anna Randall, who, from lack of energy to either govern or instruct, soon left. Miss Maria P. Hastings was then engaged to finish the term. Miss Hastings passed one of the best examinations of any teacher that ever came before us, and we heartily wish her success in her first effort. And had she maintained good order it would have been all we desired. The examination was better than we expected ; indeed, quite good.
CENTRE PRIMARY SCHOOL .- This school had three different teachers during the year. Miss Carrie M. Hapgood in the Spring ; Miss Junia S. Bartlett in the Fall; and Miss Lizzie M. Priest in the Winter. We have no record of Miss Hapgood's success. Both the other teachers won for themselves much credit, for their good order and thorough instruction. At the examinations, we were pleased to give the scholars much praise for the prompt and correct manner in which they recited.
CENTRE GRAMMAR SCHOOL .- Miss Priest had charge of this school during the Spring and Fall terms. Under her instruction the scholars made good progress, and were commended at the examination. The Winter term was commenced by Rev. Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson had borne the reputation of being an excellent teacher, and, we doubt not, would have carried the school to a succesful close had his health proved equal to the task imposed upon it. That failing, he relinquished his charge at the end of the fifth week. E. F. Richardson was engaged to teach the remain- der, of the term. As to his success, we leave other and less partial judges, to record.
CHANGES IN TEXT-BOOKS .- Town's series of readers, which had been in our schools for a long time, were ex- changed for Hillard's ;- a change which was much needed, and, we believe, is giving universal satisfaction. At the commencement of the year, the P. D. and S. system of pen-
12
manship was exchanged for the Spencerian. This, however, after a fair trial, not proving what was desired, a subsequent change was made for the Potter and Hammond series, which, we think, in some respects, is superior to any we have examined. We would advise a change in our mental · arithmetics as soon as possible. Robinson's, which are now in use, are altogether too difficult for ordinary intellects, -they discourage to begin with. The fact is, most of the problems require a good knowledge of written arithmetic to solve them with any degree of facility. This is not as it should be, and we hope soon to see a more simple and gradual book introduced.
1
E. F. RICHARDSON, Chairman.
FINANCIAL.
- -
SOUTH SCHOOLS.
Appropriation,
$642 53
Balance from last year,
9 46
$651 99
Amount paid teachers,
$575 25
Paid for fuel,
47 41
Furniture, care of rooms and fires,
11 67
Balance to new account,
17 66
$651 99
E. F. RICHARDSON, Committee.
CENTRE SCHOOLS.
$448 65
Balance from last year,
$480 33
Amount paid teachers,
$449 96
Paid for fuel,
26 37
Care of rooms and fires,
4 00
$480 33
MOSES TAYLOR, Committee.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation,
22 05
Balance from last year,
$265 76
Amount paid teachers,
$192 90
Paid for fuel,
20 00
Care of rooms and fires,
5 00
Balance to new account,
47 86
$265 76
GEORGE WILDE, Committee.
5
(13)
$243 71
Appropriation,
31 68
14
NORTH SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year,
$243 71
2 89
$246 60
Amount paid teachers,
$221 35
Paid for fuel,
16 00
Care of rooms and fires,
5 36
Balance to new account,
3 89
$246 60
JOHN WHITE, Committee.
EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation,
$254 79
Balance from last year,
2 29
$257 08
Amount paid teachers,
$227 00
Paid for fuel,
19 00
Care of rooms and fires,
2 75
Balance to new account,
8 33
$257 08
WILLIAM B. DAVIS, Committee.
WEST SCHOOL.
Appropriation,
$642 53
Balance from last year,
4 00
$646 53
Amount paid teachers,
$594 00
Paid for fuel
39 25
Care of rooms and fires,
6 00
Balance to new account,
7 28
$646 53
LEVI STEPHENS, Committee.
Number of children reported by Assessors, between the ages of five and fifteen, 306.
Amount of money raised by town,
$2,325 00
Income from State school fund,
150 92
Total for schools,
$2,475 92
Sum appropriated by town for cach scholar reported by Assessors, $7 60
15
TABLE.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Months.
Length of School, in
Wages per Month.
Scholars.
Whole number of
Average Attendance.
No. under 5 y'rs of age.
No. over 15 y'rs of age.
No. not tardy or absent.
Totals
[23
268
300 264 5-6
4
23
46
FALL.
Miss Lizzie M. Priest,
2 1-4
27
33
27 3-4
4
66
Junia S. Bartlett,
2 1-4
24
37
29 2-3
West
Intermediate,
66 E. J. Draper,
21-2
26
30
24
Primary,
66 Sarah M. Newhall,
2 1-2
24
35
32 1-4
1
2 1-4
32
40
32
14
2 1-4
22
26
23 1-4
2 1-4
20
21
18 1-2
East,
A. J. Whittredge,
2 1-4
26
30
25 1-4
1
1
66
Lizzie S. Piper,
2 1-4
26
29
25 1-8
2
3
North,
Mrs. Angie Harris,
2 1-4
26
17
15 1-3
1
2
5
Totals, 25 1-2
286
327 278 5-6
5
30
45
WINTER.
( Rev. Mr. Jackson,
1 1-4
40
Centre
Grammar,
Mr. E. F. Richardson,
1 3.4
50
45
86 3-4
25
Miss Lizzie M. Priest,
2 3-4
27
41
34 3-4
Grammar,
S. Lizzie Burr,
2 1-4
33
34
81
13
West
Intermediate,
E. J. Draper,
2 1-2
28
31
29 1-4
1
Primary,
Sarah M. Newhall,
2 1-2
24
33
30 1-2
10
Grammar,
Amelia D. Comstock,
8 1-4
35
38
33 1-4
22
8
South
Intermediate, ( Primary,
Martha G. Whitney,
8
24
26
21 1-2
2 3-4
40
33
27
7
1-2
28
2
30
29
25
4
1
North,
31-2
30
23
19
8
2
31
370
359 311 1-2
80
37
66
Amelia D. Comstock,
2 1-2
32
39
32 1-2
10
4
East,
A. J. Whittredge,
2 1-4
26
30
23 1-3
1
2
1
South-East,
66
Corrinna Shattuck,
2 1-4
26
25
23 2-3
1
1
1
North,
Lottie A. Dutton,
2 1-4
26
17
14 1-2
1
2
6
Centre
Grammar,
Primary,
Grammar,
66
Jennie A. Conant,
2 1-2
33
29
25 1-2
6
8433775201 8 2 0 1
Grammar,
Amelia D. Comstock,
South
Intermediate, Primary,
Hattie E. Handley,
South-East,
Miss L. A. Dutton,
2 1-4
26
27
24
10
66
Sarah M. Newhall,
2 1-4
22
31 30 1-4
11
South
Grammar, Primary;
Martha G. Whitney,
2 1-2
26
45
40
1
1
6
Centre
Grammar,
Primary,
Carrie M. Hapgood,
2 1-4
24
33
29 1-3
4
Grammar,
Jennie A. Conant,
2 1-4
33
25
23
7
West
Intermediate, (Primary,
Miss Lizzie M. Priest,
2 1-4
$27
28
24 1-4
1
1
2
Hattie E. Handley,
3
26
26
23 1-2
East,
Mr. W. L. Hurd,
( Miss Anna Randall,
South-East,
-
" Maria P. Hastings, Miss Sarah W. Loker,
Aggregate for the year, 79 1-2 924, 986.855 1-6 | 9| 133; 128
8
Primary,
Martha G. Whitney,
3
E. J. Draper,
SPRING.
-
REPORTS OF
The Selectmen and other Officers
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM
FEBRUARY 26, 1870, TO FEBRUARY 27, 1871,
INCLUDING THE
Marriages, Births and Deaths in 1870.
ALSO,
THE REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TOLMAN & WHITE, PRINTERS, 221 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON.
1871.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
APPROPRIATIONS AND RECEIPTS.
Unexpended Balance of last year,
$3282 27
Borrowed of Wm. Wheeler,
500 00
Regular Town Grant,
4500 00
Town Grant to build School Houses,
3000 00
Town Grant for Schools,
2325 00
Town Grant for Highways,
1200 00
State Tax,
2300 00
County Tax,
933 36
Military Account,
807 00
State Aid, to January 1st, 1870,
282 00
Corporation Tax,
768 14
Uniforms for Company E,
80 00
Armory rent, 1869,
150 00
School Fund,
185 54
From sale of old School House, East District, 105 00
East School House stove,
4 00
Surplus from Town Farm, last year,
477 07
Use of Town Hall,
131 25
Use of cellar,
10 48
Dog Fund,
77 11
$21,118 22
EXPENDITURES.
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid John E. Cutter, for Centre School,
$513 94
L. W. Stevens, West
669 62
Wm. W. Worster, South 66
669 62
Wm. B. Davis, East
258 36
John White, North
244 12
Geo. Wilde, South East
66
244 12
$2,599 78
(3)
4
SCHOOL HOUSE REPAIRS, AND INCIDENTALS.
Paid L. W. Stevens, West District,
$26 79
Wm. B. Davis, East 66
9 30
John White, North 66
7 00
J. E. Cutter, South East " 66 Centre
13 38
Wm. W. Worster, 66
7 38
$79 85
REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS.
Paid Daniel Fletcher, for 1869,
$5 80
A. H. Jones,
57 30
Samuel Chaffin,
85 00
Jon. A. Piper,
54 30
J. E. Billings,
89 85
John Grimes,
41 60
Henry Haynes,
32 54
James Tuttle,
124 94
Jas. C. Wheeler,
26 50
John Harris,
36 71
Luther Conant,
64 00
Francis Pratt,
75 00
I. T. Flagg,
37 96
Addison B. Wheeler,
26 40
Adelbert Mead,
145 03
J. E. Cutter,
79 35
C. A. Crampton,
39 00
$1,021 28
SPECIAL REPAIRS OF HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Paid George W. Livermore, $10 55
Luke Hapgood, gravel, 2 50
John Grimes, building bridge near the house of Alonzo Tuttle,
65 00
William D. Tuttle, surveying road in West Acton, 6 00
18 62
D. Harris, repairing bridges and roads, James E. Billings, repairing and railing roads, near Wetherbee's Mills,
13 40
James Tuttle, putting in sluice near Tarbell's store, 26 50
Wm. W. Davis, repairing road in the centre of the town,
222 22-
John Conant, widening and railing the bridge near his house, and repairing two other bridges, 132 84
16 00
5
Paid Luther Conant, relaying bridge, and re- pairing road, near the house of L. R. Forbush, 85 00
L. W. Piper, for straightening road near his house, 55 14
Land for same,
20 00
Francis Pratt, repairing bridge near pow- der mills, 4 00
A. G. Fay, for ditto,
10 15
A. B. Wheeler, building sluice,
12 20 -
A. L. Tuttle, work on gravel pit road,
24 14-
Estate of Joel Hanscom, for work done
on road near the house of Luther Pi- per, 13 00
Joel Hanscom, for land,
11 00
J. E. Cutter, repairing bridge,
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