USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1862-1879 > Part 6
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down; any more than it would be a good way to cultivate thoughts of purity and chastity, by constantly presenting to the view pictures obscene and immoral. We think all should be as willing to be taxed to raise money to build good school-houses for their children to attend school in, as they would be to raise money to build a good town house to attend town meeting in, and we think if the town is able to have a town house worth some eight thousand dollars, it is able to have school-houses worth as much.
Sustaining Teachers .- We believe there is no greater evil connected with our common schools, (certainly not if we except absenteeism,) than that of not fully sustaining teachers. This perhaps will apply more particularly to schools in the country, than to those in cities, where parents well understand that any interference on their part with the rules and regulations of teachers will not be tolerated. In cities, teachers usually teach years in the same school, while in the country, with few excep- tions, if the same teacher is retained in one school for two, or three terms at most, it is an instance truly worthy of comment. Now the question arises, what makes the difference ? Simply this : in the first instance parents mind their own business, and allow those who are chosen for that purpose, to say when a teacher is doing right, or when he is not; in the second instance parents are con- stantly intermeddling with teachers, and finding fault with every little thing that don't please them. A small speck seen in a school's horizon at the first of the term, is talked about and magnified, until to the view of many it be- comes an awful cloud, enveloping in utter darkness all good qualities. We do not wish to be understood, that we would retain in school a teacher, who did not in any respect try to do their duty, or who were wholly unfit for the position ; by no means - we would dismiss them at once. But committees and parents do not always agree
25
as to what teachers ought to be dismissed, and what not. Frequently parents are heard to say, what is the use to keep such a teacher in school; they are not doing any good, the money is only being thrown away. Now upon what foundation are such remarks usually based ; simply this ; they have heard the teacher has done thus and so. He has made rules that they don't think there is any need of, or that are right ; and that he has requested exercises of the scholars, that never was asked of them when they went to school. Ask them if they have been into the school to see if they have been rightly informed, and they will an- swer, oh, no ! we have not been near the school. On the other hand the Committee visits the school ; sees and in- vestigates for himself, and finds altogether a different state of affairs from what flying reports say ; and can see no sufficient reason for dismissing the teacher. Ah ! if some people only knew how deeply they often injure others by censuring them before they know whether they have been rightly informed in regard to them or not, or know what the real motive was that actuated the censured party, or by what circumstances they were surrounded, how much trouble it would save in the world, especially in schools. Oft-times we hear it said of teachers, they are so proud and haughty they cannot speak to any one, when all the while they are yearning for the warm grasp of some friendly hand, and a word of encouragement from some parent who sends children to their school. Perhaps it would be well for those who are so particular about etiquette, to bear in mind that, when a stranger comes into their place to stop, they not he, are the ones to speak first without a formal introduction. We think a safe rule to go by in re- gard to the support of teachers is to do by them under all circumstances, as we would wish to have a child of our own done by, if they should go among strangers to teach.
4
26
Absenteeism .- Although, in our former report we spoke of this, we cannot forbear saying a few words now ; for we believe it is one of those evils that can be remedied only by being constantly kept in view. Why is it that parents will be so blind to their own interests, and that of their children as not to have them attend school punctu- ally, if possible, and derive the full benefit of the money that is expended for them. The problem in one of the old arithmetics about the time it would take a toad to get out of a well, that fell back two feet every night, for three . he got ahead in the daytime, would be a good one for those scholars to work out, who for every three days' at- tendance are absent two. They would probably find it would take ten or twelve terms to make that advancement they ought to in less than half that time. A teacher usu- ally has enough to do in school hours, without being hin- dered and perplexed by scholars who were absent the day before, coming to him and asking him where this and that lesson is. Besides they are a dead weight upon their classes, always tending to keep them back. It is a pity that all parents could not have the infinite pleasure of teaching one term of school; then, though they might not like, they would acknowledge the justness of what we have said.
We will now give a brief view of the several schools and teachers.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
E. F. FULLER, Local Committee.
The Primary Department of this school, for the spring and fall terms, was taught by MISS LOTTIE C. FAULKNER, the same honored teacher who has had charge of it so long. Under her guidance this school has made great ad- vancement ; not only intellectually but morally. A real live working teacher, neither sparing pains nor labor for the improvement of those committed to her care, she has
27
earned a reputation that any one might well feel proud of. At the examination of the school all the classes showed excellent improvement. Most of the writing- books-of which there were forty-two - looked neat and were well written, considering that most of the writers were but eight and ten years old - some even less than eight. It was evident that good attention had been paid to this branch of study. Another thing was also evident, and that was the advantage of having the same teacher a succession of terms. The singing by both boys and girls was excellent. Miss Faulkner not wishing to teach the winter term, the Committee finally decided to engage the services of MISS HELENETTE COLBY, of War- ner, N. H., the teacher who taught the spring and fall terms of the higher department. Miss Colby labored with much zeal to keep the school up to its former high standing ; and we are pleased to say that the examination showed that she had successfully done this. Her method of teaching in this school, though differing in some re- spects from their former teachers, was on the whole, so nearly the same, that it did not take the scholars so long to get acquainted with them, as is usually the case when a new teacher enters a school. The gymnastic exercises in which all the school engaged were well performed, inter- esting and we believe useful. The higher department for the spring and fall terms, was taught by Miss Colby. The school was a profitable one to those scholars who tried to govern themselves, and also avail themselves of the good instruction the teacher gave in the various branches taught. At the closing examination individual scholars, more than classes, showed good improvement. With the right stimulus to action this teacher is capable of taking high rank. The winter term of the higher department, was taught by MR. A. E. WHITE, the same teacher who taught the North school the winter previous. Of this
.
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teacher we need say but little ; his labors will speak for him, as long as those scholars who stood faithfully and honorably by him shall live. We believe that many, who had before been dull, backward scholars will, as years roll away, look back with feelings of gratitude to this teacher as a true friend ; who toiled faithfully for their greatest good against all opposition and censure. One thing all admitted, even those who opposed him most, that their children learned first rate, and were not abused. The examination showed just what we expected, thorough- ness and great improvement. At its close, the scholars, to show their respect and appreciation, presented the teacher with a beautiful album and gold ring.
NORTH SCHOOL. ISAAC T. FLAGG, Local Committee.
The spring and fall terms of this school were taught by MISS ANGENETTE WHEELER, of Acton. This was her first effort at school teaching, and we think a very good one. Mild and pleasant in her intercourse with her schol- ars, she so gained their good will that governing was easy. She labored earnestly for the advancement of her little charge, and was successful beyond our expectations, as the examination showed. Gymnastic exercises were in- troduced to the pleasure and profit of the school. The winter term of this school was placed in charge of MR. B. T. KINSMAN, of Tuft's College. Mr. Kinsman is a young man of fine abilities, though quiet and unassuming in the school-room. Some difficulty arose in this school in re- gard to the division of the class in the higher reader, which was referred to us to decide. We decided in favor of the division the teacher had made; not however to please him, but because we believed it right. In our visits to the school we noticed that the teacher seemed in- clined to lead his scholars to do right by good example,
29
rather than use coercive measures ; a course that would perhaps be questionable, where there are rogueish boys who need both combined. The classes generally made fair improvement ; the spelling classes in particular were very good. At the close of the examination the teacher was presented with a handsome album, which showed the esteem and good will of his scholars.
SOUTH EAST SCHOOL.
D. F. TARBELL, Local Committee.
MISS CLARA WEATHERBEE had charge of the spring and fall terms of this school. Miss Weatherbee has long been known to the town as a teacher of merit; and we think her reputation suffered none by her effort in this school. In all our visits the school appeared quiet and orderly ; and the happy faces of the scholars showed that they were enjoying the hours of school. The examination passed off pleasantly, and showed a degree of improvement credita- ble to scholars and teacher. The winter term was placed in care of MR. OMAR A. FLINT, of this town. We knew Mr. Flint to be a young man of excellent moral character, and a fine scholar ; and had no fears in giving him our ap- probation to enter the school but what he would keep a good one, though it was his first term. And he did keep a good and profitable school, for all those scholars who went to school, not to dictate as to what they should or should not do, but to obey the requirements of the teacher, and strive to the best of their ability to learn. We believe if the intentions of all in the district to promote the inter- ests of the school had been as good as the teacher's, there would have been no occasion to find fault. The examine- tion was a good one, better even than we expected ; show- ing good improvement in the classes generally, and in some very good. The writing books showed good atten- tion had been paid to them. We think this teacher will yet win a good reputation as such.
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WEST SCHOOL. GEO. C. WRIGHT, Local Committee.
The primary department of this school was taught for the year by Miss SUSAN C. HUGGINS. Miss Huggins has im- proved greatly as a teacher since the first term she had charge of this school. In our visits, we found the order nearer what we could wish, and her methods of teaching superior to what they had been. As an inevitable result of this, the school 'made good improvement. This was plainly evident at the examinations, which were credit- able to both scholars and teacher, and we think in- teresting and gratifying to the parents and friends who were present.
The higher department was under the instruction of MISS CLARA H. HAPGOOD, for the spring and fall terms. Miss Hapgood commenced her labors with her accustomed zeal, and had it not been for her failing health, owing to too much care and anxiety on account of sickness at home, would have merited that approbation which she has al- ways won. The labor required to govern and teach a school like this, though one of the best in town, is so exhausting that a teacher needs to expend all their powers of body and mind in it to carry it forward with that success which would be expected. Under the circumstances, the ex- amination was as good as we anticipated; showing that the school, if not the most profitable, was not an unprofit- able one. We hope, after a rest to recruit mind and body, Miss Hapgood will again engage in the work of teaching, for which she is well fitted.
The Winter term was taught by MR. E. CROSBY, of Tuft's College. Mr. Crosby is a superior scholar and has ¿ good faculty of imparting his ideas to others. Kind and courteous with his scholars, he early won their esteem and good will, so that none but inveterate rogues would try to tale advantage. The examination was an honest
31
affair, without gilt or varnish, and was very satisfactory to us and the large number of visitors present. There are some excellent classes in this school, that would re- flect credit upon an academy; for instance, the class in Analysis, and first class in Arithmetic. The wonder is, how the teacher accomplished so much under the un- favorable circumstances of an inconvenient and crowded school-room and so large a number of classes.
EAST SCHOOL.
JOSEPH ESTERBROOKS, Local Committee.
The Spring and Fall terms of this school were placed in charge of MISS JENNIE M. HARRIS, an old teacher, who had earned a good reputation by her success in several of the schools in town. We always found the school, while under her care, orderly and studious ; each scholar seeming to know their proper place and business. The school was much broken up by sickness, and five of its members were removed by death. Notwithstanding these interruptions, the examination was quite good. Among the classes we noticed more particularly, were those in Geography, the first division in Written Arithmetic and the Primer class. The writing books looked neat and showed good improvement.
In consequence of some misunderstanding between the Committee and two female teachers who both laid claim to the school, it was decided to employ a male teacher for the Winter term. Accordingly the services of MR. H. E. ELLIOT, of Tuft's College, were engaged. Mr. Elliot, is a young teacher, of but little experience, but he entered the school with the determination to have a prosperous one, and to a good degree was successful. Full of life and animation, he kept his scholars wide awake and in good working order. The examination showed that the classes in general had made fair improvement. Some
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of them, especially in Reading and Spelling, did very well. The exercises in Mental Arithmetic were deserving of particular commendation.
CENTRE SCHOOL. JONAS BLODGET, Local Committee.
The primary and higher departments were united into one school during the Spring and Fall terms, and MIss NELLIE J. FLETCHER placed in charge. We think Miss Fletcher had good courage to undertake to govern and teach such a school as this, which, though not much larger than some others in town, requires much firmness and decision in government, and composed as it was of all ages and sizes, there was a large number of classes. The teacher labored hard, and if some thought the order was not all that could be desired, they must bear in mind the disadvantages under which the teacher was placed, and that none but those of the most vigorous mind and body could successfully meet the demands made upon them in such a school. At the examination, the classes in Mental Arithmetic, the smaller classes in Reading and the classes in Geography, we noticed more particularly. This school exhibited the best register of any of the schools ; twenty- six being neither absent or tardy the first term, and twenty-seven the second.
Miss Fletcher also had charge of the Winter Primary. Here she performed a good work; bringing the school under good discipline, and advancing the scholars in a thorough and efficient manner. The examination was interesting to all present; all the classes doing well and showing that the school had been a profitable one.
The higher department for the Winter term was again taught by MR. LUTHER CONANT, JR. This teacher's history is already before the town, written by himself, in many of our schools, by his labors to advance their
33
interests. Suffice it for us to say, we think he has written no higher page than that of last winter. The examination was indeed a good one, the classes answering promptly and correctly, proving that both teacher and scholars had labored earnestly in the good work of education.
In closing, we would say, that we think the schools, as a whole, have enjoyed a good degree of prosperity the past year. Better attention has been paid to Reading, Spelling and Writing; hence the schools stand higher in this respect than they did a year ago. Composition and Declamation have also claimed their share of attention in most of the schools, and with very good results, as we were pleased to witness at many of the examinations. There has been no change in the text books for the last year, although we should have liked to introduce Wilson's new series of Readers, the best, we think all will say who carefully look them over, yet published. The main reason why we did not try to introduce them at the commencement of the Winter term was, because the agent was round so near the time for the schools to commence, that we supposed the store-keepers and many of the scholars would have their supply of books purchased, and object to making the change. We hope, however, to see them introduced the next term.
We would not have the idea prevail, because we have spoken thus plainly in our report, that there are no true friends of common schools in the town of Acton, by no means ! for we know there are many. All that is needed is for them to take a firm, decided stand as such, ever bearing in mind the great truth once uttered by the learned John Quincy Adams : "That the best legacy a man could leave the world is a family of well educated cildren, who would be useful ornaments to society."
E. F. RICHARDSON, Superintendent.
5
REPORT OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEES.
CENTRE SCHOOL.
Appropriation. Balance from last year,
$335 43 20 93
SPRING AND FALL TERMS.
Paid Miss Nellie J. Fletcher, for teaching 9 1-2 weeks, at $4.50 per week, $ 42 75
66 Nellie JJ. Fletcher, for teaching 10 weeks, at $4.50 per week, 45 00 WINTER TERM.
Paid Mr. Luther Conant, Jr., for teaching 15 weeks, at $10.00 per week, 150 00 .6 Miss Nellie J. Fletcher, 4.00 60 00
for wood, care of house, and building fire, 32 25
.6 " setting glass, pails, brooms and painting blackboard, 3 67
66 cleaning and fixing funnel, 1 25
$334 92 21 44
Balance, J. BLODGET, Committee.
March 19, 1864.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year,
$335 43 8 14
$343 57
SPRING AND FALL TERMS.
Paid Miss H. Colby, for teaching 16 weeks, at $4.50 per week, $ 72 00
6. L. C. Faulkner, “ 66
4.00
64 00
WINTER TERM.
Paid Mr. A. E. White, for teaching 12 weeks at $10.00 per week,
120 00
Miss H. Colby, 4.50 66
54 00
for wood, cleaning house and building fire, 26 75
.. G. T. Weber, for cleaning stove-pipe,
1 25
.. for two chairs,
pails, brooms, dipper and chalk,
$342 87
Balance, 70
February 23, 1864.
E. F. FULLER, Committee.
· Appropriation,
WEST SCHOOL. £335 43 - $335 43
1 16
3 71
£356 36
35
SPRING AND FALL TERMS ..
Paid Miss C. H. Hapgood, for teaching 16 weeks at $4.50 per week, $72 00
6: 4.00 64 00
WINTER TERM.
Paid Mr. E. Crosby, for teaching 12 weeks at $10.25 per week, 123 00
66 Miss S. C. Huggins, 10 4.50 45 00
F. Wyman, for building fire, &c., 3 50
66 for wood, brooms and clialk, 27 65
$335 15 28
Balance, G. C. WRIGHT, Committee.
SOUTH-EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year,
$199 41 14 23
$213 67
SPRING AND FALL TERMS.
Paid Miss C. Wetherbee, for teaching 16 weeks, at $4.50 per week, $ 72 00
.6 66 Mr. O. A. Flint, 12 8.75 . . 105 00
for wood, and washing house, 20 00
" cleaning stove-pipe, building fire, and chalk, 3 87
$200 87
12 80
February 24, 1864.
Balance, D. F. TARBELL, Committee.
-
NORTH SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year,
$199 44 3 30
$202 74
SPRING AND FALL TERMS.
Paid Miss A. Wheeler, for teaching 10 weeks, at $3.50 per week, $ 35 00
66 8
66 66 $3.62 1-2 “ 29 00
WINTER TERM.
Paid Mr. B. F. Kinsman, for teaching 14 weeks, at $8.75 per week, 122 50
for wood, building fire, and sweeping house, 13 75
65
Balance, 1 84
March 4, 1864.
ISAAC T. FLAGG, Committee.
EAST SCHOOL.
Appropriation, Balance from last year,
$199 44 4 76
$204 20
SPRING AND FALL TERMS.
Paid Miss Jennie MI. Harris, for teaching 20 weeks, at $4.50 per week, $ 90 00 ": Mr. Herbrrt Elliot, 66 10 10.00 66 100 00
" for wood, building fire, cleaning house, 13 75
" chalk and broom, $204 20
February 20, 1864. JOSEPH ESTABROOK, Committee.
66 ' broom, crayons, &c.,
$200 90
March 18, 1864.
S. C. Huggins,
36
STATISTICAL TABLE FOR 1863-64.
DISTRICTS.
NAMES OF TEACHERS.
Length of Schools
in months.
Wages per month
Amount of
Wages.
Whole number
of Scholars.
of scholars.
years of age.
No. under 5.
Not absent or
tardy.
Visitors present at examination.
Centre, South, 66
Helenette Colby,
2
18 00
36 00
47
41
0
6
0
Lottie C. Faulkner,
2
16 00
32 00
56
50
0
3
20
0
West,
Clara H. Hapgood,
2
18 00
36 00
46
40
2
0
12
0
Susie C. Huggins,
2
16 00
32 00
48
35
0
7
4
0
East, South East, North,
Clara Wetherbee,
2
18 00
36 00
28
25
1
2
8
0
Angenette Wheeler,
2 1-2
14 00
35 00
25
23
1
3
4
0
17 1-4
$136 00
$292 50
349
300
10
15
Centre,
FALL TERM. Nellie J. Fletcher,
2 1-2
$18 00
$45 00
54
49
0
0
27
30
South,
Helenette Colby,
2
18 00
36 00
49
41
6
0
14
56
Lottie C. Faulkner,
2
16 00
32 00
57
48
0
1
18
67
West, 66
2
18 00
36 00
48
40
2
0
5
56
2
16 00
32 00
52
40
0
6
4
48
East.
2 1-2
18 00
45 00
32
24
0
0
0
36
2
18 00
36 00
25
20
0
1
3
16
2
14 50
29 00
22
18
0
3
1
31
17
$136 50
$291 00
339
280
8
11
Centre,
WINTER TERM. Luther Conant, Jr., Nellie J. Fletcher,
3 3-4
$40 00
$150 00
47
42
15
0
11
75
South,
3
40 00
120 00
61
54
23
0
10
55
3
18 00
54 00
58
50
0
0
12
60
West,
Susie C. Huggins, Herbert Elliott,
2 1-2
40 00
100 00
41
33
8
0
2
30
3
35 00
105 00
36
23
10
0
1
13
B. F. Kinsman,
3 1-2
35 00
122 50
26
22
11
1
4
44
28 1-2
$283 00
$888 50| 453
3481 89
3
SPRING TERM. Nellie J. Fletcher,
2 1-4
$18 00
$40 50
57
52
23
0
2 1-2
18 00
45 00
42
34
2
0
3
0
South East, North,
Alphonso E. White, Helenette Colby, Erastus Crosby,
3
40 00
123 00
61
54
22
0
8
90
3
18 00
54 00
52
41
0
0
1
45
East
South East, North,
Omar A. Flint,
3 3-4
16 00
60 00
31
29
0
2
12
35
Clara H. Hapgood, Susie C. Huggins, Jennie M. Harris, Clara Wetherbee, Angenette Wheeler,
Jennie M. Harris,
Average number
Number over 15
REPORTS
OF THE
SELECTMEN AND OTHER OFFICERS,
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON,
FROM
FEBRUARY 26, 1864, TO FEBRUARY 26, 1865,
INCLUDING THE
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS IN 1864.
4
ALSO,
The Report of the School Committee.
CONCORD : PRINTED BY BENJAMIN TOLMAN. 1865.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Amount received, $19,532 74.
EXPENDITURES.
-
SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid.
George C. Wright, for West School, $377 04
James E. Harris, for South School, 377 04
William W. Davis, for Centre School, 377 04
Daniel Fletcher, for South East School, 224 19
Isaac T. Flagg, for North School,
224 19
Joseph Estabrook, for East School,
224 19
Town of Littleton, 5 50
$1,809 19
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL HOUSES.
Paid.
George C. Wright, for repairs on West school
house,
$9 86
James E. Harris, do. do., South do.,
82 97
William W. Davis, do. do., Centre do.,
1 48
Isaac T. Flagg, do. do., North do.,
19 64
Joseph Estabrook, do. do., East do., 34 90
$148 85
BOOKS AND PRINTING.
Paid. Harris Cowdry, for books delivered to the town, $4 00 66 do. do., to poor families, 9 12
Daniel Jones, do. do., J. Whitney's children, 1 21
4
William D. Tuttle, for highway tax book, For printing dog notices,
1 08
1 75
town warrants, 5 00
voting list,
7 50
66 66 selectmen's report, 9 50
66
pamphlet reports
74 79
66
66 notices to road builders, 1 25
$115 20
DISCOUNT ON TAXES.
Paid John E. Cutter, discount on taxes, $510 23
ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid.
E. C. Parker, for repairs on highway in '62, $3 34
Isaac Barker,
66 '63,
5 38
Luther Conant, Jr., " 66 '63, 6 00
Francis Kinsley, 66 '64, 19 13
66 66 grading hill in West Acton, 1,385 00
66 66 building sluice on gravel pit road, 5 00
William W. Davis, for repairs on highway,
6 55
Nehemiah Curtis,
66
13 07
Silas Conant, Jr.,
66
3 00
66 66 breaking roads, 1 67
James E. Billings,
66 3 33
- $1,451 47
APPROPRIATIONS FOR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES. Paid.
For State Aid, $1,858 69
Recruiting twenty-two men, 4,499 67
Entertaining.Co. E, April 19, '64, 50 00
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