USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1858-1899 > Part 48
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Edward Dixon was appointed school-book agent. The cost of text-books and supplies for the year is $139.26. An appropri- ation of $150 for the year ensuing will be sufficient.
Dr. C. D. Albro was elected superintendent of schools at a salary of $75. This sum is not enough for the position. No man can afford to superintend our schools for that money unless his strong interest for their welfare is reckoned as his chief re- compense. And it is sincerely hoped that if the town insists upon the school committee electing a superintendent, it will pro- vide a larger salary.
The school year has been thirty weeks. This seems short enough, but as the tendency of teachers' wages is upward, the appropriation for schools should be increased, or else the school year must be shortened to twenty-eight, or possibly twenty-six weeks. We have been enabled to continue the schools for thirty weeks only because of the increased amounts received this year from the state school-fund and the dog tax, added to the sixty- four dollars received from Upton. If the town wishes for thirty weeks schooling, the appropriation for schools should be increased to sixteen hundred dollars. There has been no school in the West district this year. The scholars were transported to Al- beeville at a cost of $140 for the year. Edward H. Taft, Gilbert Gaskill, J. G. Barrows and Henry G. Bates were appointed tru- ant officers for the year. No report has been received from any of them, so it is assumed their services have not been required.
As usual, the committee were obliged to engage a new
4
teacher for the High school, the former principal, Mr. Hill Wil- liams, having engaged in another business, so his services could not be secured. The committee consider themselves again fortu- nate in having secured the services of Mr. Wendel Williams, a graduate of Dartmouth college. Much to the regret of the com- mittee, Mr. Nichols, at the end of the spring term, resigned his position of principal of the Grammar school, to accept a more lucrative engagement nearer home. Miss Goodrich of Stockbridge, Mass., a graduate of Westfield Normal school, was engaged for the position. Miss Annie W. Gaskill, Miss Mary L. Aldrich and Miss Josie Davis resigned at the end of the spring term, and their places were filled by Miss Marietta Hamant of Medfield, Mass., Miss Ada C. Taft, and Mrs. Barrows.
During most of the High school year Miss Goodrich assisted Mr. Williams one hour a day. To continue this work for the re- mainder of the year your committee engaged Miss Annie Gaskill. The assistance has seemed almost imperative, because the number of classes in our High school is too large for one teacher to in- struct to good advantage. The one-session plan which worked admirably last year is used again this year with like good results.
Mr. Edward Dixon having declined to serve as treasurer of the committee again unless paid something. for his services, they voted to pay him the sum of ten dollars to do the business. The following is the financial account for the year :-
DR.
, To nine town orders,
Cash in Home National Bank,
$2,420 00 112 36
$2,532 36
CR.
Hill Williams (old' bill),
$120 00
Josie Davis, 66
36 00
Eva Rich, 66
24 00
$180 00
Wendel Williams,
$270 00
James Nichols,
95 00
Louise M. Goodrich,
160 00
Mary E. Dudley,
213 50
Mary L. Aldrich,
70 00
Ada C. Taft,
140 00
Josie Davis,
60 00
Mary A. Barrows,
70 00
Cora E. Gaskill,
210 00
Annie W. Gaskill,
80 00
Marietta Hamant,
140 00
Liberty Freeman, for carrying scholars,
40 00
Edward L. Southwick, for carrying scholars,
100 00
$1,648 50'
5
W. W. Nelson, fuel, care of room and cash paid (old bill),
$8 00
W. E. Dixon, care of fires (old bill), 2 50
$10 50
W. W. Nelson, fuel, cash paid and care of room, $26 25 Austin A. Taft, three cords wood, 12 88
A. T. Dixon, sawing three cords wood, 4 50
Ann Quigley, cleaning schoolhouse (No. 2), 3 00
W. E. Dixon, care of rooms and fire, 8 00
Field Bros., coal,
37 50
J. G. Barrows, fuel,
9 25
Frederick Bates, fuel and care of fire,
16 72
Frank H. Wood, fuel,
10 37
Marietta Hamant, care of fire,
3 00
Mary A. Barrows,
2 00
Mary L. Aldrich, 66 1 00
$134 47
George S. Perry, Arithmetical chart, $6 75
Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., two wall maps, 5 00
66
Physiological chart, 5 00
Boston School Supply Co., reading chart, 5 00 -
$21 75
INCIDENTALS.
H. A. Aldrich, postage, $ 3 00
W. W. Nelson, repairs, supplies and cash paid, 7 64
E. L. Smith, repairs and supplies, 5 10
F. Bates, repairs and supplies,
24 23
J. G. Barrows, repairs and supplies,
2 94
H. W. Brown, repairs,
1 50
John Barry, repairs,
73
E. L. Smith, use of well (2 years),
14 00
Charles H. Albee, use of well (2 years), 6 00
Bufford Sons, diplomas for High school, 8 00
George S. Perry, supplies,
18 91
Clark Ellis & Sons, supplies,
34 49
Boston School Supply Co., supplies,
6 43
Avery & Woodbury, supplies,
2 55
I. O. Rhodes, supplies,
2 35
W. E. Dixon, labor,
3 50
A. G. Chilson, labor (No. 2),
16 00
A. G. Chilsou, labor (No. 1),
54 49
C. H. Alleu, labor,
4 00
E. Dixon, cash paid,
1 75
A. P. Scribner, express,
8 70
E. Dixon, school book agent,
30 00
E. Dixon, fare to Boston (twice),
4 00
W. E. Dixon, census,
1 50
Clark Ellis & Sons, 3 stoves,
108. 00
$369 81
6
Text-books and supplies purchased, $162 31 5 02
$167 33
RECAPITULATION.
Teachers' wages, $1,828 50
Fuel and care of fires,
144 97
Apparatus from school fund,
21 75
Incidentals,
369 81
Text-books and supplies,
162 31
Amount paid town treasurer,
5 02
$2,532 36
EDWARD DIXON, Treasurer.
SCHOOL BOOK AGENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :- Gentlemen: The following is the school book account for the year :---
DR.
To books and supplies purchased from the following :- Geo. S. Perry, supplies, $27 74
D. Appleton & Co., books,
19 34
Harrison Hume,
2 10
Harper Bros.,
47 52
Warren P. Adams,
10 01
William Ware & Co.,
6 67
Ginn & Co., 66
2 50
A. S. Barnes & Co., «
3 50
Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., books and supplies, 24 37 Boston School Supply Co., supplies,
18 56
$162 31
To books and supplies on hand,
5 26
$167 57
CR.
By books and supplies furnished :-
High school,
$40 43
Grammar school,
21 32
Primary school,
26 48
North school,
20 12
South school,
10 54
East school,
12 75
Albeeville school,
11 62
Books and supplies on hand,
24 31
$167 57
Cash paid town treasurer,
7
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES ON HAND.
9 doz. Harper's spelling blanks,
$ 36
$3 24
11 «
copy books,
81
8 91
1 " 66 primary books,
60
60
5 6 Eclectic drawing books,
1 00
5 00
4 "
66
1 46
5 84
4 bottles Perry's ink,
18
72
· $24 31
EDWARD DIXON, Agent.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT. .
RESOURCES.
Town appropriation,
$1,500 00
Income from state school fund,
283 70
Income from dog tax,
150 19
Received from out-of-town scholars,
64 00
Balance in treasury, last report,
3 09
$2,009 98
EXPENDED.
Teachers' wages, fuel and care of rooms,
$1,793 47
Teachers' wages unpaid,
174 00
Apparatus from state school fund,
21 75
Balance in treasury,
20 76
$2,009 98
FRANK H. WOOD, EDWARD DIXON, FREDERICK BATES, . J. G. BARROWS,
School Committee.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Your Superintendent begs leave to submit his second annual report of the public schools to the citizens of Mendon :-
The schools were in a condition at the beginning of this year to accomplish more and do better work than they were able to do the previous year. One thing which is so detrimental to the steady progress of our schools, namely, the too frequent change of teachers, was necessary in only two instances at the beginning of the year, hence making but little break in the continued work of the schools. In one case the teacher decided not to teach ; in the other it was thought that it might be well to make a change in teachers.
The West school has been closed during the year, and the scholars transported to the Albeeville school, with a little less than two-thirds the expense which would have been required to have maintained a school there, and with much better results, it being a stimulus to the pupils for greater effort to and more energy in their work, and a greater degree of encouragement to the teacher in her work.
The resignation of several teachers at the close of the spring term caused quite a change in the fall arrangement, but these changes, fortunately, in the majority of cases, caused but little break in the school work, so that in most of the schools, there has been quite steady progress throughout the year.
In most of the schools, the copy-books have been very neatly kept, and many cases of marked improvement have been noted. In two or three schools letter-writing has been encouraged, and practised to some extent, which has developed better ideas of composition-a practice which would be of advantage in every school. It is to be regretted that so many boys and girls leave our common schools, who have not the faintest idea of good let- ter-writing and correct composition. Who is at fault in this matter? We dare not say. But we often think that if our teachers would-(we were about to say throw away the grammar text-book, but we will say do away with it) bring it into gradual disuse, at least as far as a rigid following of its text is concerned, and adopt the teaching of letter-writing as a branch, and largely as a substitute, and which is a combi- nation of writing, reading, spelling, punctuation, composition, and what we generally term grammar, (but which we think
0
would be better termed language-work and language-construc- tion, or language-buikling.) and make themselves a text-book for the children to follow and study, they would accomplish a better and more thorough work, in all these combined branches. There would be : system here, which we think our teachers would not have to labor so hard to follow, as many of them now do to fol- low the text-books. And we are quite confident that we should send forth better writers, better readers, and better spellers, and we verily believe more and much better grammarians than we are now doing from the majority of our public schools.
Reading has received more attention as a general thing, and we are glad to see that some of our teachers, at least, have been teaching reading, and as a result, in some cases we have noticed quite a marked improvement in this direction. There is one mis- take which too often occurs, which very much hinders good progress in reading, which cripples the teacher's efforts, and which should be remedied; and that is that the child is so often reading, or trying to read, from a book which is beyond his years, and very far beyond his comprehension and ability to cope, either with the words or the subject therein contained. This fault does not rest with the child alone, always; for while the boy or girl is often very anxious to get into a higher reader, parents are sometimes quite desirous of the same thing, regard- less of their child's ability; and even teachers have been known to evince not a little pride and undne haste in advancing their pupils to a higher reader, without counting the cost of such a change; and those who have listened to the reading of such, have not dared to attempt to tell how badly the king's English was murdered.
We are gratified to see that the calling of the attention of the teachers to the morals of the children about the school prem- ises during intermission, has not been altogether in vain. Teach- ers have responded very readily to this request, and there has been quite an improvement in this matter. Teachers can not have too careful oversight of their pupils during the intermission.
While the much desired change for the High school has not been effected, repairs and changes have been made which have much improved the appearance, condition and surroundings of the room in which the school meets. Another stove has been provided, making it now very comfortable. Repairs have also been made in the lower part of the building, and new stoves fur- nished for each of the lower rooms, thereby making them much more comfortable. If some better means of ventilation, which is very much needed, could be devised for this building, it would greatly add to the comfort and health of both pupils and teach- ers. Ventilation is one of the most difficult problems which we have to grapple with, and one of the greatest defects in connec- tion with our school buildings.
Whenever an evening entertainment was to be held in the
10
hall, the lower schools have been very greatly disturbed and an- noyed in their work, (so much so at times, as to be obliged to discontinue a portion of their work,) by the preparation of the hall above during school hours, which has occurred quite often during the winter term. It is hoped that hereafter such prepara- tions will be postponed until after school hours, so that no inter- ruption shall occur in the school work.
TEACHERS.
Two male and nine female teachers have been employed dur- ing the year. Of this number seven were residents of the town, two from Blackstone, one from Medfield, and one from Stock- bridge. All but four of these had had an experience in teaching of from five to twelve years; one had never taught, and the other three had had but very little experience in teaching. In three of the schools there has been no change of teachers during the year; in each of the others the teacher resigned after the close of the spring term, thereby making a change necessary. They have seemed to be interested in the work and in the majority of cases they have conscientiously and faithfully performed their duties. Good discipline has been lacking in a few instances, which has been very much regretted; for where there is lax discipline, there is not only a lack of interest and want of progress, but also a very demoralizing tendency. The ability to govern is one of the first and one of the most important requisites for a teacher to possess, and no teacher, however well qualified, however cultured, and with however good a tact for imparting knowledge, but whois not at least, a fair disciplinarian, can ever expect to meet with good success as a teacher. One is a graduate of Dartmouth College, three have attended Normal school some, and one is a graduate of Westfield Normal school.
PUPILS.
One hundred and seventy-two pupils have attended school during the year; twenty-two were over fifteen and one under five years of age; eight less having attended than the previous year. The attendance has not been quite as good as last year, in some schools, but about the sume on the average. There has been more tardiness than last year,-in some schools much more. It would seem that with due care on the part of the parents, a lack of punctuality, and not entering the school at the beginning of the term might be obviated, and thereby work a much needed change in the schools.
VISITS.
We would still urge upon the parents the importance and necessity of visiting the schools. It is a matter to be very much regretted, that the parents feel that they have no time to devote
11
to their children in the school-room. We should be very glad if, by any means, we could impress upon the minds of the parents, a full sense of this their very essential, but mnuch neglected duty, which they owe to themselves, to their children, and to the teach- ers in whose care the children are placed ; to know how and what their children are taught, and what progress they are making; to encourage them in their studies, and to cheer the teachers and stimulate them to put forth their best efforts in their noble work.
HIGH SCHOOL.
MR. WENDEL WILLIAMS, TEACHER.
This school being in session, a full report can not be given in connection with it at this time. A class of fifteen entered in the fall, making the school much fuller than last year. There were thirty-one in the fall term and thirty-four in the winter term. A slight change was made in the course of study, but not so much of a change as was hoped might be made. Mr. Williams is a gradu- ate of Dartmouth College, but had had no experience in teach- ing. The school having been large and composed of unequal grades, it has demanded much patience and a great deal of hard work. The teacher has labored faithfully, and has accomplished a good work, especially in connection with the entering class. There has been great improvement by this class both in recita- tion and reading. A greater freedom of expression; proper ele- vation of the voice; more distinct utterance, and a clearer and more forcible expression of the thoughts uttered. Good disci- pline has been maintained in the school, pupils and teacher have worked harmoniously together, and good work has been accom- plished.
The character of this school should be such that the pupils should govern themselves in such a way as to require but little discipline from the teacher. They should take pride in and have respect enough for themselves and for their teacher, to dis- cipline themselves to refrain from whispering and all other un- necessary communication, and from the many minor things which so often creep in which serve to disturb a school, and which are a source of so great annoyance, weariness and irritation to the teacher, and which detract so much from the order and character which a school should maintain.
The first graduating exercises which have ever been held since the school was established nearly twenty years ago, were held at the close of last year, when a class of two graduated. The class being small and it being the first exercise of the kind ever held, it was somewhat difficult to arrange the exercises so as to make the occasion what it should be and not detract from the credit of the class ; but the members of another class so willingly and kindly contributed to their assistance, that as it was the first occasion, and taking into consideration the difficulties which we
12
had to contend with, and which must be overcome in order to make it a success, it passed off very pleasantly and creditably to all interested in it. At the close of this year there will be a class of eleven to graduate, and at that time we anticipate the pleasure of being able to invite you to attend a very pleasant and profita- ble occasion.
The attendance has been quite good and there has been but very little tardiness. As a general thing the pupils have mani- fested a good degree of interest, and some of the higher classes especially rank well in scholarship. Since the Grammar school closed three classes have recited to Miss Annie W. Gaskill in the lower 100m.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
SPRING TERM .- MR. JAMES NICHOLS, TEACHER.
Mr. Nichols came from Blackstone, and has taught this school faithfully for four successive terms. His method of teaching being somewhat novel, it created quite a little enthusiasm and stimulus among the pupils. The incentive to work was not quite as strong during this term, yet a good work was done and good discipline maintained. He resigned after the close of the term to accept a position nearer home.
FALL AND WINTER TERMS-MISS LOUISE M. GOODRICH, TEACHER.
Miss Goodrich came from Stockbridge, and is a graduate of the Stockbridge High school and of the Westfield Normal school. She had had some experience as a substitute teacher and as assistant in a Grammar school. She has introduced some Normal ideas and her methods of teaching have been very good; and had she maintained more strict discipline, she would have accom- plished much better work than it has been possible for her to with her discipline. She has manifested a good degree of inter- est, which has enabled her to accomplish quite a good work, in spite of difficulties; and with little closer attention to discipline, we bespeak for her good success as a teacher.
A better regularity of attendance of some pupils would add much to the school. Many tardy marks stand out boldly upon the register. After the commencement of the High school, Miss Goodrich assisted the High school teacher in his work, and reliev- ing him of a part of the burden by having two classes recite to her in the lower room. This arrangement, which worked quite well for the High school, if not quite as well for the Grammar school, as it necessitated a change of time either in the commence- ment or closing of the sessions of the Grammar school, and of the time spent in the Grammar school sessions.
13
EAST SCHOOL.
MISS CORA E. GASKILL, TEACHER.
Miss Gaskill had previously taught in the town and has had some twelve years' experience in teaching, having taught also in Bellingham and Uxbridge. She was educated in the schools of Mendon. She has taught during the year in this school, giving good satisfaction. Her discipline has been good and she has worked faithfully and well for the interests of her school. A greater effort seems to be required to accomplish a given amount of work in this school than in some others, hence the results may not always be so apparent at first sight. The pupils have gained confidence in themselves and their examinations have shown very good progress in some branches. There has been much tardiness in this school, which seems altogether unnecessary.
Their copy-books have been neatly kept, and there has been quite an improvement in reading. A new out-building has been constructed, which was much needed.
SOUTH SCHOOL. SPRING TERM .- MISS H. JOSIE DAVIS, TEACHER.
Miss Davis taught a few weeks in the town last year, to finish the winter term of the West school, so that she came to this school with but little experience, but lacking in interest, en- ergy and ability to govern, she did not meet with the best of suc- cess.
FALL AND WINTER TERMS .- MRS. MARY A. BARROWS, TEACHER.
Mrs. Barrows was engaged for the fall term in place of Miss Davis, she having previously taught here some two years ; and good order was again restored, with the usual success in .teach- ing. The letter writing which was practised last year has re- sulted this year in producing some very good composition work. There is but little tardiness in this school, the attendance is gen- orally good, the copy-books show neatness and care, and some taste is manifested in drawing.
ALBEEVILLE.
SPRING TERM .- MISS ANNIE W. GASKILL, TEACHER.
Miss Gaskill taught the spring term with her usual success. The West school was closed and the pupils transported to this school, making quite an increase in number and interest by this combination, working more advantageously for the pupils of both schools, as well as for the teacher.
14
FALL AND WINTER TERMS .- MISS MARIETTE A. HAMANT, TEACHER.
At the close of the spring term Miss Gaskill declined to hold the position any longer, and Miss Mariette Hamant of Medfield was engaged to take the school, and has taught it the remainder of the year. Miss Hamant is a graduate of the Medfield High school, and has attended the Framingham Normal school. She had had only a few weeks' experience in teaching before taking charge of this school, but she has proved herself well qualified for the position. She has been quite systematic in her work, and conscientious and faithful in the discharge of her duties. Good attention has been paid to reading and to many minor points which are so often neglected by teachers, either from oversight, or from press of work and time but which are so important in the improvement, the general make-up and effect of a school.
The discipline which has been effected, apparently with but very little effort on the part of the teacher to govern the school, has been very good. The examinations showed thoroughness in their work. Free gymnastics have been practised during the last term, and the pupils gave a very fine exercise in them the last day of school.
NORTH SCHOOL.
SPRING TERM .- MISS MARY L. ALDRICH, TEACHER.
Miss Aldrich has taught this school nearly two years, and met with her usual success here. She had attended Normal school and introduced some Normal ideas which worked very fa- vorably.
FALL AND WINTER TERMS .- MISS ADA C. TAFT, TEACHER.
Miss Aldrich resigned at the close of the spring term and Miss Taft was engaged for the fall and has taught the winter term here also, with very good success. She is a good disciplina- rian and manifests much energy and interest and is thorough in her work, training her pupils to habits of self-reasoning and care- ful thought.
A new stove has been procured for this school, making the room much more comfortable; new shades have been furnished and some repairs inside, which gives the room a neater and pleas- anter appearance; the house has also been painted outside.
PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MISS MARY E. DUDLEY, TEACHER.
This school has not been quite so large as formerly. A class of ten from this school entered the Grammar school in the
15
spring, and not many new ones entering, has reduced the number somewhat from last year. Miss Dudley has taught this school the past seven years, with a marked degree of fidelity and very successfully. A teacher who has the happy faculty of attracting her pupils, especiallythe little ones, to her, of keeping them ever interested, ever alert and always busy, has within herself the van- tage-ground of success. Although the school has not been quite as full, there has been a great deal of very trying and arduous work to perform, and the school is yet too full for a teacher to be able to accomplish the best results. The majority of the pupils have been bright and active, and some of them have manifested a keen appetite for knowledge and a great interest in all branches of their work; and by faithful and persistent efforts a very good work has been accomplished. The pupils have been trained to habits of neatness, accuracy, order and care-taking in their work. Many of their copy-books and drawing-books show neatness and painstaking. Their proficiency in reading is such that some very good examples might be furnished for imitation to some readers whom we have heard in the higher walks of life.
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