USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1883/1884-1886/1887 > Part 10
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Whatever is persistently reiterated comes to be accepted for truth. So the perpetual din about overwork in public schools has gained credence among many intelligent people. We are
122
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
fully convinced it is because they do not thoroughly examine the matter without prejudice. No doubt some teachers have a "nagging" way that frets and worries a child, who would easily accomplish more under another teacher without annoyance, and consequently without harm. Generally, worry rather than work is what injures, either child or adult. Some children are partial invalids, and can not do full work. But schools must be organized and managed on the basis of health, and not of sick- ness. The amount of work required in any term of our schools, is an easy task for a healthy child of average ability. Some of robust health joined to special aptitude for learning, can easily accomplish the work of the ten grades in six or seven years. But those whose vitality and nervous energy are exhausted in other pursuits, of whatever nature, can not reasonably expect to keep along, even with the regular grade. The matter of overwork is wholly under control of the parents. So far as we are aware, no individual has been pressed and crowded save by the parents themselves, who are frequently appealing to the Committee to promote their children to higher grades. The request that a child be allowed to take fewer studies than those required in the course, is never refused, when accompanied by a physician's certificate of the child's physical inability. It would be evidently absurd, however, to expect such children to be reckoned up to grade with those who have been able to take the whole number of studies. By taking more years, according to their health and strength, they can at length accomplish the whole. We think many of the parents have come to understand this, and are beginning to appreciate the advantage of system- atic grading according to actual attainments.
The state is perhaps wise in limiting the school age to five years. Certainly children under that age ought not to be subject to the confinement and drill of usual school hours. But it is not wise for parents to allow their children to go without instruction till five years old. Providence has clearly marked out the early years, even of infancy, as the time to form the character. It is then impressions are most easily made, and
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
become the most permanent. Persons accustomed to the train- ing of animals well understand that the earlier that training can begin, the better the success. So the healthy child will learn more in three months at two years of age, than in six months at five years of age. We need schools for these little ones whose parents can not teach them at home, that when they come into our public schools at five, they may already be able to read, and perform simple numerical processes, and especially that they may have begun to know how to think,-the great desideratum in all our schools. Hence we are glad to learn that a Kinder- garten School has been started. If well managed and widely patronized, it will prove a great benefit to the children, and will help to advancet he public schools.
Good morals is the basis of character; however physically or intellectually developed, there is no true manhood without morality. So the Statutes' require, "all instructors of youth to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction, the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth, love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry and frugality, chastity, moderation, and temperance ; and those other virtues which are the ornament to human society and the basis upon which a republican constitution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above-mentioned virtues to preserve and perfect a republican constitution, and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices." It is difficult to see how this law could be modified for the better. We have endeavored to impress upon our teachers the importance of carrying out its excellent provisions, and we are satisfied that they have in a good measure done so.
Once more we would urge upon your attention the immediate
124
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and pressing necessity for a new school-building-centrally located-large enough to accommodate, not only the High School, but all grades above the Primary-of beautiful architect- ure, and supplied with the most advanced educational conven- iences of modern invention-a building which shall be an honor to the town, and in the enjoyment of which future generations shall rise up and call its builders blessed.
The Regulations and Course of Study herewith appended, are only slightly modified, as the experience of another year has shown advisable.
COURSE OF STUDY AND REGULATIONS
OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SOUTHBRIDGE,
ADOPTED MARCH, 1885,
REGULATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS TO TEACHERS.
Three principal objects should be kept in mind :- to train pupils to observe, to think, and to express. Their interest in common things should be encouraged and stimulated by questions and simple talks about the numberless objects in street, highway, field, forest, and sky.
In Reading, begin by requiring each sentence to be read as a whole, just as it should be spoken in conversation. Secure distinct enunciation, but never allow a sentence to be read, even once, except as a whole. In naming separate words never take them in the order of a sentence. The articles "a" and "the " should be pronounced as part of the following word. For instance, "a boat," "a goat," " the gun," " the part," should be spoken as if they were single words like "about," " ago," " begun," " depart." Never permit the odious pronunciations, uh and thuh. Avoid all exact rules in regard to pauses and inflections. Teach correct methods by example rather than by rules. Even the little child who really understands what he is reading, will uniformly give nearly the right expression, unless hampered by bad habits
I26
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
or false training. Leave no sentence till the average scholar in the class can read it fairly. In all recitations distinct utterance and correct language should be required. In reciting tables and in answer to questions the falling inflection should be insisted on.
The practical use of correct spelling is found only when thoughts are expressed in writing. Exercises in spelling therefore, should be principally in writing. As early as possible sentences should be written from dictation, and parts of daily lessons should be written ou the board by the pupils.
In Grammar, remember that the technical forms of routine parsing are of comparatively small value. The true design of the study is to enable the pupil to understand language, and to acquire facility in its accurate use. Thus every recitation properly conducted becomes a language lesson. In the use of the language lessons, require not only all the exercises for writing named in the book, but multipiy them indefinitely as there is time.
In Arithmetic, teach principles rather than rules. Absolute accuracy is indispensible. Every statement, whether in words or other symbols must be precisely true. Secure perfect clear- ness of thought, and clearness of expression will naturally follow. This necessary precision and accuracy should be secured without a slavish rapetitton of the exact words of the book. The course is given by topics instead of pages, to intimate a study of the subject rather than of the book merely. Teachers will use the pages of " Miscellaneous Examples" with discretion, aiming to secure a thorough knowledge of principles, and not the mere solution of a given number of problems.
Geography should not be a study of dry details, a mere mem- orizing of isolated facts and statistics, but the living description of the home of man, its diversified surface and varied climate, its vegetable and animal life, and the manners and customs of its inhabitants. Much attention should be given to map drawing.
n History, require pupils to recite in their own language,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and avoid mere memorizing. Assign lessons frequently by topics instead of sections and pages of the text-book, and thus endeavor to awaken an interest in representative men and decisive events. Aim to secure a knowledge of the general current of events with their causes and effects, and encourage the consultation of other books illustrating the period studied.
Drawing and Penmanship are required throughout the course.
Teachers will devote some time regularly each week to instruction in temperance, morals and manners, as required by the Statutes of the Commonwealth.
Beginning with the seventh grade, written examinations are required each month. No examination must occupy more than one day. The papers will be deposited with the School Board, andkept on file for at least one year. At the end of each term a re-examination will be required of every one who, in any study has failed to secure a mark of six on a scale of ten.
The course prescribed for any grade is to be considered a minimum, and the teacher is expected to proceed further, when- ever the proficiency of a class will admit.
Except in Primary grades, no pupil will be transferred from one class to another without the express direction of the School Board. No person will be examined for promotion out of the regular course, unless his age or scholarship is above the average of his class.
COURSE OF STUDY. LOWER PRIMARY.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADES.
Reading, beginning with chart or primer. Never allow a word to be spelled to find out what it is. Carefully distinguish between reading and mere naming words. Teach pupils to hold book and turn leaves properly.
128
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Spelling. In oral spelling teach pupils to pause distinctly after each syllable, but to pronounce only the whole word. Do not repeat a syllable by itself to aid them in spelling.
Writing with pencils and on the blackboard should begin from the very first.
Counting. Roman and Arabic numerals. Reading and writing numbers.
Addition. Multiplication table not in numerical order, but in every variety of combination, including multiplying on the board by one figure and up to twelve.
Oral and blackboard exercises indefinitely.
Oral Geography, giving a few of the simplest facts.
Correct common errors in the use of language.
Object lessons indefinitely.
HIGHER PRIMARY.
THIRD GRADE.
Reading. Special attention to enunciation and meaning of words.
Spelling. Mainly written.
Arithmetic. Subtraction and Multiplication.
Oral Geography extended to the location and general charac- teristics, inhabitants, animals, climate and productions of the principal countries of the globe.
Oral Physiology and Hygiene-very elementary.
Write sentences of words defined-also give brief descriptions of familiar objects, both orally and in writing.
FOURTH GRADE.
Reading. Pupils should repeat in their own language the substance of lessons read.
Spelling. Mainly written.
Arithmetic. Division and U. S. Money.
129
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Warren's Geography, the first fifteen pages, also the special Geography of Massachusetts, adding oral instruction in refer- ence to Worcester County and the Town of Southbridge.
Writing as in Third Grade.
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL.
FIFTH GRADE.
Reading and Spelling continued.
Writing books begun.
Arithmetic. Factors, Common Fractions, to page III.
Geography pp. 16-26 and Special Geography of New England, omitting Massachusetts.
Oral Language Lessons. Teacher will take Swinton's Language Primer, as a general guide, to p. 33.
SIXTH GRADE.
Reading, Writing and Spelling continued.
Arithmetic. Common Fractions finished.
Decimal Fractions. Weights and Measures.
Geography pp. 27-54, with some attention to blackboard map-drawing.
Oral Language Lessons-guided by Language Primer pp. 34-70.
LOWER GRAMMAR.
SEVENTH GRADE.
Reading, Writing and Spelling continued.
Arithmetic. Compound Numbers.
The Metric System. Percentage.
Oral Language Lessons-guided by Language Primer from p. 70 to end.
EIGHTH GRADE.
Reading, Writing and Spelling continued.
Arithmetic. Simple Interest, through U. S. Bonds.
130
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Physiology through the year.
Swinton's Language Lessons, 60 pp.
At the end of this year pupils will take a special and final examination in Physiology.
HIGHER GRAMMAR.
NINTH GRADE.
Reading, Writing and Spelling continued.
Arithmetic completed.
Geography reviewed topically with map drawing through the year.
Swinton's Language Lessons to p. 116.
At the end of this year pupils will take a special and final examination in Geography.
TENTH GRADE.
Reading, Writing and Spelling continued.
Arithmetic reviewed through the year.
Swinton's Language Lessons completed. U. S. History.
HIGH SCHOOL.
A written examination will be required of pupils desiring admission to the High School, and each one admitted will select which Course of Study he desires to pursue. Optional studies can be chosen with consultation with the Principal, subject to the necessities of the school organization.
No change from one course, or from one optional study to another, or taking of irregular or mixed courses can be permitted except on written request of parent or guardian, approved by the Principal and confirmed by vote of the board. Diplomas will be. awarded only to those who have completed one of the regular courses.
Three studies, besides general exercises, are required of every
I31
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
member of the school unless excused for ill health, on the certificate of a physician. No pupil will be permitted to take four studies, except when necessary to make up a condition. As a general rule optional classes will not be formed for less t an three pupils.
A record will be kept of each pupil's standing as determined by recitation and by examination. Each perfect recitation will be reckoned ten-entire failures and unexcused absences, each zero, in making up the average standing. An average of sixty percent will be required for advancement in each study.
There will be general exercises for all courses, in Reading, Spelling, Composition, Declamation, and Drawing. At least one Composition and one Recitation is to be required of each pupil in every month. Besides these general exercises, essay writing should be emphasized and multiplied in connection with all other studies that admit.
ENGLISH COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- General History ; Algebra; English Analysis.
SECOND TERM .- General History ; Algebra; Physical Geog- raphy.
THIRD TERM .- General History; Algebra; English Compo- sition.
SECOND YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- English History; Geometry ; Botany.
SECOND TERM .- Zoology ; Geometry ; Rhetoric.
THIRD TERM .- Physics; Geometry ; Rhetoric.
THIRD YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Physics ; English Literature ; French, or German.
SECOND TERM .- Book-keeping, or Trigonometry and Survey- ing .; English Literature; French or German.
132
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THIRD TERM .- Chemistry ; American Literature; French or German.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Chemistry; Civil Government; French or German.
SECOND TERM -Geology ; Mental Science; French or Ger- man.
THIRD TERM .- Astronomy; U. S. History; French or Ger- man.
NOTE .- An advanced course in the study of the English Language, with constant essay writing-not less than 10 or 15 pages of letter size per week-with Logic for the last term of the course may be substituted for French or German.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin Lessons ; Algebra; General History. SECOND TERM .- Latin Reader ; Algebra ; General History. THIRD TERM .- Latin Reader; Algebra ; General History.
SECOND YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Cæsar ; Greek Lessons ; Geometry. SECOND TERM .- Cæsar : Greek Lessons ; Geometry. THIRD TERM .- Cæsar ; Greek Lessons ; Geometry.
THIRD YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Cicero ; Anabasis ; Ovid.
SECOND TERM .- Cicero ; Anabasis ; Rhetoric. THIRD TERM .- Cicero; Anabasis ; Rhetoric.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Virgil; Iliad ; Greek and Latin Composition ; French or German.
I33
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SECOND TERM .- Virgil; Iliad ; Review of Mathematics, French, or German.
, THIRD TERM .- Virgil; Greek at Sight; Review of Mathe- matics, French, or German.
GENERAL COURSE.
FIRST YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin ; Algebra; Elementary Physics.
SECOND TERM .- Latin ; Algebra ; Physical Geography.
THIRD TERM .- Latin ; Algebra ; English Composition.
SECOND YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin ; Geometry ; Botany or General History. SECOND TERM .- Latin; Geometry; Goology or General History.
THIRD TERM .- Latin ; Geometry ; Physics.
THIRD YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin, French, or German ; Physics; English Literature.
1
SECOND TERM .- Latin, French, or German; Book-keeping and Business Arithmetic, or Rhetoric ; English Literature.
THIRD TERM .- Latin, French, or German ; American Liter- ature or Rhetoric ; Chemistry.
FOURTH YEAR.
FIRST TERM .- Latin, French, or German ; Civil Government ; Chemistry.
SECOND TERM .- Latin, French, or German ; Mental Science ; Geology.
THIRD TERM .- Latin, French, or German; U. S. History ; Astronomy.
NOTE .- Study of the English Language, as in the English Course, may be substituted for a Foreign Language in the last two years.
TEXT BOOKS.
AUTHORIZED TO BE USED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF SOUTHBRIDGE.
Franklin Arithmetics, Wentworth's Algebra, Wentworth's Geometry, Bradbury's Trigonometry and Surveying, Bryant and Stratton's Book-keeping, Warren's Brief Course in Geography, Gray's " How Plants Grow," Houston's Physical Geography, Avery's Chemistry, Steele's Astronomy, Steele's Natural Philos- ophy, Steele's Zoology, Dana's Geological Story Briefly Told ; Brand's Lessons on the Human Body, Richardson's and Julia Coleman's Temperance Text Books, Franklin Series of Readers, Cathcart's Literary Reader, Monroe's Spellers, Raub's Test Speller, D. J. Hill's Rhetoric ; Parker's English Composition, Swinton's Language Lessons, Swinton's English Literature, Huason's Shakespeare for school use, Business Standard Writing Books, Prang's American Drawing Books, Higgin- son's Young Folks' History of the United States, Scudder's United States History, Swinton's General History, Hop- kins's Outline Study of Man, Allen and Greenough's Latin Grammar, Leighton's Latin Lessons, Allen and Greenough's Cæsar, Hanson's Cicero, Rolfe and Hanson's Selections from Ovid and Virgil, Jones's Latin Prose Com- position, White's or Andrews's Latin Lexicon, Goodwin's Greek Grammar, White's Greek Lessons, Goodwin and White's Xenophon's Anabysis, Boise's Homer's Iliad, Jones's Greek Prose Composition, Liddell and Scott's Greek Lexicon ; Whitney's German Grammar and Reader, Meisterschaft System of German and French, Selected German Ballards, Adler's German Dictionary, Keetel's French Grammar and Reader, Worman's First Book in French, Selected French Plays, Smith and Hamilton's French Dictionary ; Standard Books of Refer- ence in all departments.
TABULAR VIEW OF SCHOOLS.
SCHOOLS.
No. of
different
pupils.
Average
number.
Average
attendance.
Average per
cent. of
attendance.
No. of weeks of school.
High School,
58
47.84
44
.92
40
Higher Grammar-Main street, .
31
28.05
26.21
.934
37
School street,
21
18.67
17.31
.927
37
Lower Grammar-Main street, . .
49
45.78
43 62
.953
37
School street, .
36
29.21
27.41
.938
37
Intermediate-Main street,
43
34.02
31.53
.927
37
Union street,
30
24.15
21.6
.894
37
River street,
42
30.02
27.92
.93
37
Higher Primary-Elm street, .
50
45.89
41.01
.894
35
School street,
47
35.11
31.99
.911
35
Plimpton street, .
25
20.19
19.16
.949
35
River street,
36
30.68
22.31
.923
35
Lower Primary-Elm street,
56
32.56
25 67
.788
35
Main street,
52
37.85
33.55
.886
35
School street,
54
39.24
33.82
.862
35
River street, East, ·
43
36.65
31.30
.854
35
River street, West,
54
39.24
33.82
.862
35
Mixed Primary-Carpenter,
62
35.78
29.91
.836
35
Sumner,
23
16.66
14.16
. 85
35
Ungraded-Bacon,
7
6.92
5.72
.92
35
Ammidown,
55
27.13
23.64
.871
35
Hooker,
21
15.82
13.33
.843
35
Dennison,
23
12.18
10.11
.83
35
Total,
928
696.3
622.16
.894
824
Total average,
40.35
30.27
27.05
.894
35.83
.
I38
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Number of children of school age in town May 1, 1884, 1,362
Number in school over 15 years of age, 75
Number in school under 5 years of age, 16
Number in school between S and 14 years of age, 521
Number of different teachers (three males), . 31
Salary of principal of high school. $1,000 00
Salary of first assistant in high school per week, . 14 00
Salary of second assi-tant in high school per week, . 10 00
Average pay of teachers per week, exeept high school,
8 96
Respectfully submitted,
SILVANUS HAYWARD,
JAMES M. AMMIDOWN,
J. J. OAKES,
School Committee.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
AND
Warrant for Town Meeting.
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK.
INSURANCE ON TOWN PROPERTY.
WITH THE DATE OF EXPIRATION OF POLICIES.
Amount. Property Insured.
Expires,
$ 2,500. Town house, -
May 1, 1887 - July 1, 1885
3,000. Books, etc., library,
1,000. Books, etc., library, July 1, 1885
600. School house, Hooker District, April 1, 1885 Nov. 1, 1885
·2,500. Library building,
6,400. Alms-house, barn, shed, stock, etc.,
Dec. 1, 1885
650.
School house, Bacon District,
June 1, 1886 Sept. 1, 1886
1,600. School house, Elm Street,
2,200. School house, Sandersdale,
Dec. 1, 1886
2.000. School house, Main Street,
Jan. 1, 1887
1,500. Town hall, Elm Street, -
-
600. School house, Sumner District,
Feb. 1, 1887 April 1, 1887
2.000. School house, Union Street,
Nov. 1, 1887
2,000. School house, Main Street,
Jan. 1, 1888
2.500. School house, School Street, Nov. 1, 1888
2,500. School house, River Street,
Nov. 1, 1888
$32,200.
RECEIPTS.
Amount appropriated for insurance April 7, 1884, $75 00
Balance in treasury, March 1, 1884, - 25 85
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid premium May 1, 1884, $35 00
July 1, 1884,
-
44 00
Balance in treasury, March 1, 1885,
21 85
$100 85
142
REOPRT OF TOWN CLERK.
VITAL STATISTICS.
MARRIAGES, BIRTHS AND DEATHS IN THE TOWN OF SOUTHBRIDGE, FROM JANUARY I, 1884, TO JANUARY 1, 1885.
Number of marriages, - American, 24; French, 34; Irish, 10; African, I. - 69 Number of births, - 232
Male, 98; female, 134.
American, 29; French, 167; Irish, 28; English, 3 ; Scotch, 3 ; African, 2. Number of deaths, - - I30
American, 48; French, 47; Irish, 30; English, 4; Scotch, I.
Of this number 54 were under 5 years of age, 2 between 5 and 10, 8 between 10 and 20, 14 between 20 and 30, 9 between 30 and 40, 6 between 40 and 50, 4 between 50 and 60, 12 between 60 and 70, 17 over 70, 4 not known.
Number of dogs licensed,
Males, 163 ; females, II.
Respectfully submitted,
- I74
HENRY A. MORSE, Town Clerk.
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING, 1885.
WORCESTER, SS.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Southbridge, in the County of Worcester, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Southbridge, aforesaid, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Southbridge, on Monday, the sixth day of April next, at nine of the clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
ART. 1. To choose a moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2. To see if the town will vote to elect more than one Highway Surveyor.
ART. 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year, viz : Clerk, Treasurer, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Assessors, School Committee, Library Committee, Cemetery Committee, Auditors of Accounts, one or more Highway Surveyors and Constables. The polls will be kept open until three o'clock p. m., unless otherwise determined by the meeting.
ART. 4. To vote by ballot "yes" or "no" in answer to the question, "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the town."
ART. 5. To hear the report of the Auditors of Accounts, Treasurer, Clerk, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, Fire
.
144
TOWN WARRANT.
Engineers, School Committee, Library Committee, and Ceme- tery Committee, and act thereon.
ART. 6. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to pay town debts and charges the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ART. 7. To determine the manner of repairing the high- ways and bridges the ensuing year, or act thereon.
ART. 8. To see if the town will authorize the Collector to use the means for collecting the taxes which the town Treas- urer when appointed a collector may use, or act thereon.
ART. 9. To see if the town will allow a discount on taxes paid within a certain period, or act thereon.
ART. 10. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to borrow money in anticipation of taxes, or act thereon.
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