USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1905-1908 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Parties having business with the Commissioners
125
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
may usually find them at their office in the Town Hall on Thursday evenings at 7.30 o'clock.
Respectfully submitted, HENRY C. CADY, HENRY B. MONTAGUE, WILFRED J. LAMOUREUX, Sewer Commissioners.
Board of Sewer Commissioners, Southbridge, Mass.
GENTLEMEN : -
The sewers built this year were on Mill, High, South, Main and Maple streets.
Proposals for doing the work were received from these bidders : -
George M. Bryne, Boston, Mass. $7,372 50
H. A. Hanscom & Co., Boston, Mass. 8,042 00
Gow & Palmer, Boston, Mass. 8,309 50
M. J. Kane,
Worcester, Mass. 8,868 20
E. W. Evanson, Boston, Mass. 8,929 00
The award was made to Mr. Bryne who did the work for the two preceding years satisfactorily, and the contract was immediately signed and bonds fur- nished.
Work was started June 28 on High street because the pipe for Mill street had not arrived. This part was through a hard-pan and clay formation from Main to 'School streets. From School to South streets the ex-
126
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
cavation was almost wholly ledge from the surface down. While this part of the work was slowly pro- gressing because of the nature of the material, the Mill street line was started at the River street manhole. At the Mckinstry brook the elevation of the pipe was such as to fear the results of Spring freshets and flow of ice so a dip or siphon was made in the grade and the top of the pipe laid just below the bed of the brook. This part was of iron pipe embedded in concrete. From this brook to Canal street the excavation was through fine gravel and sand with a depth of twelve feet most of the way, requiring sheeting and much care to avoid accident.
Under the Iron penstock of the mill of the Hamil- ton Woolen Company, iron pipe was used and an un- derdrain was laid of six inch pipe from Canal street to the Quinebaug river.
Over the Quinebaug river, the pipe was suspended on a pair of 10-inch iron girders thus having the sewer pipe independent of the bridge.
On South street about 270 feet of pipe were laid which will take care of all houses between High and Sayles streets.
From the manhole near the Hyde Manufacturing Company on Main street, sewer was laid to Maple and on Maple to the private way in the rear of L. E. Sibley's lot. The average cut here was over twelve feet and was through very hard material with large boulders nearly all of which required blasting.
The sizes of pipe used were : - Mill street, 12-inch ;
127
REPORT OF SEWER COMMISSIONERS.
High, South and Main streets, 8-inch ; Maple street, 6-inch.
HOUSE CONNECTIONS.
Applications for 50 house connections were re- ceived during the past year. Nineteen of which were on the line of this year's work. A very good showing in percentage of houses accommodated. It might be well at this time to call attention to the fact that the sewer pipe is not intended as a receiver of refuse of all kinds. Nearly all cases of blockade which come to our atten- tion are caused by rags, sticks, etc., none of which should get in the house pipes. It is also well to re- member that nearly every stoppage, is in the house connection and not in the main carrier in the street.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN A. WHITTAKER.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1904-1905.
JOHN A. WHITTAKER, - Term expires 1905
SOLOMONIE. BLANCHARD,
- Term expires 1905 PITT H. HEBERT, Term expires 1906 HERMAN S. CHENEY, - - Term expires 1906
H. B. MONTAGUE, - - -
-
Term expires 1907
SILVANUS¿HAYWARD, -
- Term expires 1907
OFFICERS OF SCHOOL BOARD.
HENRY B. MONTAGUE, Chairman, JOHN A. WHITTAKER, Secretary, Regular monthly meeting first Tuesday evening at 8 o'clock.
F. E. CORBIN, Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of the Board. Office, Town Hall.
Office hours: Mondays. Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5 p. m .; 7 to 7.30. Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
TO THE CITIZENS OF SOUTHHBRIDGE :
The School Committee herewith submit the follow- ing report of the finances of the School Department of the town for the year closing Feb. 28, 1905, together with their recommendation of appropriations for the coming year, As to all matters connected with the policy and management of the Schools the Committee refer to the Report of the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. F. E. Corbin, which is hereby submitted as a part of our report.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
HIGH SCHOOL.
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last year,
$233 28
Appropriation, 3,775 00
Tuition from other towns,
1,250 00
$5,258 28
EXPENDITURES.
Salaries of teachers,
$3,743 15
Janitor and fuel,
575 00
Books,
188 09
Incidentals,
89 12
$4,595 36
Balance, March 1, 1905,
$662 92
134
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Balance from last year,
$180 35
Appropriation,
18,400 00
Tuition,
25 25
- -- $18,605 60
EXPENDITURES.
Salaries of superintendent and
teachers,
$13,387 77
Care of buildings,
1,859 62
Fuel,
1,541 02
Transportatiou,
108 75
$16,897 16
Balance, March 1, 1905,
$1,708 44
CONTINGENT SCHOOLS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last year, $137 96
Appropriation, January meeting, 1,600 00
Appropriation, April meeting, 3,600 00
Books and supplies sold, 17 72
$5,355 68
135
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EXPENDITURES.
Repairs, Incidentals,
$2,444 44
1,253 39
698 43
Supplies, Books,
379 66
$4,782 59
Balance, March 1, 1905, $573 09
EVENING SCHOOLS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last year,
$7 50
Appropriation, 700 00
$707 50
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers,
$476 75
Care of rooms,
69 15
Fuel and lights,
34 92
Incidentals,
71 48
Rent,
35 00
$687 30
Balance, March 1, 1905,
$20 20
136
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
APPARATUS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance fromilast year,
$30 96
Appropriation, 250 00
$280 96
EXPENDITURES.
Apparatus, chemicals and books
of reference, $272 77
Balance, March 1, 1905,
$8 19
APPROPRIATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR.
High School :-
$3,125 00
Teachers,
575 00
Janitor and fuel,
$3,700 00
Common Schools :-
Superintendent and teachers,
$14,500 00
Janitors,
1,800 00
Fuel,
1,600 00
Transportation,
100 00
$18,000 00
137
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Contingent Schools :--
Books,
$600 00
Supplies,
800 00
Repairs,
400 00
Incidentals,
1,200 00
$3,000 00
Evening Schools,
700 00
Apparatus,
250 00
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Committee,
HENRY B. MONTAGUE, Chairman.
Southbridge, March 1, 190 .
Superintendent's Report.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOUTHBRIDGE :
Gentlemen: I have the pleasure to present to you my third annual report, it being also the twentieth of the series of reports issued by the Superintendents of the public schools of this town. Throughout this re- port the year relative to attendance extends from September, 1903, to July 1904 ; the year relative to ex- penditures from March, 1904, to March, 1905.
Statistics.
I. POPULATION AND VALUATION.
Population of town, U. S. Census, 1900, 10,025
Assessed valuation of town, 1904, $4,629,909 Number of polls, 2121 Rate of taxation, $18.60
Valuation of school houses and lots, $127,900
Valuation of other school property, $6,880
. 139
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
II. SCHOOL HOUSES.
School houses, occupied
12
School rooms, occupied, Unoccupied, 2
35
Number of sittings,
1,433
III. TEACHERS.
Number of male teachers,
2
Number of female teachers,
34
Number of special teachers, female,
2
Total number, 38
Number of teachers in evening schools,
males, 1; females, 11,
12
IV. PUPILS.
Number of children in town September 1, as re- ported by the census enumerator :
1903
1904
Between the ages of 5 and 15,
2234
2142
Between the ages of 7 and 14,.
1522
1570
Total enrollment, Sept. to June,
1192
123 5
Average number belonging,
1023.74
1002.31
Average daily attendance, .
956.49
947.74
Per cent. of attendance, . 92.41
90.48
Number under 5 years of age, 20
9
Number over 15 years of age, .
92
106
Number between 5 and 15,.
1080
1120
140
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1 03
1904
Number between 7 and 14, . 718
748
Number enrolled at Notre Dame,
890
865
Number under 5 years of age, .
4
0
Number between 5 and 15,
886
865
Number between 7 and 14,
665
719
Average number belonging,
859
785
Average attendance, 703
738
Per cent. of attendance, .
82
94
Number enrolled at St. Mary's,
186
204
Number under 5,.
0
Number over 15,.
7
Number between 5 and 15, 197
Number between 7 and 14,
160
Average number belonging,
174
186
Average attendance, .
163
173
Per cent. of attendance, . 93.68
93.01
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Number
Enrolled.
Average
Attendance.
Per Cent of
Attendance.
Number of
Evenings.
Main Street, boys.
113
89.14
93.43
36
River Street, boys.
64
52.8
90.27
36
Main Street, girls.
69
48.
75.87
36
River Street, girls
52
41.47
89.
34
141
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
COST PER PUPIL.
Current expenses, including teaching, fuel and care of buildings, $22,028 17
Cost per pupil based on total enrolment. 17 84
Cost per pupil based on average enrolment 21 97
Cost per pupil in the High school, 55 26
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
The following is a list of the changes of teachers from Jan. 1 1904, to Jan. 1, 1905 :-
RESIGNED.
Month Teacher
School
June. Mabel F. Barnum,
High
June. Anna Seagraves,
Grade IV
June. Minnie Thompson,
Lebanon hill
Oct. Alice Torrey,
Helper Grade VI
Oct. Margaret Dougherty,
Oct. Maud Love,
Drawing
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
May. Anna F. Eager, Drawing
TRANSFERRED.
Oct. Blanche Harwood, Main street III to Marcy V1
Oct. Katherine Flood, Lebanon hill to Main III
Nov. Gertrude Lamoureux, Helper to Lebanon hill
142
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
APPOINTED.
Month Teacher
School
Sept. Nellie F. Thompson,
High
Sept. Harriet F. Harris,
Grade IV
Sept. Maud Love,
Drawing
Sept. Katherine Flood,
Lebanon hill
Oct.
Jennie F. Stratton,
Jan. Mary E. Wilson,
Drawing Substitute
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CORPS OF TEACHERS, MARCH 1, 1905.
NAME.
Salary.
Date of first
Election.
Grade.
Educated.
F. E. Corbin.
$900
1902
Supt.
Williams collège.
F. E. Corbin.
1.100
1886 Prin. H. S.
Thomas DeCoudres
1,000
1902 Assistant
Nor'l & Brown U.
Laura Williams.
650
1899
66
Nor'l & Boston U.
Edith M. Cook.
650
1902
Nor'l & Colby U.
Nellie Thompson
500
1904
66
Smith college.
Laura E. Shepardson .. Alice Holmes
570
1878 VII.
per
month
Isabel P. Taylor.
46
1890 VIII.
Mary E. Meagher
4-4 1887 VI.
Blanche Harwood.
40
1903 VI.
Louisa Twombly.
44
1892 VII.
Eva Conner
40
1898| V.
Sarah Haskell.
40
1901 V.
Rebecca Rowley
44
1865 IV.
Harriet Harris.
40
1904 IV.
Martha Cutting
40
1885.IV.
Bertha Harwood
36
1901 III.
Clara P. Chase
40
1896 III.
Anna Simpson.
36 1900 III.
Worcester Nor'l.
Katherine Flood
32
1904:1I1.
Worcester Nor'l.
Nettie V. Stone.
40 1898 II.
Jane Farquhar
40
1887 II-III.
Mary Boardman
40
1891 II.
Margaret Butler
40 1893 II.
Southbridge H. S.
Susan M. Knight.
40 1858!I.
Southbridge H. S.
Mary A. Ellis.
40
1883 I.
Southbridge H. S.
Agnes M. Meagher.
40 1886 I.
Margaret Keenan
32 1903 II-III.
Gertrude Litchfield
36 1901 I.
Mabel C. Teahan
36
1900 I.
Mary McCabe.
40
1890 I.
Alice Sanders
32 1899 U'ngraded.
Mabel Chamberlain.
84 1902
Southbridge H. S.
Ita Morse
28
1902
Southbridge H. S.
Gertrude Lamoureux ..
12
1904
66
Mary Wilson
1905 Substitute.
Mabel LeClair.
1905
66
Jennie Stratton
50
Drawing. Music.
Southbridge H. S. Worcester Nor'l.
Normal Art Sch'l.
Mrs. H. N. Carpenter.
570
1897 IX.
Grammar.
Nichols Academy. Palmer High S.
Southbridge H. S. Southbridge H. S.
Salem Normal.
Worcester Normal Southbridge H. S.
Southbridge H S. New Britain Vor 'l Southbridge H. S. Southbridge H. S. Brimfield H. S.
Southbridge H. S. Quincy Training. Southbridge. H. S.
Southbridge H. S. Bridgewater Nor'l Framingham Nor. Albany Nor'l.
Quincy Training. Southbridge; H. S.
144
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
STATISTICS FROM SCHOOL REGISTERS.
For School Year Ending
June 1904.
Grade
Number of Boys Reg-
istered,
istered.
Average Daily Atten-
dance.
Average Membership
Per Cent of Alten- dance.
High School Marcy Street
IX
15
21
28 96
30 75
94 27
229
23
42 85
45 16
94 61
VIIW
16
14
24 09
26 17
92 05
. .
VIIe
13
16
24 11
25 46
94 63
..
TIw
19
15
28 82
29 87
96 47
66
Vw
18
18
3:)
34 05
37 73
89 9
. 6
II
14
16
23 17
24 75
93 52
..
I
32
34
39 64
44 04
89 49
School Street
17
16
23 7
25 43
92 93
66
ITT-IV
18
25
33 48
36 01
92 78
66
II
19
17
27 38
30 43
$9 95
..
1
23
18
26 16
29 15
89 48
Main
Street
IIIn
27
6
39 97
42 66
93 4
66
I-11
21
17
29 78
32 4
92 17
6.
I
31
18
32 12
35 01
91 67
Elm Street
IV
18
I
12
20 77
23 45
88 57
River Street
II-III
21
11
22 15
23 82
93 26
Carpenter 66
II-III
13
11
20 23
21 9
91 8
Sandersdale
I-II-[I]
12
17
25 44
28 01
90 95
Dennison
Ungr.
13
13
14 79
17 35
85 56
Lebanon Hill
8
7
10 55
12 49
84 00
Morse District
4
6
85
6 81
85 00
607
617
908 70 1002 43
91 67
. €
Ve
32 67
95 89
Mechanics Street
IV
IIT
26
37 94
40 6
94 7
39
65
SS 6
94 09
94 08
15
28 38
30 07
94 16
..
VIe
34 08
36 66
93 09
II
31
21
41 38
44 63
92 29
21
19
26 32
27 84
94 05
I
17
22
31 47
33 53
94 32
31 15
33 45
92 74
31 33
Number of Girls Reg-
145
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
HIGH SCHOOL.
We have followed throughout the year our re- vised course of study. The object of which is to give the pupils a greater opportunity to elect studies both to their taste and capacity.
While I think it is doubtiul if pupils of High- school age are fitted to choose courses of study that will give them the most rounded education, yet in re- stricted limits and guided by the advice of their teach- ers I believe the system works very well.
The only study required throughout the course is English; for the first two years Rhetoric and for the last two American and English literature.
In September German was introduced, at the re- quest of some twenty pupils, part of whom have college in view and can meet the entrance requirements by presenting a modern language in place of Greek.
During the last summer new tables and apparatus were purchased for the physical laboratory. We have for many years been well equipped for teaching Chemi- stry but our facilities for teaching Physics have been somewhat limited, owing to the cost of installing appa- ratus, depending too much on the ingenuity of the teacher.
To have work of much practical benefit it must be performed by the student. We are now well equipped for individual work. The cost was $125.
Miss Mabel Barnum, teacher of Latin and Greek, who had been with us for two years, resigned at the
146
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
end of the school year to accept a more remunerative position. Her work had been very acceptable.
Miss Nellie Thompson, a graduate of the High school in the class of '99 and Smith '04, was engaged to fill the vacancy.
During the year 38 pupils have been registered from out of town. Their tuition has amounted to $1250 which reduces by so much the amount that the town would be obliged to raise for the support of the school.
In September 110 pupils were registered, the largest number that ever attended. The larger size of the classes has necessitated dividing them into two divisions. This has entailed more work upon the teachers and should it be neccessary to continue it with future classes, together with the added course in German, it will require another teacher to successfully accomplish the work.
During the autumn a reading list was prepared by Miss Miersch, public librarian, assisted by Miss Cook of the High school, and copies were ready for distribu- tion in January. The object of the list is to guide the pupils to the selection of good books and suited to their capacity. I add the introduction.
"This list does not pretend to include the best or the greatest books published. All of the books includ- ed are good books and interesting books. A good many of them are books which people who enjoy books usually read before the age of 20, or, later in life,
147
1
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
wish they had read them. Some of them contain char- acters to whom people refer familiarly as to their friends. You will feel ignorant if you do not know of whom they are speaking.
Many of these authors have written other books equally as good as those mentioned. If you enjoy one book of an author you are likely to enjoy his other books.
There are other good books besides those here noted, thousands of them. Some of these books are not to be read straight through, but to be enjoyed now and again."
SCHOOL EXPENDITURES.
I have worked with the teachers during the past · year to see if greater economy could not be practiced in the giving out of supplies.
There is a proper average between parsimony and wastefulness. If it is ascertained by practice that five pencils are enough for a pupil for one year he should have five and not ten. Small details make up every business, and the giving to a pupil everything that he may call for leads not only to wastefulness, but also I think inculcates a disregard for all public property. "The school department calls for the largest single ex- penditure of the town's money. The cost of maintain-
148
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ing the school system is on the increase not only in Massachusetts but throughout the country.
The law regulates the system of heating and ven- tilating, limits the number of pupils to a teacher to fifty, and requires books and supplies to be furnished.
While the drinking fountains in our schools are more sanitary they are also more expensive than a water pail and tin dipper.
I remember once attending a primary school, as a pupil, where one hundred and six children were herded in a room thirty by forty-five, ventilated by door and window and with the water pail in the corner, but "those good old days" have gone by.
The increased expenditures have gone to satisfy the requirements of the law, in this town at least, and not to increase the salaries of the teachers. While the wages of every skilled workman in town and the cost of living have increased the salaries of our teachers are still at the level of years ago and judging by the experiences of this year it will be neccessary to increase their salaries unless we wish to have our best ones seek situations elsewhere.
149
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTRE.
The following tables show the school expenditures for the past six years.
REPORT OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Year.
High School.
Comn'on
Schools.
Contingent.
Number of
Teachers.
Average
Enrolment.
Cost per
pupil.
1900
$3,700 $15000
$3,650
33
946
$23 62
1901
4,275 15,900
4,250
33
903
27 05
1902
4,000 15,800
3,500
33
931
25 50
1903
4,075 16,900
3,400
38
952|
25 49
1904
3,500 17,900
4,000
37
1023|
24 84
1905
3,775 18,400
3,600
3.5
1002 25 74
Called for
March.
1905
3,700 18,000
3,000
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Year.
Expended.
Average
Enrolment.
Cost per
Pupil.
1900
$1,796 32 946
$1 89
1901
1,310 81 903
1 45
1902
1,394 43 931
1 49
1903
1,695 80 952
1 78
1904
1,487 90 1023
1 45
1905
1.272 85 1002
1 27
150
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The cost per pupil throughont the state, based on the average attendance according to the last state re- port was $27.30, and the average cost of text books and supplies was $1.58. This average does not include the High schools.
The average cost for Southbridge on the same. basis is $21.97 and $1.27 respectively.
STORM SIGNALS.
During the school year ending with June, 1904, we were especially fortunate in not feeling obliged to. sound the signal for "no session" on account of the severity of the weather.
The purpose of the signal is to close the schools. when the weather is so severe as to keep the majority of the children at home. It is not the purpose of the signal to take the responsibility for each child off the parent and put it upon the superintendent of schools.
The schools cost approximately $125 a day, and for the town to lose this and shut out 1,000 children is an entirely different matter from the keeping of one's. own child in out of the wet.
In most storms some of the parents decide to keep their children at home, others to send them. If school is closed the people who prefer to send their children have cause to complain. If the signal strikes frequent-
151
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ly the children fall into the habit of watching for it. The school seems to them a matter of no great impor- tance since it yields to obstacles which are not per- mitted to interfere with other pursuits.
One of the primary teachers tells me that she has had children say to her that "They were glad the school signal did not blow as it was warmer at school than at home."
Doubtless in a year's time mistakes will be made both in sounding it and not sounding it. It has been my policy to give the schools the benefit of the doubt and keep them open as much as possible.
Attention is called to the abstract of the state laws and the report of Mr. Knowles, principal of the evening schools.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. CORBIN.
EVENING SCHOOLS REPORT.
MR. F. E. CORBIN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Dear Sir :-
It is with pleasure that I submit for your approval my annual report of the work of the public evening schools for the late summer and fall term of 1904.
The schools commenced September 12th. This year's experience strengthens the opinion expressed in my previous report that the earlier commencement and consequent earlier closing of the school term is of decided advantage to both teachers and pupils over the somewhat later term of a few years ago. We are now enabled to get through the three months' term with comparatively very little of the disagreeable ex- periences of snow storms and the cold of the earlier winter months.
Just previous to the opening of the schools the various factories and workshops in town were visited by a special officer, authorized by the Superintendent of schools, to cull out all minors, who could not read and write passably in English, and order them to at- tend evening schools or quit work under penalty of the law. These measures, vigorously enforced, had the effect of bringing forth a large enrolment of pupils.
153
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
For several weeks after commencement of the term the two schools for boys were taxed to their utmost capacity. After every available desk had been brought into requisition and filled up, several long wooden tables were hastily built to fit whatever re- maining space could be utilized, and the boys were seated in rows of chairs on each side. Thus eventually every boy had good working accomodations with light, heat and abundance of stationery, books and regular school supplies.
The enrolment was fully as large as last year's, and considerably larger than for many years previous.
The attendance was very good indeed, the average being higher than last year, and consequently better results. were obtained. There was an unsually large number who did not miss a single session throughout the term, and a still larger number who had only missed one or two sessions.
More nationalities were represented than ever be- fore, there being French Canadians, Germans, Swedes, Italians, Irish, Polanders. Americans, Jews, Albanese and one Roumanian.
Despite the fact that so many different national- ities and somewhat conflicting elements were neces- sarily seated in close proximity, the pupils were, most of them as a rule, diligent and attentive. This was particularly noticeable with the Swedes, Italians, Al- banese and Polanders who had recently arrived here and were naturally anxious to learn how to speak and use the English language. Many of these at the com-
.
154
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
mencement of the term could not read or understand apparently a single word or character in English. It was consequently somewhat uphill work to get them intelligently started. By patient and persistent effort, however, on the part of the teachers, and by free and constant use of blackboard illustrations and explana- tions, an apparently clear conception of the ideas in- tended to be conveyed was eventually secured, and thenceforward the steady progress of the pupil was. much more marked and encouraging.
In the higher classes the reading included more or less American history so that general ideas of the growth and development of our country could be ob- tained.
Considerable time was devoted to letter-writing, arithmetic and the making out of ordinary bills of sale, etc. In the latter departments the pupils showed con- siderable interest and progress, and some of the work turned out and kept on exhibition throughout the term was most creditable. Many of these specimens the pupils were allowed to take home if they wished to do so, and others were kept by the principal, as a source of pleasure and perhaps pardonable pride in showing what had been, and could be accomplished in evening schools.
Sentence building was practiced more or less in some way or other in all the classes.
Quite a number of pupils, who for various reasons wished to be "excused" from attending school, were by diligent application and attention to study enabled to
155
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
do so before the end of the term by showing upon practical examination by the principal that they had attained the standard required by law,and were there- fore entitled to the coveted certificate making their ai- tendance "optional."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.