USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1860-1869 > Part 17
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NORTH.
Teacher - Summer and Winter - Miss Sarah L. Munroe.
The previous year this school enjoyed an unusual degree of success, and no doubt both pupils and parents were anxious to receive a similar benefit this year. The Committee are glad to say that they did not disappoint them in fortunately securing the services of Miss Munroe. The discipline has been excellent, instruction thorough, advancement good, and the relation be- tween teacher and scholars pleasant. Another very successful school year has been closed.
SOUTH.
Summer. - Teacher, Miss Annie M. Randall, of South Easton.
At the commencement of the term more scholars were in at- 4
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tendance than could be seated. The house seats forty-eight, and at one time the whole number of names was sixty-one. It was necessary for the welfare of the school to transfer some of the pupils to the Centre schools, the size of these schools and the ac- commodation of the buildings being favorable for their reception. The scholars are mostly of a foreign element, and being compos- ed of such a variety of pupils it is not so agreeable and easy for the teacher to bring them to her standard of government, and se- cure that uniform quietness and degree of improvement which she so perseveringly labored for and most earnestly desired. Al- though the school did not have that degree of order and studi- ousness necessary to its prosperity, still with the earnest ef- forts and high qualifications of the teacher, it reached a partial degree of success.
Winter. - Teacher, Miss Sylvia N. Stackpole, of Maine.
Most that is said in regard to the summer term can be appro- priately applied to this. The discipline, instruction, and general work of teaching were not so definite and systematic as is most essential to the real progress of a school of this size and charac- ter. During the first few weeks the order was in a poor condi- tion, but by a more decisive and careful action of the teacher, and introduction of Atwater's merits, the general character of the school was improved towards the close of the term.
JERUSALEM.
Teacher -- Summer and Winter - F. Josephine Randall, of South Easton.
Miss Randall had been a teacher of considerable experience and marked success, and the benefit of her labors have been heartily appreciated, and have proved highly beneficial in the work of school education. The discipline was firm, active and pleasant, securing prompt and respectful obedience and faithful
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industry. A reporting system was used for the older pupils and merits for the smaller ones. The methods and system of teach- ing and proficiency favorably compared with deportment, and the progress and general usefulness of the school was decidedly of a high character.
At the examination it was the teacher's wish that some of the older pupils might read compositions which they had written du- ring the term ; but they seemed rather unwilling to risk their con- fidence on such a public exhibition, and the teacher decided not to have them read. At three of our best examinations, the read- ing of compositions and speaking pieces were interspersed with the other exercises, and added much to the profit and interest of the occasion.
We hope that if these scholars should be requested to take part in such exercise at any examination, they will willingly comply with the request, which will not only prove profitable and interesting, but will show a very useful feature of the school, and an essential element of one part of education. A number of the schools have taken these exercises during the term with much profit and success.
EAST.
Summer. - Teacher, Miss Mary A. Thayer of this town.
This school contains the largest number of scholars under one teacher in town.
Miss Thayer has taught it for three successive summers with a high degree of success. Any lengthy words of ours are not only unnecessary but insufficient to state the appreciation and satisfaction which her success have given, and the high order of usefulness which the influence of the school has produced. The tact and ability of the teacher as a disciplinarian, and her meth- od of teaching and general system of school work won friendly respect and confidential obedience, and secured an industrious
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co-operative effort of the school, which accomplished excellent results towards useful education.
Winter. - Teacher, Miss Lizzie E. Lothrop, of this town.
Miss Lothrop has been a teacher of extensive experience and good success in city graded schools. With her thorough under- standing of the wants of pupils and general school work, and high aims and devoted interest, she has taught a highly success- ful term of school.
Although her school was of a very mixed character, she intro- duced more methods of the graded system than any of our teach- ers, and succeeded well in accomplishing good results. Atwa- ter's system of merits was managed admirably well among young- er classes. I think I never saw a better influence from their use. With older pupils a very definite credit check system was kept by the teacher, showing the standing of every scholar in each study.
At the examination, cach class as they were called out stood in the order indicated by their industry and progress during the term. £ The system of merits and marking embraced attendance, punctuality, deportment and lessons, and accomplished excellent results in each. Scholars seemed to be stimulated with ambi- tious exertion to reach a good standing in their classes and in the school. Instruction was explanatory aud thorough, studi- ousness and deportment very good. Perfect lessons was a mark- ed feature, and the school accomplished a very marked degree of proficiency as confirmed by the examination. In writing the scholars were divided into three classes in No's. 3, 4 and 6 of Payson and Dunton's books, so that every one of each class would be writing the same copy. This method worked exceed- ingly well. Much interest was taken in the First Class in Geog- raphy in drawing some good maps, and the methods of teaching reading were excellent.
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BEAVER.
This school is in the care of the School Committee of East Bridgewater this year.
In giving this " detailed report" of the several schools I have endeavored to do impartial justice to their real condition and prosperity, and have judged each by its own merits, accord- ing to my observation and examinations, - comparing all with the same ideal standard. The general degree of deportment and proficiency which I regard necessary for the good success of schools,. I have placed as high in my mind, in reporting them, as I think consistent with their practical utility and highest useful- ness. It is the duty of the Committee as well as Superinten- dent, to see that this standard is not too much lowered for the best interest of the schools.
Our school laws do not require a report of teachers' qualifica- tions, or extended remarks upon the characteristics of scholars and parents, and propriety and expediency in most cases war- rant no such report : but teachers, scholars and parents, are the principal causes and influences which produce the results, and give character and success to the school, -therefore it seems right that when any one of these component influences enter largely into the formation of a school's character, the Superinten- dent should not be freed from the responsibility of appropriate and impartial statements in regard to the real facts. I have been generally guided by this direction.
In the foregoing report of the several schools, attendance has not been spoken of, but can be readily seen from the appended table. Many points of excellence and others of defects might have been pointed out which have not been noticed, but we have given only the general standard of discipline and success of each school as a whole.
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In the superintending of the schools I have endeavored to be the means within my sphere of duty so far as qualification and opportunity would permit of giving my aid towards good deport- ment and uniform discipline ; and have labored to have my influ- ence tend towards the highest usefulness and practical utility of true character and intelligent education. In my work I make use of a simple blank to be filled by the teacher which aids- through the agency of the superintendent by giving information which otherwise he might not receive-in giving the different schools a mutual benefit of the good points of each.
This affords the visiting committee certain definite facts with regard to discipline, classification, progress, and the internal management of the schools, which appropriately used, are useful to various inquiries and suggestions of teachers.
In this connection, and without assuming any authority, we would say that the teachers should carefully and correctly keep the register, and also that they should properly fill out and re- turn any blanks or papers of inquiry which the superintending committee deems best in the performance of his work for the in- terest of the schools.
The success and usefulness of our schools for the past year with two exceptions have been very good indecd and certainly of a high rank.
The South school, and the Center Grammer both summer and winter have not been as a whole under that degree of order and progress which was satisfactory to the committee : but still they have not been failures, but partially successful.
NAMES OF PUNCTUAL SCHOLARS.
All scholars whose names are not marked have neither been tardy nor absent; those whose names are marked thus (*) have been absent or tardy but few times on account of sickness or weather.
CENTRE. - Grammar Department.
SUMMER. ANNIE HOWLAND.
LIZZIE DUNBAR. ·SAMUEL REED.
*CALEB REED. DAVID REED.
WINTER. GEORGE H. HOLMES.
Primary Department. SUMMER.
CORA L. WOODWARD.
FREDDIE FOLSOM.
*FREDDIE PERKINS.
EUNICE M. FOLSOM. EDDIE DUNBAR.
COCHESETT. - Grammar Department. SUMMER.
CORA ALGER. FANNIE ROUNDS.
ELWOOD ELA.
FANNIE LOTHROP. WALTER BROWN.
WINTER.
CORA ALGER.
SARAH VOSMUS.
LOUISA JENNINGS.
FANNIE ROUNDS.
ADDIE JENNINGS.
PERCY PECKHAM.
HENRY SULLIVAN. FRANK TISDALE.
PALICE TISDALE. JULIA LOTHROP.
CHARLES SULLIVAN.
*WARREN JENNINGS.
Primary Department.
WINTER
LIZZIE TISDALE, WILLIE MARSHALL, ARTHUR MORRISON, SUMMER. LIZZIE TISDALE, FANNIE VOSMUS, ORIN PERKINS.
MARY TISDALE. ALTON PECKHAM, ANNIE HARLOW,
SARAH J. ALGER, LIZZIE LOTHROP, MARY TISDALE, ONELLIE PECKHAM,
MARIA LAMBERT, HATTIE JENNINGS, ARTHUR ALGER. GEORGIE PECKHAM.
NORTH CENTER.
FRANK BENSON. JOHN T. WADE.
WINTER. CHANNING DUNBAR. OFRED. PACKARD.
MILES LEAVITT. JOHN LEAVITT.
SARAH J. ALGER, JULIA PECKHAM, GEORGIE PECKHAM,
CHARLES TISDALE. WALTER BROWN. OKATIE SHAW.
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NORTH. SUMMER.
IRENE A. EDGECOMB. CORA E. STURTEVANT. WALLACE O. KEITH. PELIZA GEARY.
IRENE A. EDGECOMB, BENJ. E. PERKINS,
WINTER.
ABBIE F. BACON, CHAS J. TURNER, *PARDON K. BACON, *EMMA MILLETT.
*ANNIE A. PERKINS.
SOUTH. SUMMER.
ANDREW BUTTOMER,
*GEORGE FRYES,
*PATRICK MURPHY.
JERUSALEM.
SUMMER.
WILTON COPELAND. JONAS HARTWELL,
*HANNAH KELLIHER, *WILLIE M. EGAN,
*WILLIE SULLIVAN, *DAN'L KELLIHER.
WINTER.
EDMUND CONNELLY, CHARLES H. EGAN.
WILLIE SULLIVAN, *JONAS HARTWELL,
*EDM'D COPELAND,
*WILTON COPELAND.
EAST. SUMMER.
L. ANNA RYDER, CHAS. T. CALDWELL,
MARY E. HAYWARD, R. WARREN THAYER,
MARY E. LEACH, JULIUS HAYWARD
WINTER.
*CHESTER THAYER,
*ERNEST THAYER,
*MARY E. LEACH,
*GEORGE C. BEALS,
*WALTER S. LEACH,
*CHAS. T. CALDWELL.
It may seem inexpedient to print these names, but we believe from observation, that it does exert a good influence, and schol- ars deem it quite a reward for punctuality to have their names in the school report. The satisfaction and benefit derived more than compensates for printing.
Most of the teachers use merits, goods or cards for younger pupils, some of them Atwater's system, with much success. It is quite interesting to see the efforts made to get the most merits. We should like to give a few names of scholars who stood highest in this respect, but having taken no means to get a cor- rect list of names, we omit them.
MARY SULLIVAN, JAMES SULLIVAN, *EUGENE LINEHAM,
MARY SULLIVAN, EUGENE LINEHAM, *JAMES SULLIVAN,
HATTIE E. HOLMES,
S. ELLIS RYDER,
*MARY J. PERRY, *HULDAH J. LEACH,
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.
Amount paid for repairs, fuel, care of school-houses, and in- . cidental expenses, as furnished the Secretary by the several lo- cal committees :
CENTRE SCHOOLS.
GRAMMAR DEPARTMENT.
Building fire and charge of house,
$6 00
Cleaning House, 2 50
Box of crayons, dipper, cleaning clock, broom, two locks, 2 35
.. Cord of pine wood, 5 00
3 1-2 cords of hard wood,
28 00
Working up of all the wood,
10 50
$54 35
PRIMARY DEPARTMENT.
Clock, $5 00
Broom, bucket, dipper, lock, buttons, putting on lock,
box crayons, door-scraper,
2 82
Cleaning house,
1 25
6 feet pine wood,
3 75
2 black-board erasers,
1 25
Taking care of house,
4 00
2 cords of wood,
15 00
Working up wood,
5 56
$38 63
COCHESETT SCHOOLS.
4 1-2 cords wood,
$29 25
1 cord pine wood,
5 00
Working up and carrying in,
13 75
$48 00
5
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NORTH CENTRE.
Teacher's travelling expenses one way, (the teacher came
a long distance, and for one term. It was neces-
sary to pay these expenses to complete the contract). 3 80 Wood, and cutting and getting in, 15 50
Setting glass, time, &c. 2 25
Crayons, broom and dipper,
1 90
Cleaning school-house,
1 00
Making fires and care of house,
4 50
$28 95
NORTH.
2 1-2 cords of wood,
$18 00·
Working up,
6 25
Setting glass,
1 00
Broom and crayons,
1 13
Making fires and care of house,
3 00
$29 38
SOUTH.
Fixing lock and box of crayons,
$1 45
1 1-2 cords hard wood, 12 00
6 feet pine wood,
3 75
Working up wood,
4 50
Care of house, 4 00
Time and expense in procuring fencing and hanging door, 2 75
$18 45
JERUSALEM.
Painting inside and out, blinds and other repairs, (from a .
special appropriation by the town), $136 38
1-3 cord pine wood, 3 37
1 1-2 cords maple wood, 9 00
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4 50
Cutting and housing,
1 cord oak wood, 7 00
Cutting and houseing,
2 00
Building fires and care of house,
5 00
Stove pipe, box crayons and broom,
1 51
$168 76
EAST.
Expenses for painting and repairs, authorized by a special
appropriation : to S. D. Spear, for paints and oil, $37 85 To A. Copeland for painting, 35 40
To J. E. Ryder, carting gravel to bank up with,
8 00
For other materials and labor in repairs, 9 37
Whole amount for repairs, $90 62
Cleaning house,
3 50
Repair fence, broom and dust pan,
1 65
1 1-2 cords oak wood,
12 00
5 feet pine wood,
3 13
Working up and packing wood,
7 63
$118 53
Total of expenses incurred by local committees,
$505 05
Amount paid for teaching in Winter,
909 00
Amount paid for teaching in Summer,
804 00
For the introduction of Hillard's new series of Readers, in place of Sargent's old series, by unanimous vote of Committee, including entire expense paid Brew- er & Tileston, Boston, 101 10
Paid Baker & Williams for books for teachers' desks, and for scholars who were not supplied with or were unable to purchase them, 8 67
Paid Taggard & Thompson, Boston, for Dictionary and Philbrick's charts, 2 40
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Paid Woodman & Hammet, Boston, for one set of War-
.ren's Outline maps and express, 9 25
Paid American Tablet Co., Boston, for putting 126 1-2 square feet of slate black-board, for Centre Prima- ry, at 10 cents, 12 65
For two black-board erasers,
90
For five Philbrick's charts,
2 50
To Bradford Packard, one of the local Committee, for en- deavoring to secure the attendance of children to school as the law required, including time and ex- pense, 10 00
Paid to the School Committee of Bridgewater agreeable to a previous vote of committees, for the schooling of two scholars in south part of town in summer of 1866, 4 37
For printing blanks, paper and stamps, 2 00
Paid School Committee of East Bridgewater for scholars in Beaver District per number of scholars between 5 and 15, 106 32
Total for schools, $2,478 21
The above does not include a bill of about $70 for repairing Cochesett school-house from damage caused by lightning, nor the expenses of the building committee chosen by the town to remodel the Centre Primary's house.
By examination of this account it will be seen that the whole amount paid for teaching, including amount to Beaver District, is $1,819.32 ; for wood, care of houses, and incidentals $278.05 ; for painting and general repairs on Jerusalem and East school houses $227.00 ; for books, maps and black-boards and other general expenses as given near the close of the account, inclu- ding some expenses on Centre Primary house for necessaries not furnished by building committee, $52.74 ; for introduction
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of Hillard's Readers in exchange for Sargent's old series -this does not really belong to school appropriations but is placed by law at the discretion of the school committee, as to the benefit of the exchange,-$101.10, making $2,478.21. The appropri- ation for the school year was $2,000.00 ; special appropriation for repairs $400.00 ; amount received from State School Fund, $190.30,- making $2,890.00. This leaves a balance unex- pended in favor of the schools of $112.09.
The committee voted that the wages of summer teachers should not exceed $8.00 per week ; and that the wages of female teachers in winter should not exceed the same amount, nor those of male teachers $45.00 per month. The local committees have exceeded the amount voted only in Cochesett Grammar, summer term; and Jerusalem, winter term; in the former case it was $8.50 per week, owing to a mistake of the local committee in making out the bill, and in the latter it was $9.50 per week, this was an exceptional case, the teacher had met with excellent success in the summer, and the welfare of the school demanded her services in the winter, but she could not be sucured without this extra pay ; so the local committee obtained the agreement of the majority of the committee to pay it. It should be and has been the intention and practice of each member of the commit- tee to responsibly abide by the considerations and votes of the whole board. In order to secure the best welfare of the whole, under the management of our system, can be seen the increased necessity of this.
Doubtless experience has taught the committee that it is best that the wages of all teachers, primary and grammar, should be equal throughout the town - that is, male teachers alike, and females alike. This has been the intention, but a vote of the committee directed the local committees not to exceed a certain sum, and therefore, as seen by table, there has been some in- equality in this respect. Now it has not been a universal fact that the largest schools and the best qualified teachers have re-
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ceived the highest compensation, but some small schools have re- ceived more than larger ones ; some less agreeable to teach, more than others much more pleasant and interesting in their character ; and some teachers more than others better qualified. Our schools are very nearly equal in their requirements of a good teacher, and do not so materially differ from each other but that it is decidedly the best for their highest and universal welfare that the compensation should be the same in each, mixed, grammar and primary, throughout the town. Very often the largest school, its amount of work, attainments, or size, is more than counterbalanced by its general character, convenience of board for teacher or some greatly modifying circumstance. It is a fact that most teachers prefer schools of an ordinary size, in which there is a good degree of scholarship and fair amount of work to be performed, for they are stimulated with the idea that a better qualification is required to reach good results and are ambitious to maintain a successful reputation. Within a few weeks I have received letters from teachers inquiring for vacan- cies, and overlooking the amount of compensation, they have given their preference to two of our largest schools. This con- firms our statements above. .
It has been the design and earnest effort of the Secretary, through the aid of the Committee, to make our financial arrange- ment as complete in itself as possible, but we have not fully suc- ceeded in all respects. With the endeavor to perfect this sys- tem into a simple, practical, and correct working condition, we point out a few of the inconveniences and imperfections of our present arrangement, and show some of the advantages of a bet- ter plan. All moneys are drawn in accordance with the votes of the board, at the order and by the approval of different mem- bers ; and at the end of the year each local committee hands to the Secretary a list of expenses paid at his order. But in going to the Treasurer's books, or even from their own, the Committee cannot conveniently, or at least very correctly, ascertain at any
39
time the true condition of money matters relating to schools, so that they can actually tell the amount of expenditures, or the amount of money at their command, which they wish to know in order to guide their action in repairs, or decide the wages of teachers, or the length of schools ; and they have no means of proving the correctness of their accounts. This embarrassment arises not from the absence of economy, or neglect of duty, but from a want of uniform understanding and action between the School Committee, Selectmen and Treasurer, and it has a very wise and practical remedy.
By the intent and design of the statutes, " the disbursement of all money raised by the town for the support of schools, is committed to the judgment and discretion of the Committee." All money especially raised for repairs is in their hands, unless by vote of the town it is put in the hands of a special committee. Our portion of the State school fund is paid to the Treasurer, and the law clearly specifies that the "fund received by the towns shall be applied by the school committee to the support of public schools," and further directs the way in which it may be expended, for books, maps, &c., or for support of schools. Hon. George S. Boutwell, in his work upon the school laws of this State says : - "It becomes the duty of each town treasurer to open an account with the school committee, and to hold the fund received from the State subject to their order."
From these remarks we see that " general charge," embracing the financial management, as well as the " superintendence" of the schools, is rightly and' legally conferred upon the school committee, and placed on an equal administrative footing with the other officers of the town, under the management of the se- lectmen. This is not only legally so, but the best and most uni- versal experience of the towns of the commonwealth, has con- firmed by practical application the wisdom of our laws in this re- spect. I have given this subject careful attention and have sought information and made inquiries in regard to it, and believe that
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a similar course to the following should be pursued to put the financial affairs of our schools on a correct basis, conducive much to their good management.
First, in order to divest the committee of all selfish aims in regard to their pecuniary interest, no member of the committee nor the superintendent, should be allowed to draw any money from the treasury, through the selectmen, for time or labor in ser- vices performed, only through the auditing committee subject to a vote of the town.
Second, at the commencement of the school year the treas- urer should open and keep an account with the school committee, placing on the credit side the unexpended balance due in favor of schools from the previous year, all appropriations for schools or repairs, the amount received from State fund, and all other sums received for school purposes ; and on the debit side should be en- tered the amounts of all orders or bills drawn at the approval and order of the committee through a draft from the Selectmen. In many towns the committee draw immediately from the treasury, but to preserve uniformity, insure accuracy, and guard against fraud, it seems better that orders should pass through the Select- men, whose duty is to give the order, stating the amount to be charged on the account with the school committee. The Select- men should give no order on account of schools except by the approval of the committee.
Third, each member of the committee and the superintendent should keep a correct account of all money paid out under their charge, and " present to the Secretary in writing a list of all the bills of expense, with items, incurred at their order during the year," which have been drawn through the Selectmen from the treasurer.
Fourth, the Secretary, besides the regular record of the com- mittee, should keep an account of all money put into the hands of the committee for school purposes, by appropriation or other wise, and also a complete record or list of all expenses on ac-
41
count of schools, as given to him by the local committee. His account should be exactly like the treasurer's, except that it will contain a complete account of all items of expense of the different schools, while the treasurer's will only have the simple amounts drawn at different times : hence the final balances of their two accounts, if correctly kept will be alike ; but if they differ, then an error exists somewhere and under this plan can be easily found. Owing to the time in which our taxes are collected - the first of January - the amount necessary to defray the ex- penses of the summer schools cannot be drawn until that time from the appropriation of that school year. It has been the cus- tom therefore to endeavor to keep a half a year ahead, or to have an unexpended balance on the first of March, sufficient to carry on the schools through the summer term ; with our present plan of collecting taxes, this is necessary in order to pay teachers in summer.
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