USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 33
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IN CHARGE OF THE UNDERTAKERS.
3 Hearses, (1 on runners,) 4 Palls,
2 Harnesses, 1 Rubber covering for Hearse,
1 Plan of the Pine Meadow ground, 1 Plan of part of S. Worces'r ground.
1 Plan of Hope Cemetery.
IN CHARGE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HIGHWAYS.
7 Ox Carts, 2 Plows, 3 Ox Scrapers, Chains, Bars, Picks, Shovels, Hoes, Forks, Axes, and small articles valued at $325.
IN CHARGE OF SURVEYORS IN OUTER DISTRICTS.
1 Plow and 1 Scraper in each district, valued at $120.
IN CHARGE OF LAMP LIGHTERS, STEPHEN SHUMWAY AND ARVIN THOMPSON.
37 Fluid and 87 Gas Lamps in use, and located as follows : Fluid. Gas.
On Bridge street, 1
On the Common, 3
Central 11
2
Chestnut street, 1
Exchange 11
1
Elm 11
5
Grafton 11 1
Exchange
3
Green 11
6
Front 11
13
Main 11
3
Green
11
4
Mechanic 11
2
Highland 11
1
Myrtle 11
1
Lincoln
11
5
Park 11
4
Main
11
27
Pine 11
3
Oak
11
1
Pleasant 11
6
Pleasant
2
Portland
3
School
11
3
Southbr'ge "
3
Summer
11
13
Union 11
1
Thomas
11
4
Trumbull
11
2
There are also on hand not in use, 8 Lanterns for gas, 1 Post and fix- tures for gas complete.
52
ARTICLES IN CARE OF WATCHMEN.
Furniture in Office Room,
10 Straw Ticks, and 26 Blankets,
18 Watchmen's Rattles,
13 11 Billys, 3 doz. Wristers, 1 pair Leg Irons, 5 pair Handcuffs.
IN CHARGE OF GEORGE GEER, CITY SEALER. The Standard of Weights and Measures.
Four City Scales, in charge of the following persons :
Charles A. Lincoln, on Southbridge street.
M. L. Jenks, at New Worcester.
Henry J. Holmes, at Washington Square.
Elisha Broad, at Lincoln Square.
IN CHARGE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE ALMS HOUSE. House Furniture, Farming Tools, Provisions, &c.
AMOUNT OF CITY DEBT, JANUARY 2, 1854.
DATE.
To whom payable.
Int. per ct.
When payable.
Amount.
Interest paid to
July 1, 1841,
Worcester Co. Institution for Savings. 66 66
6
On demand.
$6,500 00 Oct'r 1, 1853.
Mar. 14, 1844,
6
8,950 00
Feb. 1, 1845,
6
7,000 00
Feb. 17, 1846,
=
66
6
552 52
66
July 24, 1850,
=
66
60
6
3,500 00
=
April 1, 1852,
=
60
6
6
1,600 00
Jan. 2, 1854,
=
66
60
6
1,800 00
Mar. 30, 1850,
6
6,325 00 Mar.30, 1853. 552 52
May 30, 1848,
12 notes of $1604,85 each, (to same)
no
Mar. 30, 1854, June 17, 1854 July 22, annually On demand.
19,258 20
June 2, 1848,
Ebenezer Mower,
6
66
2,000 00 Jan. 3, 1854.
June 24, 1848,
Mary C. White,
6
1,000 00 Dec. 24, 1853.
Feb. 28, 1849,
Solon S. Hastings, 66
6
=
1,500 00|Aug.28,
July 20, 1850,
6
=
500 00 July 20,
Mar. 9, 1849,
David Whitcomb,
3,000 00 Mar. 9,
Feb. 23, 1850,
Judith Roberts,
1,375 00| Aug 23,
Apr. 16, 1850,
Daniel McFarland,
6
1,000 00
Oct. 1,
Mar. 3, 1852,
1,150 00 Oct. 1,
Jan'y 3, 1853,
"
6
2,000 0
July 2, 65
Dec. 1, 1853,
=
6
4,500 00
Dec. 20, 1853,
6
2,500 00
May 2, 1853,
Charles Warren,
6
500 00
"$98,567 70
=
July 9, 1850,
6
66
6
=
6
1,063 73
Sep. 27, 1851,
2,335 88
=
July 22, 1852,
66
6
4,000 00
1,604 85
July 1, 1851,
8,500 00
July 1, 1851,
May 30, 1848,
66
no
6 6 Mar. 9, 1854 ¡Feb. 23, 1854 On demand. 6
2,000 00 Apr. 16,
"
Dec. 22, 1851,
William Dickinson, = =
.
6
2,000 00 Dec. 2, 1853.
6
Jan. 3, 1853,
66
"$1571,63 of the above is due on the lot bought for Hope Cemetery, which if deducted from the City Debt, will leave the amount $96,996,07, the same as it was April 1, 1850.
8
א
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
PREPARED BY A SUB-COMMITTEE, MESSRS. W. W. RICE, J. M. EARLE, AND JOHN A. DANA.]
To the Inhabitants of Worcester :
THE School Committee of the City of Worcester, for the year 1853, respectfully submit the following Report.
IMPORTANCE OF THE SUBJECT.
In presenting this Report, we are deeply impressed with the im- portance of the subject to which it relates. Considered in a merely pecuniary point of view, it demands most careful attention, from all good citizens. The last year's appropriation for the support of our Schools, was $20,000, adding to which $756 73, received from the State, we have a total of $20,756 73, thus expended. The expendi- ture of so large a sum of the public money, justifies the most jealous scrutiny, in ascertaining if the results are commensurate with the outlay.
But, in the consideration of our Schools, other interests are so prominent, that the mere matter of dollars and cents seems hardly worthy of attention.
Our Public Schools are the peculiar boast of our Commonwealth. Her character for intelligence and enterprise, is, in a great measure, to be attributed to them. In them, her children, who are her jewels,
.
56
form characters which they carry with them through life. Upon their moulding influence, she relies mainly for the right formation of the material, furnished from whatever source, by which her insti- tutions are to be sustained and perfected. In them the poor and the rich, the foreign and the native, receive the same advantages of instruction and moral training, and, so far, at least, may enter the lists on equal terms, in competition for the prizes of wealth and honor. A subject of such importance should command the earnest attention of all. All have duties to perform, in relation to it, which they should seek to understand, and, understanding, should faithfully discharge.
DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE.
Upon the Committee, of course, the direct supervision of the Schools devolves, and very much depends upon the manner in which they discharge their duties. It is their business to establish neces- sary and proper rules and regulations for the Government of the Schools ; to apportion the School funds ; to select teachers, and to discharge them if found incompetent or otherwise unsuitable.
As they should select without favor or partiality, so, no delicacy of feeling should prevent them from discharging the teacher when the good of the School demands it. A few months of unsuccessful teaching seriously retard the progress of the School. Its welfare is too much to sacrifice to the feelings of the teacher. Those should be regarded so far as is consistent with duty, but they are light when weighed against the interests of the School.
Sec. 16, Chap. 23 of the Revised Statutes provides that "the School Committee, or some one or more of them, shall, for the purposes aforesaid, visit each of the District Schools in their town, on some day during the first or second week after the opening of such Schools, respectively, and, also, on some day during the two weeks preceding the closing of the same ; and shall, also, for the same purposes, visit all the Schools kept by the town, once a month, without giving pre- vious notice thereof to the instructors."
A neglect to comply with this Statute, can hardly fail to result in injury to the School. It leaves the teacher unsustained, and, conse- quently, often discouraged, and takes from the scholars the interest
57
inspired by a consciousness that their progress is observed and ap- proved. Especially is this the case, if an examination passes without the presence of the Committee.
We know that the labors of the Committee are arduous, and often unappreciated, but, at the same time, we believe that the acceptance of the office imposes a moral obligation to perform its duties.
DUTIES OF TEACHERS.
It may not be improper to offer some remarks in this report, res- pecting the qualification of teachers. It is a subject of no inferior importance. Without competent teachers, it is impossible to sustain Schools, which are at once progressive and elevated. Experience in the examination of candidates, shows that many entertain the pur- pose of being instructors, with very inadequate conceptions of the task they are undertaking, and with very unsatisfactory preparation for the performance of it. The occupation of teaching furnishes an honorable means of obtaining a livelihood. But a teacher, besides this laudable motive, should have some higher end in view, in enter- ing upon this sphere of duty. He should have some love for it, some adaptedness to it, some congeniality with it. It should not be a dis- tasteful toil, an irksome labor, an altogether wearing burden. There should be that sympathy with the occupation, which, notwithstanding its roughness and its unavoidable repugnances, fits one to take a true pleasure in it. A mercenary teacher, who has a painful repugnance to his task, or a submissive indifference, alike to its pains and re- wards, can hardly be expected to make a School agreeable or profita- ble to the pupils. Some relish for the employment, a true enthusi- asm in it, are very essential to the character of a good teacher.
Some teachers seem never to have embraced in their idea of the necessary preparation for teaching, anything more than such a mod- erate amount of knowledge, in the elementary branches of a common education, as will carry them safely through an examination. If teaching means hearing recitations from School books, then it is enough that teachers have sufficient knowledge to see that the required routine is correctly gone through. But this is degrading teaching to a kind of intellectual mill tending. Every teacher should be an instructor, and therefore competent to instruct. And this
58
requires such an understanding of the various subjects, that intelli- gent explanations can be made to all processes, and that ready and appropriate answers can be given to such questions as naturally arise in the mind of a learner. Constant explanations, and illustrations, and definitions, are of the utmost importance in teaching the young. The uncomprehended, memoriter recitation from a text book should never be allowed. Performing the solution of questions in Arithme- tic, by a blind obedience to the given rule, is not learning Arithmetic. Now, it is precisely at this point, that the examination of teachers most frequently shows incompetency. The ability to teach is not exhibited, for the reason, perhaps, that it is not possessed. The candidates fail in their attempts to explain and illustrate subjects, which should be most familiar to them. And this is the more to be regretted, because it is often a defect in connection with qualifications in other respects satisfactory. These remarks bear unfavorably upon the Schools, in which the teachers themselves are instructed. It is presumed that the fault of explaining too little, and of being satis- fied with a limited understanding of a subject, is too prevalent in most Schools. The evil is a curable one, and, if cured in the higher Schools, from which teachers emanate, the advantage would be very extensive. For the teachers who would thus be well qualified, would in their turn exert an influence in training up a more intelligent class of pupils. At any rate, it is worthy of the candid attention of all who propose to be teachers, whether duty to themselves, and to the sacred interests of common education, does not demand of them a more careful and appropriate training, before entering upon the ardu- ous duties of the School room.
DUTIES OF PARENTS.
But Committee and teachers will, to a great extent, labor in vain, if unsustained by the parents at home. Their interest is the great- est, and their influence the strongest. If they do not labor for the welfare of their children, they cannot expect that comparative stran- gers will do so. It is their duty to co-operate earnestly with the teacher. There is a great responsibility resting upon their shoulders, which they cannot throw upon his. They should often visit the School, and follow the classes, to which their children belong. They
59
should impartially mark their progress, and commend or reprove, as the case may require. Their eyes should be open, rather to the faults of their children than to those of the teacher. They should never, except in extreme cases, take sides with their children against the teacher. If the teacher does wrong, the matter should be laid before the Committee, but he is not wise, who, in a fault-finding spirit, discusses the failings of the teacher in the presence of the child, and, either directly or indirectly, encourages insubordination or dissatisfaction. It is not safe to do it. The province of the teacher connects too nearly with that of the parent, to permit the respect due the one to remain unimpaired, while that due the other is shaken. The disobedient scholar is generally the disobedient child. It is, then, clearly the parent's duty to sustain, and encourage, and har- monize with the teacher, rather than to watch for faults, with the eager eye of unfriendly criticism.
DEMAND FOR NEW SCHOOL HOUSES.
While our City continues to increase, as during a few years past, it is obvious that frequent demands must be made upon the City Treasury, for appropriations for the erection of new School Houses. There seems to be a present demand for the erection of a new School House somewhere in the southern section of the City, to contain a Grammar School, with those of lower grades if necessary. Front and Pleasant streets form the nearest dividing line between the north- ern and southern sections of the City, 10,432 of its population resi- ding north of this line, and 9,839 south of it. The whole number of minors in the City, between the ages of 5 and 15, is 3,312, of whom 1,687 live on the north, and 1,625 on the south side of said streets. The Grammar School in the northern district is furnished with 288 seats, and has 274 scholars, of whom 216 reside on the north and 58 on the south of these streets. The Grammar School in the southern district is furnished with 60 seats, and has 64 scholars in attendance, all from that district, which added to the 58 attending in the north- ern district, make 122 Grammar School scholars from the southern district, to 216 from the northern-thus showing that many parents in the southern district are obliged to send their children to private Schools, for want of public accommodations. These facts, with others
60
of a like nature, justify the belief that the wants of the City demand the speedy erection of another Grammar School House, somewhere in the southern district. The Trustees of the Medical College, also, have intimated that they will not desire much longer to rent their room for the Providence street School. Of course other provision must be made for the scholars composing that School.
The New Worcester District is also fast outgrowing its old fash ioned and inconvenient School House, and must soon claim a new one at the hands of the City.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
At the commencement of the year, the Committee adopted, until further action, the rules and regulations of the preceding year. These were found in City Document No. 5, with sundry amendments scat- tered through the Records. Still further amendments seeming neces- sary, it was voted to subject the whole to a thorough revision.
The Committee derive the authority to establish necessary rules and regulations from the Statutes of the Commonwealth, and the decisions of the Courts. The School is a State Institution, and the Committee is the agent of the State, through whom it exercises its authority over the system. It is not, then, an unlawful assumption of authority, on their part, to establish rules providing all proper restrictions, under which the privileges of our Schools shall be en- joyed.
A Committee was appointed for the purpose of revising the rules and regulations, as at first adopted. The report of this Committee with various amendments was adopted, and forms City Document No. 8.
Three important changes were effected by this revision. 1st. The time for regular admission to the High School was fixed at the com- mencement of the year, instead of being, as heretofore, at the com- mencement of each term. 2d. More stringent rules were adopted to prevent irregularity and tardiness. 3d. A more definite line was established between the Schools of different grades.
The rule, regulating admission to the High School, is as follows :
" Scholars shall be examined for admission to the High School, on the second Monday of January. Scholars not residing in the city on
61
the regular days for examination, or prevented from presenting them- selves on such days by sickness, or domestic affliction, or any suffi- cient cause, may be examined for admission to existing classes, at such times as the Visiting Committee shall direct."
This rule, it will be seen, obliges the teachers to form new classes only once a year, and, at the same time, permits irregular admissions to those classes, at the discretion of the Visiting Committee. This rule is generally adopted in our cities, and it is hoped will be found beneficial in its operation.
The rules respecting absence and tardiness are as follows :
Chap. 7, Sec. 11. " As regularity and punctuality of attendance are indispensable to the success of a School, it is important to main- tain the principle, that necessity alone can justify absence. Sick- ness, domestic affliction, and absence from town, are regarded as the only legitimate causes of absence.
All other cases must be considered as in violation of rule, and absence, in any of the Schools above the Primary, for any other than the specified causes, amounting in the aggregate to three days, during one term, shall exclude the pupil from the School, unless re-admitted by the certificate of the Visiting Committee.
Sec. 12. Tardiness. Tardiness, unexcused at the time or at the next session of the School, by parent or guardian, shall be treated as a serious misdemeanor.
Excuses for tardiness shall be strictly required in every case, and, in Schools above the Primary, each case of unexcused tardiness shall be reckoned as an absence for one session of half a day, and shall go to make up the aggregate mentioned in the preceding rule. Excuses for tardiness shall be the same as for absence."
Scholars from the suburban districts are exempted from the opera- tion of these rules.
We shall not enter into any defence of these rules, but merely explain them. If their effect is absolutely to exclude scholars from School, the authority of the Committee to enforce them may be very seriously questioned. The Committee do not, however, so understand them. The evils, which they were designed to correct, were rapidly gaining ground in our Schools. During the last year, the percent-
9
62
age of attendance was but .56 of the whole number of scholars, in the Summer, and .65 in the Winter.
The teachers are still allowed to receive those excuses, which the previous rule regarded as sufficient, but, beyond those, after a certain amount of delinquency, the scholars are sent to their Committee. They are made to feel the inconvenience resulting to them from breaking the rules, and the influence of the Committee is brought to bear upon them, in addition to that of the teachers. If any scholar has been excluded from School, under the operation of these rules, it is presumed that it is because he has not fully complied with their requisitions. On the same principle, other rules would exclude him from the High School and Grammar School.
The Committee had in view nothing but the best good of the Schools, in the adoption of these rules. They were willing to impose an additional duty upon themselves, if, by so doing, they could in- crease the average of attendance. The reports of the teachers show that, thus far, the rules have operated most satisfactorily. Some parents, who take pains that their children shall be faithful in their attendance at School, may think that an unnecessary inconvenience is imposed upon them. They must remember that a few lawless per- sons often render restrictions necessary, which operate equally upon all. There are always a few scholars in a School, who, either from natural indolence or parental neglect, are regular in nothing but irregularity. These rules are intended to reach such scholars and such parents. They will bear but lightly upon others. Should not that light burden be gladly borne, if by it the condition of the Schools can be improved ?
The Committee also adopted a rule, excluding, to a certain extent, the studies of Arithmetic and Grammar from the High School, as follows : "Grammar is taught in the High School only as it relates to the analysis and construction of sentences and composition ; and Arithmetic only as a review study during one term only, not in the first year of the course; the same text book being used as in the Grammar School." It is evident that it is a waste of time to form classes in the High School, in those books in which scholars must be examined preparatory to entering that School. A dividing line should be somewhere definitely drawn. Whether this rule fixes
63
it at the right point, experience only can decide. It is something that it is fixed.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
There are fourteen Suburban Schools under the charge of the Com- mittee. It is particularly noteworthy, that, in many of these Schools, the teachers are frequently changed, on account of dissatisfaction in the district. This is often the case when the teachers are known to be competent and faithful. It may be well for future Committees to consider how far this may be owing to a want of co-operation between the inhabitants of the district and the Visiting Committee, and, if they find that any of the difficulty lies there, to endeavor to avoid it.
Tatnick School. The above remarks are particularly applicable to this School. The Winter term, ending March, 1853, was taught by Mr. N. E. Holland. Miss Elizabeth C. Capron succeeded him. At the end of the Summer term, Miss Capron resigned her situation, on account of dissatisfaction in the district, although the Committee report, that "after careful examination, their conclusions are one and decided, that the dissatisfaction was not owing to any want of ability, prudence, fidelity, kindness or patience, on the part of the teacher." Mr. George Bixby now has charge of the School, who seems to be a successful teacher. The whole number of scholars during the past term appears to have been 78, average attendance 65.
Parkhurst School. This School has been under the care of its former and faithful teacher, Miss Laura M. Gage. The Committee report a good progress and correct discipline. Whole number 35, average 29.
New Worcester School. This School commenced the year under the charge of Mr. Horace Jenks. Miss H. M. Holbrook succeeded him, during the Summer term. The condition of the School had, it appears, for a long time been growing worse and worse, owing appa- rently to the united negligence of Committee, parents, teachers, and scholars, and, at the end of this term, it was voted by the Board to employ a male teacher for the Winter. In compliance with this vote,
64
Mr. W. S. Ventres, of Harvard College, was engaged, under whose active and efficient management, the School bids fair to regain its old reputation. The whole number of scholars at present is 65, average at- tendance 43. The Primary department is still under the faithful supervision of Miss DeLand.
Leesville School. This School has been under the charge of Miss Ruth C. Thompson, during the year, who is reported to have suc- ceeded well in the discharge of her duties. The Committee report great irregularity and tardiness in attendance. Whole number of scholars 40, average 28.
South Worcester School. No report of this School has been fur- nished, but we are sure it can but prosper, under the able and faith- ful instruction of its teacher, Miss Avaline Williams.
Quinsigamond School. This School commenced the year with Mr. David Newton as teacher. He was succeeded by Miss Mary H. Williams, whose superior abilities as a teacher have been tested by several terms of service in the Schools of the City. Under her tui- tion, the School made rapid progress. At the end of the Summer term, Miss W. left to take charge of the Providence street School, and was succeeded by Miss Perry, who well sustained the character of the School. It is now under the charge of Mr. James K. Hosmer. Whole number during the Summer term 58, average 41.
Blithewood School. This School is favorably reported. Miss Azuba Mixer was succeeded by Miss Henrietta M. Swift. The attendance in this School is very small, the average for the Summer term being but 15.
Adams Square School. The Committee on this School report " good progress and excellent discipline." Miss Almira H. Fuller still retains it in charge. The whole number of scholars is 37, aver- age attendance 25.
Burncoat Plain School. From this School no report has been re- ceived.
Northville School. Several changes in teachers are reported during
65
the year. At the commencement of the year, the Committee were not entirely satisfied. Afterwards, when the School came under the charge of Miss Maynard, a decided improvement was observed. At the close of the Autumn term, Miss Maynard was succeeded by Miss Abby Goodale, of whom the Visiting Committee report most favora- bly. In their words, "We feel assured that in no suburban School are there more decided marks of improvement. The regulations of Miss Goodale are such as to command the love and respect of all, without the application of the rod." Whole number of scholars 44, average attendance 27.
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