USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 34
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POND DISTRICT. As there has been some difficulty in this district, about which the Committee who prepare this report are not fully in- formed, at the request of the Committee on that School we insert their report without alteration. The teacher reports the whole number of scholars during the year to be 52, average 25.
Pond School. In the early part of the year, this School was under the charge of Miss. Nancy B. Jencks. Under her charge the School appeared well, and the parents and others of the district, in interest, were generally satisfied with her success as a teacher. After her resignation, and under the charge of her successor, there were some two or three persons in the district who were disposed to complain, partly on account of some fancied want of consideration, on the part of the Board, in not consulting their wishes as to the selection of a teacher, they alleging that, as they "paid heavy taxes," they ought to have had more influence in the School matters in their own district ; and partly on the assumed ground, that the teacher was wanting in energy. Upon a very careful investigation of the latter charge, (the former being of course beyond their control,) the Committee found that the "malcontents" had not, in a single instance, visited the School, and some of the more active had no children in the School. They found, also, that the School had been well conducted, and there was no want of ability or fidelity on the part of the teacher ; and that those who had availed themselves of the advantages of the School, had made satisfactory progress, both to the parents and Com- mittee. The teacher, however, being called to engage in duties else- where, the Committee left the matter of selecting a teacher, tempo-
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rarily, to the Prudential Committee, and others of the district, hoping that, thereby, they would avoid the imputation of unfairness in select- ing a teacher. What has been the progress of the School, since thé accession of the present teacher, the Committee cannot fully say, as they have visited the School only once. Judging, however, from the appearance of the School at that time, the Committee are compelled to say, that " order has not there from confusion sprung." But they deem this like most similar cases, where parents fancy that their au- thority extends within the School house, and embraces teachers as well as children. The Committee disclaim any intention of being personal, but make these statements that if, in the past, there has been an unwarrantable interference in School matters, (as duty com- pels them to say they believe there has,) such parents or guardians as have been foremost in these matters, may understand that the Committee cannot always do as might suit their wishes, but, acting as practical men, and endeavoring faithfully to discharge their duties, they will hope, hereafter, to find the parents and others of Pond Dis- trict willing to co-operate in promoting the prosperity of their own School.
All which is respectfully submitted. C. M. BROOKS, Chairman Visiting Com.
Chamberlain District. This School has changed teachers several times during the year. It is now under the charge of Miss Mary J. Mack, who is reported as eminently successful in her vocation. Whole number of scholars 25, average 18.
North Pond District. This School is favorably reported by its Committee. Mr. James M. Newell, an experienced and successful teacher, has it in charge. Whole number of scholars during the year, as reported by him, 30; average 27.
Providence street School. Mrs. Coe resigned her place in this School at the end of the Summer term, to take charge of the Secondary School on Thomas street. The good character which the School had obtained under her instruction, is fully sustained by her suc- cessor, Miss Mary H. Williams. Whole number of scholars 60, average 45.
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EVENING SCHOOLS.
It is now about five years since these were established, during which time two Schools have been kept in operation from three to four months each year. During the past year, one School has been taught by Mr. Eddy, in the Main street School House, and another by Mr. Gilbert, on Front street. The number in attendance, at the commencement of the terms, as in former years, has been large, and diminished as the term progressed. The Schools have otherwise been very successful, and the teachers have sustained their previous repu- tation. Numbers not reported.
Pine street African. Miss Emeline M. Lovering is the teacher of this School. The chief obstacle in the way of its success is the smallness of its numbers. The teacher reports the largest number during the year to be 29, average attendance 25.
The Young Men's School. This School may now be considered as a fixed fact in our School system. Its success commends the wis- dom and sagacity of its projector. During the year, the Rev. John F. Burbank, Chairman of its Visiting Committee, has deceased. In losing him, it, in common with our other Schools, has to lament a watchful, earnest, and able friend and benefactor. Its present teacher, Mr. Nathaniel Eddy, fully sustains his former high reputation.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
The School system of our Center District rests upon the basis of the Primary Schools. In them, the children of the City, imbued with the influences of home, whatever those may be, beyond which they never before have wandered, are collected to begin that course of education, provided for them by the thoughtful care and wisdom of the State. There they enter a new world, and begin a new life. They form acquaintances, they acquire habits, they receive impres- sions which go with them through the whole of their School day life. Surely it is no light and trifling task to receive these little ones, with their fresh and tender natures, and set their feet upon that path which it is so important they should tread aright. This is the duty of the teachers of our Primary Schools. They should bring to its discharge a devoted patience, a gentle spirit, and an earnest love for
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their work. We do not need a severe and irksome discipline in our Primary Schools. That is not the place for passionate words and hasty blows. At the same time, the pupils should be taught to res- pect their teachers and the School, and should form habits of obedi- ence and attention to their tasks, the want of which is so apparent in some of our Secondary Schools.
The success of these Schools, perhaps, more than in those of a higher grade, depends upon the teacher. She is not here, as there, stimulated by the criticism and appreciation of her scholars. Unless carefully observed by her Committee, provided she preserves a good natured, pleasant manner, she can in other respects gratify her own inclinations, and still maintain a good, or, at least, a negative reputa- tion ; she can sit in the School room during six listless hours a day ; she can save a little even from those six hours, by being habitually tardy at her post ; she can gratify her own indolence by long recesses and interims between the classes ; she can even, if she has an asso- ciate, take turns with her in being absent when the School is thin, and sometimes when it is not ; and, at the end of the term, she may receive her quarterly salary and a good report from the Committee, but she has done an irreparable wrong, for which she must answer to her own conscience, and to One whose observation she can never es- cape, though parents and Committee are blind to her faults.
It is not necessary to notice these Schools separately. All are reported more or less favorably. The Pine Meadow School, and those on Pleasant and Summer streets, have received particular commenda- tion from their Committees.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
Next in our grade we have five Secondary Schools.
Ash street Secondary School. We give the report of the Commit- tee on this School entire, as containing many valuable suggestions respecting this grade of Schools.
This School has been under the care of Miss Charlotte N. Follett, with two female assistants. At the commencement of the year, the existing vacancy was filled by the appointment of Miss Mary E. Rice, as second assistant. Miss Helen M. Williams, who faithfully and successfully discharged the duties of her place as first assistant,
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resigned in October, and was succeeded by Miss Mary W. Bigelow. The number of scholars has been variable during the year. In January there were 125 names upon the register ; in October the number decreased to 82; and in November rose to 90. This dimin- ution was caused, mainly, by the withdrawal of many children of foreign parentage, to attend a private School provided for them in the neighborhood. The School has prospered during the year. Miss Follett has been laborious and conscientious in her efforts, and her endeavors have been sustained by her assistants. Every one ac- quainted with the peculiarities of a Secondary School, is aware of the severity of the task imposed upon the teacher. The family dis- cipline which makes a Primary School so pleasant, does not involve energy enough for this grade. The character of the pupils, on the other hand, is not sufficiently developed to allow the principles of self-respect, and the desire for attaining knowledge, to have the force which they acquire in higher Schools. And hence it is generally found that more insubordination exists among the boys of the Sec- ondary grade than any other. Notwithstanding this infelicity, it is believed that the best order, and the most harmonious feeling, can be attained by wisdom, firmness and kindness, in the administration of the School. Very few children, at any age, are insensible to the influence of a cordial good will ; and, notwithstanding the general aversion to continuous mental effort, it is believed that as few are really averse to an increase of knowledge. Learning a lesson, like any other imposed task, is a drudgery, if there is no inward incentive to it. One of the indispensable things, in the easy and prosperous management of a School, is to excite the minds of pupils so that any acquisition of knowledge shall be a gratification. In order to this, some advance in knowledge must be sensibly made. The child must know something, so as to be conscious of new knowledge. Every new idea gained is a stimulus for seeking another, and thus the mind is led on by degrees, until it is furnished with an inward force which may propel it indefinitely. The great obstacle to this in our lower Schools, is, that so much that is gone over is, to say the least, dimly apprehended, if not altogether misunderstood. Stupidity is essen- tially below the level of enjoyment, but the most stupid person is pleased with any new light. Hence, one of the great things, and by
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no means an easy one, is, to have every lesson so fully explained that it shall be really intelligible to the learners. It requires more teach- ing, and would result in less blind and wearisome plodding. Such a process requires patience, but patience, and habitual kindness, and a felt good will, will accomplish wonders. It is very much to be de- sired, especially in the Schools of lower grades, that the unwelcome character of task-master should be done away, and that the School should be inspired with the feeling that they are really in the pres- ence of a friend and helper. The teacher who presumes upon gov- erning and instructing a hundred children, capricious, self-willed, undisciplined, it may be, at home, and yet stimulated by the free and active spirits of youth, fond of sport or of mischief, without their confidence and affection, has ventured upon a painful and almost hope- less undertaking. If successful, the success is but little better than a failure. Unfavorable impressions are made, and injurious associa- tions are connected with going to School, which may seriously affect the habits, as well as the happiness of a scholar, through his whole future School days. Too much importance cannot well be attached to this subject, in connexion with our lower Schools. It is well known that many scholars never reach the higher Schools, or, if they do enter the Grammar Schools, they leave study before they have accom- plished even the limited course there pursued. It is a question worth considering, whether many more might not be secured for a success- ful progress in the higher Schools, if a love for School and study could be fixed while passing through the lower grades. It is very hard for a backward boy to hold himself up through the three years of the Grammar School, where the fruits of industry begin to develop themselves, especially if, in addition to his backwardness, he has im- bibed a hatred of School and School tasks. The probability is, that unless kept at School by external pressure, he will give up in des- pair, and go to a trade with but a pitiful preparation to act an honor- able or a useful part as a citizen, in his future years. Whatever can be done, for the successful administration of the Secondary Schools, should be done. If they are less attractive than higher Schools, they have a peculiar importance of their own. They contain the material, often crude and forbidding in appearance, which is to be wholly lost, or re-appear, by and by, polished and fitted for the ser-
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vice and ornament of the community. It is often said that a teach- er's vocation is a thankless one. It is not, certainly, less so in the Secondary than in the other Schools. And yet, if there is any alle- viation in the prospect of the substantial good that may be accom- plished, no teachers have any higher inducement to that persever- ance, patience, and hard work, which is sure to be crowned with gratifying success.
Summer street Secondary School. This School is under the charge of Miss Nancy B. Jencks, and is favorably reported. Owing to cer- tain circumstances in connection with this School, we make the fol- lowing extract from the report of its Committee :
" But for strong objections said to exist in some quarters against the principal, it would be quite unnecessary to say a word in her favor, especially to any one who will take the pains to visit the School, and inspect its proceedings. Complaints have been made-or rumored, rather-of her severe and rude manner of discipline. No instances of the kind have been reported to the Committee. Those supposed to exist were found, upon inquiry, not to exceed three or four, and to be no matters of grievance with pupils or parents particularly concerned. The only cases of real dissatisfaction brought duly to notice, were those of two parents who believed in the testimony they deemed suf- ficient, that the principal had been wanting in proper sympathy and management of their children. One of these, after several hear- ings, allowing in the case full room for complaint and defence, was pronounced satisfactorily adjusted. The other, after explanations of the principal, appeared to be quite less offensive than the complain- ant supposed. In short, the Committee, after all due inquiry which circumstances allowed, know no sufficient reason for dissatisfaction with Miss Jencks. Without claiming that she was entirely without fault in the cases referred to, it is but just to say, that she has ever been ready to give any information on the subject called for, and to do it in the spirit of one conscious of meaning to do right. She is an energetic and judicious teacher-fully competent for the place. She is associated with two excellent assistants. All work harmoni- ously together, and the School will suffer in comparison with none."
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Thomas street Secondary Schools. These Schools, under the charge of Mrs. Coe and Miss Walker, are very favorably reported. Mrs. Coe succeeded Miss Carey at the end of the Summer term. Miss Walker is an experienced and well known teacher.
Pleasant street Secondary School. From this School, under the care of Miss Maria H. Read, no report has been received.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Of these we have two; one on Front street, and the other on Thomas street. Miss Adeliza Perry has charge of the School on Front street. It has prospered during the year as well as could be expected, considering its small and inconvenient room. Girls, only, can be received into this School, and there is not room for all of those, who come within its limits. Whole number of scholars 77, aver- age 40.
THOMAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL. With respect to this School, we can- not do better than to give the report of its Committee.
Thomas School, C. B. Metcalf, Principal. A Grammar and Sec- ondary School are included under this name, over which, in five different rooms, Mr. Metcalf presides, aided by eight female assist- ants. By referring to all the past annual reports of Mr. M.'s School, it will be seen that, without exception, this School has been highly commended. Nothing less can be said of it this year.
The undersigned report particularly upon Mr. Metcalf's room, where he is most admirably assisted by Miss Baker. It would not be easy to find, anywhere, higher specimens of good teaching than in this room. Both the principal and his assistant seem to understand how to secure that difficult result in education, mental discipline and real intelligence in the matter taught. Any one can see this by lis- tening to the recitations. The teachers do not aim to fit their pupils for the High School simply, but to give them a thorough knowledge of many fundamental things not specially brought into account in examinations for the High School. For instance, reading, with its related exercises, occupies a large share of the time of every day ; but an excellent reader, a rare thing to find, has no better chance of promotion to the High School than a poor one. Very great credit is.
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due to Mr. Metcalf for his successful efforts in teaching this high, difficult and beautiful art of reading; an art which, by the way, involves the development and culture of the mind, generally, more than perhaps any other, and which certainly should be a crowning accomplishment in all Schools.
It is said by those who have been on the School Committee in pre- vious years, that reading in the Schools of the City, generally, has gradually and evidently improved, since Mr. M.'s connection with the Thomas School. The improvement in this particular School, from the first year of his connection with it, was said to be very striking. And we mention this matter with commendation, because we would exalt an art, too little regarded everywhere, and too little coveted by scholars ambitious of other attainments. The elementary drilling in this department, which we believe Mr. M. was the first to introduce here, is of vast value, every way.
Grammar and Arithmetic are also taught in this School very per- fectly. The efforts of the principal, in the last of these branches, are admirably seconded by Miss Baker, who is every way a teacher of rare merits.
The attendance at this School, since the new rule concerning ab- sences was put-in operation, in September last, has been ten per cent. greater than it was during the same period of last year. In every way the School is doing well.
N. T. BENT,
GEO. A. DRESSER, Committee.
THE ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL.
During the past year, this School has been under the care of Mr. George Capron, Principal, who succeeded Mr. Nelson Wheeler in the Autumn of 1852. Mr. Wm. E. Starr has discharged the duties of first assistant teacher. Miss Louise C. Harwood has remained as the only female assistant teacher permanently employed in the School. The situation left vacant at the close of the previous year, by the resignation of Miss Hunt, was filled, as a temporary arrangement, by Miss Martha B. Earle, who continued to teach from the middle of February until the end of the Summer term. At that time the Board elected Mr. James M. Whiton, Jr., as second assistant, and he entered
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upon his duties at the commencement of the Autumn term. By this appointment, the Board have returned to the former arrangement, in which all the classes in the ancient languages were under the care of a male teacher. It is believed that the change will be eminently conducive to the welfare of the School.
In the division of the studies, instruction in Latin, Greek and Al- gebra, to the advanced classes, has been given by Mr. Capron ; the recitations in Mathematics generally, including Book-keeping, together with Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and Botany, have been heard by Mr. Starr; Mr. Whiton has had charge of the lower classes in Latin and Greek, and a class in Arithmetic ; Miss Harwood has devoted her time, principally, to giving instruction in French, together with a class in Physiology. Weekly recitations in the English department have been divided between the several teachers. The whole number of pupils in the School, during the year, was 153; of these, 132 attended the first term, 98 the second term, and 92 the third term. The number who entered at the annual examination was smaller than usual, amounting only to 26. From various causes, the number of scholars in the High School fluctuates considerably, from year to year, as will be seen by the following table, which gives the number for each term during the five past years :
Ist Term.
2d Term.
3d Term.
1849
140.
141.
.136
1850
118
152
.142
1851
125
164
156
1852
168
127 114
1853.
132
88 .92
The average for the three terms, in each of these years, is 139, 137, 148, 136, 107 ; from which it appears that the numbers in- creased to 1851, and since that time have diminished. The largest number in the School, in either of these terms, is found in the first term of the year 1852 ; and the largest decrease in any year is also found in that year, the second term showing a diminution of 41, and the third a diminution of 54 below the first. The average number per term, for the five years, is a fraction over 133.
It seems a fair conclusion, from this statement, that many influences operate upon the numerical condition of the School, which cannot be easily understood or calculated for ; and that its inherent character cannot always be inferred from an increase or a diminution of pupils.
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The following table will exhibit the number of scholars engaged in the different studies pursued during the year :
Scholars studying Latin.
.70.
Greek, ..
.19.
French,
.75.
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English Analysis,
. 22.
Arithmetic,
36.
Algebra,
69.
Geometry,
.28.
Natural Philosophy,
28.
Chemistry,
.5.
Geology,
.5.
=
Physiology,
.70.
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Book Keeping,
21.
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Astronomy,
.12.
=
Botany, ..
.. 7.
In addition to these, the whole School have received instruction in reading and English composition, and the male scholars in elocution. During the year, a change in the arrangement of the School was 'made by the Board, by substituting two sessions on four days of the week, with one on each of the other two, instead of one session for each of the six days. This change took effect at the commencement of the Autumn term. This is a subject which very justly involves a difference of opinion ; and after the system of two sessions went into operation, it was represented to the Board that some convenien- ces were sacrificed by the change. This led to a new and more ex- tended discussion of the subject, and, after a full examination of the whole case, and a candid, deliberate, and patient consideration of it, it was decided, by a very large majority, that the general welfare of the School, the bodily health and intellectual vigor of the pupils, as well as their good morals, would be more certainly promoted by the long established and time honored system of two sessions. Accord- ingly, the ancient practice continues to be observed.
From the schedule of the classes above given, it will be seen at once that the plan of this School is both liberal and comprehensive. Its arrangements are ample for giving that extended and diversified course of instruction, which the various necessities and purposes of the scholars require. It is designed alike for those who complete their education at School, and for such as intend to avail themselves of the higher advantages of a College course. The several depart- ments, as far as it is possible in the nature of the case, are upon the same level, and receive their appropriate attention ; and such is the actual operation of the School, that its pupils at the same time are
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training for School teachers, for business men, and for professional life. There can be but little occasion, for any citizen of Worcester, to resort to other places for the tuition of their sons or daughters in any branches which fairly come within the scope of an elementary education. The instruction furnished at the public expense should be, in the main, elementary. As a general truth, with some inci- dental exceptions, all instruction to youth should be elementary, and such processes should be followed as prove most highly disciplinary. Active life, in almost all its phases, is an application of elementary principles. The highest uses of science are developments of certain fundamental truths of an elementary character. The most accom- plished speaker or writer, is constructing sentences for the nice ex- pression of thought, according to a few elementary principles in Grammar. The elements of all branches of knowledge are simple, and the study of them belongs to the day of small things. But these unostentatious acquisitions are essential to all correct and effi- cient progress.
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