USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1848/49-1855 > Part 52
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QUINSIGAMOND. - This school, at the commencement of the year, was under the care of Miss Julia M. Perry, who on account of sickness sent in her resignation at the opening of the Fall term. She performed her duty well, and the scholars made fair progress. Miss Mary A. Cushman assumed the situation in the Autumn. The school under her guidance has seemed not to advance as rapidly as would be desirable. This is not owing to her neglect of duty, or to any inability on her part. The children have been very tardy and irregular in attendance, which she has striven to overcome; but the indifference of the parents has been beyond her reach. Miss Cushman's scholarship is of a very high order. T. K. E.
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BLITHEWOOD. - This school, under the charge of Miss MELINDA ANDREWS, has made commendable progress during the past year, and will, the Committee think, compare favorably with any of our suburban schools. Miss Andrews is one of our best teachers, and might be useful in a larger school, were the inhabitants of the district willing to part with her. But, happily, she enjoys the confidence and es- teem of all, both parents and scholars.
The house is a new and convenient one, but will require some little outlay to da .: cure a suitable ventilation and a supply of pure water. A. L. B.
POND. - This school is of medium size, with an average attendance of about thirty. Miss Lydia A. Perry taught it successfully until September, when she resigned, and was elected to the Pine St. Primary School. Miss Amanda E. Albee took it temporarily, and did remarkably well during the few weeks it was under her charge. She was then transferred to the Summer St. Secondary School. Miss Emily A. Harrington succeeded her; and if she shall approve herself as a faith- ful and successful instructor, we trust she may continue in the school long enough, at least, to become thoroughly acquainted with the character and wants of the pupils: J. C. N.
Very much is lost by a frequent change of teachers ; as may be plainly seen by comparing this school with the one next reported.
ADAMS SQUARE. - The school in this District has enjoyed the instruction of the present superior teacher, Miss Almira H. Fuller, for several successive years. Every thing about the school is excellent. And the only requirement for the fu- ture would seem to be a continuance of the improvement which has been so mani- fest during the past year. A. H.
BURNCOAT PLAIN. - This small school, for the three first terms of the year, was under the care of Miss Maria H. Reed. A few of the families in the District ap- pear not to appreciate the importance of a practical school education, and the at- tendance of their children has been irregular. Those children who have improved the opportunity afforded them have made good progress in their studies, doing cred- it to their patient and successful teacher. Upon the resignation of Miss Reed, Miss Harrict Hathaway succeeded her, and the school was doing well under her charge at the close of the year. A. C.
NORTHVILLE. - During the Winter term of 1854-5 this school was taught by Mr. Levi Prouty. It was visited monthly by the Visiting Committee, and both of them were present at the examination at the close of the term. The scholars show- ed a fair degree of progress in their studies, but the committee is satisfied it was not such as might reasonably be expected if better order were maintained. The committee would not cast the blame entirely upon the teacher, from the fact that the scholars seem never to have been under proper discipline.
During the Summer term the school was under the care of Miss Henrietta Swift, who did perhaps all she could to obtain order, and at times the committee thought that progress in this respect had been made. The school at the examina- tion appeared well.
Mr. Joseph W. Bixby was appointed to this school for the Winter term; and from his success in other schools in the city, the committee hope for marked im- provement here, but are not able to make any report from personal visitation.
P. L. M.
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CHAMBERLAIN. - During the first part of the year, this school was under the charge of Miss Mary J. Mack, who is in the opinion of the Committee a most ex- cellent teacher. As an instructress in reading she has but few equals; and, in all the branches taught, the pupils exhibited a thoroughness seldom seen in our schools. Her strict requirement of order-the beneficial effect of which would perhaps be better appreciated in a larger school-was probably the sole cause of the difficulty which led to a change of teachers. Dissatisfaction having arisen in the minds of some, Miss Mack resigned her post at the close of the Winter term. She was suc- ceeded by Miss Martha W. Barnes, who is at the present time very successfully engaged in the school. She seems to have the confidence of the parents and the affection of the pupils. G. H. H.
NORTH POND. - In the first or Winter term, this school was kept by Mr. Charles W. Hill, a young man of fair promise as a teacher. His school made commenda- ble progress in the various branches taught. At the last of April the Summer term commenced under the instruction of Miss Frances Bates, an efficient teacher, whose services have been continued to the present time, giving the most perfect sat- isfaction to the Committee and the parents. and uniting her school in mutual and kindly sympathies. Miss Bates, as a teacher of rare merit, deserves our approba- tion for the fidelity with which she has discharged the trusts reposed in her. Her discipline is excellent, and the respective classes in Reading, Spelling, Geography, Grammar, and especially in Arithmetic, exhibited a progress worthy of commenda- tion D. H.
Your Committee would suggest, as being in their opinion the true policy to be pursued respecting the subur- ban schools, that they be brought, as rapidly as their cir- cumstances will permit, upon the same basis with the other schools. As soon as gradation and division are ad- missible into them, a great point will be gained by intro- ducing these features. Though they all retain some of the characteristics of the old District system, yet they differ much from one another, and that difference is annually in- creasing. They cannot be treated precisely alike, and yet be treatedjudiciously. The New Worcester and Tatnick schools are already so advanced that one teacher cannot instruct them alone. The Providence St. School is nearly or quite in the same condition. Those at South Worcester and Quin- sigamond will soon follow. The five schools just named are larger than either of the others, the whole number of pu- puils varying from eighty to one hundred or more. In three of them the salary of the principal was raised fifty dollars last year. It should be in the other two. A mani- fest injustice in particular is done the assistant in the Tat-
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nick school in leaving. her salary fifty dollars smaller than that of any other teacher in the city.
The reports of the sub-committees exhibit pleasing evi- dence that this interesting and rather difficult class of schools has been unusually prospered during the year ; and this is especially true of those of them that did not make a change of teachers. For these fourteen Districts, only seventeen teachers are at present required. Yet thirty- three have been employed in them within the last twelve months ! No class of schools would so quickly feel the benefit of a Superintendent's labors as the suburban. A. quarterly visit to them all, by the same person, who should give them alike the advantage of his wide and wise observation, could not fail to encourage and stengthen them greatly. This is the more needed because their dis- tance from the heart of the city furnishes a temptation to sub-committees to neglect them, which we fear is not al- ways overcome.
The evil of absence and tardiness is nearly as great in these as in the graded schools. In one of them, and by no means the worst, the average attendance is only forty- five when the whole number is ninety-one, and in the same school five hundred and seventy-three instances of tardi- ness are reported. For particulars on the subject of atten- dance the reader is referred to the Appendix.
ADULT SCHOOLS.
Of these we have but three ; one for young men or ap- prentices, which is kept during that part of the year in which the pressure of business is somewhat relaxed, And two evening schools, for persons of both sexes who cannot attend the day schools, but desire to improve their evenings in acquiring the rudiments of knowledge.
YOUNG MEN'S SCHOOL. - This has been kept four months during the cold weath- er, at the beginning of the year on Front street, but more recently in the Main St. School House, by Mr. Nathaniel Eddy, who has very faithfully served the city in this capacity for several years. The average attendance for the first three months of the term was sixty, and for the last month a little over fifty. The whole number of different pupils was one hundred and twenty-two. The young men who have
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been regular in their attendance have made very commendable proficiency in their various studies. Especially were the committee pleased with their accuracy in Al- gebra and Book-keeping.
The importance of such a school for young men, who are necessarily engaged in labor during the more busy part of the year, must be apparent to every one who has a just estimate of the rudiments of learning. Such a school operates not only to give young men some fitness for the responsible duties of a citizen, but also to keep them from that idleness which is the mother of crime. W. T. S.
EVENING SCHOOLS. - Mr. Nathaniel Eddy taught one of these, in the Main St. School House, and it was in progress when our official year commenced. In the Autumn it was resumed, and is continued under the care of the same excellent teacher this winter.
Another was kept last winter in the school house on Front street, and taught as heretofore by Mr. O. P. Gilbert. It was recommenced in the Fall under the in- struction of Mr. Addison A. Hunt. But in the latter part of December ill health compelled him to relinquish his labors, and it was placed under the instruction of Mr. Joseph W. Bixby.
Both schools have been doing remarkably well this winter ; and we have been gratified at the attendance of a larger number of girls than usual. Without doubt there are very many of both sexes, who would do well to avail themselves of even- ing instruction, and thus partially make amends for the loss of earlier school privi- leges. Persons are found in these schools of all ages from fifteen to forty, and are of German, Irish, African and American descent. J. C. N.
We come now to the graded schools, which according to our classification are divided into primary, secondary, grammar and high. We commence with the
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
This class not only embraces the largest number of pupils, showing a constant attendance of nearly twenty- two hundred children, but is in other respects a source of just pride to the city. With less of literary labor and mature attainment than is found in the higher grades, we have yet to learn that they are less useful in their unpre- tending sphere. They are not to be measured by the same rules of progress, but it is altogether probable that no sub- sequent period in the whole course at school is so fraught with decisive elements, or so influential upon character.
Moral instruction probably receives more prominence in this grade of Schools than in any other. Simple explana- tion of the precepts of the Sacred Scriptures, with a di- rect enforcement of them upon the conscience and suscep- tibilities of the pupils, is a part of the stated exercises in
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most of these schools. The Bible is prescribed, indeed, as a text book in all the schools ; and is used in them all, at least in the daily devotional exercises. The Committe, di- rected attention to this subject anew, by a special vote passed early in the year. And we have reason to believe that every school in the city, of the higher grades as well as the lower, makes such daily use of the Holy Scriptures as cannot fail to exert a refining and purifying influence upon the minds of all the pupils.
Upon the whole, your Committee regard the primary schools with great satisfaction. Still they would make a suggestion or two looking towards their improvement.
They should not be brought under too strict a regimen. The children in them are of a very tender age, some of them scarcely graduated from the cradle and the nursery ; and they cannot bear the close confinement in crowded rooms, to which in some of the schools they are subjected. In hot summer afternoons two hours at school would be better for them than three. At all seasons they should have a re- cess of some sort at least every hour. If their going out of doors will disturb other schools let it be a marching and singing recess, in which for ten minutes every child shall give full play to the limbs and lungs, and the air of the school-room meanwhile be changed by ventilation.
It would be well if every pupil were provided with a small desk. They require some place to lean upon. They are not well able to sit an hour upright in a straight chair. It is not so soft as their mother's arm. We have fre- quently seen them asleep in a warm day, or in an over- heated school room, when we felt as if the little pets were really abused, as they bent like wilted flowers upon their stalks. They require, besides, a desk upon which their slate may lie, when they are marking and drawing.
We think an important improvement might be intro- duced into our primary schools by dividing and grading them in all cases where there are two or three rooms occu- pied by them in the same building. Every thing that can
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be said in favor of a better classification in schools of a more advanced character is equally applicable to these. Wherever two schools of this grade are kept in the same edifice, as is the case in Summer-St., Main-St., Pleasant-St., Sycamore-St., Ash-St., and Pine-St., let all the alphabet scholars be gathered into one of the rooms, and those who can read and spell a little into the other. Let one contain those from four to six years of age, perhaps, and the other those from six to eight years old. Let there be a little arithmetic and geography in the higher division, but none in the lower, except learning to count and to distinguish the figures. In this case the lower department should be very maternal and gentle in all its arrangements ; and very much of conversation, repeating of hymns and verses, song-singing, and other exercises should be introduced. The teacher of the higher department would be relieved from the care of alphabet teaching, and the time thus saved would be of far more account ¿to the remaining scholars than if she had also to teach in a b c. In short such a division of labor would be introduced as would greatly aid the teachers of the schools; for they would each instruct a class twice as large, and have double the time in which to do it. Of course the work would be much better done.
Allusion ought here to be made to a necessity, which is becoming annually more imperative, for the establishment of new primary schools in several localities. Little chil- dren cannot walk very far to school, and therefore some sections of the city are practically excluded from the benefit of schools of this grade. It is not of course the duty of our municipal government to build a school house at every man's door. But in each one of several lo- calities, viz : Laurel-street with the hill above it; Highland street and " Oregon"; " Abbott's village', at the foot of Pleasant-street; and the vicinity of Spring-street,-there is a sufficient supply of young children at this time to fill a single primary school of fifty pupils, without drawing upon the existing schools more than would suffice to re-
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lieve them of excessive numbers. For every school of this grade is at present in a crowded state. Something will have to be done eventually for the relief of these neigh- borhoods.
We will now permit the sub-committee of each primary school to say a word respecting its condition.
FRONT ST. EAST. - This school was under the care of Miss Sarah W. Clement, assisted by Miss Mary E. Thayer, until the close of the Summer term. During this time it did well. At the beginning of the Autumn term it was transferred to the Sycamore-street building, and divided into two separate schools. J. F. G.
FRONT ST. WEST. Until the close of the Summer term this school was under the care of Miss Caroline E. Clement, as principal, assisted by Miss Caroline P. Bar- bour. It was then, like the one last named, removed and divided. J. F. G.
SUMMER ST. NORTH. - At the commencement of the year this school was under the care of Miss Sarah P. Cutter as principal, and Miss Esther G. Chenery as as- sistant; and made good progress until the close of the first term, when Miss Cutter resigned her place, and Miss Mary J. Mack succeeded her. The school under its present excellent teachers is doing exceedingly well, and at its annual examination evinced a thoroughness in the studies pursued rarely equalled in our primary schools. A. L. B.
SUMMER ST. SOUTH. - This school is under the charge of Miss Mary A. Slater and Miss Charlotte Eaton, both of whom are excellent teachers. The school has been in a flourishing state throughout the year, has made very good progress, and its whole management reflects great credit on the teachers. During a part of the year it has been very much crowded. L. B. N.
THOMAS PRIMARY. - A new school, which was created at the commencement of the Fall term, by abandoning the school house on the Common. It was taught very successfully during the term by Miss Louise C. Clark, who seems destined to take rank among our best teachers at once. А. Н.
MAIN ST. NORTH. - A new school commenced Sept. 3d, under the charge of Miss Elizabeth M. Shepard as principal, and Miss Charlotte C. Henry as assistant. Both these teachers are well qualified every way for the important post they occupy. The school was filled up with scholars very soon after its commencement, and they were very soon brought under wholesome discipline, so that it would hardly have been suspected at the annual examination that they had come together so recently. The singing was well conducted, and the recitations commendable, especially in mental arithmetic. W. T. S.
MAIN ST. SOUTH. - There has been no change of instructors in this school during the year, and no change is desirable. The teachers Miss Sophia S. Banister and Miss Susan M. Jenks have been untiring in their efforts to advance the children in their studies, and in the culture of the social feelings. Singing short peices, se- lected with reference to their moral tendency, has been practiced with favorable re- sults. A feeling of kindness and affection between teachers and pupils is very per- ceptible in the school. The fatigue of confinement to their seats is frequently re
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lieved by exercising, scientifically, the limbs and muscles of the body. The pub- lic examination was very gratifying to all present. A. C.
PLEASANT ST. NORTH. - Miss Emeline M. Lovering taught this school, assisted by Miss Elizabeth M. Shepard till the summer vacation, and afterwards by Mrs. S. H. Clary. From one monthly visit to another there were evident marks of progress, indicating interest and faithfulness on the part of the teachers. With instructors so well qualified and who show such untiring diligence in the discharge of their du- ties, this school must take high rank. S. P. M.
PLEASANT ST. SOUTH. - Miss Lydia M. Wilmarth, principal, and Miss Ellen P. Palmer, assistant, have charge of this school. It is one which ranks high, and de- servedly so. The examination showed that great pains had been taken to awaken the thinking faculties of the pupils, and add interest and pleasure to the useful- ness of learning. In these first schools something more than text-books is necessa- ry. The teachers must have refined minds, sympathetic hearts, and a natural pow- er of enchaining the attention of children. The secret of the success here attained, is that the teachers possess these qualifications. The faithful assistant, Miss Mary A. Lawrence retired at the commencement of the fall term. A. T.
SYCAMORE ST. SOUTH. (lower.) -The primary school here established, was com- menced on the fourth day of September, and taught by Miss Mary E. Thayer. It closed on the twenty-seventh of December, with such results as to render it safe to predict a succesful career in the line of school teaching, for her who has so satisfac torily begun. J. F. G.
SYCAMORE ST. SOUTH. (upper.) - Miss Sarah W. Clement who taught formerly on Front street with an assistant, has had the sole charge of this school since its commencement in September. Respecting the new arrangement, while we would not speak too confidently without more experience, we incline to the opinion that it has the advantage over the old in its tendency to secure fidelity, and a keener sense of undivided responsibility on the part of the teacher, and a corresponding degree of thoroughness in the studies pursued. Miss Clement's examination exercises fur- nished unequivocal evidence of methodical training. J. F. G.
SYCAMORE ST. NORTH. - Miss Caroline E. Clement, transferred from Front street to this new school, taught it without an assistant, from the fourth of September. The committee who had charge of the school not being present at its closing examina- tion, no opinion can be expressed as to the progress made. It however appeared in good order. J. F. G.
ASH ST. WEST. - This is under the care of Miss Kate E. Cross, and is a most ad- mirable school. The children have made great advancement, and the usual promo- tions have been made. Miss Lucy H. Matthews resigned her place as assistant dur- ing the summer; and Miss Eliza A. B. Brigham took her place. T. K. E.
ASH ST. EAST. - Miss Eliza A. Pratt is the principal. Until the first of June, Miss Sarah M. Smith was assistant. She was sueceeded by Miss Jane E. Nixon. The great irregularity in the attendance of the children at this school must evident- ly very much impair its success, as well as discourage the teachers. The school has improved much during the year. The teachers have been faithful, and labored as hard as their health would allow. Much interest has been given to this school by daily exercises in singing juvenile songs, and reciting portions of the Holy Scrip-
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tures. In our opinion the ability to sing and instruct children in singing is a very valuable acquirement; and a teacher who cannot sing is wanting in a most impor- tant qualification. W. T. S.
PINE ST. (lower.)-At the commencement of the year this school was under the care of Miss Ella J. Doane, assisted by Miss Caroline E. Putnam. In October the former resigned her place, and was succeeded by Miss Lydia A. Perry. It is by no means an easy school to manage, being composed of an unusual variety of elements as regards both the natural disposition and intellectual gifts of the pupils. Yet through the assiduous care of its faithful teachers, it has made good progress during the year. We felt that the resignation of Miss Doane would be an irreparable loss, but have been very fortunate in her successor. T. T.
PINE ST. (upper.)-In the month of March the lower school was divided, and a portion of the children were transferred to the upper room, and placed under the care of Miss Amelia C. Temple. Before the close of the year she had enrolled upon the register more than a hundred different names, and her average attendance was about fifty. It is now more than that; and it is probable that she will soon require an assistant. Miss Temple deserves great credit for her judicious, earnest and well- directed labors. She has won the respect and love of her pupils in an unusual de- gree. T. T.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
In this grade of schools we have over eight hundred children, with a constant attendance of about four hun- dred and fifty. They are under the care of fourteen teachers; with an average attendance to each, of about thirty-two pupils ; and a total cost to the city of four thou- sand one hundred dollars for salaries. The Primary schools with a constant attendance of twelve hundred, are under the care of twenty-three teachers, with an average atten- dance of fifty-two pupils, and at a cost to the city for sala- ries of six thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. And yet it is a matter of experience that our secondary school teachers have harder work, more care, and greater difficulty in all respects with thirty-two pupils each than do the pri- mary teachers with fifty-two each. And the increased pay they receive is not equal to the increase of burdens they as- sume. If we have any positions in our graded schools more difficult than the others, they are these.
Why is it so? We conceive the main cause to be this. The pupils of this grade have arrived at the most difficult period of life for control and culture : and yet we have at
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