USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 25
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ADULT SCHOOLS.
These schools are much smaller the present winter than usual. The whole number in attendance being only about three hundred, and these very irregular. The character of these schools does not admit of any regular or systematic course of instruction, since they are composed chicfly of those who have arrived at maturo age, whose habits are formed, and whose time, with the exception of a few hours in the winter months, is generally occupied with quite different pursuits. They are mostly young men and women by whom early advantages have been neglected, or to whom early privileges have been denied. Some of them come with a sincere purpose to atone for past remissness and make up for lost time ;
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others bring with them their habits of thoughtlessness, indolence and mischief, making study a burden and improvement impossible. Schools for them, however, are indispensable, and productive of much good.
The Young Men's Day School is still under the faithful charge of Mr. Nathaniel Eddy. It is held in the Main street school house, and was kept seventeen weeks in 1858. Only the common branches are taught. Book-keeping was added to the list of studies at the beginning of the present term. The whole number of his scholars was one hundred and fifty-five, of whom nineteen only were less than fifteen years of age. The average attendance was about fifty. The committee on the school makes the following report : -
" The school has done a good work in educating young men who have not the privilege of attending school, except in the winter season. In consequence of the depression of business during the last year, a large number of young men being out of employment, the school became excessively large, and was by our predecessor; divided, the younger pupils being placed in charge of another teacher, in an adjoining room. The committee found the school in confusion and disorder, on account of which the teacher, though well-disposed and ready to do all in his power, chose to resign. The committee secured the services of Mr. Francis H. Manning, an excellent teacher, who soon succeeded in bringing order out of chaos, and continued the school the remainder of the term, to the satisfaction of all."
There are now but two evening schools in session, which are also held in the Main street school house, four evenings each week. The school for girls has been taught by Mr. O. P. Gilbert. It has had eighty different scholars, with an average attendance of about forty. The change of the location of the school from Front to Main street, the last season, has somewhat diminished its numbers. It is, however, a well-disposed and orderly school. In this peculiar field Mr. Gilbert has served with commendable fidelity and good success. His daughter generously continues to assist in giving personal instruction to the older and more backward members of the school, as she has done heretofore. It is purely a labor of love, and is worthy of much commendation.
The evening school for young men opened the present season on the 6th of December, under the charge of Mr. S. N. Aldrich, with about ninety scholars, of ages varying from twelve to thirty years. The first month the attendance was regular and
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constant, but has since fallen off materially. The school is con- ducted with energy, and with manifest profit to those who honestly and regularly avail themselves of its advantages.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
There are now thirteen mixed Suburban Schools, all of which are permanent, and most of them have permanent teachers. The whole number of scholars attending them has been eight hundred and nineteen, with an average daily attendance of four hundred and thirty-eight. Some of them are large and promising schools , in which the graded system, as at New Worcester, must be intro- duced within a few years. The reports made by their respective visiting committees are given below :
TATNUCK.
This school was taught till the close of the fall term by Miss Mary Richardson, in a manner highly creditable to herself and satisfactory to the friends of the school. She was a conscientious, earnest and faithful teacher, mindful of the moral as well as the intellectual welfare of her school, and she resigned her place, enjoying the respect and confidence of the parents and committee. The school is now under the care of Miss Mary C. Brooks as Principal, and Miss Calista B. Tainter as Assistant, both thorough and earnest teachers, and the committee believe they will main- tain the good character of the school.
E. F. CHAMBERLAIN.
VALLEY FALLS.
The school at Valley Falls, at the commencement of the year, was taught by Miss Elizabeth L. Gibbs, who gave excellent satisfaction. She was succeeded by Miss Mary E. Bothwell, who performed her duties to the approval of the friends of the school.
ALBERT W. CURTIS.
TROWBRIDGEVILLE.
This school has for the past term, been taught by Miss Caroline Wheeler, in place of Miss Thompson, resigned. Under her in- struction it is making good progress. ALBERT W. CURTIS.
SOUTH WORCESTER.
This school continued under the care of Miss Marion Henshaw, its Principal, for the last three years. She discharged her duties with fidelity and success. While the relations between the teacher
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and a portion of the district were not, at all times, the most cor- dial, the school has not suffered, and the teacher left her position with the entire confidence of those whose duty it had been to watch over it. Her place has been acceptably filled by Mrs. M. A. Nichols. D. A. GODDARD.
QUINSIGAMOND.
The Quinsigamond school has for too long a period been in an unsatisfactory condition ; very much troubled with tardiness, ab- sence, some immoral conduct, and a general debility, which is more owing to the scholars than the teachers, and to the parents than the scholars. Miss Brown, the present teacher, has, by constant and untiring exertion, very much allayed these evils ; and we hope she will be able to eradicate them. If the parents appreciate their interests, and are faithful to theirt rusts, we do not fear the result. T. K. EARLE.
BLITHEWOOD.
This is one of our small, but excellent schools. It is still under the charge of Miss H. R. Burbank, and is doing a good work in the education of those in attendance. Harmony and good feeling prevail in the district.
A. L. BURBANK.
POND.
This school continues under the charge of Miss M. M. Maynard. Her instruction has been very acceptable to the committee and the parents of her scholars. It has been her aim to draw out the the reasoning powers of her pupils, and give them such practical ideas as will be of service to them in the common business of life. Special pains have been taken to impress upon the minds of her pupils the importance of always doing right. This school is gov- erned by one of the most powerful of all laws-the law of love- the effect of which is a happy and prosperous school.
J. BARTLETT.
ADAMS SQUARE.
It was thought, by some of the district, that a female teacher had hardly this vigor and energy necessary for this school in winter, and a request was made for a male teacher. After a full consideration the change was not thought advisable. The school is doing very well for a mixed school. The only change the committee would recommend is that fewer classes be formed, and
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more time be spent with each class. They were reminded, in their visits, of too much confinement to the questions in the text book, and a want of variety in the illustrations.
J. M. C. ARMSBY.
BURNCOAT PLAIN.
' This school, during the summer, had about eighteen pupils, and in the winter about twenty-eight. It is in one of our pleasantest suburban districts, and for three years, under Miss Hathaway, has been highly successful. She has raised it from a low degree to more than a medium standard. May the parents never find cause to regret her removal. Her place is now filled by Miss Margaretta P. Williams. T. K. EARLE.
NORTHVILLE.
This school was under the charge of Miss Anna C. Ayres till the close of the fall term, when she resigned, and Miss Eliza- beth Wheeler was elected to fill her place. It has been a large school, and has been taught with satisfaction to the district and profit to the scholars.
S. D. HARDING.
CHAMBERLAIN.
At the commencement of the year, Miss Mary W. Barnes was the teacher of this school. Her merits were highly appreciated by the district and the scholars. She resigned in March, when Miss Parks was chosen in her place. In November, she also resigned, and the present teacher, Miss Ellen J. Wilson, was elected. Owing to the frequent changes, the school has not maintained its former position in numbers or scholarship.
S. D. HARDING.
NORTH POND.
This is a backward, but well-disposed school. Its numbers are very small, and its attendance is not regular through the year- the older scholars attending only in the winter months. Both Miss Mary C. Brooks and Miss Ellen S. Barnes, the former and present teacher, are understood to have given satisfaction to the district, and the school has appeared well under the charge of cach, whenever visited by the committee. The kindest relations sccm to exist between the parents, teacher and her pupils.
WM. S. DAVIS.
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PROVIDENCE STREET.
The visiting committee of the Providence street school, believe it to be in as good condition as it was at the beginning of the year. The older scholars, especially, seem to have made real progress in their studies, although some of their text books are rather too mature for their years; and the scholars and classes are so numerous, that it is impossible for any teacher, alone, to do ample justice to them all. In the judgment of the committee, the Principal, Miss Emma M. Taggart, though a good instructor and disciplinarian, ought to have an assistant. E. CUTLER.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Of our nineteen primary schools, all but two have been main- tained during the whole year. The whole number in attendance for a longer or a shorter time, has been two thousand two hun- dred and ninety-seven ; and the average attendance has been one thousand two hundred and eighty-one. The visiting committees submit the following reports of their condition :
THOMAS STREET.
This school still remains under the charge of Miss Mary C. Dudley. It has been very much crowded with scholars during the year, so much so, that it was found necessary to transfer a large number to other schools, greatly to the detriment of this one. At the commencement of the fall term, nearly all the first class was promoted to make room for younger classes demanding admission ;- all of which has been very disheartening to the teacher. But she labored hard to overcome the difficulty, and succeeded well, as those who witnessed the annual examination can fully testify. WILLARD WARD.
SUMMER STREET NORTH.
The Summer street North Primary School, under the charge of Miss Mary J. Mack, and her Assistant, Miss Chenery, is so well governed, instructed, and provided for, as to leave hardly any- thing to be desired.
E. CUTLER.
SUMMER STREET SOUTH.
Miss Slater's school has been throughout the year in most prosperous condition, as all schools must be where the instructors have an innate love for teaching, and a congeniality that wins the affections and commands the respect of the children.
T. K. EARLE.
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MAIN STREET NORTH.
This school, under the charge of Miss Charlotte C. Henry, has been quite full most of the year. Though the regular teacher was absent, and the school was under the charge of temporary teachers about three months in the summer, it appeared well and gave good evidence of faithful instruction. It is very much annoyed at times by the noise of carriages passing and repassing in the 'street. It is hoped that at no distant day provision will be made whereby these little minds will receive instruction in a more quiet and convenient locality. T. L. NELSON.
MAIN STREET SOUTH.
The school has been faithfully and efficiently taught the past year by Misses S. S. Banister, and S. M. Jencks, who merit the continued approbation of the committee and the friends of the school. O. P. GILBERT.
PLEASANT STREET NORTH.
At the commencement of the year this school was under the care of Miss E. M. Lovering, principal, and Miss Kate Hobbs, assistant. The numbers of scholars was so small during the month of January, that it was thought best by the Board to dispense with the service of the assistant for a time ; the school continuing under the care of Miss Lovering till the spring vacation, when she resigned. Miss Ellen P. Palmer was appointed principal at the commencement of the summer term, and the school has continued under her charge, with the assistance of Miss Hobbs, who returned at the commencement of the fall term, the number of scholars having increased so as to require the services of an assistant. During the year the school has labored under some disadvantages, growing partly out of a change of teachers, and much more from the circumstance that many of the children attending it are quite young and live at a great distance from the school; consequently they have been more irregular in their attendance than is always desirable. The teachers have been faithful in the discharge of their duty, and succeeded in gaining the affections of the scholars.
JOHN A. DANA.
PLEASANT STREET SOUTH.
Under the care of its devoted and faithful teachers, this has become a school of superior excellence. Its principal, Miss Lydia M. Wilmarth, has succeeded in an eminent degree in making it
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a model for the schools of its grade. She is fortunate in enjoying the affection of her pupils, and the unabated esteem of the friends of the school. Her assistant, Miss H. J. Johnson, merits continued confidence. D. A. GODDARD.
SYCAMORE STREET, UPPER.
Nothing has occurred in this school to impair the high confidence and regard which it has enjoyed since it was established under its present teacher, Miss S. W. Clements. Its appearance is uniformly good, and its progress was marked and constant.
D. A. GODDARD.
SYCAMORE STREET, LOWER.
This is one of the prettiest schools of its grade in the city, and under the charge of its former teacher, Miss Caroline R. Clements, has continued to maintain its former good standing, and has the approbation of the committee.
A. L. BURBANK.
SYCAMORE STREET SOUTH.
The school under the care of Miss Mary A. Smith, maintains its former good character, and is making manifest progress.
FRONT STREET WEST.
This is a very pleasant and attractive school. Miss Hobbs never more fully enjoyed the confidence of parents and the committee, than now. E. F. CHAMBELAIN.
FRONT STREET WEST (UPPER).
This Primary School was established in August last, with Miss Hester A. Greene as teacher. Though very unpromising in its first appearance, under the energetic and faithful tuition of Miss Greene, it soon assumed an excellent position. Too much praise can hardly be awarded her for her persevering and skillful labors under obstacles which would have appalled many ordinary teachers. The school cannot be in better hands.
WM. S. DAVIS.
FRONT STREET EAST.
The Primary School on Front street taught during the past year by Miss Shepard, was well conducted, and the children made as much progress in their studies as any children in schools of that grade could be expected to make. THOS. MAGENNIS.
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ASH STREET WEST.
Miss Sarah J. Smith was promoted from the place of assistant to principal of this school at the May term, in place of Miss Brigham, promoted ; Miss Clapp taking the place of assistant to Miss Smith. Miss Clapp, a graduate of the State Normal School, proving herself so excellent a teacher, was soon promoted to the charge of the Sycamore street Secondary School, and Miss Brooks was appointed in her place. The school during the summer months was excessively crowded, rendering it necessary to promote the first class at the commencement of the September term. With all these discouragements the school has made good progress, and reflects great credit on the energy and capacity of the principal. S. V. STONE.
ASH STREET EAST.
This school is now under the charge of Miss Caroline M. Moody as principal, and Miss Sarah J. Newton as assistant. Its improve- ment during the year has been marked and constant. This school ranks with the best in the city in the matter of good order and interest evinced by the pupils in their studies. The efforts of the teachers in these respects have been noted by the committee and judged worthy of especial commendation. W. W. RICE.
ASH STREET LOWER.
This is a new school commenced in September last, and made up from the overflowings of the other schools, and of new comers ; therefore not of the best material to make at the commencement a first class school. But the patient and conscientious industry of the teacher is meeting its reward, and will soon put the school upon a level with others of its grade. S. V. STONE.
PINE STREET, UPPER.
This Primary School is composed of children from the humble homes of the poor, where want and poverty have left their foot- prints and banished the refining influences of a happy home. The teacher to whose lot it falls to guide and instruct such little ones, should be endowed with love and patience, and impressed with a full sense of her duty. Miss Smith, who has had the charge of this school the past year up to the commencement of the fall term, has faithfully performed her labor, and proved that the intellect of Pine Meadow is not below that of more fortunate localities. T. K. EARLE.
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PINE STREET.
This school continues under the charge of Miss L. A. Perry as Principal, and Miss C. E. Putnam as assistant. Great credit is due these teachers for the faithful manner in which they have discharged their duties. The school is large, being composed of children of the less favored portion of our citizens, consequently the work to be done has been laborious. The attendance during the winter term, on account of sickness, was irregular. But notwithstanding all the disadvantages this school has to contend with, it gave the evidence on the day of examination that the teaching had been of the right kind, always impressing upon the minds of their pupils the importance of being truthful and doing right. If we would see this portion of our city prosperous and happy, the foundation must be laid in schools like this one. To this end the sympathies of all good citizens should be enlisted in this field. J. BARTLETT.
NEW WORCESTER.
In the teacher of this school we find all the qualifications essential to success in a school of this grade. The teaching, to a great extent, is oral-objects in nature have been presented and explained in an interesting and instructive manner. The morals of her pupils have been well cared for. It has been her custom to require her children to commit to memory such portions of scripture as would most interest and instruct them ; in short, she has been to this school what a parent should be to a family.
J. BARTLETT.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
Ten schools of this grade were maintained throughout the year. One was abolished at the close of the summer term, but will have to be restored at an early day. The whole number of scholars registered was eight hundred and sixty-two, with an average attendance of four hundred and seventy-three. The visiting committees report as follows : -
THOMAS STREET WEST.
This school is and has been for a number of years, under the charge of Mrs. Elizabeth H. Coe, an able and faithful teacher, and one who deserves the credit she receives for her efficient services in the school. Miss Sarah Moore, her valuable assistant, remained till the close of the summer term, when she resigned, and Miss Sarah L. Phillips was selected to fill her place. Though
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young and with little experience, Miss "Phillips commands the respect of her pupils, and is doing exceedingly well. The school, notwithstanding the change, maintains its former good reputation. T. L. NELSON.
THOMAS STREET EAST.
Miss Walker, for some years teacher of this school, was, at the commencement of the May term, promoted to the Sycamore street East Grammar School, and Miss Melinda Andrews was elected in her place. Under her instruction the school has fully sustained ts former good character ; and under her faithful and affectionate care has materially increased in numbers and interest. Mutual love between the teacher and scholars is the ruling characteristic in this school. S. V. STONE.
SUMMER STREET SOUTH.
Miss Amanda E. Albee, who has had the charge of this school the past year, is an able, earnest and efficient teacher. Her instruction seems to be thorough and correct, and her discipline, though mild, commands the respect, and, consequently, the prompt and complete obedience of her pupils. WM. S. GREENE.
SUMMER STREET NORTH. .
This school has been nominally under the charge of Miss Jane A. Baldwin; and while she was able to have personal oversight, it retained its former high reputation as a school in which the discipline was perfect. But for a period of several months, the teacher was obliged to obtain a substitute. The committee were unwilling to lose the services of so valuable an instructor, if there was any hope of her ultimate restoration to health. And on this account her leave of absence was extended from time to time. Though opposed to this in ordinary cases, there are schools, they think, where the discipline needed is so peculiar that a teacher whose success is established should be retained if possible. The ladies employed as substitutes labored earnestly, and their work gave promise of large success in different and less trying schools. No substitute, however excellent, can enter into another's labors without such a change in the methods of conducting a school, as will affect disastrously the immediate progress of the scholars. During the few months immediately preceding the close of the term, the teacher returned, and at the examination, the school, though backward in its studies, exhibited signs of its
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former discipline and life. The restoration of the teacher's health enables the committee to predict a coming year of larger success than the past. D. W. FAUNCE.
PLEASANT STREET SOUTH.
This school remains under the charge of Miss Caroline Hewett, a teacher of some experience, and conscientious in the discharge of her duties, indefatigable in her labors, and as a teacher abund- antly successful. She has the affection of her scholars and the confidence of their parents. The school has been very large during the year. Though the committee do not recommend it as a model of good order and discipline, they do feel that it possesses many excellencies, and has made good proficiency during the year.
A. L. BURBANK.
PLEASANT STREET NORTH.
This has been an unfortunate school for several years. Though made up almost wholly of children from the most respectable families of the city -children who are bright, and possessing more than an ordinary share of natural intellect, and who have not the excuse for their misconduct that they do not know how to behave themselves,-it has been constantly in trouble. Either the discipline has been so loose as to call forth the reprobation of the committee, or so severe as to excite the opposition of a portion of the parents. The committee are not disposed to ascribe this unfortunate state of affairs wholly to the teachers. Of Miss Capron, who taught this school the early part of the year, the committee can say but little. They had no opportunity of personal observation of her management. But of Miss Spaulding they can say that she has been entirely faithful to her charge, and has labored anxiously and arduously for the good of the pupils ; and they think that in any ordinary school her labors would have been wholly successful. That they have not been so here, is ascribable to some extent, at least, to the want of cordial co-operation on the part of the parents. No school can be successful in which the parents are in the habit of discussing freely the demerits of the teacher in the presence of the pupils, or of shielding them from the punishment which their misdeeds merit. A very few bright children who entertain a feeling of disrespect for a teacher, especially if derived from those to whom they are in the habit of looking up to as their superiors, will very soon diffuse the sentiment through a whole school, and affect its ruin. W. S. DAVIS.
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ASH STREET.
This school has been under the charge of Miss Charlotte N. Follett. Though too large for a single teacher, yet her energy has been sufficient to overcome the difficulty, and to make an excellent appearance of discipline and scholarship at the annual examination.
S. D. HARDING.
SYCAMORE STREET SOUTH.
At the commencement of the year the number of scholars in this school was small, and its discipline was not such as to satisfy the committee. This was, no doubt, to be attributed in a great measure to the fact that many of the scholars had but just been promoted to it, and to the further circumstance that Miss Lamb had but recently taken charge of the school. The number has been increased during the year by ordinary accessions, and by the addition of a part of the scholars from the Front street Secondary upon the discontinuance of that school. Miss Lamb has devoted herself with great assiduity to the discharge of her duties, and the committee are happy to testify that they find the evidence of her faithfulness not only in the very manifest improvement of the school in its order and discipline, but also in the progress the scholars have made in their studies during the past year. The examination at the close of the year was highly creditable both to the teacher and the pupils. JOHN A. DANA.
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