USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 5
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Two new school houses have been built during the year ; one at Burncoat plain, rendered necessary by the burning of the old one ; the other in the Providence street district, which was called for by the sale of the Medical College building in which the city had pre- viously hired accommodations for the school.
- That at Burncoat plain is a neat and pleasant house, and large enough to accommodate the district for many years.
The Providence street house is a neat and comfortable building, of two stories, containing ample room for a much larger number of pupils than the district now contains ; but we expect that the rapid increase of inhabitants in that section of the city will soon fill it.
The thriving village of New Worcester has outgrown its school accommodations. They have long been straitened for room. The suffering children will thank the City Council if they will consider their wants and make an early appropriation for their relief.
The dilapidated condition of the house in the Northville district is a protest against the negligence of the city. A new house is needed there.
ATTENDANCE.
The whole number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years in the city on the first day of May, 1856, was four thousand
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and fifty-six. The whole number of all ages that have belonged to the schools during the whole or a part of the year, as nearly as can be ascertained, is five thousand and forty-six. Five hundred and seventy-nine of these were over fifteen, and three hundred and seventy- six under five years of age. This gives an aggregate of children between the ages of five and fifteen years somewhat greater than the whole number found in the city in May. This can be accounted for by the well known fact that a large number of children are regis- tered, during the year, in several different schools. The average daily attendance is two thousand five hundred and twenty, or about fifty per cent. of the whole number that have belonged to the schools for a longer or shorter period during the year.
The number of schools in the city at the commencement of the year was thirty-five. If each department, of the schools having more than one, be considered a school, the number becomes much larger. This board has established two new ones, and made arrangements for a third, all of them in the school-house on the Common. The num- ber of teachers employed is sixty-nine, of whom seven are males.
TEXT BOOKS AND APPARATUS.
A change of text books is always a burden, and a frequent ch is an unmitigated evil. The committee have, therefore, as f possible, refrained from making any. Want of uniformity . books used is a greater evil than the change of them. At the mencement of the year several different geographies were used in th schools, and in some instances two or three different ones in one school. After mature deliberation, it was determined, in order to se- cure uniformity, to adopt the series published by Colton & Fitch. By an arrangement with the publishers the old books were exchanged for the new, without expense to the parents.
The want of a text book in Physical Geography has long been felt. An excellent work on that subject by D. M. Warren, has lately been put into the Grammar and High Schools. Hillard's First Class Reader has been recently introduced into the High School, where reading has not been heretofore taught.
Every school in the city ought to be furnished with a good map of Massachusetts, upon which the towns should be delineated and the counties colored.
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DRAWING.
This important art has never been systematically taught in our public schools. It is devoutly to be wished that a branch of study so useful and attractive should receive the attention it deserves. We are confirmed in the opinion that the youngest children in our Pri- mary Schools may be taught the rudiments of drawing more readily than of singing. A competent teacher, though he should spend only one hour per week in each school, would in addition to the in- structions in drawing, do much to promote regularity of attendance, a very desirable object to be attained.
SINGING.
Vocal music is practised to some extent in most of the public schools, but the want of a skillful instructor in this department leaves the whole matter to the taste or competency of the regular teachers. The result, as might be expected, is that many are very poorly taught, and some not at all. Might not Worcester advanta- geously employ in her public schools a professional teacher of vocal music, and set the example of doing well what she undertakes to do ?
EXAMINATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.
admission into all the schools of a higher grade than the pri- there ought to be at least an approximation to a uniform stand- The promotions at the annual examinations, under our present practice, depend more upon the number in the classes of each depart- ment, or school, than upon their qualifications. The difference be- tween the best scholars and the poorest, of those promoted from one grade of schools to another, is so great that they cannot be classed together without injustice to both pupils and teachers. We are con- fident the poorest scholars of a promoted class are often not so well prepared for promotion as the best of the next class below them. Our schools will suffer till this evil finds a remedy. We trust that they who are looking to the labors of the Superintendent to correct this evil will not be disappointed.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
There are fourteen of these, all of which employ female teachers, and are in session forty weeks during the year. Some of them are
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quite small, while others are large enough to admit of division into departments. The reports of the sub-committees on these schools will give the most reliable account of them and are therefore appended.
Tatnuc. Mrs. Sybell H. Clary, the teacher of the Tatnuc school, is a faithful laborer, and the school has made very good progress.
H. CLARKE.
Burncoat Plain. During the past year this school has been un- der the care of Miss Harriet Hathaway, who, surrounded by many discouragements, has faithfully discharged her duties. On the 12th of January, 1856, the house was burned, forcing the school to assem- ble elsewhere. One of the neighbors kindly offered a room, which, however well it might answer for a private parlor, was totally unfit for a school of twenty-eight, and he who expects any great degree of advancement in the vitiated air of an apartment fifteen feet square, does not correctly understand the laws of human existence.
The children were taught here till the first of November, when a new house was dedicated, second to none in the city, and in some essential points vastly superior. With these advantages, we shall now have a district school as it should be, and with Miss Hathaway as teacher, we shall promise rapid advancement and satisfactory results.
T. K. EARLE.
Valley Falls. This is a small, but pleasant and interesting school. The teacher has succeeded in gaining the affections of both parents and scholars, and as a natural result, her instruction has been atten- ded with encouraging success. ADIN THAYER.
Leesville. This school is still under the charge of Miss Ruth C. Thompson, an experienced and efficient teacher. The progress of the school has been quite satisfactory to the committee.
BENJ. F. STOWELL.
Providence Street. This school was discontinued several weeks for want of a room, but is now well accommodated with a new house. The teacher is Miss Charlotte Wheeler, whose labors, owing to the size of the school, have been very arduous. Considering the disad- vantages under which the school has labored, it has made good progress. BENJ. F. STOWELL.
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South Worcester. This school has been through the year under the care of Miss Marion Henshaw. It has suffered from irregularity of attendance. Satisfactory progress has been made. The teacher appears to have labored faithfully to preserve a proper state of dis- cipline, and to carry her pupils forward in their studies upon a thorough and systematic plan.
FRANKLIN HÅLL, JONAS BARTLETT.
Adams Square. The teacher, Miss Almira H. Fuller, has had much experience, and by her long continuance in her present position has become familiar with her duties and acquired the confidence of both parents and pupils. Kindness is the strongest element in her system of discipline, and promptitude and accuracy are prominent features in the recitations of her pupils. The committee regard this as one of the best of the suburban schools. A competent and faith- ful teacher, long retained, and the interest manifestly felt by the parents, may account for its excellence. FRANKLIN HALL.
Northville. In the winter term Jos. P. Bixby taught this school with more than ordinany success. He was succeeded by Miss Sophronia Sargent, who, on account of the sickness of herself and her scholars was forced to close the school and resign her place. The committee were fortunate in afterward securing the services of Miss Eliza Harris, who taught during the fall term with very good success.
JOS. D. DANIELS.
North Pond. This school, for the past two years, has enjoyed the valuable services of Miss Frances Bates, whose kindness of manner, united with decision of character, has secured for her the affection and control of her scholars and the confidence and esteem of their parents. Although this is the only suburban district that continues the old district system, yet it may be said that many of its pupils excel those more highly favored, in the important branches of Read- ing, Geography and Arithmetic. The interest manifested by the in- habitants of this district in the progress of the school and in its an- nual examination, is a promise of its continued prosperity.
D. HITCHCOCK.
Pond. At the commencement of the year, Miss Emily A. Har- rington had charge of this school, but soon resigned it and was suc-
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ceeded by Miss Mary M. Maynard, an excellent teacher, who has discharged her duties with credit to herself and profit to her pupils. The closing examination gave abundant evidence of thorough instruc- tion and good discipline. S. D. HARDING.
Blithewood. This school, now under the charge of Miss Harriet R. Burbank, has suffered by the too frequent change of teachers, having had three during the year. Miss Melinda Andrews, who had been teaching there for some time to the entire satisfaction of both parents and scholars, was induced about the middle of January to take a school in the center district. She was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth Thayer, who taught the remainder of the winter term. While she possessed many excellent qualities for teaching, and per- formed her duties to the general satisfaction of the committee, she failed to receive that share of public confidence which a successful teacher should enjoy. She did not choose to continue longer, and was succeeded by the present teacher at the beginning of the spring term. So far as the committee are able to learn, Miss Burbank has the entire confidence and love of the scholars and the respect of the parents. The school is doing well. Reference is made in the report of last year to the necessity of a supply of water. Nothing has been done. It is hoped that our successors will see that it is no lon- ger neglected. A. L. BURBANK.
Quinsigamond. This school was under the charge of Miss Mary M. Cushman until September, when she resigned, and Miss Abby J. Andrews was elected her successor. The efforts of these teachers have not been as successful as is desirable, on account of the indiffer- ence of the parents and a want of punctuality in the scholars. The committee are happy to be able to report an improvement in these matters, which promises well for the future good of the school.
H. GRIFFIN.
New Worcester. This school has three departments. At the head of the Grammar department is Miss M. A. Willard, who has conducted it in all respects satisfactorily to the committee and the district. The secondary department is under the care of Miss S. E. Eaton, who has devoted her time and talents successfully to her school. The Primary department has been acceptably and ably in-
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structed by Miss A. P. James. Of all these teachers it may be said that for those schools, no better can be found.
WM. DICKINSON.
Chamberlain. This school still continues under the charge of Miss Martha K. Barnes. The scholars have made considerable pro- gress, and the labors of the teacher have been highly satisfactory. The greatest favor that could be conferred on this school would be an increase of numbers. G. H. HARLOW.
ADULT SCHOOLS.
There are three of these, the Apprentices', or Young Men's, and two evening schools. They are designed for those whose circum- stances forbid their enjoying the advantages of the permanent schools. Their chief utility is that they give instruction to those whose early poverty or misfortune left them in ignorance. The whole number of scholars has been four hundred and twenty-six, and the average attendance one hundred and fifty-eight.
Young Men's School. The success of this school has been all that could reasonably be expected. It is composed of pupils drawn from various quarters, some from the city, some from towns in the vicinity, some from other states, and some from other countries. They have come to Worcester to gain a livelihood, or learn a trade, and in the season of the year when business is least active they attend this school. The teacher, Mr. Nathaniel Eddy, has been very success- ful in the instruction of these minds, whose capacities are so unlike, and whose early culture has been so dissimilar. The session of this school is four months. A. L. BURBANK.
Evening Schools. One of these was taught last winter by Mr. Nathaniel Eddy, in the Main street school house. His services were again secured for the present winter, and the school is now in successful operation.
The other, kept in the school house on Front street, was, owing to sickness and other unavoidable circumstances, taught last winter by four teachers in succession. Notwithstanding these changes, great interest was manifested by the scholars and much improvement made. The present winter it is taught by Mr. O. P. Gilbert, a teacher of much experience. It is fully attended by both males and
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females, most of whom are Irish. Nearly all of them are well dis- posed and appear anxious to learn, but we regret to add that there are some ungentlemanly boys, who, though greatly needing the ad- vantages of the school, have done much to impede its progress. We believe that none of our schools are of greater utility to the future welfare of our community than these, if properly managed.
G. H. HARLOW.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
These constitute the foundation of our whole system of public in- struction. They embrace more pupils than any of the higher grades and are vastly more important. A substantial and perma- nent superstructure must have a deep laid foundation. Teachers of the best qualifications are required in this department. Qualities very desirable in a teacher of a higher grade of schools are indis- pensible here. There are sixteen schools of this grade in the city, nine of which employ one teacher each, and seven two, all females. There have been under instruction, in this department, for a longer or shorter period during the year, two thousand and eighty-seven pupils, and an average attendance of one thousand and nine.
The Sub-Committees have made the following reports of these schools.
Pleasant Street North. At the commencement of the year the school was under the care of Miss E. M. Lovering, assisted by Mrs. S. H. Clary. On account of the small number of pupils the ser- vices of the assistant were not required, and she was transferred to one of the suburban schools. The school in the winter and summer had about fifty pupils and made good progress. In the autumn the numbers increased, and Miss Kate Hobbs was appointed temporary assistant. She acquitted herself to the satisfaction of the commit- tee. Irregularity of attendance is a serious evil, and the efforts of both committee and teachers have failed to correct it. They feel the need of parental co-operation. FRANKLIN HALL.
Pleasant Street South. This school continues under the care of Miss L. M. Wilmarth, assisted by Miss E. P. Palmer. It has lost none of its efficiency, and justly merits the appellation of "the model school." H. GRIFFIN.
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Sycamore Street South, (upper.) Nothing has occurred to inter- rupt the progress of this school. The faithful teacher, Miss S. W. Clements, has had much experience, and her school we believe to be one of the best of its class in the city. W. WARD.
Sycamore Street North. The ability of Miss C. R. Clements, the teacher, is at once apparent to any one who will give the school one visit. Love is her guiding star. She has been untiring in her ef- forts to instil into the minds of her pupils love to God, love to their parents, love to all. An appropriate and affecting original song was sung by the school, on examination day, as a tribute to the memory of one of their school-mates that died in the summer term.
J. BARTLETT.
Sycamore Street South, (lower.) In the first part of the year this school was under the charge of Miss Mary E. Thayer, who succeeded admirably in securing the confidence of the school. She resigned her place and was succeeded by Miss Adeliza Perry, whose qualifi- cations, in the opinion of your committee, fit her better for a school ·of a higher grade. JOS. D. DANIELS.
Thomas Primary. Miss L. C. Clark was a successful teacher until her failing health forbade the usual exercise of her energies. She was absent on account of sickness during the summer session, and her place was supplied, with general acceptance, by Miss C. L. Perry. In the autumn Miss Clark resumed her duties, but, finding her strength inadequate for the task, she resigned at the end of the year. FRANKLIN HALL.
Ash Street East. Miss E A. Pratt, the principal, resigned in the early part of the year, and has since died. The assistant, Miss J. E. Nixon, deceased about the same time.
Miss Melinda Andrews, assisted by Miss Caroline M. Moody, has conducted the school in a very satisfactory manner the remainder of the year. Notwithstanding the adverse influences to which the school has been subjected by the change of teachers, the drawing away for a time a large number of the pupils by the opening of the Catholic Institute in Temple street, and the panic occasioned by the prevalence of the canker-rash in that neighborhood, of which dis-
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ease several pupils died, manifest improvement has been made, both in the instruction and the discipline. The teachers evidently love their work.
W. WARD.
Ash Street West. This school has been, during the year, under the charge of Miss E. A. Brigham and Miss Sarah J. Smith. Faithful and punctual in the discharge of their duties, these teach- ers merit the approbation of the Committee. The establishment of a sectarian school in the neighborhood, and the prevailing distemper among children, have very much affected the regularity of attend- ance. Apart from this the school deserves a favorable notice.
The large attendance of parents and friends at the annual exami- nation evinces a commendable interest on their part in the character and progress of the school.
W. W. RICE.
Summer Street South. Miss Mary A. Slater is principal, and Miss Charlotte Eaton assistant, both of whom are held in high es- teem as successful teachers. The school has been much crowded, and it was found necessary in September to promote the first class in order to find room for the rest. The annual examination was a fair specimen of what promptness and well directed energy on the part of teachers can accomplish. D. HITCHCOCK.
Summer Street North. Miss Mary J. Mack is principal. The scholarship of this school is of a very good order,-the drilling minute and thorough,-the spirit such as wide-awake people love,- the discipline vigorous if not rigorous. H. W. WARREN.
Pine Street, (upper.) Miss A. C. Temple continued to teach this school till near the close of the summer term. The vacancy caused by her resignation was filled by Miss Sarah P. Smith. The improve- ment in the morals of this school as well as the progress made in their studies reflects great gredit upon Miss Temple, who governed by love rather than the rod. Miss Smith is a worthy successor of Miss Temple. It is to be hoped that the teacher now in it will not soon leave it. Every change of teachers is a positive injury. The Pine Meadow schools are commended to the special care of our suc- cessors.
J. BARTLETT.
Pine Street, (lower.) Miss Lydia A. Perry is principal. This
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school is made up entirely of foreigners, mostly Irish, and though the scholarship is not of the first order, yet in its effects, as promot- ing cleanliness, and as Americanizing that class of children for which it is designed, the school cannot be spoken of too highly. The teachers deserve high praise for success in a difficult position.
H. W. WARREN.
Main Street North. This school was divided in the summer term, and the principal, Miss E. M. Shepard, was transferred with a part of the pupils to the school house on the Common, while Miss C. C. Henry, the assistant, took charge of the remainder. This was one of our best schools before it was divided ; still, the division has been an improvement. The superiority of small schools with a single teacher in each, over large schools with two or more teachers, is, in this instance, most clearly evinced. J. D. E. JONES.
Main Street South. This school has kept on the even tenor of its way, giving the Committee no trouble, and furnishing abundant evi- dence that its teachers, Miss S. S. Banister and Miss S. M. Jencks, are worthy of the confidence and merit the commendation of the friends of the school. The perpetual annoyance from the street and the want of a suitable play-ground make it very desirable that a bet- ter location be found for all the schools in this building as soon as possible. J. D. E. JONES.
Front Street East. About the middle of the year the Main street North Primary school was divided, and a portion of it, with Miss Shepard its principal, was transferred to the school house on the Common. It has afforded great pleasure to the committee to visit this school and witness the perfect sympathy between teacher and pupils, the good order in the school-room, and the rapid progress of the scholars. We can safely refer to it as a model for the other primary schools of the city. No one can visit it without being im- pressed with the excellence of the teacher, the intelligence of the scholars, and the superiority of small schools with a single teacher over large schools with two or more. We may add that the old school house under the efficient supervision of our Prudential Com- mittee, has renewed its youth, and is quite as much an ornament to the Common as any of the public buildings upon it. W. W. RICE.
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Front Street West. This school was established in the summer and put in the charge of Miss Martha A. Hobbs. It was immedi- ately filled and is an interesting school. The teacher loves her pu- pils and her work.
J. D. E. JONES.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
There were seven of these schools at the commencement of the year. They have been attended by seven hundred and ninety-three scholars, and have had an average attendance of four hundred and twenty-eight.
This class of schools is, in many respects, the most difficult of all. The pupils are too young to feel the self-respect, which, in the higher grades, conduces to good deportment, and too old to cheerfully sub- mit to the restraints imposed upon the primary schools without complaint, and which are essential to good order everywhere. Dis- satisfaction is more frequently expressed concerning these schools than concerning any others, and the teachers seem particularly ob- noxious, either justly or unjustly, to criticism and censure. The fault most clearly does not all lie with the teachers. Several of these schools have been kept in rooms inconveniently large, each em- ploying a principal and two assistants. The experiment of smaller schools, with a single teacher in each, has demonstrated that & sec- ondary school is not necessarily a poor one.
Near the close of the year, to remedy the evils' complained of in the Summer street, and Pleasant street, schools of this grade, an or- der was passed authorizing a division of the above school-rooms, abolishing the old schools, and establishing in their places four new ones, each to be under one teacher. Since it was too late on the last night of their official term to perfect all these arrangements, the or- ganization of the new schools was referred to the next Board. The want of room for all the pupils to be promoted from the Primary department induced the Board to order a new secondary school to be established on Front street. These changes will increase the number of secondary schools to ten.
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