USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Town annual reports of the several departments for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1856-1861 > Part 6
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Ash Street Secondary. This school continues under the efficient care of Miss C. N. Follett. She was assisted the first term by Misses Mary E. Rice and Mary W. Bigelow. Miss Rice then re-
82
signed, and the vacancy was not filled, the school not being large enough to require it. The discipline of this school is excellent and the progress of the pupils commendable and satisfactory. The clos- ing examination evinced the faithfulness and success of the teachers.
S. D. HARDING.
Sycamore Street Secondary, (South.) This school, still under the charge of Miss C. P. Barbour, has exhibited during the year a steady and satisfactory progress. The mutual kindness and love existing in the school have conduced, in an eminent degree, to its efficiency.
H. GRIFFIN.
Sycamore Street Secondary, (North.) This is one of our best sec- ondary schools. The teacher, Miss Helen Goodspeed, seems admira- bly adapted to her vocation. The relative standing of the school has been very perceptibly improved. The reading deserves special com- mendation. Unusual neatness and excellent discipline are prominent features. G. H. HARLOW.
Thomas Girls' Secondary. This school has been under the charge of Mrs. E. H. Coe, principal, and Miss Sarah Moore, assistant, for several years. Their fidelity and apparent mutual sympathy in the charge of their respective duties have put this school among the first of its grade in the city. The school-room has seats for ninety- six pupils. The attendance for the year has averaged eighty-four. It has hitherto been exclusively a girls' school, and has been, in con- sequence perhaps, beautifully quiet and orderly. The character of a mixed school, which it is soon to assume, will introduce into it a new element over which the model teachers will undoubtedly hold complete control. D. HITCHCOCK.
Summer Street Secondary. Miss Norwood, Miss Albee, and Miss Moore, have taught this school. Miss Moore having resigned in September, the vacancy was not filled, there not being pupils enough to require it. Near the close of the year the Board ordered the school-room to be divided and the school to be abolished, designing to establish in its place two other schools of the same grade with one teacher in each. This, it is believed, will favor the teachers and im- prove the pupils. WM. DICKINSON.
3
Thomas Boys' Secondary. It is sufficient to say of this school that it is still faithfully and efficiently taught by Miss Harriet M. Walker. This school has been hitherto exclusively for boys, but the committee having it in charge, being convinced that it would be im- proved by having both sexes in it, brought the matter before the Board, and an order was passed effecting the proposed change.
G. H. HARLOW.
Pleasant Street Secondary School. The committee, charged with the care of this school, felt, through the year, the truth of the re- marks made in the report of the Board for the year 1852, that " schools of this class, under our present system, have peculiar ob- stacles to contend with, and are commonly the source for more anxi- ety to the committee than those of any other grade. The pupils are less docile than younger ones, and have less self-control than older ones. Thus arises a difficulty in discipline, which is much increased by our system of large schools. It may be regarded an important principle in school organization, that no teacher should have under her supervision more pupils than she can personally instruct. But in all our large Secondary Schools, the principal has the care of more than double that number. The younger classes, therefore, com- ing under a divided control, are not regularly disciplined ; the teach- ers do not form a close personal acquaintance with the pupils ; the school room is too large to be readily embraced by the eye of the principal, and the recitation rooms are out of her sight; while each new recitation brings momentary confusion and delay." Miss Mary S. Turner, the principal of this school, has been connected with it five years-two years as assistant, and three years as principal- and during the three years Miss C. Crane and Miss M. A. Smith have been her assistants. Taking into consideration the age of the scholars, the size of the school, and its consequent imperfect organi- zation, the committee would feel that they did injustice to these young ladies who have labored so long and so assiduously in this school, as well as to their own regard for truth and justice, if they said a word less in commendation of them than has been said by former committees, who had their school in charge. To the present committee they have exhibited a just appreciation of the office of a
84
teacher, ability and tact in teaching, and that regard for the progress and welfare of the pupils which the city has the right to expect in those to whom is assigned the responsible duty of instructing its schools. The opinion, here expressed, is not the result of observa- tion made in a hasty visit to the school, nor of an examination un- der adverse circumstances ; but of repeated visits, at all times in the day, and in all seasons of the year, and of hearing recitations in the various studies that engaged the time and attention of the scholars. J. S. C. KNOWLTON.
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The city has but two schools of this rank, each having three de- partments, employing in all nine teachers, of whom two are males. The statistics show an average attendance of three hundred and thir- teen, and an aggregate of five hundred and eighty-eight.
With the general condition of these schools the committee are happy to express their satisfaction. In the Thomas school there has been a change of one or more of the teachers in each department. A detailed account of their condition and prospects is given in the reports of the sub-committees.
The Thomas Grammar School. At the commencement of the year, this school was under the charge of Mr. Caleb B. Metcalf as principal and Miss Nancy Baker as assistant. Both were well known to the city as teachers of large experience, of energy and tact, and eminently thorough in drilling their classes in the elements and forms of the branches of learning taught by them. Too much importance cannot be attached to this qualification in the principal of this school, as the other five schools in the building are to some extent under his supervision, and the spirit, with which his own school is conducted is more or less infused into the others with which he is thus connected. The former high character of the school was maintained by Mr. Metcalf and his assistant, up to the first of October, when, to the regret alike of pupils and parents, these faithful and most competent teachers closed their connection with it by resigning their places. As some difficulty and delay oc- curred in filling the vacancy created by Mr. Metcalf's resignation, the committee, having the school in charge, with the consent of the
8
committee of the High School, presented Mr. Metcalf's first class for promotion to that school. The class numbered about twenty ; and the committee were of the opinion, that as their course of study in the Thomas school would close with the year, it would bet- ter promote their progress in study to transfer them at once to the High School, than to require them to remain, and be for a few weeks only in charge of a new teacher. To fill Miss Baker's place, the committee, acting upon the sound policy, as they believed it to be, that a teacher, who has been some time in the service of the city, ought not only to be retained, but promoted, if found competent and faithful, transferred Miss Avaline Williams to that position from a lower department of the same school. In the absence of a princi- pal, Miss Williams took the whole charge and responsibility of the school the first week in October ; and as the number of the pupils had been reduced by the transfer of the first class to the High School, the whole labor of instructing those that remained in the school, devolved upon Miss Williams until Mr. Metcalf's place was supplied by the election of Mr. Edwin C. Hewett. Under Miss Williams, the school was sustained and carried forward in a manner that met the full approval and commendation of the committee. ""As- Mr. Hewett did not take charge of the school until the first week in December, the committee are able to say but little more, of their own knowledge, than that upon his introduction into the school, he impressed them, and the school also, with the belief that the board had been fortunate in its selection of a successor to Mr. Metcalf.
J. S. C. KNOWLTON.
Thomas Grammar (Second Department.) Miss Parkinson at the opening of the year found many of the scholars, promoted to her care, unprepared for that grade of schools. They came up from the subordinate departments wanting thoroughness in first principles.
At the commencement of the fall term, Miss Williams, her assist- ant, was elected to a higher place, and the vacancy thereby caused was filled by Miss Mary A. Cushman.
At the close of the year Miss Parkinson resigned her charge. Af- ter nine years of faithful service, her failing health admonished her
12
86
to yield her high responsibilities to another. We regret that she is no longer to be the guide and teacher of our children.
T. K. EARLE.
Thomas Grammar (Third Department.) This school was taught by Mrs. Lois Wheeler and Mrs. E. L. Gird until October, when Mrs. Wheeler resigned and Miss N. B. Jenks was appointed in her place.
The school has been somewhat retarded by the admission of pupils not fully qualified to enter. A. L. BURBANK.
Sycamore Street Grammar, (First Department.) At the com- mencement of the year Mr. Hunt, the principal, was sick, and the committee procured the services of Mr. A. Dadman, who had charge of the school about two months, when Mr. A. A. Hunt was able to resume his labors. The school did very well under Mr. Dadman's instruction. It has been large, nearly every seat being occupied during the entire year. The attendance has been very regular and the amount of tardiness very small.
Of Mr. Hunt as a teacher, we cannot speak too highly. His manner of governing is easy, and his method of teaching admirable. His scholars are trained to habits of order, punctuality, and accuracy, to a degree rarely met with. HENRY CLARKE.
Sycamore Street Grammar, (Second Department.) This school ex- perienced considerable difficulty in the early part of the year from disorderly pupils ; but by the efficient discipline of the faithful teacher and the timely aid of the visiting commitee these difficulties were overcome and good order prevailed. The attendance has been very regular. Having observed the teacher's method of instruction the committee have found it thorough and systematic. The success of the teacher, Miss H. G. Baker, in spite of so many embarrass- ments, proves her faithfulness and capacity.
FRANKLIN HALL.
Sycamore Street Grammar (Third Department.) The character of this school has been such as to merit the entire approbation of the visit- ing committee. The teacher, Miss C. C. Andrews, has labored with unwearied assiduity, not only to give her scholars a knowledge of the text-books, but to develope their own powers of thought. In thor- oughness and comprehensiveness of instruction she probably has few
87
superiors, while her gentle demeanor has secured the respect and af- fection of her pupils. She was compelled to be absent from her post several weeks near the close of the summer term, on account of sick- ness, during which time her place was acceptably filled by Miss Nancy B. Jenks. The school has been in all respects eminently successful. ADIN THAYER.
Classical and English High School. The school, at the commence- ment of the year, was in the charge of Mr. Osgood Johnson, as principal, Mr. William E. Starr as assistant in the English depart- ment, and Miss Mary L. Parmenter in the French language. As an instructor in the Greek and Latin languages, Mr. Johnson had some excellent qualifications. He excited an interest in the study of them by a constant analysis of their structure, and by pointing out to his pupils the intimate relation there is between our own language and the Greek and Latin, to which it is so largely indebted for its derivation. But- while the committee are thus free to acknowledge Mr. Johnson's capability as a teacher, they must, in justice to themselves, state the fact that in his adminis- tration of the government of the school, and in his bearing towards the school board, he was less acceptable to them than he was in his capacity of an instructor. His connection with the school was closed by an abrupt resignation in the month of July-about two weeks before the close of the summer term. For the remainder of that term, the school was placed in the general charge of Mr. Starr, with Mr. Homer B. Sprague as teacher in the classical de- partment. At the commencement of the Fall term, Mr. Sprague was chosen by the board as the principal of the school. Upon as- suming the responsibilities, and entering upon the duties of the place, he found himself in a position of some delicacy arising from the po- culiar condition of the school consequent upon the resignation of his predecessor. But his success in winning the regard of the pupils, and in governing and teaching the school during the Fall term, in- duced the belief in the committee, that in passing by the numerous applicants for the place, they had been fortunate in securing the ser- vices of Mr. Sprague. As assistant, Mr. Starr maintained the high reputation, which had been awarded him by former committees, as a
88
most thorough, accurate and indefatigable teacher in the higher branches of mathematics and other studies assigned to his depart- ment. In the early part of the year, the committee, at the sugges- tion of the principal of the school, recommended to the board that authority be given them to employ Miss Mary E. Waterman-one of the advanced pupils-to hear some of the recitations. She had been some time connected with the school, and being found very use- ful as an aid to the other teachers, the arrangement with her was continued, at a moderate compensation, to the close of the year.
French Department .- There have been four large classes in French, each of which has been most thoroughly drilled in all to which any attention has been given. The teacher, Miss Parmenter, is an excel- lent French scholar, and well understands the art of teaching. She suffers no pupil to give a loose translation, but is particular that every word should have its exact rendering, and every idiom its true sense. Accuracy and elegance of translation are two great excel- lencies of Miss Parmenter's teaching. A good degree of attention has been given to writing and speaking the language, and the classes have made very creditable proficiency in both.
But notwithstanding the general commendation which the Com- mittee are able to bestow upon this school, and the fact that its num- bers for the year have been more than equal to the average of past years, yet they are obliged to participate in the sentiment that is commón with many of our citizens, that the High School does not maintain that high place it ought to hold in our system of public in- struction. It is open to pupils from all parts of the city. It is the highest in our grade of schools. The branches taught there, espe- cially in the English department, are of such practical importance to all, that every young man and woman in the city ought, if possible, to be familiar with them. And yet the history of the school, for years, indicates that but very few, comparatively, of the scholars that enter our public schools ever proceed so far up as the High School. The improvement that is desired in this particular can scarcely be accomplished by any one committee-holding their relation to the school but for a single year, and surrendering up the trust almost as soon as they have become acquainted with its purposes and duties.
89
In this view of the subject, the Committee readily reach the conclu sion, that if the High School is to be greatly enlarged in its capa- bilites for usefulness-if the number of its students is to be largely augmented, year after year, with the growth of the city-if it is to hold a higher place in the public approval than it has hitherto held- it must be placed under a different superintendence from that of a committee, chosen annually, and without any special reference to this object. A continuous character should be given to the organization and action of this school, when that organization has been properly established, and that action has become effective in its operations. It is the expectation of the Committee, that a superintendent of the public schools-if continued in office year after year-will be found especially serviceable to the High School, in improving its character and in enlarging the sphere of its usefulness.
Respectfully submitted.
JONAS BARTLETT, ASA L. BURBANK, HENRY CLARKE,
JOSEPH D. DANIELS, WILLIAM DICKINSON,
TIMOTHY K. EARLE, JAMES E. ESTABROOK, HENRY GRIFFIN, FRANKLIN HALL,
SAMUEL D. HARDING, GEORGE H. HARLOW,
DAVID HITCHCOCK, JOHN D. E. JONES, J. S. C. KNOWLTON, DANIEL W. LINCOLN, NATHAN M. MUZZY, THOMAS MAGENNIS, WILLIAM W. RICE, BENJAMIN F. STOWELL, ADIN THAYER, WILLARD WOOD,
School Committee.
HENRY W. WARREN,
ISAAC DAVIS, President.
APPENDIX.
Schools.
Teaeliers.
Salaries.
Males.
Females.
( Total.
Average
Attend'ce.
Ratio of
Classical and English High School.
William E. Starr,
$1300 1200 500 ₩4
62
131
193
93
.48|
.58
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Edwin C. Hewett,
1100
46
70
116
65
.56
.54
Second Department.
Mary A. Cushman,
300
38
73
111
57
.51
.49
Third Department.
Elizabeth L. Gird.
300
44
60
104
67
.64
.54
Sycamore street, ..
Addison A. Hunt,
1000
40
43
83
40
.48
.85
Second Department.
Harriet G. Baker,
350
47
47
94
40
.43
.70
Third Department.
Caroline C. Andrews.
350
39
41
80
44
.55
.74
SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
Summer street.
Mary B. Norwood. Amanda E. Albee.
350 250
70
64
134
55
.41
.54
Thomas (Boys)
Harriet M. Walker,
325
80
123
80 123
84
.68
.68
Sarah Moore.
250
Pleasant street
..
Kate G. Crane, Mary A. Smith.
250
91
90
181
92
.51
.59
Sycamore street (South)
Caroline P. Barbour,
325
40
35
75
48
.64
.76
66
(North)
Helen Goodspeed.
325
33
48
81
45
.56
.69
Ash street. ..
Charlotte N. Follett, Mary N. Bigelow.
250
70
49
119
61
.51
.38
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
Pleasant street (North).
Emeline M. Lovering.
300
58
67
125
19
.39
.46
Lydia M. Wilmarth.
300
70
75
145
70
.48
.55
Ellen P. Palmer.
250
Thomas
Mary C. Dudley.
325
43
37
80
50
.62
.69
Main street North
Charlotte C. Henry.
300
26
39
65
51
.78
.81
Main street South
Susan M. Jencks.
250
62
80
142
91
.64
.45
Front street West.
Martha A. Hobbs.
300
39
56
95
46
.48
Front street East.
Elizabeth M. Shepard.
300
39
37
76
50
.66
Ash street West.
Sarah J. Smith.
250
122
113
235
04
.36
.52
Ash street East
Caroline M. Moody.
250
99
116
215
88
.41
.47
Sycamore street South (upper)
Sarah W. Clements.
300
33
45
78
53 .68
.78
Sycamore street South (lower)
Adeliza Perry.
300
41
57
98
43
.44
.76
Syeamore street North.
Caroline R. Clements.
300
39
40
79|
49
.62
.76
Summer street North
Esther G. Chenery.
250
100
76
176
76
.43
.52
Mary A. Slater,
300
96
91
137
84
.45
.47
Charlotte Eaton,
250
Lydia A. Perry.
300
Caroline E. Putnam.
250
83
104
187
76
.41
.42
o Per week.
Homer B. Sprague,
Mary L. Parmenter,
Mary E. Waterman.
Thomas ..
Avaline Williams,
350
Caroline Parkinson.
350
Nancy B. Jenks,
350
Elizabeth H. Coe,
350
(Girls)
Mary S. Turner,
350
250
350
Eliza A. B. Brigham.
300
Melinda Andrews.
300
Mary J. Maek.
300
Summer Street South.
Pine street (lower)
(South)
Sophia S. Banister.
300
43
.54
.51
No. Pupils.
Attendance.
1856 1855
91
Schools.
Teachers.
Salaries.
Males.
Females
(Total.
Attendance.
Average
Attend'ce.
Ratio of
Pine street (upper)
Sarah P. Smith.
$300
501
54|
104
39
.38
.39
ADULT SCHOOLS.
Young Men's.
Nathaniel Eddy.
¢60
114
114
53
.46
.50
Evening, Main street,
Nathaniel Eddy.
1
160
40
200
45
.23
.44
Evening, Front street.
O. P. Gilbert.
+1
60
52
112
60
.54
.44
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Sybell H. Clary. E. J. Jones.
300
33
38
71
36
.5]
.85
Leesville
Ruth C. Thompson.
250
29
22
51
31
.61
.39
Chamberlain
Martha K. Barnes,
250
13
15
28
18
.64
.65
Valley Falls
Mary J. Ainsworth,
250
13
18
31
18
.58
.51
Adams Square
Almira H. Fuller.
300
26
18
44
32
.73
.57
Providence strect,.
Charlotte Wheeler.
300
48
39
87
49
.56!
.58
New Worcester
Martha A. Willard.
300
34
49
83
38
.46
.46
Second Department.
Sarah E. Eaton.
250
28
33
61
30
.49
.47
Third Department
Anna P. James.
250
54
38
92
39
.42
.50
Quinsigamond
Abby J. Andrews.
300
40
53
95
50
.53
.49
Blithewood.
Harriet R. Burbank.
250
20
17
37
18
.49
.49
Pond
Mary M. Maynard.
300
24
27
51
39
.76
.53
Northville
Eliza Harris.
300
21
27
48
37
.77
.79
N. Pond
Frances Bates.
250
23
15
38
20
.53
.54
Burncoat plain
Harriet Hathaway.
250
33
31
64
22
.34
.31
South Worcester
Marion Henshaw.
300
411
37
78
42
.54
.63
" Per month. + Per evening.
No. of Pupils.
1856 1855
Tatnuck
250
REPORT
OF THE
COMMISSIONERS OF HOPE CEMETERY.
To the City Government of the City of Worcester :
The Commissioners of Hope Cemetery, in compliance with the re- quirement of law, present their Third Annual Report.
On the opening of the season, and as soon as the state of the ground, the last spring, would permit, the Commissioners carefully examined the condition of the whole Cemetery Lot, and caused the principal avenues, to an extent of between two and three miles, to be thoroughly repaired, by removing obstructions, opening ditches, and crowning the centre of the travelled way. The road-bed of some of these avenues, from their recent construction the preceding year, the loose material of which they were composed, and the irregularity of the natural surface, had become washed by the spring rains, and re- quired much repair. Their greater compactness by use, and the addition, where needed, of a harder material, have already given them greater firmness ; and so thoroughly has the work now been done, that little injury is apprehended from the storms of the coming season. The reserved ornamental plats, near the principal entrance, have been greatly improved, during the year, by the planting out of additional trees, and the cultivation of artificial grasses, which have greatly increased the attractions to this beautiful place. Terraces, to a considerable extent, have been constructed against the precipi- tous sides of the most accustomed pathways, and the banks of gentle slope have been secured by a firm and compact turfing. In the gen-
13
94
eral, the subdued and open portions of the whole Cemetery have been raked over, all rubbish removed, and the lots, avenues, and paths put and kept in a neat, safe, and proper condition. It must be obvious, that over so large a tract of land, devoted to a sacred object, attract- ing the notice and deeply engaging the feelings and sympathies of the community, there must be much of watchful attention, and careful and expensive labor, to meet and satisfy public expectation. While much is given to necessary work in rendering the lots accessible to use and eligible for purchase, good taste will require the embellishment, in some degree, of artistic arrangement and ornamental cultivation. The Commisssioners have intended so to direct their operations as to render. the Cemetery an appropriate resting place for the dead ;- and resort to it, the solace and comfort of the thoughtful and affec- tionate, the bereaved and mournful, among the living.
The Commissioners take great satisfaction in stating, that, since their last report, the claims of sixteen persons, having lots in the burial ground on Racoon Plain, have been extinguished, at small ex- pense to the city, and the remains interred in those lots removed to Hope Cemetery. Two or three other families are known to have similar claims, but there is a reasonable prospect of their early set- tlement, in a like satisfactory manner ; and with the removal of the remains of a few more, who were strangers, or have no surviving family connexions here, the city will acquire the unquestioned right to the resumption of this valuable tract of land, either for its future more suitable appropriation, or absolute disposal.
At the commencement of the year, there was in the hands of the Commissioners, (of the balance of last year's account,) the sum of $18,83. During the season, they received for stumps and refuse wood, taken from the land in the course of improvement, the sum of $14,50 ; and they have drawn from the treasury the sum of $413,76; making an aggregate of receipts, during the year, of $447,09. The expenditures made by the Commissioners, of which a particular de- tailed account is returned with this report, amount to $439,51, leav- ing a balance between the aggregate of all sums received and the expenses incurred, of $7,58 in the hands of the Commissioners, to be carried to the credit of the city, in a new account.
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