USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1871-1875 > Part 14
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COTTING HIGH SCHOOL.
The usual graduation exercises were had in the Town Hall, on the evening of the first Wednesday in July. The graduating class numbered seven ; five young women and two young men. The graduates were complimented on the occasion by the presence of their mothers, sisters, and female friends. The male members of the audience were inconspic- uous, with the exception of the few who occupied seats upon the platform.
Ten candidates only, were admitted to the new class. They were well qualified as was shown by their examination and subsequent proficiency. The school is smaller in the number of pupils than ever before. Some reasons for this are apparent, among which is the fact that the requirements for admission have almost imperceptibly advanced, and in consequence, some of the grammar scholars prepared to en- ter are at that time too old to warrant their taking the entire course, and therefore remain in the school but a short time, or do not join it at all. It is to some extent a matter of chance that the class is small, since the preceding classes were larger, and the class which will enter the present year will probably number not less than twenty; and future classes promise numbers larger still.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
There are present in the school twenty-five pupils, who are under the charge of Mr. W. II. H. Tuttle, Master; and Miss S. B. Abbott and Miss E. A. Simmons, Assistants, The Committee came to the conclusion, at the time of the re- appointment of teachers, not to dispense with either of the assistants, although the size of the school might seem to indi- cate the propriety of such a course. The appointment of the second assistant was made when the school was more numer- ous, certainly, but not with reference to its magnitude, so much as to the increased number of studies. It must be re- membered that the branches taught, include not only an Eng- lish course of three years, but a classical course of four years pursued by pupils fitting for college. The number of recita- tions exceed the number of school hours, and it was found that the time of the master and one assistant, although constantly occupied was inadequate to all that was required of them ; the second assistant was therefore called in. The dismissal of one assistant would involve one of two things : the re- duction of the number of branches taught, or an abridgement of the time in teaching. No greater force would be required, to be sure, for a larger school, but the present pupils have a better opportunity for individual attention. But in addition to this, the removal of a teacher would be a suspension only, for the necessity of a second assistant will return with the increase of the school; and in the mean time, we may have lost a teacher whose place, all who know the school will admit, can not readily be filled.
The High School has been in operation for nine years. It was admirably organized by its first teacher, and fair effort has been made to keep it at a high mark. Some of its re- sults ought to appear. One-fifth of the female graduates have been or are teachers in public schools. Four of them are now teachers in our own schools. Three young men fitted entirely in the High School, have entered Harvard Col- lege, without conditions. Others partly fitted at the school have entered with equal honor. Of the culture, intelligence and character of the other graduates and members of the
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SCHOOL REPORT.
school, the sommunity of which they are a part, can judge. It seems that we can begin to count our gains.
The Committee are aware that the cost of the High School has been compared with its results. In one view, not un- frequently entertained, the town bears a heavy expense in maintaining a school to educate a dozen young women, to be teachers, or to fit a quarter of a dozen young men for college. Why should this burden be upon the public ?
In the first place, a town of the size of this, is required by law to keep a School in which shall be taught all the branches which are now taught in our High School. Per- haps the only exception is the German language. Now the town might possibly evade indictment by having a sinatter- ing of the classical and scientific branches taught in the Grammar Schools, as an individual can travel along the line of criminal liability by sagaciously avoiding the misstep which may expose him to the forces of the law. But the town means to fulfil its public duties imposed by law in the spirit of the law. If it be required to teach in its schools Latin, Greek, French, Natural Science, Moral Science, it will teach them fully and honestly, and without evasion. When, too, the cost of the High School is considered, it must not be forgotten that this school is a part of our public school system, and that every school is better, and that every pupil is better taught, from the fact of its existence. Therefore the special expenditure for this school must be included in the general cost of schools. The school appro- priation has no particular application. It must be distri- buted unequally, perhaps, among different objects ; but it is to promote one great purpose in which all details are com- bined. It may be a consolation to know that the Town is not wild in extravagant school expenses, in comparison with other towns. By the last report of the Board of Education it appears that one hundred and forty-nine towns in the State, and twenty-one towns in Middlesex County, expend more money for schools in proportion to their valuation, than does Arlington.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
The High School has received during the year a present of costly books of reference from a friend of the school. This simple acknowledgment is the most suitable response to the kind and unostentatious manner in which the gift was conferred.
MUSIC.
This branch has been most faithfully taught under the direction of Mr. L. B. Marshall. The proficiency of the children in musical instruction was exhibited at a public concert by the combined schools, given on the 16th and 17th of June, at the Town Hall. The Committee assumed the ex- pense of the Concert, as the best way of giving opportunity to the largest number to attend. Tickets were issued, first to the parents, and then to the citizens generally.
DRAWING.
This branch was neglected from necessity, while the schools were scattered after the fire. During the winter its re-intro- duction has been made. The method of Prof. Walter Smith has been adopted. Provision was made by the employment of a teacher for such preliminary instruction and explanation es were necessary to put the work in motion. Of this in- struction the scholars of the High School, and the teachers of all the schools had the benefit. The study is now perma- nently established.
EVENING SCHOOL.
An Evening School for adults was opened early in the sea- son, and is still in continuance at the Adams School House. Two under-graduates of Tufts College were employed as teachers, and have given faithful attention to the duty. The school is successful as an experiment, and its yearly renewal
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SCHOOL REPORT.
should be provided for. The members of the school are to be commended for their good conduct and rapid improve- ment.
SUPERINTENDENCE OF SCHOOLS.
The Committee have not availed themselves of the priv- ilege, voted at the last annual meeting, of the employment of a Superintendent. A plan for the inspection and super- vision of schools has been presented to the General Court by the Board of Education, which provides for a division of the State into Districts, and the appointment of a Superin- tendent in each of these. Should this plan be adopted, the question of Superintendence will be settled.
The Committee again commend the public schools to the favor and generous support of the town.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM E. PARMENTER, Chairman, For the Committee.
Arlington, March 1, 1874.
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106
TOWN OFFICERS.
TOWN OFFICERS,
Elected March 3, 1873, andl at subsequent Meetings; also Appointments by the Selectmen.
SELECTMEN, OVERSEERS OF THE POOR, AND SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS. .
J. W. PEIRCE, HIENRY SWAN, HENRY MOTT.
ASSESSORS.
HENRY MOTT, THOMAS P. PEIRCE, B. DELMONT LOCKE.
TOWN CLERK, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR. JOHN F. ALLEN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WM. E. PARMENTER, for three years.
JOSIAH CROSBY,
60
J. M. FINOTTI,
DANIEL R. CADY,
HENRY SWAN, 60
two 66
WILLIAM U. RYDER,
66
J. T. TROWBRIDGE, 66 one
CHAS. E. GOODWIN,
CHARLES SCUWAMB, « 66 66
By the resignation of Wm. II. Ryder, Ira O. Carter was elected to fill the vacancy.
By the resignation of J. M. Finotti, John II. Hardy was clected to fill the vacancy.
107
TOWN OFFICERS.
AUDITORS. CHAS. O. GAGE, B. DELMONT LOCKE, GEORGE M. MORSE.
CONSTABLES. JNO. H. HARTWELL, MICHAEL WAUGH.
SEXTON. JOHN H. HARTWELL.
POUND KEEPER. WARREN RAWSON.
FENCE VIEWERS. GEORGE HILL, MATTHEW ROWE, JOHN F. ALLEN.
FIELD DRIVERS. HORACE E. LEWIS, JOHN PEABODY. JAMES WHITE.
MEASURERS OF WOOD. WM. H. RICHARDSON, . M. A. RICHARDSON, GRANVILLE P. PEIRCE.
MEASURERS OF STONE' AND GRAVEL. JESSE BACON, JOHN WINN.
.
SURVEYORS OF PAINT AND) PLASTERING. J. W. PEIRCE, J. WILLARD RUSSELL,
SURVEYORS OF LUMBER. JAMES M. CHASE, EDWARD STORER.
SEALERS OF LEATHER. THOMAS RAMSDELL, HOWARD W. HILL.
108
TOWN OFFICERS.
TOWN WEIGHER. CHARLES F. BRADBURY.
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. R. W. SHATTUCK.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
CHARLES SCHWAMB, JOSIAH CROSBY,
JOHN H. HARTWELL, GEO. M. LITCHFIELD.
FISH PRESERVERS. A. P. WYMAN, JAMES DURGIN, JOSIAHI CROSBY.
CLERK OF THE MARKET. JOHN REDMAN.
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
B. POLAND, for three years. WALTER RUSSELL, " two
J. W. PEIRCE, " one
ENGINEERS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. JAMES THAXTER, Chief.
J. W. PEIRCE,
WALTER RUSSELL,
HENRY HANSON,
Assistants. ARTHUR POLAND,
COMMITTEE ON CEMETERIES.
J. W. PEIRCE, SAMUEL G. DAMON,
SAMUEL S. DAVIS, MATTHEW ROWE, MARCUS MORTON.
POLICE. JOHN H. HARTWELL, GEORGE M. LITCHFIELD.
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JURORS.
LIST OF JURORS
AS ACCEPTED BY THE TOWN MARCH 3, 1873.
William H. Allen,
James Baston,
Isaac Baxter,
Joseph Burrage,
Joseph Butterfield,
John M. Mills,
Jesse Bacon, John S. Crosby,
John A. Peirce, Benjamin Poland, Lemuel Pitts,
William A. Clark,
Samuel G. Damon,
William T. Dupec,
Lorenzo II. Dupee, Wilson W. Fay, John Field,
John Peabody, J. Winslow Peirce, Thomas Rumsdell, Matthew Rowe, Warren Rawson,
John Fillebrown, William Gates,
George C. Russell,
Thomas IT. Russell,
Jacob Hall, Addison Hill,
Mark A. Richardson,
George Hill,
William H. Richardson, Daniel R. Stanwood,
Jacob F. Hobbs,
Albert Winn,
Horace HI. Homer,
Francis H. Whittemore,
Benjamin F. Wood, Charles H. Wharton,
George C. Whittemore,
John P. Wyman,
Andrew Wellington.
Alfred Hobbs, Rodney J. Hardy, Addison Hill, Jr. Isaac B. Kimball, Joseph T. Kidder,
Henry L. Lawrence, B. Delmont Locke, Benjamin B. Locke, Marcus Morton,
.
110
TOWN MEETING.
TOWN MEETING.
.LACDITAS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX, SS.
To John HI. Hartwell, a Constable of the Town of Arling- ton, in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn the Inhabitants of the Town of Arlington, who are qualified to vote in Elec- tions and Town affairs, to assemble in the Town Hall, on MONDAY, the Second day of March next, at ONE o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to act on the following Ar- ticles, viz :-
ARTICLE 1. To chose a Moderator to preside in said Meeting.
ART. 2. To elect all necessary Town Officers for the en- suing year.
ART. 3. To elect Five Members of the School Commit- tee :- Three for three years, One for two years, and One for one year.
111
TOWN MEETING.
ART. 4. To hear and act on the Reports of the Select- men, and other Town Officers and Committees heretofore appointed.
ART. 5. To determine what action the Town will take ! in regard to lighting the streets the ensuing year.
ART. 6. To act on the List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
ART. 7. To make an Appropriation for the Public Li- brary for the ensuing year.
ART. 8. To determine in what manner the Townways, Highways and Bridges shall be repaired the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will cause one of the Church bells to be rung daily (Sundays excepted), at 12 o'clock M., and 9 o'clock P. M.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will instruct the School Committee to appoint a Superintendent of Schools for the ensuing year.
Arr. 11. To make an Appropriation for the Public Schools for the ensuing year, and determine in what man- ner the same shall be expended.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will instruct the Selectmen to petition the General Court for authority to issue additional Water Bonds or Scrip.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will purchase a Bell for each of the Hose Houses, to be placed in the Towers of the sanc.
ART. 14. . To see if the Town will furnish water for sprinkling Streets where the abutters will pay for distribut- ing the same, or take any other action in the matter.
ART. 15. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to settling damages with the Mill owners for water taken from them by Town.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will adopt the By-Laws which will be presented for consideration on Election day.
ART. 17. To see what action the Town will take in re- gard to annexation to the City of Boston, in connection with other Cities and Towns.
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TOWN MEETING.
ART. 18. To determine what sum of money the Town will raise by General Tax, to defray Town expenses, debt, and interest, and State Aid, and make an Appropriation for the same.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this Warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, on or before said day and hour of meeting.
Given under our hands, this, sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four.
J. W. PEIRCE, HENRY SWAN, HENRY MOTT,
Selectmen of
the Town of Arlington.
A truc copy. Attest :
JOHN H. HARTWELL, Constable of Arlington.
N. B .- The Selectmen will be in session at their Room, on Saturday evening, February 28th, 1874, from 7 to 9 o'clock, and from 12 to 1 o'clock P. M. on the day of Meet- ing, to correct and revise the Voting List.
COURSE OF STUDY
ADOPTED BY THE
School Committee
FOR THE USE OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF ARLINGTON.
CAMBR
INCORP
INCORP 1837
TON
PVCNATIO
HEREDITAS
WOBURN: PRINTED BY JOHN L. PARKER. 204 MAIN STREET. 1873.
COURSE OF STUDY.
PRIMARY CLASSES.
THIRD CLASS.
Reading .- The elementary sounds and names of the letters to be learned from the blackboard and from charts. Complete First Reader. Teach the pronunciation and meaning of the words before they are used in a reading lesson. Avoid expressionless rendering of sentences. Letters and words to be printed by the pupil upon Primary slate No. 1, and blackboard, until he can call each letter of the alphabet at sight. The forms of small letters to be taught from the charts and blackboard.
Spelling .- All the words in the reading lessons to be spelled both by the sounds and names of the letters. Also easy words of familiar things.
Writing .- Pupils to print and write on the slate, words containing the letters they have learned to make. Always to write with a long pencil, holding it in the correct position for a pen. Draw straight lines and plane figures.
Language .- Encourage the pupil to give his answers in complete sentences, and correct errors in the pupil's language.
Oral Instruction .- Training of senses by object and con- versational lessons. See Calkin's Primary Object Lessons, or " First Step " in Sheldon's Manual of Elementary Instruc- tion.
Numbers .- Develop the idea of numbers as far as twenty, by use of objects, as marbles, beans, &c. Count by ones and twos to twenty and back. Read Arabic figures to twenty. Roman numerals to twenty. Add, subtract, multiply and- divide by use of numeral frame; no number to exceed twenty.
Physical Exercises .- Gymnastics, marching, singing or
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vocal drill, from three to five minutes, twice at least, each session.
Music.
SECOND CLASS.
Reading .- Second Reader completed. Cultivate a natural conversational style. Frequent drill on the sounds of vowels and consonants. Names of punctuation marks, and the use of capitals. Write script letters on the slate and draw plane figures. Observe previous directions.
Spelling .- Spell words in columns in the reader. Words in Worcester's Primary Speller to be spelled by name or sound to the 86th lesson.
Writing .- Group the letters according to similarity of form. Call attention to the analysis of letters. Form words as before.
Language .- Require the pupil to copy short sentences written on the blackboard by the teacher. Let the pupil write in a short sentence what he knows about some familiar object. Write sentences containing one or more words dictated by the teacher. Continue to call attention to the use of capitals and teach the use of the period.
Numbers .- During the first half of the year, count to fifty and back. Roman and arabic notation to fifty. Add and subtract to and from fifty by ones, twos &c., to tens. Dictate mental exercises in adding and subtracting. Add columns of units on slate, blackboard or charts ; no result to exceed fifty. Practical questions involving the use of numbers below fifty. See that the pupils do not substitute counting for adding. During the last half of the year pursue the same course with numbers as far as one hundred. Roman and Arabic notation to one hundred.
Oral Instruction .- Endeavor to develop the perceptive and conceptive powers of the pupil by lessons on animals ; stand- ard colors, tints, hues and shades ; weight ; sound ; place.
Physical Exercise .- As in the preceding class.
Drawing .- Draw plane figures on slate.
Music.
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FIRST CLASS.
Reading .- Third Reader completed. Special attention to the sounds of letters, distinctness of articulation, correct- ness of pronunciation. Cultivate fluency of utterance, and insist on the ability to call words at sight. Keep constantly in mind that proper emphasis and inflection can be secured only by a thorough comprehension of the thought on the part of the pupil. Observe previous directions.
Spelling .- Spell the words in the columns of the Reader. Also, any others occurring in the lesson. Words in Worces- ter's Primary Speller to be read and spelled, by name or sound, to the 111th Lesson, and from the 125th to the 163d Lesson. Abbreviations used in writing, and printing to be learned. Pupils spell their own names, names of town, county and state in which they live, days of the week, months and seasons.
Writing .- Review the small letters. Teach the capitals by principles and analysis. Observe previous directions. Pupils on completing this grade, are expected to be able to write upon their slates a plain, legible hand.
Language .- As in the preceding class. Form sentences of words selected from the spelling lesson. See that every sentence begins with a capital and has a period at the close, unless some other mark is required.
Numbers .- First half of the year, Roman and Arabic no- tation and numeration, to five hundred. Multiplication and division tables to 6's to be learned. Illustrate by objects or numeral frame. Require the pupil to write the tables on slate or blackboard, from memory. Dictate mental exercises in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Prac- tical questions involving these numbers. Daily drill on charts. Review the work of the preceding class. Last half of the year, teach Roman and Arabic notation and numera- tion to one thousand. Multiplication and division tables completed through 12's, pursuing same course as before. Review the entire course.
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Oral Instruction .- Lessons as before. Also, on divisions of time. See "Lessons on Objects," and Miss Hall's " Our World." Repeat verses and maxims.
Physical Exercise .- As in third class. Drawing .- Draw plain figures on slate.
Music.
REMARK : No exercise in these grades should be continued longer than fifteen minutes.
GRAMMAR CLASSES.
SIXTH CLASS.
Reading .- Fourth Reader completed. Give special atten- tion to the cultivation of a natural and easy expression, -- avoid- ing that which is measured and mechanical; while, at the same time, due regard is paid to accent, emphasis and inflec- tion. Practise the exercises in the introduction. See that the thought is thoroughly comprehended and the interest of the pupils awakened in the subject matter of the lesson before reading in class. The meaning of all the new words to be carefully learned. Give synonyms of words occurring in the reading lesson each day, the object being to enlarge the pupil's vocabulary.
Spelling .- Difficult words in the reading lesson to be spelled by sounds of letters to assist pupils in their pronun- ciation. Worcester's Comprehensive Speller to the 117th Lesson, each lesson to be read by the class before it is given out for study. Difficult words that occur in connection with other studies to be spelled orally, to cultivate the habit of observing the orthography of words.
Writing .- Copy book No. 1 and 2, with pencil. Careful analysis of letters. Letters to be made by teacher on the board in presence of the class. Careful drill in movement exercises. Insist on correct position and the proper manner of holding the pencil or pen.
.
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Arithmetic .- During the first half of the year, notation, numeration and addition to be taught orally. No result to exceed one million. During the last half of the year, multi- plication and subtraction. No result to exceed one million. Colburn's Mental to the 4th section. Daily drill in exercises in ready reckoning.
Geography .- Miss Hall's " Our World " to be read by the teacher, and the pupils questioned on what has been read as far as Part Third. Pupils also to learn the map questions.
Language .- During the first half of the year, teach the meaning of the terms " sentence," "statement," "question " and " command." Let pupils find statements, questions, and commands in the reading lessons. Teach the pupils to observe that statements and commands begin with a capital and end with a period, and that a question begins with a capital and ends with a question mark. Pupils write state- ments, questions and commands and change them from one form to another. Let pupils make several statements about the same thing, connecting with the word " and," and teach them that such statements are separated by a comma. Teach them that parts of sentences which might be connected with " and," " or" or "nor" are separated by a comma, if those words are omitted. Write lists of words on the board and require pupils to use them in statements, questions and com- mands, orally or in writing. See that pupils have a clear conception of the meaning of the words used. For the last half of the year, pupils make lists of names of objects. Teach that these names are object words. Pupils find object words in their reading lessons. Pupils make sentences, using one, two, and three object-words in a sentence. Teach the difference between common names and particular names. Write sentences containg such. Find proper and common names in the reading lessons. Write sentences containing the names of the days of the week, the months of the year and the seasons, securing proper use of capitals in the same. Write sentences from dictation. Correct sentences written
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incorrectly upon the board, so far as the pupil's attainments will permit. Pursue a similar course with action-words ; with quality-words ; words used to show how, when and where, exclamation-words, relation-words, connective-words, and words used in place of nouns. Insist on correct spel- ling, use of capitals and first principles of punctuation.
Oral Instruction .- As in preceding term.
Drawing.
Music.
FIFTH CLASS.
Reading .- Fifth Reader to the 68th Lesson. Practice ex- ercises in Vocal Training in first part. Observe previous directions.
Spelling .- Comprehensive Speller to the 125th Lesson, and from the 174th to the 203d. Observe previous direc- tions.
Writing .- Copy book Nos. 2 and 3, with pen. Observe previous directions.
Arithmetic .- Division. No dividend to exceed one mil- lion. No divisor to exceed one hundred. Reduction to the table for Square Measure and Common Fractions to 145th Section, and review from the beginning of the book. Practical examples. Pupils furnished with a text-book. " Colburn's First Lessons " to the 7th Section.
Language .- Teach that object-words 'and action-words may both be limited in meaning by other words. Give numerous examples, by lists and sentences constructed by pupils ; also pointed out in reading lesson. Explain to pupils abbreviations and contraction of words ; the same to be inserted in sentences and pointed out in reading lesson. The teacher, also, to dictate sentences containing the same. The use of quotation marks taught. Teach the classification of sentences according to their use. Teach them to observe that every sentence begins with a capital. That every declarative and imperative sentence ends with a period. That every question-sentence ends with an interrogation
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