USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1884-1888 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
A report from this Committee which did not contain some remarks about warming the High School building would be fatally imperfect. We therefore announce a large and long- continued activity in this matter. A new steam-heating ap-
135
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
paratus has been put in, which it was confidently expected would give the most delightful temperature in all kinds of weather. These expectations have not been realized, and as the contract with the firm providing the apparatus stipulated that it was not to be paid for until found satisfactory, the prudential committee are waiting results. In the mean time the scholars continue to experience the usual discomfort from cold, and it is found necessary at times to discontinue the school, while in two instances serious illness has resulted from remaining too long in the building. Comment is un- necessary. In the language of a previous report, " absolute comfort can come only with a new house." It appears to have been the inclination this year, as in other years, of all concerned, to do as little as possible on this building.
The back halls and stairways cannot, it is feared, be eco- nomically heated, or with any ordinary contrivance be warmed sufficiently even for passage-ways, and the entrance halls, where outer garments and wraps are left, become at present so cold as to chill the scholars through while pre- paring to leave the building. It is still true, as it was in 1882, that both teachers and scholars are often compelled to retain outside wraps for from one to two hours or nearly half the whole session. This ought not so to be. The committee are convinced that there is but one effective and simple remedy for this condition of things, that is, a new and suitable building. The growth of the town, the larger number of children now being educated in our schools, the increased number of teachers employed, and the unusual size of the pres- ent junior class in the High School, all these conditions point to a time not far distant when the demand will become quite im- perative for new and more commodious quarters. It seems
136
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
almost inhuman to ask scholars to remain where it is both uncomfortable and unsafe. When the new building is ready, a large fund has been set apart by wise generosity for fur- nishing and decorating, and making it an ornament to the town, and a refining influence upon those who may study within its walls.
The Cutter School has received new platforms and steps outside. Additional plumbing has been put in, and the ordinary repairs attended to. The furnaces especially have been overhauled and are in good order.
In the Locke School the seats and desks formerly in the east room in the lower story have been removed into the un- occupied room in the upper story, connections have been made with the furnace, and this desirable room put in satisfactory condition. A new well, supplying abundant and wholesome water, has been dug, and provided with a pump. Outbuildings have been carefully looked after and improved, and a new stone landing to the outside steps placed in position.
The operation of the new text-book law, under which towns are required to provide all scholars with books in use in the schools, and which was passed to take effect Aug. 1, 1884, has proved thus far entirely satisfactory. It is a pro- vision quite in accordance with republican institutions. Every pupil is supplied with a book in good condition, and it is the testimony of one of our masters, that scholars exercise com- mendable care in keeping their books in good order, accord- ing to the rules and regulations of the Committee. The matter of providing these books has been diligently attended to by the subcommittee on text-books, to whom it was referred ; and especially by the secretary, whose promptness and efficiency have done so much to make the measure suc- cessful and popular.
137
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
An account is opened by the master of each building, both with the committee from whom books are received, and with the pupils to whom they are loaned: When no longer required, all books are returned, inspected, put in order, those unfit for use replaced, and thus the supply prepared for redistribution. A detailed account of the books pur- chased by the Committee, under authority of this law, and now in use in the schools, will be found in a supplement to this report. In this connection it should be stated, that the books introduced during the year for supplementary reading are used with good effect. It is believed that the very best results may be secured by such additional reading matter as will practise scholars in clear, correct reading, and cultivate the higher and finer powers of thought.
The following are the names of new teachers employed during the year to fill vacancies occasioned by resignation. In the High School, Miss Laura M. Ball ; in the Russell School, Miss Elizabeth B. Blake, second division, sixth class ; Miss Mabel E. Blake, third primary ; Miss Elizabeth L. Geer, first primary ; and Miss Elizabeth A. Day, assistant in third primary, and to serve as general substitute teacher. In the Cutter School, Miss Clara A. Farwell, sixth class ; and Miss Mary M. Brady, first and second primary. Of the retiring teachers, we are able to say in general that their ser- vice has been rendered with great faithfulness, and marked by a good degree of diligence and success. Pupils under their care have been promoted from grade to grade, and many of them are now in the higher classes of the Russell School, giving proof of thorough training in the lower departments.
Not intending to make invidious comparisons, it is only just to say that the schools have sustained great loss in the
138
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
removal of a teacher so admirably calculated to command the respect and love of her pupils as was Miss Louise E. Schou- ler, whose resignation, after twelve years of service, an unus- ually long term, was mostreluctantly accepted. It was always a pleasure to visit her school. Miss Evelyn R. Fessenden, who taught for a number of years in the third primary, one of the most important rooms in the building, is also to be mentioned with special recognition, as peculiarly happy in her methods, and most successful in winning the love and esteem of both pupils and parents. In these rooms the visitor In the High was always sure of finding model schools. School a great loss was sustained in the removal of Miss Marie D. Elliot, a teacher of remarkable vigor and robustness of in- tellectual power. Having received a flattering invitation to a prominent position in the city of Washington, she left our school after one year of service.
The teachers employed to fill positions thus vacated are in general doing good work, and the Committee look forward with reasonable satisfaction, believing that the service ren- dered will improve from year to year as they become more familiar with the situation and the special demands of Arling- ton schools. There is an evident desire to learn the best methods, and a willingness to receive suggestions. The ap- pearance of the schools, the work being done, the results secured, the relations between scholars and teachers, and the general aspect of affairs, indicate an intention to avoid routine and mechanical work, and manifest a spirit of earnest and thoughtful activity. We are thus able to congratulate the town on a full and harmonious corps of instructors, and to anticipate with consideraole confidence another year of con- tinued prosperity.
139
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Having given some account of the buildings, the free text- books, and the corps of instructors, it now remains to observe that the work being done in our schools is generally satis- factory. Nothing, however, but personal visitation can suf- ficiently acquaint our citizens with what is daily going on in these buildings. We can only earnestly reiterate the invi- tations given in former years, saying to parents and friends, come and see for yourselves.
It is gratifying to report that one of our masters has re- ceived during the year a larger number of visits than usual, and it is earnestly hoped that this increased interest is the beginning of a more lively concern upon the part of citizens in school affairs.
During the year there has been a partial revision of the course of study in the grammar schools. After mature deliberation and full conference between the subcommittee on revision of the course of study, and the masters of the schools, a newly arranged curriculum was agreed upon, and experimentally adopted for the year. The course of study in use up to this time was most carefully prepared some years ago by experienced and successful teachers, and has well served its purpose. During these years many changes have been introduced elsewhere and approved, and it was thought that the time had arrived when some modifications might wisely be adopted. The changes made were not great, consisting for the most part in resorting to more mod- ern methods and greater simplicity. Actual weights, coins, and measures, such as are used in the stores and warehouses, have been put into the rooms, so that the pupils can have a visible demonstration of many things that were before taken on trust. Information has come to the Committee that these
140
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
changes, and the revised course of study, are working to advantage. It is hoped that before the beginning of another year the work thus begun may be completed, and the schools supplied with a well-considered and practical course of study, embodying the latest and best results, and giving to our scholars all the advantages of the most approved educa- tional methods.
In our graded system of schools it is of course intended and understood that each year shall provide only such an amount of assigned work as can be accomplished by the average pupil who is regular in attendance and reasonably diligent in application. What this amount of work shall be is not easily determined, and even with the most judicious apportionment much must be left to the skill and discretion of the instructor. True education is not a process of cram- ming the mind with facts and statistics. The result aimed at is not a certain amount of information acquired, but a dis- ciplined mind and cultivated power of thought. The re- mark made to the writer of this report by one of our most experienced and successful teachers, that in order to go over the ground she was obliged to drive her scholars, "giving them no time to breathe all day long," reveals a condition of things most unfavorable to fine mental training. By such a process the energies of the mind are scattered, dissipated, and weakened. It is penny wise and pound foolish. It is a sacrifice of breadth and power to the small business of look- ing after and memorizing petty details, and filling the mind with useless lumber, by which its own action is embarrassed and weakened.
Closely connected with this difficulty is another concerning the test of promotion. This, as is well known, has hitherto
141
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
been by a written examination at the close of the school year, in which the pupil must have given a certain percentage of correct answers. As a criterion this test is notoriously un- reliable. It was intimated in the admirable report offered last year, that the Committee might not unlikely determine to set aside the final examination, or to receive it only par- tially as a basis of promotion. It is the testimony of our best instructors that the test system is attended with many serious disadvantages. Scholars are thinking for weeks of success- fully passing the test rather than of understanding the work done. They become nervous and excitable. In one instance mentioned to the writer, a bright boy and good scholar, on looking over the paper containing questions, was ready to cry with vexation, not because he failed to understand the principles involved, but because the problems were so stated as to mislead and perplex. This amounts to asking a pupil first to solve a puzzle, and then to show that he comprehends the principles gone over.
The attention of the town is earnestly called to the fact that a special difficulty presents itself in connection with the classical department of the High School. The amount of work required of scholars preparing for colleges and higher institutions has been steadily increased for a number of years, until now it happens in our own High School that pupils wishing to prepare for college are required to do in four years the same amount of work for which, in all other similar institutions they are allowed five. It is a matter of general surprise, and shows exceedingly effective instruction and diligent labor on the part of pupils, that former classes, under this disadvantage, have invariably passed successfully the most rigorous examinations. It is thought to be time that a
142
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
remedy for this condition of things be applied. Justice to those who are seeking preparation for admission to college demands that they be allowed as much time as is thought best and needful in other towns. It is the assertion of a former master, that this change cannot long be deferred, and that the present continuation of it is a positive detriment to pupils. One of the best scholars now in attendance has, at the earnest desire of her parents, seriously considered giving up the course, because the pressure seems greater than can longer be endured.
In speaking of the work done in our High School, it may not be out of the way to repeat once more the trite remark, that it is of vital importance, especially in a republic, that higher education be accessible to the poor as well as to the rich. Great intellectual gifts are sometimes discovered in the most unexpected places. The choicest jewels are found in humble settings. From the obscurest homes have come forth those whose names will shine with undying lustre. In this land there is no privileged class. Among those who have been raised to the highest position in our government, two especially prominent and especially honored, leading the nation through the dark days of civil war and the confusion of the earlier period of reconstruction, and whose names will ever be remembered with gratitude, - these two were born in log-cabins, of a parentage so obscure that its origin can scarcely be traced. Both these men, after early struggles, availed themselves of common schools and high schools, and in these schools obtained preparation for the honorable posi- tions afterward filled. It is because other boys like these may be growing up in any community that we cannot afford to curtail or limit the advantages offered in our high schools.
143
1
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
They are peculiarly the avenues through which the humblest may rise to great distinction and usefulness.
In an address upon "The High School in its Relation to Business Life," delivered by Mr. Eustace C. Fitz, president of the Boston Board of Trade, before the Massachusetts Asso- ciation of High School Teachers, last April, I find the follow- ing statements. Coming as they do from a practical business man, who is also the president of the Board of Trade, they seem worthy of special consideration. His object is to show that such training as our high schools afford is a decided advantage to young men entering upon business. Thus he says : "I should much prefer as a clerk a young man at 18 or 19, who had taken a high-school course, to the same indi- vidual at 14 or 15 on his graduation from the grammar school. I am sure he would have more mental grasp and learn with greater facility. And this preference is based upon actual experience and close observation, extended over a long term of years. The structure of a mercantile life will stand better on a broad base than on a narrow one."
Again he says : " In my judgment no young person who contemplates a business life can afford to dispense with a high-school course, provided it is within his reach. You hear business men on every hand regretting that their early opportunities for education were so limited. This is because they recognize how much more enjoyable are wealth and position when accompanied by a fair degree of mental culture."
At the conclusion of this address, the following question was asked by Mr. Bunker, of Roxbury : " I should like to ask Mr. Fitz if he considers that, in what he has said, he repre- sents the majority of business men, or is it only the minority
144
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
who agree with the views he has expressed ?" The answer by Mr. Fitz was : "I think I have expressed the opinions of a decided majority of our business men. I am sure that mer- chants have a high respect for intellectual power, and I notice that they usually desire to give their children all the education the latter incline to take. Within my circle of acquaintance, the cases are very rare where parents are will- ing to have their children stop short of a high-school course." The value of these opinions is that they are the carefully considered and deliberately expressed convictions of one who has " had actual experience and close observa- tion, extended over a long term of years." It is to be wished that the address might have a large circulation. "In con- clusion," he says, "I am convinced that our high schools are doing excellent work ; that they have a grand mission before them ; and that the day will never come in this Com- monwealth when the people will be willing to lower the standard of instruction, or will fail to recognize the merit of the teachers."
It is becoming each year more and more apparent to the Committee, that one great need of our grammar schools is a judicious and comprehensive supervision. It must be evi- dent to all practical men, that so large an enterprise as the system of schools in a town like Arlington cannot wisely be carried on, save under the direction of skilled and competent superintendence. If this is true of a mill where they make cloth, it is certainly true of schools where they make men and women. Such is the universal testimony of all experi- enced and successful masters. Without such supervision the best results cannot be secured. It may not always be neces- sary or wise to employ a special superintendent of schools,
145
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
but in some way this end must be accomplished. In such a town as our own, let the masters have supervisory authority over the schools in their respective buildings and districts, and probably we should secure a practical, economical, and at the same time effective administration. To do this it would of course be necessary to furnish each master with an assistant teacher, or to make some arrangement by which he could be so relieved from the care of his own room as to be able frequently to inspect other schools. This would cer- tainly cost less than the employment of a special superintend- ent, and might be quite as desirable and judicious.
The upper classes in the grammar schools are reported as being in need of a large number of reference books, and the question is asked whether it might not be wise, before another year, to see what can be done in the way of starting a library for the Russell and Cutter schools, one in each build- ing. The members of the classes to be graduated this year from the Russell and Cutter schools give promise of contin- uing the good record maintained in the past. It is believed they will enter the High School with honor. The spirit mani- fested by most of the scholars during the past year has been an excellent one. There have been few cases, if any, of extreme insubordination. Itis, however, feared that there are some cases of truancy which, if continued, may require special attention.
All our schools, especially in the lower departments, have been greatly disturbed this year, during the winter months, the work being seriously interrupted, by prevailing forms of contagious disease. In some classes the interruption has been so serious as to cause apprehension that the work of the year cannot be completed. Scarlet fever and diphtheria,
10
146
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
two terrible diseases, have been extraordinarily prevalent. This report comes from both the Cutter and the Russell schools, and it is doubtless also true of the Locke and Crosby schools.
The change of time in opening and closing the afternoon session in the grammar schools, meeting at half past one and closing at half past three, has been found to work very satis- factorily, and may become a regular winter arrangement. After some considerable discussion, and an endeavor to ascer- tain the wishes of the people, it was thought best to close the school year one week earlier in June than has hitherto. been the custom, thus reducing the school year to forty weeks, and making it equal in length with the school years in the towns around.
The Committee deem it unnecessary to give a detailed account of the condition of the various schools. Everything seems to be moving on smoothly and harmoniously, with but little adverse criticism. The Cutter and Locke district is believed, by the subcommittee in charge, to be in a very satisfactory condition. The manifestations of disorder and insubordination which prevailed there in former times have decidedly abated, if they have not altogether disappeared. Good results are being secured, and the promise for the future is all that could be desired.
The Crosby School speaks for itself, and we would be pleased to have friends call and observe how quiet and well ordered are all the arrangements and regulations of the various classes in that building.
The Russell School is fully justifying the anticipations entertained of its continued usefulness and prosperity at the time when it was put under the present management. We
147
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
feel confident that a visitor to that building will not fail to be, on the whole, pleased with the appearance of the scholars and teachers, and satisfied with the character of the work done. In general, the schools of Arlington compare favorably with schools of the same grade in other towns and cities, and there is especially a marked inclination to be up with the times ; to adopt all that is good and approved in modern methods, and to give scholars every advantage which could be enjoyed in the most favored localities. The instruction given in music- and singing continues entirely satisfactory to the subcom- mittee on music. Indeed, we may go further, and say that the results and the methods are more than usually successful. This department of school work is in a condition leaving little to be desired.
In view of the considerations now submitted, especially the increased number of children in the schools, the greater number of teachers needed, the growing necessity of a wider supervision of the different grades and the provisions of the free text-book law, we think it must be evident to all that the town should be prepared to vote a liberal appropriation to carry on this most important branch of the publie service, and to make it more than ever tributary to the general growth and prosperity of the town. In conclusion, the Committee would say, that they have endeavored faithfully to discharge the duties of their stewardship ; that they now appeal with. confidence to the continued sympathy and support of their fellow-citizens, and express the abiding conviction that Arlington will in the future, as in the past, continue to stand in the front rank of those towns that favor, and in all prac- tical ways promote, the cause of sound and useful learning.
EDWARD B. MASON, For the School Committec.
148
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
Number of text-books purchased under the new law which went into effect in August, 1884 . 2,862
Distributed as follows : ---
High School .
. 390
Russell and Crosby
.
.
. 1,417
Cutter and Locke .
· 774
Surplus on hand .
281 .
2,862
At a cost of .
$1,437 18
498 writing books, 515 drawing books
78 51
Supplies
403 60
$1,919 29
INSURANCE.
High School .
$350 00
Russell
.
.
.
550 00
Cutter 66
· .
Đ
300 00
.
D
₫
$1,200 00
TABULAR STATEMENT OF ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOLS.
FIRST TERM.
SECOND TERM.
THIRD TERM.
YEAR.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Whole No.
Av'ge Attend.
Whole No.
Av'ge Attend.
Whole No.
Av'ge 'Attend.
Av'ge Attend.
(A. Gardiner Fisher
.
[ Miss Marie D. Elliot .
45
43
41
39
62
59
47
COTTING HIGH .
.
Miss Laura M. Ball
| Miss Eliza A. Simmons
Horace A. Freeman
Miss Olive M. Hobart
·
42
39
43
39
40
36
38
3dl
·
66
.
42
39
42
37
37
34
37
Miss Addie E. Flanders
·
34
31
32
28
32
29
29
Miss Georgie M. Tupper
33
29
33
29
33
29
29
Miss Louisa R. Warren
33
28
31
29
31
26
28
6th
1st
66
·
Miss Ella F. Carpenter
32
29
31
29
28
27
28
Miss Elizabeth B. Blake
43
40
45
41
43
40
40
Miss Elizabeth L. Geer
46
41
46
39
48
42
41
Miss E. G. D. Kennard
.
.
Miss Evie R. Fessenden
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.