USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Lynnfield > Town of Lynnfield, Essex County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, annual report 1860-1880 > Part 9
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The approbation of the teacher by the committee is indicat- ed by an increase of her wages the second session.
WINTER TERM. P
Teacher, -- WM. R. MEAD.
Length of School, 3 months.
Wages of Teacher per month, $50 00
Whole number of scholars, 57
Average attendance, .50
Age of Pupils, 5-16 years.
Aggregate of school days, . 3249.
Aggregate of days improved, 2850.
Aggregate of days lost, 399.
Aggregate of tardiness, 359.
Average of tardiness per day,. 63
Mr. Mead showed himself a workman who understood his business. Patient in his endeavors to instruct, he received a reward in the evident progress of the school. There was a good understanding, and kind feeling between instructor and pupils, and the school room was a pleasant scene of in- terested scholars and an earnest thorough teacher.
The examination was not designed to be showy, but a care- ful and accurate presentation of the actual advancement of the pupils in their studies ; and it was eminently satisfactory to the committee and a large company of spectators. The gentlemanly bearing of the teacher had impressed itself up- on the scholars, and we should fail to mark an excellency too rare did we not notice the good manners of the school.
It will be seen by the reports that there have been far too many cases of absence and tardiness. In the Summer about
11
one-fifth, and in the Winter more than one-eighth of the whole time was lost to the district, from these causes. This is a wicked neglect of precious opportunities, and a prodigal squandering of money. Three parties are necessary to a good school, a competent teacher, faithful scholars, and pa- rents careful in sending their children to school every day and in season.
SOUTH SCHOOL. SUMMER TERM. Teacher-Miss M. A. E. CLARK.
Length of school 6 months.
Wages of teachers per month $28 00
Whole number of scholars, 62.
Average attendance, .37. Age of pupils, .5-16 years.
1
No school in town has had better advantages than this for thoroughness of instruction. The teacher had earned a good reputation by her services in the same school during . the last year.
This has been fully sustained, and her devotion to the school, and her success in it, have seemed to increase.
Order has been good, and improvement obvious. The class in the Third Reader were especially noticed for good spelling. Numerous questions were put to the first class in geography, and answered correctly. A young class in written arithmetic, seemed thoroughly acquainted with every part of notation, numeration, and addition. Classes in Colburn, explained mental examples well. Gymnastics and singing were occa- sionally indulged in.
The small average attendance was owing in a great meas- ure to sickness during a part of the term.
WINTER TERM.
Teacher-Miss M. A. E. CLARK.
Length of School, 32 months.
Wages of Teacher per month, . $34 00
Whole number ot scholars, . .54.
Average attendance, .47.
Age of pupils, . 5-18 years.
12
Miss Clark has been continued in this school during the winter term, making two years of successful teaching. For good discipline and thoroughness of teaching, she is especial- ly commended.
The fact that there are thirteen scholars in this school over fifteen years of age, and among them, boys of seventeen or eighteen, and the school quietly progressing, speaks well for all concerned.
The committee has had a private examination, and the school will be continued to the middle of March.
The average attendance is much better than during the summer term.
There are fifteen scholars who have not lost a day by ab- sence thus far in the term.
It is to be regretted that the report of the Secretary of the Board of Education is not published in season to enable your committee to state to the town in their report any of the sta- tistics in relation to the schools, and the progress in educa- tion during the last year. A year hence the report loses its interest, and much of its value is lost to the people.
Your committee are happy to be able to say that the schools, with a single exception, have been successful during the year.
J. NEWHALL, HENRY E. SMITH. M. B. BOARDMAN,
School Committee.
Feb. 25, 1867.
13
APPENDIX.
The term of service, for which the undersigned was last elected as a member of the board of school committee, ex- pires with the present school year.
In a retrospective view of the long period since 1823, when he first had the honor to be a member, and to which he has many times been re-elected, he has seen great changes for the better accommodation of the schools. All the old school houses then in use have given place to new and im- proved structures, with modern improvements. The amount of money appropriated for schools, has been largely increased, giving to children at the present time, far greater advantages for education. Many of the quiet and studious scholars who have occupied seats in both the old, and new houses, have since become teachers, not only at home, but in every section of the country.
The present members of the schools, give promise of their future usefulness and respectability.
During his connection with the schools, the' writer, in the discharge of his duty, has enjoyed many pleasant occasions, as well as having passed through trying scenes, (some deep- ly so) but amid all the pleasant or painful incidents that have occurred, he has been supported, from first to last, with an unanimity and kindness, from his long forbearing fellow citi- zens, which no man could have hoped for, and which has made . an impression on his mind, which time can never efface.
J. NEWHALL.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCHI 1, 1868,
WITH THE ANNUAL
Report of the School Committee.
SALEM: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ESSEX COUNTY MERCURY. 1868.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Selectmen & Overseers of the Poor
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1868.
SALEM:
PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ESSEX COUNTY MERCURY. 1868.
REPORT.
1
Overseers' Department. PAID FOR SUPPORT OF POOR.
Paid for Edw. A. Flagg, board and funeral expenses $195 48
Otis Norwood, board and clothing, 138 05
Nellie F. Stevens “ 102 93
66
medical attendance 2 00
29 56
"
66
J. N. Allen's family
2 25
66 66 Mrs. M. Hobson, aid supplied by City of Salem, 35 00
66
Louis Daigneau, town of Middleton, 38 26
66
J. M. Roberts, wood and coal, 7 50
10 40
66 E. Gowing, funeral expenses, 22 72
$584 15
Selectmen's Department. PAID INTEREST MONEY.
Paid to Gilman D. Kingman, $120 00
" " Mehitable Skinner,
66 00
" Mrs. Daniel Brown, 60 00
66 " Henry Bancroft, 31 86
Warren Newhall's estate, 24 00
State Treasurer, 7 05
$308 91
66
66 Sumner Cummings,
David Gowing's family,
4 .
EXPENDED ON ROADS AND BRIDGES.
The Town at the last Annual Meeting voted to raise the sum of $500 for repairs of highways, to be paid in money in- stead of assessing the usual highway tax, paid in labor; and chose three Surveyors-one for each School District-to ex- pend the same.
The following sums have been expended :-
North District, John Bryant, Surveyor, $124 00
Centre
Wm. R. Roundy, 195 17
South 66 Geo. Lawrence 194 60
Relaying bridge near railroad in Centre District, 103 22
Repairing bridge near Lane's Mill,
1 25
$618 24
REMOVING SNOW.
Paid to John Bryant,
$4 65
" " William R. Roundy
4 00
$8 65
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
On Tax List of the year 1865,
$ 7 14
66 66
1866,
31 51
4
1867, 20 65
$59 30
MONEY VOTED FOR SCHOOLS.
The sum of $900 was appropriated by the town for Schools, the apportionment of the same being made by the School Committee, as directed by a vote of the town. The town's portion of the State School Fund, $112 53,"added to the ap- propriation, being equally divided between the several dis- tricts, makes the total amount received by each as follows :
North District,
$276 50
Centre
389 18
South LE
346 85
$1,012 53
5
TOWN OFFICERS' BILLS.
Jonathan Bryant, Collector and Treasurer, $75 00 John Danforth, Jr., services as Town Clerk, 12 00
" as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer, 76 50
record'g births, marriages and deaths, . 6 50
66
making official returns,
10 00
66 66 " preparing Annual Report, 8 00
John H. Perkins, as Selectman, Assessor and Overseer, 37 00 Geo. L. Hawkes, 37 90
M. B. Boardman, services as School Committee,
25 00
Geo. L. Hawkes, 66 66
22 50
C. W. H. Coney, 66 66 21 50 66
Samuel Harding,
Constable, 5 00
Luther S. Munroe,
66 7 00
$343 90
STATE AID.
The following persons have received State aid the past year :
Paid to George N. Whiting, $98 00
" Harriet E. Hewes, 96 00
66 " Ira M. Ramsdell, as guardian, 96 00
66 " Shubael L. Bumpus,
74 67
66 " Elma J. Webster,
72 00
" Charles W. H. Coney,
72 00
66
" John Ryans,
70 00
Charles R. Mansfield,
42 00
66 " Edwin Grimston,
28 00
66 " George Cox,
28 .00
66
" Joseph Batchellor, 28 00
" Isaac H. Mitchell, 28 00
66 " George A. Richardson, 28 00
" Levi Guilford, 16 00
. " Eleanor K. Breed, 16 00
$792 67
6
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Samuel Harding, for Road Scraper, $69 02
66
care of Town Hall, 2 50
66 66 repairs of " 90
66 66 repairing Hearse, 75
66 ringing Bell, 1 00
George K. Walton, for Blacksmith work,
4 71
Messrs. Foote & Horton, for printing Annual Reports, 50 11
Warrants, Tax Bills, &c, 14 50
William Skerry, mowing South Burying Ground,
3 00
Chas. K. Darling, stationery and blank books,
7 30
Messrs. Ives & Lincoln, for legal advice,
23 96
Labor in Forest Hill Cemetery,
73 50
Repairing fence “ 8 25
Fence pickets, 1 60 66
Cast Steel Rakes, for use on highways, 7 00
Postage and express matter, 6 90
Assistance rendered travelling paupers, 9 70
Revenue Stamp for Guardian's Bond, 1 00
Books furnished the several Schools prior to 1867,
23 44
Aid rendered Levi Guilford, at the expense of the town of Danvers, 36 14
Aid rendered the family of Anthony Snow, at the ex- pense of the town of Truro, 49 00
$394 28
Recapitulation of Expenses.
Paid for support of Poor,
$
584 15
roads and bridges, 618 24
66 removing snow, 8 65
66 Schools,
1,012 53
State Aid,
792 67
State Tax,
3,100 00
86 County Tax, 781 00
7
Paid Interest money,
308 91
Town Officers' bills,
343 90
Miscellaneous expenses,
394 28
Abatement of Taxes, 59 30
Taxes assessed on So. School District,
303 42 -- $8,307 05
Receipts and Credits.
Cash in hands of Treasurer, March 1, 1867, $616 16
Due on Tax List of the year 1866,
1,242 42
" " 1865,
114 67
1864, 31 02
Money assessed to pay State Tax, 3,100 00
66
County Tax,
781 00
Town Expenses, 1,800 00
for Schools, 900 00
Received from State, aid to families in 1866, 1,050 00
Corporation Tax, 479 54
66 66. State School Fund, 112 53
" T'n of No. Reading for use road scaper, 10 00
" Mr. Woodbury, wood furn'd S. Cummings, 10 00
" Sale of lots in Cemetery, 5 00
66
" delinquent tax payers, 4 55
Overlay on all the Taxes, 211 39
Tax assessed on the South School District,
303 42
$10,771 70
General Account. AMOUNTS DUE THE TOWN.
Cash in Treasurer's hands,
$1,397 71
Due on Tax List of 1867, ·1,544 04
1866,
152 03
66
66
-
8
Due on Tax List of 1865, 19 82
Due from State, aid to families in 1867, 1,088 68
" 1866, 77 00
" Herbert A. Skinner, costs of suit, 34 12
" Samuel W. Phillips, 66
35 37
Geo. N. Whiting,
66 15 37
t'n of Danvers, aid to L. Guilford, 80 20
= " Truro, aid to Snow family, 49 00-$4,493 34
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Due Gilman D. Kingman, $2,000 00
Mrs. Daniel Brown, 1,000 00
Mehitable Skinner, 550 00
Warren Newhall's Estate, 400 00-$3,950 00
Balance in favor of the town, $543 34
JOHN DANFORTH, JR., ) Selectmen, Assessors, JOHN H. PERKINS, and
GEORGE L. HAWKES, Overseers.
LYNNFIELD, Feb. 29, 1868.
1
STATISTICS TAKEN FROM TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS. Births Registered in Lynnfield in 1867.
Name of Child.
Date of Birth.
Name of Parents.
Occupation of Father.
Perley Emerson Walton.
Jan. 5.
George K. and Lucy E.
Blacksmith.
Myra Frances Summers.
30.
George M. and Mary Ann.
Shoemaker.
Minnie Mitchell.
Feb 3.
Isaac H. and Sophia.
Carpenter.
Jennie Averell Ramsdell.
7.
Ira M. and Alda M.
Carpenter.
Elvera Connor Wiley.
66
16.
Robert H. and Cinderella.
Shoemaker.
John Edward Ryans.
Mch. 28.
John and Hannah F.
Shoemaker.
Caroline Ellsworth Messervey.
Apr.
16.
John L. B. and Caroline E.
Shoemaker.
Moses Russell.
May
11.
Levi S. and Hannah N.
Shoemaker.
James Henry Chasson.
12.
Thomas J. and Lucy S.
Shoemaker.
Maurice Albion Ramsdell.
..
16.
George O. and Charlotte M.
Shoemaker.
Viola Wilson Richardson.
23.
Irving and Eliza Jane.
Shoemaker.
Isaac Cook McNeil.
June
14.
Edmund J. and Mary Naomi.
Thomas Reynolds.
Aug 1.
Patrick and Ann.
Jane Silver Moulton. .
11.
Joseph S. and Mary S.
Harry Clark Lawrence.
66
26.
George M. and Alice.
Sarah Bradford Boardman.
Nov.
8,
Moses B. and Ellen E.
Farmer. Laborer. Shoe Manufacturer. Farmer. Clergyman.
Marriages Registered in Lynnfield, 1867.
Date.
Name of Groom and Bride.
Age.
Residence.
Place of Birth.
Names of Parents.
By whom Married.
Feb. 14. |Charles H. Haggett.
30
|Lynnfield, Medford,
Edgecomb Me. |Amos S. & Mercy P. | Rev. M. B. Boardman Medford, Mass., Abner S. & Abigail T Scotland,
May 22. James Wilson.
34
Topsfield,
Sarah E. Downing.
27
Lynnfield,
So. Reading,
Lawrence & Mary. Edward & Sarah.
Lynnfield Centre. Rev. M. B. Boardman Lynnfield Centre.
10
1 -
Carrie M. Crooker.
27
May 30.|Osborn Richardson, jr. Margaret O. Nelson. 4. Henry G. Green. Hannah N. Skinner. 11. Samuel H. Mitchell. Susan J. Blake.
24 Lynnfield, | Lynnfield, 17 23 19 Lynnfield, Fitchburg, Lynnfield. 22 23 Lynnfield, Newb'y't,
Salem, Westboro', Lynnfield, Cape Briton.
|Osborn & Mary. Alex'r & Lavina. Chas. P. & Hannah. Wm. & Hannah C. So. Reading . Rob't H. & Eliza'h B. Rev. M. E. Wright, Newburyport,
Brentwood, NH John P. & Mary J.
12. Charles W. Dorc. Abbie M. Glidden.
20 Lynnfield,
Alton, N. H., Alton, N. H.,
.Jacob & Lydia.
Oct. 2. Parker Brvant. Alice A. Hardy.
25
Lynnfield,
Lynnfield,
22 |Roxbury,
Salem,
42 S. Reading Lynnfield,
24 S. Reading Wilmington,
Elbridge & Abby.
Roxbury. Rev. M. B Boardman Lynnfield Centre. Rev. Jacob Hood, Lynnfield Centre.
Deaths Registered in Lynnfield, 1867.
Date.
Name of Deceased.
Age. yrs. mos. dys.
Place of Birth.
Name of Parents.
1
Jan. 4. Edith Williams.
67
3
0 Danvers,
Feb. 9, Sumner Cummings.
62
9
0 | Petersham,
David and Marion.
Typhoid Fever. Paralysis. Bleeding.
Apr. 28, Henry Aborn.
33
9
15 Tynnfield,
Eben and Mary.
Consumption.
May 11. Joseph A. Swan.
12, Robert H. Wiley.
30
8 19 Lynnfield,
Consumption.
" 22, Mary Perkins.
85
6
16 So. Reading.
June 19, James S. Ricker.
71
3
29 Dover, N. H.,
Aug. 14, Rosetta B. Wiley.
60
3
27 England,
Sept. 12, Filmore Stiles.
16
6 0 Lynnfield,
Oct. 6. Mvra F Summers.
0
8 6 Lynnfield,
Nov. 8, Elizabeth Z. Newhall. 38
2 5 Boston,
Dec. 6, William L. Horton.
88
2 23| Chatham, N. J., Foster and Sarah Low.
Joseph and Rebecca. Robert and Rosetta B. William and Elizabeth. Samuel and Deborah. William and Caroline. William and Elizabeth. George M. and Mary. A. Perez and Ruth.
Dropsy & Heart Disease. Consumption. Consumption. Dysentery.
Inflammation of Lungs. Consumption. Dyspepsia.
11
Rev. Jacob Hood, Lynnfield Centre. |Rev. D. Atkins,
Sept.
6. William P. Holt. 36 IMary Elizabeth Holt. 28
Woburn,
Andover.
IN. Reading Reading,
-
1
Cause of Death.
1
Isaac & Hannah L. Benjamin & Betsy.
Benj. B. & Debo'h A. Rev. Jacob Hood, Lynnfield Centre. Jonathan & Sarah P. Rev. Chas. J. Bowen, Augustus & Ann. Aaron & Sally.
18 Lynnfield,
July 10. Aaron Butler, jr. Abby Taylor.
42 9 7 Reading.
12
Annual Town Meeting.
ESSEX, ss.
To SAMUEL HARDING, one of the Constables of the Town of Lynnfield, in the County of Essex, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Lynnfield, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the TOWN HALL, in said town, on MONDAY, the second day of March next, at 9 o'clock, A. M., to act on the following arti- cles, viz :-
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
2. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
3. To hear the report of Town Officers, and act upon the same.
4. To raise money for Town expenses the ensuing year.
5. To raise money for the support of Schools, and divide the same.
6. To raise money for repair of Highways, and determine how the same shall be expended.
7. To fix a time wben Surveyors of highways shall return their lists.
8. To determine the manner of Collecting Taxes the pres- ent year.
9. To set a time for the Collector of Taxes to settle his list.
10. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to hire money, if necessary.
11. To see if the town will authorize the Collector of Tax- es to charge interest on all taxes not paid at the time when the Collector is required to settle his list.
12. To see what way the town will provide for the support of the Poor.
13. To see if the town will allow Prudential School Com- mittees that may be chosen to act for their Districts.
14. To see if the town will cause the Bells to be rung.
15. To see if the town will enforce the laws relating to Fish- eries, or take any action thereon.
13
16. To see if the town will cause the bridge near the house of Joseph Ramsdell to be relaid.
17. To see if the town will abolish the School District sys- tem.
18. To see if the town will unite with the First Congrega- tional Society in painting the outside of the Town Hall.
19. To see if the town will cause the Common to be filled up and properly graded, or take any action thereon. And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting at- tested copies thereof in the usual manner.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands, at Lynnfield, the tenth day of Feb- ruary, A. D., 1868.
JOHN DANFORTH JR., ) Selectmen JOHN H. PERKINS, of GEORGE. L. HAWKES, Lynnfield.
A true copy, Attest :
SAMUEL HARDING, Constable.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LYNNFIELD,
FOR THE
YEAR 1867-8. 1
SALEM: PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ESSEX COUNTY MERCURY. 1868.
4
II. STATE FUND.
In the distribution of the income of the school fund, every city and town complying with all laws in force, relating to the distribution of the same, receives seventy-five dollars; and the residue of said moiety is annually appropriated among the several cities and towns, in proportion to the number of children in each, between the ages of five and fifteen. But after the distribution in 1869, no city or town in which the district system exists shall receive the seventy-five dollars. The Town received from this fund, $112.53.
III. DIVISION OF SCHOOL MONEY.
The proceeds of the State Fund were divided equally to the several districts. The town appropria- tion of $900, was divided to the several districts as follows :-
To the North District. . $238 99. .with fund $276 50
Centre
351 67 66 389 18
South 61
309 34 66 346 85
$900 00 $1,012 53
IV. SCHOLARS.
The Assessors reported 156 scholars in town May Ist, between five and fifteen.
In the North District .26
66 Centre 66
67
South 66
63
156
5
The greatest number of scholars, belonging to the town, attending school at any one time, and the aver- age attendance for the year, were,
In the North District ..... greatest No. 31 ..... average 21
Centre
79 56
South
.... 47
.. 37
157 114
V. COMPARATIVE POSITION OF THE TOWN.
The following statistics are derived from the Re- port of the Board of Education of 1867. The Re- port of 1868 is not yet published.
In amount of money appropriated to each scholar between 5 and 15, the town stood in the state, 102d; in the county 15th.
In percentage of taxable property appropriated to the support of Public Schools, the town stood in the state 316th; in the county 34th, last. In average at- tendance, the town stood in the state 24th; in the county Ist.
It appears from the above that while the town ap- propriated the smallest percentage of its taxable property to school purposes of all the towns in the county, the scholars made the most constant use of' the schools. So commendable conduct on the part of. the scholars should induce the town to devise liberal things for them.
VI. TEACHERS.
Position, time of commencing services in town, and wages per month, in 1867-8.
Miss Emily M. Hewes, North District, Apr. 1867, $22 00
28 00
Miss M. A. Lawlor,, Centre Apr. 1867, $30 00
36 00
6
Miss M. A. E. Clark, South District, Apr. 1865, $30 00
Miss Mary Hawkes 66 Sept. 1867, $30 00
Miss Sarah S. Perkins
66 Dec. 1867, $32 00
Miss Hewes began her experience as teacher last spring. She had had the benefit of the State Normal School at Salem. She has been patient and persistent in drilling her pupils in the principles of their studies; and her efforts have been crowned with good success. The degree of success she has attained in her present position gives assurance that she will excel as a teacher.
Miss Lawlor had had considerable experience as a teacher when she entered her present position. She loves her occupation and succeeds in a remarkable degree in winning the esteem and affection of her pupils, in waking up their minds, and in encouraging them to effort. Her school has been too large for one teacher, but under her management it has made de- · cided improvement.
Miss Clark began her experience as a teacher in the South District three years ago. She taught the same school with marked success two and a half years, endearing herself to her pupils. Last Septem- ber she accepted a position in the public schools of Lynn.
Miss Hawkes brought considerable experience to her position. She taught the school but a short time, but to the entire satisfaction of the Committee. Miss Perkins succeeded Miss Hawkes in December. She had had the benefit of the State Normal School at Salem, and some experience in this and neighboring towns. So far, she has succeeded well, securing good order and teaching with good success. Her efforts to
7
secure distinctness of enunciation, and clearness of tone in reading, have been very commendable.
The town may congratulate itself that it has had an efficient Board of Teachers through the year.
VII. DISTRICT REPORT.
The following Table contains the principal District items. For convenience the sessions of the Summer are considered as Spring and Fall Terms:
-
26
27
25
1
1
23
.85 $5.50|
13
NORTH.
Spring. Fall. Winter.
23
22
0
1
15
.65
5.50
13
34
22
7
1
26
.76
.7.00
12
CENTRE.
Spring. Fall.
67
60
59
0
1
52
.86
7.50
13
67
65
2
0
51
.83
7.50
13
Winter.
79
72
7
0
65
.87
9.00
14
Spring. Fall.
63
47
44
3
0
37
.79 |
7.50 13
SOUTH.
45
42
3
0
34
.76 7.50 13
Winter.
48
37
11| 0
40
.84 8.00 14
Wages per Week.
Weeks of School.
Districts.
Terms.
Assessors' Return.
No. belonging.
Between 5 and 15.
r 15.
Under 15.
Av. Attendance.
Per C't. Attendance
Teachers'
.
There are three great pests of schools. These are Irregularity of, Attendance, Tardiness and Dismissals. They waste the money of towns, discourage teachers, and deaden the interest of scholars in their study. The scholar who comes late to school, or is dismissed, or is irregular in his attendance, injures not himself alone, but all the school. Parents should seriously
8
consider the evils that result from such things. One of the committee once found but three or four scholars present when visiting one of the schools. Many had been present but had been dismissed, and every one of them by notes from the parents. And this, he was told, was not a solitary instance. It became necessary to institute regulations preventing the recurrence of such things. Parents may greatly assist in securing good schools by attendance to these suggestions. .
.
VIII. AGE OF SCHOLARS, EXERCISE, ETC.
The Committee would lay before the town the opin- ion of the doctors on these topics.
At a regular meeting. of the Middlesex East Dis- trict Medical Society, the subject of the influence of our Public Schools on the health of the children came under discussion, and a Committee reported upon it. Among other things are the following :-
(1.) "No child should be allowed to attend school before the beginning of its sixth year:
Because, the whole of the first five years of life are needed to give the physical nature a fair start, which would be prevented by the confinement and restraint of the school-room; - because, up to that time, every child has enough to do in learning to use its limbs and . senses, to talk, to obey ;- because, extended experi- ence has proved, that children who have never been to school before they are five years old, make more rapid progress than those who begin their school life earlier."
(2.) "The duration of daily attendance (includ- ing time given to recess and physical exercise, ) should
.
9
not exceed four and a half hours for the Primary schools; six hours for the other schools:
Because, the liability to injury of both mind and body from sedentary application, is in proportion to the youth of the student; and, because, as much can be accomplished in this time as in longer attendance, which is only a weariness to both flesh and spirit."
(3.) "Ventilation should be amply provided for by other means than open windows, though these should be used in addition to the special means during recess and exercise time:
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