USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1872 > Part 15
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
We have thought, then, that this increased number of elective studies might increase the attractiveness and thus the real usefulness of the school to the town, as a whole,
25
and that, by paying some attention to individuality, it might really further sound educational ends within the school.
And the general principle upon which the entire action is based, the democratic principle of the greatest good of the greatest number, we believe to be the true foundation and object of public schools of any grade under a repub- lican form of government. And we desire to call the at- tention of the citizens to this honest and well-considered attempt to place the High School in sympathy with the wants and opinions of the community, at the same time maintaining its present high standards, and to invite them to show their appreciation of our endeavors in the only way possible to them, by sending their children to the High School.
The division of labor in the supervision of the schools between the Superintendent, the Committee, and the Masters, mentioned in the General Report, is illustrated in the production of this programme. The object to be attained was discussed in several meetings of the High School Committee; and a general plan was devised, the development of which was left to the Superintendent and the Master. And they prepared this programme, and sub- mitted it to the Board, which, after some discussion, adopted it. The result is before the town.
HIGHER CLASSES IN GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
This department consists of the first three, of the six classes in our Grammar Schools ; and embraces the last three years' course of study in those schools. It is gratifying to report that all the schools included in these three grades are in good condition, and are doing good work. In fact, noth- ing has occurred to seriously interrupt the work of the years and the high standard of former years has been fully main- tained ; though there has been considerable change in the programme of work as now pursued, compared with that of former years. Much of the instruction in this department is
26
under the immediate direction of the principals of these schools ; and their efforts are supported by a corps of able as sistants. The government appears to be gentle, and at the same time efficient. Good order is characteristic. A good degree of harmony between teacher and pupil prevails. Yet to all that has been said there may be exceptions. It would be somewhat remarkable, if in the presentation of new work, and the application of new methods to some part of the work which has long had place in our system of education, there should not be less attention paid, and less prominence given, to some branches than formerly, and, it may be, less than their importance demands. Possibly less attention is now paid to the subject of Reading than formerly. The same may also be true with regard to Arithmetic, Geography, and Grammar as a science. The inattention to Reading, if inattention there be, we trust is only temporary. Why should not the reading voice be trained as well as the singing voice ? Is not modulation in the one, quite as essen- tial as melody in the other ? Is not the exhibition, or pres- entation of sentiment, in the one case, quite as important as in the other ? Where there is the greater use, why not, at least, as much careful attention and scientific drill ? We would not have less attention paid to music ; but we would earnestly urge the importance of good reading.
Vocal music, while it receives no undue attention, has attained a position that is very satisfactory. We congratu- late our schools on the prospect of henceforth having the entire services of their efficient director. Writing is under the direction of an accomplished teacher; and drawing is re- ceiving marked attention.
Before closing this Report, it may not be amiss to say a word as regards the objects to be gained by the course of study in Grammar Schools. It should not be lost sight of, that the foundation of an education should be there well laid, that those graduating therefrom may be prepared for the active duties of life. It has been well said, that "The grammar schools are the colleges of the masses ;" and, if so, should they not be so conducted as to afford to the graduate
27
a certain amount of practical knowledge, - sufficient, at least, to enable him to discharge respectably and efficiently his duties as a citizen and a business-man ? If otherwise, our schools fail to meet the wants of the people.
Should we not, therefore, make the useful and more essen- tial prominent, first in attention and in encouragement, and subordinate the less essential, and ornamental ? Is not the practical needful, that thereon may be ingrafted the ornamental? Or, should time permit, let the practical and ornamental blend in harmonious proportion. Those branches which lie at the foundation of the educational edifice should be carefully and substantially laid; else the superstructure will be weak, distorted, and out of joint. This superstruc- ture is not, and cannot always be, reared in the schoolroom. It is oftener completed, if at all, in the busy walks of life, in the workshop and on the farm, at the loom and on the anvil, as well as in high schools, colleges, and professional schools. We ask that due prominence may be given to the more im- portant branches taught in our Grammar Schools.
LOWER CLASSES IN GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
The Committee appointed to examine the fourth, fifth, and sixth classes in the Grammar Schools of the town, have at- tended to that duty, and herewith make their report.
In the ten Grammar Schools, it happens naturally, that the three above-named classes embrace a very large number of pupils. Though, in the different schools, these pupils are nearly of the same average age, yet they are not exactly so. In the classification of pupils in different localities, some re- gard must be had to numbers above and below.
In passing around to the different schools, the Committee have discovered not a little variety in the attainments among. these lower classes of the Grammar Schools. This results, in part, from the material to be acted upon, and in part from the different methods of instruction among the teachers. In some of these schools there is a very high degree of perfec-
28
tion, which is due both to the general efficiency of the prin- cipal, and to the wise and earnest co-operation of the several local teachers ; in others, the style of instruction is more loose and indefinite.
The same is true with regard to order. In some of the schools the teachers have an easy and wholesome control, so that every thing moves quietly and symmetrically ; in others there is more noise and confusion : but in none of the schools have we discovered any thing like a rebellious dis- order. Among so many schools, it is impossible, for various reasons, that all should be equally good. But we are happy to testify, that, as a whole, the impression left upon our minds was gratifying. The children of the town are enjoy- ing rare advantages for education, with not a little room yet for improvement.
THE PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
In the examination of these schools we have found with pleasure a better quality of reading, and a greater facility in recognizing words, than we have ever witnessed before. This we attribute, in part, to the uniform plan of teaching reading by the word-method, as it is called, and in part to the disposition which we observed in almost all the teachers to interest the pupils in the subject of their lesson, and to lead them to speak and read about it intelligently. It would be a great help to teachers, in this direction, if an increased variety of interesting and instructive books were provided for the reading-exercises. In spelling, the schools do not generally appear well : they very muchi need the increased attention to this department, and especially to drill in spelling by sound, which we believe is intended in the plan for the remainder of the year. We regard a reasonable degree of attention to phonic drill as invaluable in laying the foundation of good spelling : with it, such preposterous spelling as " f-i-t, fat," "d-o-g, fox," is impossible to an ordinary child ; and the whole superstructure of spelling, so far as sound is a guide to it, is made easy.
29
Writing, under the admirable instruction of Mr. Bowler, has made a great advance. The Committee saw very credit- able, and even beautiful specimens of writing upon slates by members of the second classes, and many well-written books of the first classes. We hope, however, that the practice of printing upon the slates will never be discontinued in the third classes ; for, though the characters of writing are more simple than those of printing, yet these last the children are obliged to learn in their reading-books, and it is a great help in fixing their forms to reproduce them upon the slates. We doubt if it would be advisable to give them the writing letters at all until printing forms are familiar.
The exercises in arithmetic are, in general, fairly exact and prompt, in some cases entirely so, with, perhaps, a general incompleteness of statement in some processes of addition.
We have been much gratified to mark the increased atten- tion given to music, the proficiency in which, under Mr. Til- den's careful training, is in some instances remarkable ; also to drawing, and especially to oral instruction upon topics of natural history, and upon various subjects of general interest. To an increase of such instruction we must look for the means of kindling the light in young eyes, and turning young hearts to the school-room as to a pleasant feast. To prepare this instruction, we know, requires time and labor on the part of the teachers : it requires also the help of generous provision of books of reference, useful and interesting materials for discus- sion, and, perhaps, of courses of lectures or lessons in various departments of science, by competent instructors, from which teachers may gather new facts and new ardor for truth, which they may bring for the improvement and life of their schools.
FREE EVENING SCHOOLS FOR INDUSTRIAL DRAWING.
The annual sessions of the free evening Drawing Schools for adults, and all over fifteen years of age, of both sexes, who are not otherwise provided with this instruction, have been
30
opened. Those for the accommodation of the northern sec- tion of the town are in the High School building at Newton- ville, and for those living in the southern portion in the Primary School-house at the Upper Falls. These loca- tions were selected as being the most central, and affording the best railroad facilities in going to and returning from these schools. The mechanical department is taught by Mr. Albert F. Hall, a practical draughtsman of experience, and the free- hand and industrial by Mr. Charles Furneaux, who is skilful in that department. Under the combined instruction of these gentlemen, we have reason at this time for expecting very gratifying results. Although these schools are fairly attended, it is to be regretted that a more general interest is not mani- fested in tliem, as perhaps there is no branch of education which combines more of the useful and agreeable than this.
To all mechanics it is a great acquisition to be able with a few strokes of chalk or pencil to represent and delineate what would be very difficult, if possible, for them to explain other- wise ; and the training of the eye and judgment acquired in the practice of the art is valuable to all, whatever their voca- tion or position may be.
It is our determination that nothing shall be wanting on our part, that will secure the success of these schools ; and, for that end, faithful and competent instructors have been pro- cured, and busts, models, and copies have been imported at con- siderable expense from England. And, on the part of our citizens, it is hoped that an interest will be felt and manifested, which will encourage a general and regular attendance, so that the full benefit may be derived from the action of the town in establishing them, which may encourage their con- tinuance hereafter.
A. B. UNDERWOOD, EZRA P. GOULD, CEPHAS BRIGHAM, I. N. TARBOX, J. WORCESTER,
-
Sub .- Com.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF NEWTON, -
IN accordance with your regulations prescribing the duties of the Superintendent of Public Schools, I respect- fully submit my first Annual Report.
It is my purpose in this Report to present such facts as will enable you to judge of the present condition of our schools, and to suggest such measures as will lead to their improvement. The statistics presented cover a period of one year, - from September, 1871, to September, 1872.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
The school accommodations at the close of the last school year comprised fifteen school-houses, the aggregate value of which, including the furniture and land, was $353,500. Their history is familiar to you : it is a history of which every citizen of Newton may well be. proud. Nine have been erected since the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, and to-day furnish convincing evidence of the intelligence and public spirit of the citizens of the town. Indeed, it was eminently fitting that the first of these substantial and commodious buildings should be erected right in the darkest days of that terrible struggle, when the energies of the people were taxed to their ut- most, and the minds of many began to question the suc- cess of our experiment at self-government. It was proper, at such a crisis, that the citizens of Newton should thus renew their allegiance to the principle that popular educa- cation is the only sure foundation of free institutions.
These buildings are well adapted to the uses for which they were intended. The grounds are well graded, taste-
32
fully arranged, neatly kept, and of sufficient size to accom- modate the children when at play. Some of them were made unusually attractive during the past season by the presence of the flowering plants which were furnished in such abundance by the Newton Horticultural Society, to whom our sincere thanks are due for the generous gift. Such silent but refining influences are invaluable as a means of education ; and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when our churches and other public build- ings may be surrounded with similar objects of beauty.
The basements are airy and well lighted, and are used instead of the playgrounds in stormy or very cold weather.
The outhouses of all the school-buildings, except the School-street and the Bigelow at Newton, are accessible from the basements; and thus exposure to the wind and cold is avoided. The Bigelow School building has been partially connected by the erection, during the past year, of a covered passageway from the rear door on the south side of the building ; but no connection has yet been made on the north side, it being difficult to do so in consequence of the internal arrangement of building and the school grounds : yet inasmuch as this side is much exposed, and inasmuch as two of the primary schools are at present lo- cated there, I think that the subject deserves an early and careful consideration. Allow me to suggest, also, that great care should be taken in the future to prevent the air in the basements from being vitiated by reason of their connection with the outhouses. The air of the basement finds its way, to a greater or less extent, to the rooms above; and it would be far better for our children to en- dure the biting frost and chilling winds than to breathe an atmosphere whose impurities bring disease and death.
Among the appointments of a school-building, the heat- ing apparatus is of the first importance. In this respect our school-buildings are, for the most part, well furnished. In some of them, however, the intense cold of last winter proved beyond question that the capacity of the furnaces was insufficient for the work required of them. In some
-
33
instances, it was found necessary to dismiss the schools in consequence of the low temperature of the rooms. It is hoped, and, indeed, we already have abundant evidence, that the additional furnaces that have been supplied dur- ing the past season will save a similar waste of time and money during the present winter.
Still I think it quite doubtful whether we may succeed in heating the house at North Village during the severest weather, as the crowded condition of the schools in that locality renders it necessary to use the large hall in the third story, thereby increasing the space to be heated by about twenty thousand cubic feet.
The schools at Newton Centre suffered quite seriously from the cold last winter. The rooms on the west side of the house were unfit for use for several days in succession ; it being impossible to secure a higher temperature than from forty to fifty degrees Fahrenheit. A furnace has been placed in the west basement to heat the two rooms now in use on that side of the building ; but it has not been thought desirable to make any further change till the present mean's of heating by steam have been fairly tested.
It is false economy to limit the means of heating by the probable demands of moderate weather : they should be in excess rather, and in excess, too, of the largest demands that can be made upon them. Even this means, in a cli- mate subject to such sudden extremes of temperature as ours, will be found inadequate to secure that degree of comfort which every citizen has a right to demand for his children, unless supplemented by the ceaseless vigilance of those to whom the care of the buildings is intrusted.
The perplexing problem of ventilation is still unsolved. In spite of all efforts to the contrary, the air of our school- rooms is oftentimes so vitiated as to seriously endanger the health of those who breathe it.
A new system of ventilation has been introduced into some of the rooms during the past year, but with what results we have not yet had opportunity to determine. I would suggest the expediency of testing, by a careful
3
34
analysis, the quality of the air in our school-buildings, that, whether the system be adopted or rejected, your action may rest on the basis of well-determined facts, rather than the testimony of the senses.
Mr. Eaton, Commissioner of Education, in his second Annual Report gives the results of an examination of the air of the school-rooms of Basle, in Switzerland, conducted by Dr. Breiting of that city. Mr. Eaton gives the results obtained in a single room, measuring about three thousand cubic feet, and containing on the day of the examination fifty-four children. In estimating the pernicious effects of such an atmosphere as was there revealed, we should bear in mind that pure atmosphere contains .0004 carbonic-acid gas, and that the presence of more than one per cent of carbonic-acid gas is generally considered detrimental to health.
Time.
Amount of Car. Acid Gas.
7.45, A.M., commencement of school. 2.21
8 end of first recitation. 66 4.80
9 after the recess. 4.07
10 66 before a brief recess. 6.87
10.10 66
after the brief recess 6.23
11 66 end of school hour
8.11
11.10 “
the room being empty . 7.30
1.45, P.M., commencement of school 5.03
2 beginning of recess 7.66
3 end of recess . 5.03
4 end of singing lesson 9.36
4.10 66 the room being empty . 5.72
Although an examination of our own buildings might not be attended with results so startling, yet I think they would be so decisive as to make us unwilling to cease from our efforts for improvement. I have dwelt at considerable length upon these two requisites of a well-ordered school-building, viz., heating and ventilation, because I deem them of the first im- portance. So far as they are defective, they tend to undermine the health of our children, and thereby unfit them for phys-
35
ical or mental effort. Health is essential to the fullest mental activity. " It is no exaggeration to say," remarks the author of " Getting on in the World," " that health is a large ingredient of talent. A man without it may be a giant in intellect ; but his deeds will be the deeds of a dwarf. On the contrary, let him have a quick circulation, a good digestion, the bulk, thews, and sinews of a man, and the alacrity, the unthinking con- fidence, inspired by these, and, though having but a thimbleful of brains, he will either blunder upon success, or set failure at defiance. Of what use is it that your mind has become a vast granary of knowledge, if you have not strength to turn the key ? "
The whole number of school-rooms at the close of the school year, including one rented for the school at the High- lands, was sixty-five. The halls of the Grammar School buildings, which are intended for general exercises, are omitted from this enumeration. Of these rooms ten were unoccupied. Of the ten unoccupied, four were unfinished. In conse- quence of the large number of pupils in attendance, it was found necessary to open a school in the hall of the school- house at Auburndale ; and a similar course was pursued at North Village, and for a similar reason. The hall of the Claflin building was also used for the accommodation of two schools. It is hoped that the necessity that compelled this course in the two latter cases will cease to exist on the com- pletion of the Crafts street school-house, now in process of erection. The hall at Auburndale must be used until new accommodations are furnished.
The primary schools formerly occupying the building on Richardson Street, Newton, have been transferred to the Bigelow School building, leaving the Richardson-street build- ing entirely vacant. I can see no good reason for retaining it any longer, as its proximity to the railroad renders it unsuit- able for school-purposes. If additional accommodations are needed before the erection of the new building, for which an appropriation has already been made, and a lot of land pur- chased, I would recommend the temporary use of the hall of the Bigelow School building.
36
With the exceptions that I have pointed out, I can see no immediate need for additional accommodations for the Primary and Grammar Schools.
In the High School building there were four recitation-rooms, and a large hall capable of seating nearly two hundred pupils. These accommodations are not much in excess of the present wants of the school.
The whole number of sittings in all the school-buildings, a sitting consisting of a separate desk and chair, was two thou- sand nine hundred and nineteen. Of these five hundred and ninety-seven are portable, being placed on platforms, instead of being screwed to the floor. They consist of desks and chairs, which are not wholly modern, to be sure, but which, having been thoroughly repaired, will render good service for years to come. Much of the furniture used in refurnishing the North Village school-house last spring was of this de- scription. The amount of furniture not in use at the present time is hardly sufficient to furnish a single room. The follow- ing table shows the whole number of school houses, rooms, halls, and sittings in each district.
School-houses
Halls.
Occupied School-rooms.
Unoccupied School-rooms.
Sittings.
Newton Centre.
1
1
7
1
351
Upper Falls .
2
1
6
2
295
Lower Falls.
1
1
4
0
162
Auburndale
1
1
4
0
234
West Newton
3
1
9
3
518
Newtonville.
2
1
8
0
526
Newton.
3
1
0
2
511
Oak Hill.
1
0
2
62
Newton Highlands.
0
0
1 (rented.)
0
70
High School.
1
1
0
190
Total .....
15
8
55
10
2919
-
-
Most of the unoccupied rooms are in those districts in which new buildings have been recently crected, and where, consequently, the school accommodations are, for the present, somewhat in excess of the immediate wants of those villages. The districts are so remote from each
37
other, however, that the surplus rooms in one village are not available to supply the wants of another, in which the number of school children has outgrown the accommoda- tions that have been provided. Hence it is necessary to consider the wants of each district separately.
ATTENDANCE.
The average whole number belonging to all the schools during the school year was 2174.2.
The average attendance was 2000.7.
The per cent of attendance was 92.1.
The following table shows the attendance in each i month : -
Average Whole Number.
Average Attendance.
Per cent Attendance.
September.
2148.6
2029.5
94.4
October.
2201.7
2037.6
92.5
November.
2183.1
2009.7
92
December
2170.2
1980
91.2
January.
2174.2
2002
92
February
2147.7
1982.9
92.3
March. .
2125.7
1877.1
88.3
April .
2225.3
2060.7
92.6
May
2207.1
2060.9
93.3
June .
2158.8
1967
91.1
Total ..
2174.2
2000.7
92.1
The following table shows the attendance during each month, and the aggregate attendance during the year, in each district : -
38
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
YEAR. YEAR. YEAR.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
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.