USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1874 > Part 17
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" There is one point concerning the designs to which I would particularly call attention. There is great danger that they may be made too elaborate, and consume too much time to place them in the books. When designs are requested from the pupils, it is expected that a simple drawing be handed in, with the parts arranged according to the true principles of design, and one that can be trans- ferred to the books in one or two lessons at the utmost. If the children choose voluntarily to take home time to make one more elaborate, it is of course creditable, but not required.
" During this year my plan has been to dictate the work to be done in the several grades each month, and send it to each master in writing, and then, by visiting each class once in three weeks, ascertain how the work is being done, and offer any suggestion that seemed necessary.
" The two lowest Primaries are doing nice work upon slates ; and the upper Primaries in books have work that will compare very favorably with that of much higher grades two years ago. The Grammar grades are on more advanced freehand work than that of last year, while design, that was so difficult to produce then, is really pre- ferred now to a freehand copy. The classes in the High School are doing very well, though they are very large.
36
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
In September the drawing of the entire school was placed under my control. The two lower classes are studying perspective and geometrical drawing with designs, and the upper classes model, shading, and design in color. The work is very good, though it is impossible to give much individual instruction in such large classes. The State Exhibition in Drawing, at Horticultural Hall, Boston, last year, stimulated the pupils very much, and certainly as- sisted them a great deal : but, the drawings being gathered in such a hurry, it was not so satisfactory as it might have been with more time. However, we may consider our- selves very fortunate, under the circumstances, with the award given.
" Teachers' lessons have been held weekly, both at Newtonville and Newton Centre, and lessons given alter- . nately in freehand and model drawing ; many new teachers requiring assistance in freehand work, and the older ones needing the instruction in model drawing. Owing to insufficient light after school during the short days, these lessons are now suspended till the days are longer. I think it well to continue these lessons, as the instruction is needed by all, in one or the other of these subjects. A little map-drawing has also been taught in these classes, that the instruction might be uniform in the city. Every- where I have met the generous co-operation of the teachers, and would thank them heartily for their cordial support."
WRITING.
The methods of instruction in this department have been fully set forth in former reports, by our late special teacher in writing, Mr. O. H. Bowler, and need not be further explained at this time. The principal new feature has been the introduction of the Primary Writing Book into the second class throughout the city. It had previously been tried in
37
WRITING.
that grade in a few of the schools as an experiment, and with such success as to lead to its general introduc- tion. It is hoped that classes beginning to write in books so early in their course will be so proficient as to drop the study during their ninth year, which will afford them more time for the important studies of that year.
The results of the teaching during the year have been quite satisfactory. Doubtless the long illness and death of Mr. Bowler has detracted somewhat from the standard which might otherwise have been attained; but the faithfulness and thoroughness of his instructions, to both teachers and pupils, could hardly be better attested than by the steady excel- lence of the schools in this respect, notwithstanding the interruption and loss thus occasioned.
Mr. Bowler's years of service in our schools were of great value. He labored faithfully and well. He loved and thoroughly understood his work, and passed away at last in the midst of his labors, by a somewhat sudden termination of a long and painful illness. He died on the 21st of October, 1874. The schools were dismissed as a mark of respect, and to enable the teachers to attend the funeral; and, at the next regular meeting, the School Board unani- mously adopted the following resolutions, viz. : -
" Resolved, That in the death of Mr. O. H. Bowler, the writing-teacher of the city of Newton, the city has lost a most faithful servant, and a teacher highly successful in his special department, and the community a high-toned gentleman and use- ful citizen.
" Resolved, That we extend to Mrs. Bowler our sincere sym- pathy in this her heavy affliction."
38
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
The free-hand work of the evening classes was last winter in charge of Mr. Frank B. Morse of Boston ; the mechanical drawing was in charge of Mr. Sam- uel J. Brown. These classes were in session once a week, at Newtonville and at Upper Falls. In Newtonville the class numbered forty-six different pupils, with an average attendance of twenty-six. The class at Upper Falls had about the same num- ber, though much younger. In the Newtonville class, several drew from the cast in India ink and crayon; the rest drew from flat copies, in pencil, crayon, and sepia. At Upper Falls the pupils drew only from flat copies. Mr. Morse, in his report on the work of these classes, says that some of the drawings at Newtonville were particularly good ; but some pupils disappointed him in their work, and he accounts for this in several ways. In the first place, the `time - one lesson a week - was not sufficient to hold the interest of the pupils. Again : the pu- pils, almost without exception, over-estimated their ability ; and, as they had attended the school for two winters previous, Mr. Morse was disposed to place too much credit in their own estimation of themselves, which resulted in their being discouraged, and losing much time in attempting work for which they were not fitted. Again, there were certain boys who came simply to make disturbance, as they had done pre- vious winters. Again, in order for the class to be represented at the exhibition in Boston, certain fin- ished drawings must be ready; and, to accomplish
39
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
this work, the elementary and most important work was hurried over. He regards the exhibition as pro- ducing a false competition, tending to secure showy works rather than useful and practical drawings, and developing a sort of forcing process, which, though it may work well with the talented pupils, causes the greater number to fail under it.
The work of the class in mechanical drawing was the copying of finished drawings. Thirty-one of these were completed by the class, and one perspec- tive drawing.
Some of the work in both these classes was re- markable for its artistic character, and was favorably noticed at the exhibition in Boston; several draw- ings receiving marks of excellence, and others honor- able mention. While this was gratifying, it did not compensate for the general lack of progress and want of interest referred to by Mr. Morse.
The class in free-hand drawing is this winter in charge of Miss E. M. Carpenter of Boston, who comes to us highly recommended. The class at Newton Centre is very small, and unless it increases in number it will hardly be worth while to continue it.
The classes in mechanical drawing are doing finely. They are in charge of Mr. D. H. Andrews of Boston, a practical engineer and contractor. The number of names enrolled at Newton Centre is fifty-two ; the greatest attendance has been forty-three, the least attendance twenty-three, average attendance thirty- three. The average age of this class is about twenty- eight years. It includes twenty-eight carpenters, four architects, two engineers, a carriage-maker,
40
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
jeweller, clerk, builder, machinist, pattern-maker, in- surance-agent, &c. The total number of names taken at Newtonville is twenty-eight, the average attend- ance twenty. This class includes six carpenters, three machinists, two draughtsmen, a gas-fitter, panel- maker, brass-finisher, seven scholars, and a few others. Mr. Andrews gives the following as his plan of teaching: After canvassing both schools, neither of them showed advanced pupils enough to warrant grading, and the same system of teaching the whole school in concert was adopted in each place. ' The teacher, standing at the blackboard, draws with his class, giving instruction as the progress of his work demands, enforcing each principle by immediate use. Thus all the instruction is given to each pupil. Such a method necessitates care on the part of the teacher, in measuring the progress of the lesson by the aver- age ability of the class ; but it greatly stimulates the slower, and but slightly retards the more rapid learner.
The lesson began with certain geometrical prob- lems, each containing principles practically applied in all geometrical drawing The use and aim of each was carefully explained by the teacher. Simple forms were then introduced, the plan being to have the form to be drawn always before the class. These objects have been arranged in a progressive series, adapted to instruct in the use of the instruments, and as far as possible in all the processes of thought and labor necessary to produce practical working- drawings.
It is designed that the objects chosen for models shall be progressive throughout the term. The in-
41
EVENING DRAWING SCHOOLS.
terest manifested by most of the pupils in their work points towards good results, which we confidently expect to see accomplished when the term closes. Respectfully submitted,
I. N. TARBOX, BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, ERASTUS BLAKESLEE, JOHN A. GOULD.
42
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF NEWTON.
Gentlemen ; - I herewith submit a report of the schools of Newton for 1874, the thirty fifth annual report, and the first under a city organization. The statistics cover the school year beginning in September 1873, and ending June 26, 1874. The historical part relates to the year 1874 almost exclusively as in my last report was given a general summary of the work to the close of 1873.
The returns of the assessors on the first of May 1874 show that there were at that time 2,763 children of the legal school age in the city, somewhat less than the num- ber (2,780), reported the previous year. The average whole number in the schools, however, in May 1873, was 2,422, with an average attendance of 2,199, or 89 per cent. The average whole number in the schools in May 1874 was 2,544, so that if the number of children of legal school age had diminished, the average whole number belonging had increased by 122.
The average whole number belonging to all the schools during the school year ending June 26, 1874, was 2510.
The average attendance was 2290.
The per cent of attendance was
91.2
The following table shows the attendance during each month : -
Average Whole Number.
Average Attendance.
Per Cent Attendance.
September.
. .
2493
2366.8
94.3
October
2561.1
2352.4
92.8
November
2553.5
2330.1
91.1
December
2528.5
2317.4
92.
January
2472.9
2195.1
88.9
February
2407.5
2158.2
89.
March
2463.5
2251.8
91.6
April
2616.9
2357.5
90.2
May
2544.5
2299.9
90.1
June
2461.3
2271.6
92.7
Total
2510.2
2290
91.2
43
The following table gives the statistics of monthly attendance, and the aggregate attendance, for the school-year ending with June, 1874.
-
SEPTEMBER.
OCTOBER.
NOVEMBER.
DECEMBER ..
JANUARY.
FEBRUARY.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason .
254.7 247.2 40
244.1 233.1 36 71.7
95.8 04.2
265 244
244.7 223.5 38.9 68.6
92 6 94.3 93.5 91
270 239 42 2 71
239.5 211.7 37.7 64.6
89.6 89.1 89.2 91.4
268.4 236.6 15.6 69
243.7 211.1 40.5 61.2
91.1 89 5 SS.S. 89
264.6 236.1 -47 66 6
230.9 212.5 43.2 55.5
90 91.5 85.5
43.7 62.9
52
$6.8 827
Ilyde .
77
District No. 1.
618.9
584.9
93.3
626.4
575.7
92.8
622.2
553.5
89.8
619.6
556.5
89.6
614 3
542.1
88.7
600.7
513.8
5.8
Hamilton
115.1
111.6
96.71
118.4
110.7
113.7
106.1
04.2
114
94.5
110.3
94 6
119.8
112.1
94 2 MHi
District No. 2 ..
306
293.2
96
315.2
200.2
93.5
307.6
280.2
92.3
304.2
279.2
92.5
308.6
281.8
92.4
291.9
2225.6
92.1
Pierce .
162.2
96.1
164.7
157 188.9 55.3 136.1
95.4 94.2 88.9 93.8
164.7 218.2 66.5 151.5
157 201.9 59.2 139.1
165.5 207.5 25.7 148.1
159.2 191.6 68 136.5
92.3 90.3 92.5
72.7 145.8
1228.5
&8.1
155.4 1833 9 63 7 143.7
57 130
90.7
District No. 3 ..
580.3
519.7
94
594.6
537.3
93
600.9
557.2
92.3
596.8
555.3
92.8
553
494.5
549.7
505.1
91.4
Bigelow ..
376.2
360.1
95.7
389.5 227.8 82.2
365.5 202.8 76.3
399.2 227.3 77.5
372.2 202.4
93.4.
395.9 219.3 72.2
362.3 194.8 68.4
01.5 88.7 94.9
263 215.4 72.1 132.2
239 182.1 61.8 108.9
90.8 84.4
260.4 196,8
124 2
>8.2
Lincoln. ...
83.2
79.7
Underwood.
82.6
67 6 133.9
112.4
~4.1
District No. 4 ..
675.7
640.9
93.6
699.5
644.6
92
704
615.7
01.4
687.4
625.5
91.7
682.7
591.8
86
586
85.5
Training.
113
103.2
91.4
123 4
$9 .- 1|
1:20
102.8
85.3
117.9
105.2
89.5
115
97.6
111.8
93 8
83 5
High .. ...
199.1
194 9
97.8
201
96.44.
198.8
190.7
95.9 202.6
195.2
96.3
199.3
187.3
93.8
194.7
150.9
92.9
Total.
2493
2366.8
94.3 2561.1
2352.4
92.8.2553.5
2330.1
91.1 2528.5 |2317.4
92
12472.9 2195.1
88.9 2407.5
2155 2
90.1
Adams.
140.1
133
95.1
1-15.6
180.5
193.9
174.1
90.4
190.2
90.6
171.5
90.3
122.1
163.5
Williams.
190.9
181.0
95.3
196 8
222.1
166.3
90.3
Franklin
66 2
59.1
89.7
62.2
93.9
239.9
92 8
Jackson ..
216.3
201.1
89.2 95.9
88.9 93.2
71.1
92
94.8 92.5
96.1
161.1
148.6 153 4
92 88.6
154.8
Davis ....
211.8
155.7 201.9
95.4
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
263.8 230.3
24.6 199.4
85.8
Prospect.
Oak Hill.
89.7 93.7
41.7
75.7
94.6 92.4
89.6 92.3
108.2 171
117.6 191
173.4
..
60.2
110.6 194
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
SCHOOLS.
Whole No.
The following table gives the statistics of monthly attendance, and the aggregate attendance, for the school-year ending with June, 1874.
MARCH.
APRIL.
MAY.
JUNE.
YEAR.
YEAR.
YEAR.
Average
Whole No.
Average
Attendance.
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Per cent Attendance.
Average
Average
Per cent
Average
Average
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Average
Per cent
Attendance.
Mason ....
267.8 228.4
234 7 208.6
88.3
291.7 244 3 44.7 68
258.1 224.1 40.6 58 3
90.2 91 9 91 87.3
263.8 241.6 41 2 60.4
238.7 217.4
86.6 90.3 85.5 92.8
258.7 231.2 42.2 59
231.9 218.4 39.2 53.9
90.5 94.5
266.8 237.8
215.9
91.2
Oak Hill
43.7
40.5 57.9
92.1
59.9
89.9
District No. 1.
603.6
541.7
91.1
648.7
581.1
00.1
607
546.5
88.8
590.1
543.4
92.9
615
553.7
90.2
Hamilton. .
119.7
113 3
04.6
128.2
122 3
95.9
126.6
120
94.4
124 2
118.9
95.8
119.7
113.3
94.9
Williams.
180
163.3
)1
179.4
161.3
90.4
178.1
164.5
92.1
162.8
153.4
04.3
183.5
168.4
91.6
District No. 2.
299.7
276.6
92.8
307.6
283.6
93.1
304.7
284.5
93.2
287
272.3
05
303.2
281.7
93.2
Pierce ..
166.9
158.4
94.7
160.7
151.2
94 91.2
148.9 221.6 82.8 152.4
74.8 140.3
89.2 92.5
149.6
93.6
147.5
135.3
91.9
District No. 3.
571.7
532.9
92.9
608.5
555.1
91.4
605.7
559.5
91.9
595.6
553.2
92.3
585.5
540.2
92
Bigelow
258.6
240.7
93.1
257.3
237.2
92.8
250.3
90.3
210.1
219 7
91.5
286.1
92.5
Jackson.
212.5
192.8
90.6
254 5
224.6
88 '246.9
85
239.3
216.4
90.1
200.1
88 2
Lincoln ...
71.7
66.2
92.7
69
62.6 132.9
90.9 85.1
68.1 153.4
134.7
86.2
130.1
90.9 88
142.9
123.4
86
District No. 4.
677.5
621.4
91.7
737.7
657.3
89.2
718.7
630.3
87
694.6
628.6
90.1
693.6
627.3
90.4
Training . ..
111.2
98.6
88.4
124.5
107.4
86.6
124
108.8
87.9
117
90 7
117.7
103.4
87 7
High. . ..
199 8
180 6
92.7
189.9
173
91.1
184.4
170.3
92.3
177
94 9
194.6
183.4
94.4
Total
2463.5
2251.8
91.6 2616.9
2357.5
90.2 2544.5
2299.9
90.1|2461.3
2271.6
92.7
2510
2290
91.2
41
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
73.2
66.7
91.2
Underwood .
134 7
121.7
90 4
156.9
63 138.8
90.8 89.7
140 204.4
93.9
143.9
135.4
94.1
159.7
151.7
94.5
Davis. . .. .
193 9
180.4
92.9
216.2
197.7
92.3
212.9
197.7
92.9
206.1
188.4
92.2
Franklin .
68
62.9
92.8
75.7
64.8
89.4
Adams ..
142.9
131.2
91.2
155.9
92.7
43.2
38.9
90.1
Hyde ..
63.7
93.8
67.2
Attendance.
239
89.8
Prospect.
91.4
Attendance.
Whole No.
Whole No.
Attendance.
Attendance.
Whole No.
Per cent
Average
106.1 168
68.8 146.4
62 4
59.1
86.7
89.2
80.5 139 6
88.9
72.2
30.9 225.6
226 210.5
SCHOOLS.
93.1
55.4
45
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The following table shows the number of school-houses, halls, school rooms and sittings in each district.
School Houses.
Halls.
Occupied Unoccupied Schoolrooms. Schoolrooms.
Sittings.
District No. 1.
Newton Centre. . .
1
1
8
0
386
Newton Highlands. . .
1
1
2
0
90
Oak IIill
1
0
2
0
55
Upper Falls
2
1
6
2
282
District No. 2.
Lower Falls
1
1
4
0
199
Auburndale
1
0
6
0
238
District No. 3.
West Newton.
3
1
12
0
612
Newtonville*
3
1
14
2
650
District No. 4.
Newton ...
3
1
12
2
609
High School
1
1
0
0
25
Total
17
8
66
6
3,376
It will be seen from a comparison of the above table with that of last year, that several rooms then reported unoccu- pied are now in use. As the second stories of the Oak Hill and Hyde School have never been finished, they are not reported as unoccupied rooms. Two rooms in the primary building of the Prospect. School are not occupied. The only room not used last year at the Williams School, has been taken, not because of an increase in numbers, but to secure better grading. At West Newton the upper part of the Franklin School has been finished and occupied dur- ing the year. Two rooms in the Claflin building, required by the Training School, are not now in use. The hall of the Jackson School has been divided by a partition, and the entire building is now nearly full. At Newton, there is an unoccupied room at the Bigelow School, and one at
* Including Jackson School.
46
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the Underwood ; four new rooms having been provided in the latter building, to which the primary scholars from the Bigelow School were transferred.
From the above it is evident, that it was the part of wisdom to erect buildings larger than immediate exigen- cies required. With the rapid growth of the city, still more accommodation will soon be required. I hope that the Hyde School if not completed during the coming year, will at least receive a little external ornamentation, the want of which makes it as conspicuous for its plainness, as our other buildings are for their beauty. Its grounds, too, need grading, and some shrubbery and trees around it would be quite as attractive, as about the other schools of the city.
The improvements made in the Hamilton and Williams Schools, during the year, have given their rooms a remarka- bly cheerful and homelike appearance.
At West Newton there will soon be need of increased accommodations. The Pierce schoolhouse, although a large building, contains only four schoolrooms. The Davis and Franklin Schools, both of which are nearly full, annually pour into the Pierce School their fifth classes, which are there combined into a very large sixth class. Within a year, I think it will be necessary to enlarge this building, and I hope it may be so arranged as to admit the sunlight into the new rooms, instead of into its halls and dressing rooms. The enlargement of this building by four more rooms, will secure better grading and consequently more efficient work. To build another grammar school in this vicinity, would prevent that good grading, which, with the increase in population, becomes more possible. One of the chief advantages enjoyed by Boston and other large cities, is the concentration of children, which allows better classification, and consequently the assignment of larger classes to a teacher.
When schools are small, there must be considerable dis- parity in the attainments of members of the same class.
-
47
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
The increase at North Village will soon 'call for another school-house. If the right situation can be secured, the new building will not only relieve the Jackson School, but will take so many from the Lincoln School, that its few scholars remaining can be assigned to the other schools in the neighborhood. This will save the expense of main- taining the latter school, which is now so small that it seems hardly right to continue it.
Whenever it becomes necessary to build, 1 trust that notwithstanding the apparent extravagance of the course, buildings will be erected larger than are needed immedi- ately, to meet the necessities which the near future well bring.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The most pressing need, as you are well aware, is en- larged accommodation for the High School. More than a year ago, the school had outgrown the building, and the Principal has labored under difficulties, which one not familiar with the management of such a school would not realize.
The present building is by no means on a par with our grammar schools, in its adaptation to the needs of such a school. It is not only too small, but its rooms are not suf- ficiently varied, and are not suited to its needs. It has neither laboratory nor library. If we would have provis- ion for secondary instruction, commensurate with that of other cities of equal wealth and appreciation of popular education, something must be done without delay.
This is already understood and appreciated, and has been well set forth in the annual address of the Mayor, but there is a wide difference of opinion as to the best method of meeting this necessity. Some advocate a second high school on the south side of the city ; some, one new build- ing for the whole city, while others would provide in our
48
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
grammar school's for the English studies of the first year of the High School course, reducing the latter course to three years, thereby diminishing the number in attendance, and obviating the necessity of any additional expense.
At present, only thirty six scholars from the south side of the city attend the High School. Without doubt more than that number would attend a school established on the line of rail-road running through Wards 5 and 6, still it would increase the cost per pupil from $74 to $146 per annum, for those attending the new school.
The salaries of teachers at the High School amount at present to $10,150. Allowing that there are two hundred and thirty pupils in attendance, the cost per scholar for tui- tion alone is $44. Allowing fifty scholars for whom transpor- tation must be provided, and an appropriation of $1,500 a year for transportation, we must add $30 to the $44, for each scholar from Wards 5 and 6, making $74 each. To do the work as well as it is done at our present school, would require $7,300 a year for salaries, or $146 per year for each scholar. To this must be added the cost for janitor, fuel, instruction in music and drawing, with all the outlay for such books and apparatus as are already in the High School. All this out- lay would not obviate the necessity of increased accommo- dations at Newtonville.
The plan of supplementing the present grammar school course, with the English studies of the first year at the High School would in my opinion weaken the latter, and cripple the grammar schools. These studies are English language, botany, natural philosophy, music and drawing, required, with one or more of the following elective stud- ies, Latin, French, algebra, zoology and mineralogy.
Suitable instruction in such branches would require the whole of a master's time, allowing him no opportunity to attend to the work of the present classes. The strength which now goes to these classes, would be withdrawn from them, and our grammar schools crippled to that extent.
Not one of our grammar schools is furnished with the
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
apparatus required by the above subjects. In our High School are accomplished teachers, who have made these subjects a specialty for years. They are prepared to teach them thoroughly and well. It seems reasonable that they should have the training of their scholars in studies, the appreciation of which will exert so powerful an influ- ence upon their subsequent course.
The time has not yet come for erecting one grand build- ing, such as the city will need in coming years.
The plan which seems to me most feasible, and best adapted to our wants, is the proposed enlargement of our present house, by building upon its front, whereby its capacity can be doubled, at an expense of about $25,000. This will give ample room for several years. In carrying out the details of the work, provision can easily be made for a laboratory, library for the consultation of reference books, assembly hall, and other accommodations which now are wanting. By liberal provision for transportation, this building can be made easily accessible from any part of the city.
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