USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877 > Part 18
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" I have rarely found, in this last year's work, that
37
HIGH SCHOOL.
a scholar, after reading a paragraph in French, could tell what he had read, without going back to translate; much less have they been able to understand what I have read to them, without careful attention to each word and phrase. I feel sure, that, if the right direc- tion were given from the first, these results would be in the line of accomplishment before the end of the course.
" I therefore recommend that text-books be used which shall facilitate the teacher's labor in attaining these ends, and at the same time stimulate the schol- ars to new work and interest in this department.
" I favor Rutel's Grammar as a regular text-book ; while, for the teacher's desk, Dr. Sauveur's 'Petites Causeries,' and 'Causeries avec mes Élèves,' would be very useful in exercises of conversational French. For the second year, 'Télémaque' would be suited to the capacity of the classes; and, in the third, Magill's 'French Prose and Poetry' might be used, if no other work were preferred. Useful suggestions in refer- ence to work suited particularly to the mercantile course, both in French and German, are in my mind ; but, if the reform begins in the regular course, it will, in time, extend to the other courses.
" The course in German falls into the work of the last two years. The work of the first year is in Otto's Grammar, and Campbell's 'History of the United States,' translated by Fischer. In the last year the scholars continue the history for a while, and then read Schiller's ' Mary Stuart.'
" I would recommend that the work of the last year be a little more elective in character as respects the teacher, so +~+ it might be varied from year to year.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Scholars of any graduating class might like to return to school to continue their reading in German, pro- vided the next class should read something new to them (the graduates).
"I would suggest that either 'Undine,' 'Mary Stuart,' or ' William Tell,' might be chosen to follow the German history."
Some of these suggestions we have already acted upon by change of text-books. Some other changes are still pending before the Board, which it seems desirable to make.
The new teacher, Mr. Lindsay, who is entirely competent for any work in this direction, has charge of the beginning class in German since the year has opened. Otherwise the same teachers are in charge as during last year.
J. E. LATIMER.
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HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOL.
FOUR-YEARS' COURSE.
E. VIRGINIA BARNEY.
LIZZIE S. TOURJÉE.
N. GERTRUDE BEAN.
ADDIE P. TUTTLE.
EVELINE F. CROSBY.
M. ALICE WARREN. MARGARET C. WORCESTER.
SARAH L. DIX.
LAURA E. DYER.
HERBERT D. ALLEN.
MINNIE C. ELLENWOOD.
JENNIE G. HILL.
CARRIE M. KIDDER.
MAGGIE MARTIN.
NETTIE F. MOSHER.
ABBIE M. NICKERSON.
WILLIAM C. LANE.
JULIETTE V. RICHARDS.
CARRIE L. RING.
CLINTON H. LORD. FRED. J. PARSONS.
ELLA M. SPEARE.
CHARLES M. VAN BUREN.
HELEN S. TOLMAN.
GRACE TOMPSON.
CHARLES A. BROWN.
DENIS BUCKLEY.
MARION F. HOLBROOK.
LEWIS P. EVERETT.
MARY A. LEONARD.
FREDERIC B. GORDON.
EUGENIA MCARDLE. CHARLES F. HALL.
GRACE L. ROBERTSON.
FREDERIC A. KENDALL.
CAROLINE E. TOLMAN.
CHARLES H. REED.
EDWARD BAGLEY.
CHARLES L. BIRD.
JOHN K. TAYLOR. GEORGE A. WARD.
ELIJAH A. WOOD.
HAROLD VAN DUZEE. WILLIAM L. WORCESTER.
THREE-YEARS' COURSE.
HATTIE W. CHAFFIN. LIZZIE COLDWELL.
H. L. BEVERIDGE. WILLIAM H. COOLIDGE.
HERBERT N. CURTIS. J. NORTON JOHNSON. WILLIAM A. LAMSON.
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
NEWTON-CENTRE DISTRICT.
MASON SCHOOL.
A GOOD year's work has been done in the Mason School. Earnest endeavor has characterized the teachers as a body. They have labored to impart thorough instruction, and maintain wholesome disci- pline. The harmony existing between them, and the kindly feeling manifested towards each other, have aided not a little to render their labors agreeable, and their success sure. These results have been the more gratifying, since, from a variety of causes, an unusual number of changes have taken place in their number during the year.
The number of failures in promotion at the begin- ning of the year was unexpectedly large. This was especially true in the fourth, fifth, and sixth classes. Various causes tended to this result, some of which the teachers were powerless to prevent ; the parents and pupils themselves being responsible for irregular attendance. This condition of these classes rendered the duties of the teachers more arduous than usual. But we are happy to say that their efforts to secure a higher grade of scholarship have been attended with a good degree of success, particularly so in the fifth and sixth classes. The fourth class did not so
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
promptly rally; yet the latter part of the year showed marked improvement there.
The irregularity of attendance on the part of a portion of the pupils has proved a serious hindrance to their progress. With the younger scholars this seems to be unavoidable. Many of them come from remote portions of the district. The severity of our climate forbids the exposure caused by sending very young children so great a distance in all kinds of weather. This is their misfortune, to be borne until such time as it shall seem proper to establish schools nearer their homes.
We close our Report with the assurance of com- mendable progress made during the past year, and with the expectation of better results in the year to come.
JAMES S. NEWELL, Chairman.
OAK-HILL SCHOOL.
The Oak-hill School has been small during the year, twenty-three names only appearing on its regis- ter, and a part even of these having been inconstant in attendance. These twenty-three pupils have been of all grades, ranging from children ignorant of the alphabet up to those who were expecting to enter the high school at the close of the year. This has been an obvious and great disadvantage. The ability and faithfulness of the teacher are unquestioned, and have been demonstrated throughout the term. The discipline has been good, and the order and diligence of the school most commendable ; while yet the prog-
!
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
ress of the pupils in their studies has not been equal to that secured in schools more favorably organ- ized. Twenty-three pupils of eight different grades, and each grade to be taught the many different topics required by our present system, is too much for any teacher, and must be regarded as a task next to impossible of achievement. This, however, may be one of that class of evils for which there is no pres- ent remedy, and which must therefore be endured until the increase of population in the neighborhood shall bring the natural corrective.
AMOS E. LAWRENCE.
UPPER-FALLS DISTRICT.
PROSPECT SCHOOL.
THERE have been but two breaks in the work of this corps of teachers during the year to endanger the success of any of the classes, - one early in Feb- ruary, caused by the very severe sickness of Miss M. M. Miller, teacher of the sixth and seventh classes, which obliged her to leave her school for the balance of the year; the other caused by the resignation of Miss Lizzie W. Everett, teacher of the primary, at the spring vacation, to accept a position offered her in a school in Boston. These vacancies were very satis- factorily filled ; the first by Miss Maud Mc Williams, the latter by Miss Emma L. Bullard, both of whom had had valuable experience and marked success in teaching before coming to Newton.
After the close of the school-year, Miss Mary P. Guilford resigned her position as teacher. The fidelity with which she has labored for five years, and her success, entitle her to very favorable mention. We trust that the new position which she now occu- pies in our community will be as much honored by her as the one she left.
This vacancy was filled by Miss Emma Taylor.
The result of the year's work at its close was satis-
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
factory. The pupils of all the classes were promoted, with but a few exceptions ; in these instances it was apparent that it was for their benefit to remain in the same class another year: while quite a number re- ceived double promotions.
I would like to say much in favor of all the teach- ers individually who have taught in this school the past year, but it is unnecessary ; and, as nearly all of them will continue with their classes, - with a wise supervision and direction given, which will seek to economize their strength and vitality, that it may be applied where it will be the most effective, - there is no reason to fear that the coming year will not be even more profitable and progressive than the last.
J. A. GOULD.
HYDE SCHOOL.
The last school-year at the Hyde School has been a reasonably prosperous one. Miss Lizzie L. Smith, who, at the beginning of the year, was put in charge of the fourth and fifth classes, has proved an earnest worker, and succeeded in restoring the school to a good position in comparison with other schools of the same grade. The unfortunate circumstances of the previous year, to which allusion was made in the last Report, left the fifth class a long way behind. By diligent hard work the lost ground was recovered, and several of the class were promoted with good standing. Others might have been promoted, had not their parents preferred that they should not be pressed, but remain another year in the fifth class. One reason of this preference on the part of parents
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
is, that promotion requires the pupils to go to the Mason School, there being no sixth class at the Hyde School. Parents do not like to send young children so far from home. The prospect now is, that, at the opening of another school-year, another room in the Hyde School will be required by the number of pupils ; and one, perhaps two, higher classes may be formed. The fourth class, which Miss Smith received well prepared from the lower room, made satisfactory progress, and, with one or two exceptions, was pro- moted with a good record. Soon after the opening of the school in September, Miss Smith resigned, to take a position in the corps of instructors in the Girls' High School in Boston. The vacancy thus created has been filled by the appointment of Miss Cevilla B. Richardson of West Medway, a graduate of the Girls' High School in Boston, who has had four years' successful experience in teaching, and of whose ef- ficiency in this position high hopes are entertained.
Miss Alotta E. Stearns remains in charge of the other room, in which are the three primary classes. With the opening of the summer term her room was uncomfortably full, on account of the new pupils who came in. As a measure of relief, in view of what might be expected at the beginning of the school- year, a number of the older ' pupils in the second class were, by a special effort, carried in three months over the work of the third year, and were promoted with the third class into the next room. Thus it happened, that, during the summer term, there were virtually four classes, and nearly sixty pupils, under the care of this teacher. It was well that as large a number as possible were promoted; for there are
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
now in the room sixty pupils. The teaching of these three large classes is a severe tax upon the teacher's energy.
WALTER ALLEN.
AUBURNDALE AND LOWER-FALLS DISTRICT.
HAMILTON SCHOOL.
IN the master's room are forty-three pupils, com- posing classes six, eight, and nine. These classes are well prepared for the work of the year, excepting about four in the eighth, who are an appendage to this class, as there is no seventh class for them to enter.
Miss Swain has the fourth and fifth classes, which are in good condition, and number thirty-two.
Miss Kimball takes the place of Miss Pratt, who did so good work last year; and the Committee desire to commend the work of the third class in penmanship with great emphasis. The new incum- bent has the first, second, and third classes in charge ; appears well prepared for her work, and full of enthusiasm in her labor of teaching. In fact, all the rooms are well organized ; and the master is sanguine that the work for the current year will be the best.
WILLIAMS SCHOOL.
The general condition of this school is healthful ; never more so than during the past year. The whole number in attendance is about two hundred and
1
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
twenty-five. If the school shall continue on the line of its initial procedure, better work will be done than ever before. The master, Mr. Leland, speaks in the most hopeful terms of school and teachers, as approximating his cherished ideal. Some changes have been made since the last Report, on account of resignations, and for other reasons ; so that two new teachers, Miss Pinnock. and Miss Copeland, are on the list. Miss Pinnock is now head assistant, and has in her room classes eight and nine. Miss Bunker, the head assistant of last year, now takes charge of classes six and seven. Miss Tenney teaches class number five. Miss Copeland is charged with classes three and four; while Miss Smith continues in charge of classes one and two.
This may not be the appropriate place, nor yet the fitting time, to make a suggestion of need, and to ask for an appropriation from the Board. Still, as it is a matter of general concern, and will commend itself to the Committee, I venture to second a suggestion of Mr. Leland himself.
I visited recently his class in physics in the Wil- liams School, and was delighted to see the interest manifested in the general subject, and the readiness with which the pupils made the experiments which the simple apparatus improvised by the master en- abled them to do. Mr. Leland suggested that an appropriation of ten or fifteen dollars, at least, ought to be made to each school, with which to obtain such simple apparatus for illustration of natural philoso- phy as could thus be bought.
I think we shall all see the wisdom of the hint,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and consider at least if it be not feasible to author- ize the appropriation of so small a sum to the schools, which will add so much to the interest and the profit of the pupils of our city.
J. E. LATIMER, Chairman of Com.
WEST-NEWTON DISTRICT.
PEIRCE, DAVIS, AND FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
THE classes in each school have been frequently visited, and personally and critically examined, by members of the District Committee ; and while it is unnecessary, for the purposes of this Report, to speak in detail, or to particularize individual classes and teachers, it may suffice to say that the average attain- ment shown, both in written and oral tests, has been exceptionally progressive. A pleasing evidence of this fact appears in the unusually high average attained by the graduating members, who, during their course of study, performed a very large amount of diligent work outside of their prescribed books.
True, failures have occurred, and opportunities for improvement have been developed ; yet, with compara- tively few exceptions, the work of the year has been in most of its branches a manifest success, creditable alike to teachers and classes. Of the former it is but just to add, that their faithfulness in the maintenance of a wise and efficient discipline, and in the adminis- tration of an effective educational régime, have suc- cessfully contributed to the development of that independence and self-reliance so essential to vigorous thought and mature cultivation. In the progress of
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the latter, the Committee have been pleased to recog- nize commendable eagerness to master the studies pursued, and to secure high percentages, both as an end, and as proof of their fidelity in performing the work laid out for them by the School Board.
Among other occurrences of local interest and importance transpiring within the year, some of our most valued and successful teachers have voluntarily sought other fields of labor ; but their places have been so well filled, that unfavorable results have been happily avoided. In a few instances, also, pupils laboring under various disabilities, and detained thereby for two years or more in the same classes, have been promoted, under proper conditions, very much to their own advantage and that of the classes with which they were connected ; thus becoming the recipients of more promising hope and ambition. The suggestion often made, that parents should mani- fest greater interest in the education of their children, is still as pertinent as ever ; and, although the year has manifestly witnessed some improvement in this respect, it should be remembered, that, from this source, the latter derive one of their strongest incen- tives to effort, while teachers themselves are en- couraged and strengthened by the mutual interest and co-operation thus inspired.
The exercises attending the distribution of diplo- mas to the graduating classes of the Claflin School of the Newtonville District, and of the Peirce School of the West-Newton District, formed a very pleasant conclusion of the school-year. Both classes, with their friends and others interested in educational work, assembled for this purpose in the City Hall,
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
which was filled to nearly its utmost capacity. The admirable essays from members of the graduating classes, interspersed with musical and other entertain- ment, and closing with the distribution of diplomas, formed a very welcome and enjoyable programme to the large audience in attendance. It is believed that the future repetition of such gatherings will prove equally pleasant and profitable.
JULIUS L. CLARKE, Chairman District Committee.
1
NEWTONVILLE DISTRICTS.
ADAMS AND JACKSON SCHOOLS.
YOUR Committee would report that the Adams School is in a very favorable condition. For that portion of the year during which this school has been under our observation good order has been main- tained, the teachers have shown themselves efficient, the pupils have made commendable progress, and both teachers and pupils seem to have worked to- gether harmoniously.
While we find much that is worthy of commenda- tion, both in the management of the school and the progress made by the scholars, we cannot fail to no- tice that the teachers seem to be laboring too much to secure a certain percentage in the system of marking, upon which depends the promotion of pupils from one class to another. Were it a fact that all, or even a majority, of the scholars in our public schools, expect to enter the high school, this might be well; but, as only about twenty-five per cent of the number ever advance thus far before leaving school entirely, it would seem to be clearly the prov- ince of the grammar-schools to give to the pupils that kind of training which will make of them intelligent and thinking men and women. The grammar-schools
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
are the educators of the masses, and should not be made subordinate to any other. The results attained by any teacher are to be estimated rather by the number of self-reliant thinkers developed than by the numbers which are fitted to pass to the next higher class.
At the Jackson School there are many adverse influences at work outside of the schoolroom, which tend to counteract, in no small degree, the efforts of the teachers. Truancy prevails to a greater extent than in any other school in the district. This, we think, may be remedied by more decided action on the part of teachers, aided, as it can be, by an efficient truant-officer. But, for irregular attendance on the part of pupils in the higher classes, there does not seem to be the same remedy ; the parents assigning as a reason their inability to keep them in school longer. We know of nothing more disheartening to a teacher than to have the pupils of the more ad- vanced classes dropping off one by one towards the close of the term. This prevails to a great extent in this school, and demands our earnest consideration.
The teachers in this school are zealous, hard work- ers, and though not meeting with the success which their efforts deserve, owing to the causes just enu- merated, are yet doing a good work, and deserve our commendation.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
H. O. MARTIN, For the Committee.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CLAFLIN SCHOOL.
The first and second classes of this school are in charge of Miss Lizzie Flint. The whole number attending during the past year is sixty; present at the examination, forty-six.
The exercises were reading, spelling, and music, and were executed admirably, considering the extreme youth of the pupils. In reading, the emphasis and inflections were excellent. I commend the teacher and her school highly.
The third and fourth classes are in charge of Miss Mary R. Ware, and were examined in reading, spelling, writing, geography, arithmetic, language, drawing, and music. The scholars appeared very well in writing, language, drawing, and music, but not so well in reading and spelling as my expe- rience just previously in the first and second classes led me to expect; and several were somewhat de- ficient in geography and arithmetic. The order of the school, and the manifest interest and attention, were commendable.
The fifth class, in charge of Miss Louisa W. Stearns, consists of twenty-eight pupils, of whom twenty-seven were present. The examination showed that the pupils had made satisfactory progress in read- ing, language, and " The Book of Nature." Their work in spelling, writing, arithmetic, drawing, and music, was less satisfactory ; and several were quite deficient in geography.
The sixth class, in charge of Miss Lilla O. Wilder, had twenty-six present out of thirty-five, the total
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
number. In reading, spelling, writing, language, and music, their proficiency was evident and satisfactory ; in arithmetic and drawing less so, and in geography still less.
The seventh class, in charge of Miss Adelaide Reed, has twenty-six on its roll, of whom twenty-four were present. Their examination was satisfactory in reading, writing, language, and music, but not entirely so in spelling, arithmetic, geography, and drawing.
The interest manifested by pupils and teachers in their work was very plain, and the order in all the rooms was excellent.
It will be observed, that in most of the schools, whilst the attainments of the pupils in some of the studies were satisfactory, in others - and more par- ticularly in geography and arithmetic - they were deficient. As a considerable number of the young people of our city have, perhaps, neither inclina- tion nor opportunity to continue their studies, but close their school education in schools of this grade, it would seem to be very important that more time and more thorough instruction should be given to the pupils in these studies than has been given here- tofore, if the acquirements of the different classes may be fairly judged of by the results of this exami- nation.
H. S. NOYES.
NEWTON DISTRICT.
As to the present condition of the schools in this district, your Committee have nothing but an encour- aging report to offer. It is not thought necessary that any changes should be made in the corps of teachers. The vacancy in the Bigelow School, made by the resignation of Mrs. Abrams, has been very well filled by the appointment of Miss Gage. The superintendent thinks it not advisable, at present, to fill the lower fourth room in the Underwood School, as recommended by Mr Shinn.
So much for the present condition of the district.
As to the examinations, they submit but a brief report. The schools in the district were assigned to different members of the Committee, - the Lincoln School to Mr. Hardon, the Underwood School to Mr. Shinn, the Bigelow School to Dr. Stone.
Mr. Hardon submits no formal report in writing, but says that every thing was in a satisfactory state in the Lincoln School. The Report of Mr. Shinn is here inserted.
UNDERWOOD SCHOOL.
The undersigned respectfully reports, that, prior to the close of the Underwood School, he made an
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
examination of the three classes taught there, and found, in the main, a gratifying condition of progress and of thoroughness.
He was particularly pleased with the first class, under the charge of Miss Littlefield, whose happy faculty of adaptation to the necessities of beginners made the commencement of school-work very attrac- tive to them.
It is suggested that there might profitably be intro- duced into this class some more of the leading fea- tures of the kindergarten system, and that the teacher might be allowed fuller discretionary power to vary the exercises, and to dismiss the pupils when they show signs of weariness. For children so young as the members of that class, school-duties should be made as pleasant and as light as possible.
The second class, under Miss Wood, was found to be entirely too large, numbering about sixty. It is a matter of great doubt if any teacher can give the proper care to so many in one room.
It is certain that the conditions of health and comfort cannot be secured when the room is thus overcrowded.
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