USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877 > Part 19
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It would be a wise economy to employ one more teacher, and thus relieve Miss Wood, while securing better care of the pupils.
While not disparaging the abilities of any teacher now employed, the Committee may well consider whether it would not be wise, in engaging another teacher, to find one of mature age, and special apti- tude for the care of very little children.
There are those of peculiarly motherly instincts, who develop a particular facility for the manage- ment of the very young ; and such should be secured.
62
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The third class, Miss Cleary's, seemed well pre- pared in all the studies taken up, and, it is thought, will be found to be well grounded for the work to be pursued in the grammar-school.
The importance of our primary work can hardly be over-estimated ; for it is found, that unless instruc- tion at the beginning be thorough, and the studies made attractive, there is readily acquired a distaste for school-life which makes further progress difficult.
It is suggested that oral instruction might profit- ably be more freely employed than now; but it is well-nigh impossible, with the large classes now in the several rooms, to give much attention to the matter.
Taking all things into consideration, we may well congratulate ourselves upon the present condition of the Underwood School, while it is very evident that improvement is still possible.
G. W. SHINN, Examiner.
BIGELOW SCHOOL.
The Bigelow School was assigned to the chairman. He found the tone of the school generally satisfactory. The spirit of the pupils was good, the discipline ex- cellent, and the teachers interested in their work.
It was evident, however, in some of the classes, that they had been confined too closely to the text-book. They were at a loss when taken up on any subject out of its regular order: they had not thought the thing out for themselves. This is, of course, a fault not confined to any one class or school.
63
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
Reading in all the classes was unsatisfactory. Much more attention should be paid to this impor- tant study.
To arithmetic, also, more time should be given. It should be borne in mind that the majority of the pupils get all the knowledge of arithmetic which they have in the grammar-schools. How important, then, that they should be carefully and thoroughly taught this most important study here in the gram- mar-school !
Indeed, it would be well to recognize the fact, that our schools do not do justice to those who have to leave school at fourteen years of age, or thereabouts. Our system only contemplates the high school or college as the end of an education, and each step is made to conform to this theory. It might be a wise thing to provide such a course as would give those who leave school so early in life a more suitable education ; more time being taken with the three " R's," that used to be considered the essential part of common-school instruction.
Your Committee, in conclusion, would suggest that much better results and a more satisfactory state of things in all the schools will probably be found to exist when the masters of the several schools are freed from the supervision of the lower schools, and can give all their time and strength to their ninth class.
L. R. STONE,
For the Committee.
DRAWING.
DRAWING.
THE drawing of the public schools for the school- year 1876-77 presents no new feature of interest. To hold to the programme of several years ago, enlarge its borders with caution, if at all, and not permit an undue proportion of time given to this work to alarm the most conservative, has been the policy of this Board. To come to a higher grade of instructive power has been the ambition of quite a fraction of the teachers. Aiding to this end, a short series of lessons on two sides of the city has been given, - part at the High School, and part at the Mason School. These lessons were by Mrs. Bowler, and were attended by a majority of the teachers near at hand, who had not passed any of the Committee's examinations. A portion of the results has been, that several of the teachers without certificates passed in one or more branches at the June examination, and others added one or two to the departments in which they had passed. The total results, to this time, of all these examinations, now held for three seasons, accompany this Report. That it will be desirable for future reference to publish this Report, as amended after June next, is the opinion of this Committee.
Whether the lessons to those not already passed
68
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
shall hereafter be rendered nearly obligatory, - spe- cial cases only being excepted, - is a question for the Board.
The success of the schools, from the lowest primary onwards, has not greatly varied from that of the pre- vious year. In cases where some new light had come to the teacher, we think we see a gain, either in the quality of the work that the children could execute, or in the quantity and pleasure of the exe- cution. This truth is not confined to a particular grade. It is quite noticeable in the lessons in model- drawing. Here the teacher is immensely re-enforced by the perspective knowledge ; and the lessons are in some cases of great interest. Thus, in a more advanced stage than the drawing of flat copy, we see the advantage of this carly art-training. We heartily wish that all the teachers had the desirable qualifica- tion in this regard, and expect a number to be added to the list at the next examination, while those already passed are marching on to new qualifica- tions.
The character of the work in the High School has not fallen away. Here also, for at least two or three years to come, we shall look for yet higher fruit. This will be accomplished by easy growth. Our energetic teacher sees possibilities within the range of those naturally most gifted in this direction, that are to become realities, and all this according to the well- matured system of the normal art-method and order.
To achieve this without waste labor, she is now under a systematic course of more advanced training ; and her place is temporarily supplied by Mr. A. Hun Berry, an accomplished pupil from the Art School,
DRAWING. 69
and a skilful teacher. Under him we look for a year of very successful work.
Respectfully submitted.
H. C. HARDON. E. W. WOOD. HI. S. NOYES.
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING.
The Committee on Industrial Drawing beg leave to make the following Report : -
In mechanical and architectural drawing there were given twenty lessons at Newtonville, commencing Oct. 24, and closing March 13, with results as follows : -
October, two lessons, average attendance 7
November, four “ 66 66 14
December, three " 66 66
18
January, five 66 66 15
February, four 66 66 66
10
March, two 66 66 66 11
Average attendance for twenty lessons
13
OCCUPATION OF PUPILS.
Carpenters
2
Machinists
2
Cabinet-Maker
1
Piano-Maker
1
Painter
1
The remainder were pupils from the day-schools.
Ages from 14 to 22 years.
At Newton Centre there were given nineteen lessons, commencing Oct. 25, and closing March 7, with the fol- lowing results : -
October, one lesson, average attendance 7
November, five lessons, “ 66
9
December, three 66 66 8
January, five 66 66 66
9 February, four 66 66
8 March, one lesson, 66 66 10
Average attendance or nineteen lessons
9
70
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
OCCUPATION.
Carpenters
5
Architects
.
1
Book-Keeper
1
Machinists
2
Mason .
1
Pupils from the day-schools .
Ages from 16 to 45 years.
These two classes were, for a second season, under the instruction of Mr. Otto Fuchs, an accomplished and suc- cessful teacher, from whose Report we quote as follows : -
" The majority of the scholars at Newtonville were young in years, and beginners in the art ; so that the course of instruction during the greater part of the term had to be principally of an elementary character. I think, how- ever, that the progress was very satisfactory ; and most of them had advanced so far, that, during the months of February and March, they produced very creditable draw- ings of practical examples in machine and building con- struction."
Of the class at the Mason School he says, " Most of the scholars had attended the same the year before. They were of maturer age, and were practically engaged in some mechanical pursuit ; and I am pleased to say they have improved their time, worked faithfully, and what they have learned will be apparent upon inspection of their original designs in architectural and machinery de- tail drawings."
In the free-hand department twenty lessons were given in each of the classes, -one at Newtonville, and one at Newton Centre, - commencing Oct. 25, and closing March 7.
Largest attendance at Newtonville
35
Smallest 66 66 66
·
16
Average
66
.
24
Largest attendance at Newton Centre
19
Smallest 66 66 66 66
6
Average
66 66
66
.
13
2
71
DRAWING.
These classes were taught by Mr. Alfred J. Anthony, who came to us well recommended, and who proved him- self competent as an instructor.
Your Committee are happy to bear testimony to the faithful labors of the instructors in both the departments of drawing, and of results quite satisfactory when the pupils themselves were faithful to improve their oppor- tunities.
But it must be acknowledged, that the statistics given above do not show such an appreciation of the value of these lessons, on the part of those for whose benefit they were designed, as to encourage the Board to continue the liberal appropriations made for their support. The intent of the law requiring the establishment of these classes is to benefit that large number in every considerable town or city who have already passed beyond the day-schools, and yet have not had the benefit of sufficient instruction in these important branches. It presupposes that those for whom it is designed will gladly avail themselves of the opportunity gratuitously furnished for their instruc- tion. But it will be seen, that, in the mechanical de- partment at Newtonville, only seven, and at Newton Cen- tre only ten, adults attended the course. Of the free- hand department there was a still smaller proportion of adults, although a larger number were in attendance, for whom instruction is already provided in the day-schools.
With these results before them, your Committee have reached the conclusion that they would not be justified in opening classes for the coming winter without first refer- ring the matter to the Board for instruction.
JAMES S. NEWELL, Chairman.
MUSIC.
MUSIC.
THE Committee on Music present the following as their Annual Report : -
As a mere general statement of the condition of this department would be destitute of interest, and cer- tainly would not be what the Board desires, we have conferred with our faithful instructor, Mr. Tilden, and proffer his well-considered statements rather than our own :
"It is gratifying to report success in the application of the principles stated in the last Report. In some respects, the success has been more marked during the past five months than in any corresponding period in previous years. The reasons are obvious : the system has remained undisturbed now for a longer period, and the results are more permanent, not- withstanding the fact that the special teacher has, on account of the reduction of his time, made somewhat less frequent visits to the schoolrooms. Pupils and teachers, too, have become better acquainted with the methods of working in this branch ; so that the daily exercises are more readily and effectively given.
" The rigid care that has been taken of the singing in the youngest classes for several years is now shown in the greater aptitude in the middle grades, and the prevalence of a better kind of tone. In place of the
76
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
low, gruff tones formerly heard in the middle classes to so great an extent, we are gratified to observe not only that the pitch of the voices has been generally raised, but that purer and more musical voices appear. In the fourth and fifth classes there is a much larger proportion of pupils who can sing soprano acceptably than was the case two or three years ago; and still greater improvement in these respects is confidently expected.
" More and more care is being taken year by year with the very youngest classes in order that the musi- cal ear may be quickened, and that the voices may soonest come to a legitimate usc, -to such use as shall result in greatest good afterward.
" As was stated in the last Report, the upper gram- mar-classes have taken this year four-part music for mixed voices. This gives scope for the proper em- ployment of all the voices. The girls take readily the soprano and alto parts. In most of the schools a few boys are found whose voices have passed the change, and can only be properly employed in singing the bass. The younger boys, whose voices have not begun to feel the approach of mutation, sing the alto as before. Besides these, there are also many boys whose voices have not yet changed completely, but are still a very low alto. This latter class have been taught to read and sing the tenor, and, for the most part, very successfully. It is evident, now that the musical culture is sufficiently advanced, that this arrangement of the parts is the best, both for the present and prospective benefit of the pupils: for though, in some cases, a proper balance of the parts cannot be secured with the voices at command, yet
77
MUSIC.
each pupil is getting practice and instruction in that which is most appropriate to his needs; and none are compelled to remain inactive during the singing- exercises.
" It is worthy of remark, that an attitude of confi- dence and interest is maintained by the teachers and pupils generally towards this department of study ; and the special teacher bears cheerful testimony to the kind and genial assistance he is daily receiving, also to the constantly improving discipline and man- agement of the schools which tend so largely to the success of his most sincere and honest efforts.
" The series of Boston Music Readers was intro- duced into the Newton schools six years since, and is still used with satisfaction. To the end of the third number of the series, there is no trouble in adapting them to the wants of our classes. The fourth num- ber was prepared by a less-skilful hand, and is, be- sides being an unwieldy and expensive book, but imperfectly adapted to upper classes in mixed schools, as all of ours are ; and we have never used it.
" A year ago, for the purpose of meeting the wants of those classes where there were a considerable num- ber of bass-voices, the committee on text-books gave permission to extend the use of the book called 'The Hour of Singing,' which had been previously used in the high school, to those upper grammar-classes where the range of voices would allow of its success- ful use ; a considerable number of copies being in the families from which pupils had previously attended the high school.
" This book was originally prepared by me for classes of limited ability in high schools, as I found them
78
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
in my experience as a teacher; and has served, and is still serving, to good purpose, those of our grammar- classes which are similarly constituted.
" But we have classes that have finished the Third Reader, that are made up of a different range of voices. During the last year I have completed a book, particularly intended to meet the wants of up- per grammar-classes, called ' The Grammar-school Choir,' - a smaller and less expensive book than ' The Hour of Singing' above referred to.
" It would be of advantage, in some of our classes, to make ' The Grammar-school Choir' the text-book to succeed the Third Music Reader, with the under- standing that no pupil who bought ' The Hour of Sing- ing ' last year shall be required, or asked even, to buy the new book.
" I refer now to classes that have never used 'The ' Hour of Singing,' chiefly.
" Yours truly,
"W. S. TILDEN."
In these views we heartily concur, and assure the Board, that, in our opinion, the department of music is in the best hands. So far as we can learn, for the time appropriated to this exercise, as valuable results are secured as in any city of the Commonwealth.
J. E. LATIMER, L. R. STONE, Committee. A. E. LAWRENCE, .
NEWTONVILLE, May 23, 1877.
.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
¢
EVENING SCHOOLS.
THE Committee on Evening Schools report that a school for instruction in the elementary English branches was held in the Lincoln Building, from November to March, with very gratifying results. The following statistics will prove of interest : -
Number of pupils registered . 86
Average attendance
.
44
Oldest pupil .
. 48 yrs.
Youngest pupil . 12 yrs.
Average age of pupils . 19 yrs.
Number of evenings the school was open · 58
The pupils represented twenty-seven different trades or occupations, and the following nationalities, - American, Afri- can, English, French, German, Irish, and Scotch.
There were six classes under the charge of the principal and four assistant teachers. The expenses of the school amounted to about ten dollars per night.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF NEWTON.
IN compliance with sect. 10, chap. v., of your Rules, the following Report is respectfully submitted.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
FOR THE SCHOOL-YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1877.
I. - POPULATION.
Population of the city, State census, 1875 . . 16,105
Number of persons in the city between five and fifteen
years of age, May 1, 1877 2,881
Increase for the year
28
II. - SCHOOLS.
Districts supervised by principals
4
Districts supervised by committees
6
High school, - both sexes
1
Grammar-schools
2
Grammar and primary
11
Primary
3
Whole number of day-schools
17
Number of evening-schools
1
Number of evening drawing-schools
2
III. - SCHOOLHOUSES.
Number of schoolhouses for high school
1
Seats .
300
Schoolhouses for grammar and primary grades 11
Sittings
. 3,376
86
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
IV. - TEACHERS.
Number of teachers in high school 7
(Male, 3 ; Female, 4.) 46
Number of teachers in grammar grades (Male, 4 ; Female, 42.)
Number of teachers in primary grades (Male, 0; Female, 26.) 5
Number of teachers in evening-schools
Number of teachers in evening drawing-schools .
2
Special teachers . 3
(Reading, 1; Drawing, 1; Music, 1.)
Whole number of teachers . 76
V. - PUPILS.
Number of different pupils enrolled
3,342
Per cent of school population enrolled
Average number of pupils in all grades belonging during the year . 2684.4
Per cent of whole population belonging .166
Per cent of school population belonging
.932
Average daily attendance (day-school)
2453.8
Average daily absence 208.4
Average per cent attendance
91.5
Average whole number belonging to high school . 261
Average daily attendance at high school 228.5
Per cent of attendance at high school .
93.4
Average number of pupils to a regular teacher
37
Cost per pupil, average whole number, -
All day-schools - Tuition Incidentals
$23 84
5 30
Total cost
$29 14
Amount appropriated by the city council : -
Salaries
. $68,000 00
Dog-tax
1,308 72
Incidentals .
6,34€ 13
Unexpended balance
11,600 00
Total .
$87,254 85
26
87
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
Total appropriations . $402,200 00 .197
Per cent appropriations expended for schools
Valuation of city, May, 1877 : -
Real $20,005,025 00
Personal
. 6,627,488 00 $26,634,513 00 Per cent valuation of city expended for public schools .00296 [For further details in the items of the foregoing summary, see Tables in Appendix. ]
VI. - EXPENDITURES.
Salaries : -
Superintendent
$2,700 00
Secretary
300 00
Truant-officers
125 00
High-school teachers
11,350 00
Grammar-school teachers
46,830 00
Primary-school teachers
Special teachers .
2,700 00
Evening-school teachers
381 89
Evening drawing-school teachers .
434 75
Total salaries
$64,821 64
Incidentals : -
Repairs, books, stationery, appa- ratus, &c. . $9,500 00
Janitors
·
3,812 00
Transportation of pupils
900 00
Total .
14,212 00
Total expenditures for school-purposes . $79,033 64
If the items of chief importance in the preceding sum- mary - the percentage of attendance and the average cost per scholar - are not yet quite so satisfactory in all respects as could be wished, considered with reference to the whole number of pupils enrolled, the whole school population, or the average number belonging, there are three sufficient
88
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
reasons for such a showing, -the inaccessibility of some schools to portions of their districts, the difficulty of making so complete classification as more densely popu- lated cities, and the number of private schools for pupils of every grade.
With but one or two exceptions, difficult of remedy at present, the schools of the city seem to be organized and classified in a manner to secure, under the circumstances, the greatest economy and efficiency. By pursuing the sys- tem of classification and promotion now generally adopted throughout the city, the most satisfactory results may be expected.
SCHOOLHOUSES.
With the exception of a portion of the Mason-school District, the school accommodations of the city are ample, generous, and, upon the whole, admirably planned for the health and comfort of the pupil. The character of the buildings, the location and extent of the grounds, invite that care and attention to the surroundings of school-life that render it not only attractive to the pupil, but of ever pleasant memory when school-days have passed.
[Since writing the above, ample accommodations for the pupils of Thompsonville, a part of the main district, have been provided by the City Government, at the request of the Board.]
HEALTH.
The apparent excellent health of the pupils, in general, conclusively proves that they are not injured by overwork in their studies. The health of the pupil is of primary importance ; and to care for it, the first duty of the teacher. The great natural advantages of the city as a place of residence in a sanitary point of view may be in a great degree counteracted by injudicious tasks, neglect of drain- age and ventilation, and disregard of the simple laws of health. Here, as in less-favored localities, in addition to caring for the drainage, for the ventilation of the room by the special means provided, and thoroughly changing
89
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
the atmosphere at recess before and after school, being careful that the light received by the pupil does not injure his sight, that the work upon the blackboards or charts be strong and clear, easily visible to pupils in all parts of the room, - in addition to all this, it is the teacher's first and constant duty to instruct the pupil how to care for his own health, by frequent explanations, in familiar language, of the simple laws of health as to cleanliness, diet, clothing, exercise, rest, and sleep. We have thought best to em- phasize thus the care of the pupil's health, both on ac- count of its transcendent importance as regards his future success, and on account of the facility with which this importance is often overlooked by the active, earnest teacher, as well as by the careless and indifferent.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Though the prescribed course of study has not been fully accomplished in all grades, yet great efforts have been made to cover the ground indicated in the several branches taught, with as much thoroughness and accuracy in detail as circumstances would allow, and the sure prog- ress of the pupils be secured. It is thought that White's Intermediate Arithmetic should be completed by the sixth grade, and that not enough time is given to geography in other grades; which opinions seem to me to be well founded. It would also be a gain to put White's Primary Arithmetic into the hands of the third-year pupils at the beginning of the year instead of the second term, as now required ; and a still greater gain to supplement the Primary and Intermediate with the complete arithmetic of the same series for the seventh and eighth years, giving the ninth year of this branch to algebra, and review of arithmetic. The metric system of weights and measures will not be generally used by the people until the com- mand has been given by the necessary legislation. Per- mission to use it has been granted by general statute, it is true ; but in anticipation of its exclusive use at an early
90
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
day, and to hasten the coming of that day, its terms should be used by preference in every grade, and the pupils be made more familiar with metres, grammes, and litres, than they now are with yards, ounces, and quarts. We believe it should be taught in every grade using denominate num- bers.
The work assigned to the fourth grade in language seems too difficult in some respects. Some little elasticity in the respects referred to may commend itself to the Board, and enable all grades to complete in a satisfactory manner the work required of them. Indeed, the pupil should not be much occupied with the grammatical analy- sis of the language until his seventh year, though con- stantly exercised in the proper use of it; no errors of speech being allowed in the schoolroom, whatever the occasion.
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