USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875-1877 > Part 6
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11
GENERAL REPORT.
examination to the commissioners. No citizen of Newton has had occasion to hide his head in the comparison of the bound volumes of pupils' work lying upon the tables in the department of educa- tion, or of the fine illustrations of our school-build- ings ornamenting the walls.
Despite, however, all the special hindrances which have affected the full success of the schools during the year, very encouraging results have been ob- tained. The tests for advancement in the several grades have been somewhat severer than in previous years, and have been quite persistently required ; but the classes have generally met them, and the num- ber entering the high school has been but little below the average of previous years. From personal observation, we unite with the district committees in offering our testimony to the general earnestness and conscientiousness with which the masters and teachers have discharged their duties, and the pres- ent hopeful and advancing condition of the schools, as a whole.
With the opening of the new year, quite unex- pectedly, and to the regret of the whole Board, Mr. H. M. Willard, our late superintendent, tendered his resignation, having been called to the head of an academy in the State of Vermont. Mr. Willard had won for himself an excellent reputation as a scholar and as a school superintendent before his appoint- ment to the office in our city, which he has filled so acceptably for the last three years. He has fully justified the wisdom of the choice which was made in his appointment, and leaves us with the unquali- fied respect of the school committee, the teachers,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and the intelligent citizens of Newton. His accom- plished scholarship, his gentlemanly manners, his familiarity with school-work, his excellent reports, all served to render him a valuable acquisition to the administration of our public schools.
We esteem ourselves fortunate to have been able so soon, and with such unanimity of sentiment, to supply the vacant chair. The position sought the present incumbent, who was not an applicant for it, but was satisfactorily filling the office of State Superintendent of Education in Maine. Mr. Warren Johnson brings to us thorough training both as a scholar and educator, and long experience in the work of general superintendence. He meets with the hearty concurrence of the teachers of our schools, and enters, with every prospect of large suc- cess, upon his important duties.
His report, rendered at our request, will present to our citizens the condition of our different schools, as they strike the observation of an intelligent and experienced examiner, and will awaken both confi- dence in their general excellence, and strong expec- tation of their future improvement.
The various schools have, also, been examined during the year, and particularly at its close, by the district committees, and from their reports are appended such extracts as present any special points of present interest.
HIGH SCHOOL.
THE whole number of pupils in attendance upon the high school last year was 271. The average number through the year was 258.8. The average daily attendance was 236.9, an improvement upon preceding years. Of the whole number of pupils, 242 were enrolled in the regular courses, and 29 were special students. The latter were, some of them, persons of mature age; and the list of special studies embraced nearly all the principal subjects taught in the school. Some sought instruction in modern languages, some in philosophy, some in chemistry and botany, and some in drawing. We look upon this as one of the interesting and valua- ble features of the school, awakening a general educational zeal in the community, and securing a breadth of training and culture not usually effected by a public institution, and yet a legitimate out- growth of the system, tending to the highest devel- opment and welfare of society. Several of the graduates of the school linger behind to avail them- selves of an advanced tuition, particularly in draw- ing and modern languages.
Last year, there were 32 graduates of a full, or four-years' course, and 10 of a three-years' course.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
About 90 entered in the class of four years ago. Every year, the proportion of those that pass through the whole course, and obtain the school diploma, increases. The late arrangements that have been made to secure a thorough intellectual training for a business-life have tended to add to the number of pupils, especially lads, that avail themselves of a full four-years' course.
Last year, the second class numbered 53, the third 64, and the fourth 92. The present year, through the successful effort of the Board, with the efficient co-operation of the superintendent and teachers, the standard of requirement for entrance to the high school was essentially raised ; and the fourth or enter- ing class was brought down to 80.
Last year, the number of pupils in the mercantile class was 41. The number of regular pupils in the classical course was 40, showing a remarkable coinci- dence as to numbers. The number of pupils in the general four-years' course was 161. This latter is the popular curriculum for young ladies, and is specially arranged for their tastes, aptitudes, and requisitions.
Eight of the pupils of the school passed their pre- liminary examinations unconditioned, at Harvard, and five their final examination. At this univer- sity, a year now intervenes between the two. Of the five students entering Harvard, three received honors for excellency in their preparatory studies. One of our students entered with honor the fresh- man class at Amherst; and three of our young ladies were admitted at Wellesley. No public or private school or academy stands higher in the estimation of the faculties of these advanced insti-
15
HIGH SCHOOL.
tutions, as a preparatory for their freshmen classes. The estimation in which the drill of our graduates is held has been directly signified to the accom- plished principal of our high school, Mr. F. A. Water- house, who has for so many years submitted his pupils to their annual examinations. The requisi- tions of these institutions are now fully a year of study in advance of their requirements for entrance a score of years ago.
Until the opening of Smith College in Northampton, of Wellesley near our city, and of Boston University, as an institution for both sexes, our young ladies have not studied in the classical class with the expecta- tion of pursuing a collegiate course. Some of these graduates, upon submitting themselves for examina- tion in the above-mentioned institutions, found that the lack of definiteness of purpose, and of a positive training, hindered their unembarrassed passage into the freshmen classes ; but this lack is now in a fair way to be remedied. Young ladies having any expectation of undertaking the extended tuition of a college are now encouraged to submit themselves to as thorough and broad a preparation as the lads. There is no reason why they should not. The best possible facilities, at the most moderate rates, are accessible ; and at the present hour there is a spe- cial demand for thoroughly educated lady-teachers in our numerous high schools, academies, and col- leges for women. Wellesley, already, has a number of our high-school graduates in the two classes which have been formed, who are honoring their preparatory training, and giving good promise of fine scholarship at the end of their present course.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The mercantile course has been the new and quite attractive feature of the school. The experi- ment has proved a success every way, - as to num- bers, interest, and progress. Much attention has been excited by the reference to it in our previous Report; and members of school committees have sent for copies of it, and for further information in refer- ence to the workings of the plan. One professional gentleman wrote that it was the most sensible addi- tion to our public school instruction that he had known since his connection with it. We are partic- ularly pleased to know that the majority of the class propose to take the complete course, and avail themselves of all its advantages.
During the year, several of our leading citizens have made familiar addresses, of from an half to three-quarters of an hour each, upon subjects perti- nent to the studies and future life of the members of this class. Ex-Gov. Claflin opened the course, and at a later period addressed the class a second time upon " Currency." John C. Park, Esq., lectured upon the " Laws of Property." Gen. A. B. Under- wood gave two entertaining and instructive talks upon the "Tariff." Mayor Hyde addressed the class upon " Commercial Integrity ; " and Edward Saw- yer, Esq., upon the " Newton Waterworks." These admirable and eminently practical conversations will be continued through the coming year.
The spirit of the school has been excellent. There has been an enthusiasm in study awakened by the teachers, which has made the requisitions of the school a pleasure, rather than a burden. The graduating class voluntarily devoted their spring
17
HIGH SCHOOL.
vacation to study, as they had lost several weeks at the commencement of the year through the delay in the completion of the building. The discipline of the school has been mild, but effectual. Parents have heartily, and with entire unanimity, co-operated in carrying out its requisitions.
We have nothing to ask in external accommoda- tions, having one of the most cheerful and conven- ient buildings for educational purposes in the State. And we have no serious internal lack, but in our reference library, which is still far below the require- ments of such an institution. Our arrangements for study seem adequate to meet all the requirements of the various classes of pupils that avail themselves of the opportunities of public education. We have a corps of teachers whose skill and ability have been tested by years of trial. But, after all, it is only by hard and persevering study on the part of pupils, persistently exacted by their instructors, that any valuable results can be secured. Our new modes, if in any respect improvements, have not rendered unnecessary the most diligent and plodding labor. The " royal " road to knowledge has not yet been discovered : certainly it does not run through our high school. Its temple still sits, as of old, on the memorable height so graphically illustrated in our ancient spelling-books ; and a successful approach to it is only accomplished by climbing, and not by " coaching."
Our citizens have rarely enjoyed a more gratify- ing school reception than the one they were per- mitted to attend upon the 3d of last July, at the graduating exercises of the first class. The school-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
room was finely decorated ; and every portion of it was filled with an audience of relatives and invited guests. The singing was of a high order, offering the most significant testimony to the quality of the instruction given by Mr. Tilden, the director of music in our schools. For general excellence as to original and manly thought, for wholesomeness of sentiment, for womanliness of manner on the part of the young ladies, and for an almost universal grace of address, we have hardly witnessed a superior per- formance in any preparatory school of the class. The mayor of the city gave utterance to the uni- versal feeling of gratification, in a few well-chosen words.
Members of the high school committee attended the examination of the classes at the close of the term, and bear willing testimony to the faithfulness and skill of the teachers, and to the commendable progress of the pupils. The written examinations, however, which are on file, and the rigid requisitions now made for advancement in the classes, afford the best proofs of scholarship.
There have been but few changes in the faculty of instruction. Miss C. Augusta Gile, one of our best teachers, who, for four years, has successfully won the hearts, and inspired the ambition, of her classes, especially in French and geometry, felt com- pelled to tender her resignation. We bear volun- tary and cheerful testimony to her moral worth, and eminent ability as an educator. Miss Dennison, who had previously taught for three months as a substi- tute, was appointed to fill her place. Our other teachers, whose chairs, if vacant, we could not readily
19
HIGH SCHOOL.
supply, remain in their places. They are necessa- rily, as the school is now arranged, much over-worked. Often, last year, they remained for many hours after the close of the school to attend to the details of their work. Only the pressure of the times, requir- ing the limitation of city expenses at every possible point, hinders our asking for an immediate re-en- forcement of our corps. They merit the thanks and respect of the community ; and we are glad to know that many of the parents are not unmindful of their duty and privilege to give some audible expression of this.
We once more affirm, from personal observation, that our citizens have occasion to give their entire confidence to the school-work annually performed for, and by, the advanced pupils of the city, and to be assured of the conscientious and able discharge of their onerous duties on the part of the excellent principal of the high school and his efficient asso- ciates.
20
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GRADUATES OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR 1876.
FOUR-YEARS' COURSE.
KATHERINE L. BATES.
ALICE W. BOND.
ABBIE G. CHAMBERLAIN.
CHARLOTTE CONVERSE.
MARIA S. DANIELS.
LILLA O. DAVIDSON.
FLORENCE G. EASTMAN.
LILLA M. GAREY.
EMMA E. HICKS.
SARAH A. JORDAN.
NELLIE S. KENDALL.
ANNIE MARCH.
CAROLINE L. MILLS.
LOUISA P. MERRITT.
LIZZIE J. MOORE.
EMILY NORCROSS.
FRANCES M. PARKER.
MARGARET H. SARGENT.
FANNY C. SWEET.
EVA G. WISWALL.
MILLY N. WOODFORD. JOEL E. HILLS. CHARLES S. JOHNSON. FREDERICK C. LESLIE. WILLIAM A. PEW, JR. BENJAMIN C. POND. WILLIAM D. PORTER. DENISON R. SLADE. H. ALONZO SHERMAN. FREDERICK W. STONE. SAMUEL WESTON.
EDGAR M. WHEELER.
THREE-YEARS' COURSE.
MARY R. COLBY.
MARY W. FULLER.
MARGARETTE H. PRICE.
MARY E. SCALES.
HARRY E. BOTHFELD.
WINCHESTER W. EAGER. EDWARD F. JENISON. JOHN O. JOHONNOT.
CHARLES E. LORD.
JOSEPH L. RHEES.
MASON SCHOOL.
THE chairman of this Board, in his last Annual Report, gave utterance to a truth of great impor- tance, when, after claiming that the present age furnishes " a better trained class of teachers, bet- ter text-books, and better supervision, than any pre- vious age," he said, " Public sentiment does not admit as rigid discipline as formerly. For sanitary reasons, the expressed opinions of the community continually stay the hand of the teacher in press- ing forward the pupil. We have, in the last twenty years, shortened by one-sixth the period of daily instruction, lengthened the recesses, and greatly increased the extent of vacations. We are continually warned of the danger to body and mind of crowding the pupil. Physicians and parents pro- test against much study at home out of school-hours. Children are oftener retained from school for slight indisposition than formerly." Again he says, "It is not to be questioned that we now crowd the short day we have with too many studies. For the body of the children who will not remain in the schools but a few years, a better arrangement of studies might and ought to be made."
It is a very serious question, whether the imper-
22
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
fections in our schools are not largely attributable to the reasons here given. The increase in the number of lessons, together with the decrease in the time devoted to their preparation, of necessity brings the pupil to his recitations with a less thorough mastery of them. In fact, he is learning to depend so largely upon oral instruction, that the severer study neces- sary to a previous preparation of his lessons seems in danger of becoming a thing of the past, if, indeed, it has not already become so. The system of other days may have been too rigid, and too destitute of helps. But are we not fast drifting to the other extreme ? Does not the present system tend to make the children less self-reliant, and more depend- ent upon the teacher's aid, than is wise ? The present system seems to imply that the pupil is to be taught as an end to be accomplished, rather than to be taught how he himself may learn. In the severer branches of mathematics, this method cannot be otherwise than defective. From it we need not expect independent and vigorous thinkers. And when your committee say that these results are wit- nessed in the Mason School, they must be allowed to say that the discussions in this Board during the past year show that they are by no means peculiar to that school. It has been freely admitted, that the proper standard in mathematics has not been main- tained in the schools generally.
In the Report of last year upon the Mason School, a desire was expressed for an improvement in read- ing. The improvement has not yet become so marked as we shall hope to witness another year. In language, music, penmanship, and drawing, a
23
MASON SCHOOL.
very gratifying interest has been manifest, and good results secured.
At the close of the year, the committee were dis- appointed to find so many pupils falling below the required standard for unconditional promotion, and, in fact, so many utterly failing. But a careful con- sideration of the matter plainly shows the reason, and suggests the remedy.
Irregularity in attendance has been a serious evil. In part, this has been caused by prevailing sickness, but not wholly so. If parents will interest themselves more, and keep themselves better informed as to the progress of their children, it will become a strong incentive to the pupil. It is to be hoped that a sys- tem of reports may be inaugurated, by which the rank of each child may be made known; so that no parent need be in ignorance as to this matter. And with this knowledge it is also hoped that no trivial reason will be allowed to keep the pupil from school. Unless parents will thus interest themselves, they should not feel disappointed, if, at the season of pro- motion, they find their children left behind.
Teachers also cannot be too careful, lest, in their concert recitations, the prompt answers of the more advanced pupils be allowed to cover up the deficien- cies of the less industrious. Each recitation should, as far as possible, test the knowledge of each pupil.
OAK-HILL SCHOOL.
THE school at Oak Hill remains in charge of Miss Mary E. Winter, who has continued with unabated energy her patient and thorough work. With less than thirty pupils, she has almost as many classes as there are in schoolhouses of three hundred pupils ; and she teaches almost all grades, from the lowest primary to the upper grammar classes. The work is severe, and all the harder, because, owing to the small number in each class, it is more difficult to stimulate interest; the motive of competition, and the enthusi- asm which is so easily stirred in a large class, being wanting, except as the latter may be aroused by the energy and inspiration of the teacher herself. Nevertheless, the school is doing well; and the pupils, both at the examination, and at other times when the committee visited the school, showed that they were skilfully and thoroughly taught. Miss Winter is particularly successful in leading her pupils to think for themselves. The discipline of the school is firm and steady. There is a prevailing spirit of cheerful, industrious activity at all times, which makes it a pleasant place to visit ; and the pupils in any of the numerous classes compare favorably in their recita- tions with those of the same class in the other schools of the city.
PROSPECT SCHOOL.
THE confidence in the teachers of this school, which has been expressed in Reports heretofore, has been increased by the experience of another year. By their persistent, well-directed efforts in teaching, accompanied by wise and firm discipline, the results have been all that could reasonably be expected; and the school takes a fair rank compared with others in our city.
At the commencement of the year, Miss Fannie M. King, who had been a valuable teacher of the fifth class for a number of years, resigned her posi- tion to assume the responsibility of other cares, and she carried to her new home the good wishes of her many friends. The vacancy was satisfactorily filled by the appointment of Miss Anna F. Hills, who, however, was transferred, before the close of the year, to the Adams School, by the desire of the superintendent, to fill a vacancy existing there in a higher grade. We have just succeeded in supplying the place by one who promises to be a valuable assistant.
While there is still room for improvement in the method of conducting, and in the practical working, of this school, there is reasonable cause for satis- faction with its condition.
HYDE SCHOOL.
SINCE the last Report on the condition of the Hyde School, it has been subject to many misfor- tunes that have seriously interfered with its work. In the spring, Miss Alotta E. Stearns, the teacher of the primary department, was obliged to be absent for several weeks, owing to the serious illness of several members of her family. The committee employed as a substitute Miss - Boyd, who car- ried on the work of the school with a reasonable degree of success; so that the misfortune of the absence of the regular teacher was not so great as it would otherwise have been. But it is inevitable that such a change of teachers should produce more or less disturbance of the routine and progress of school-work. Miss Stearns has returned to her duties ; and the work is going on with the old-time regularity and success. With three classes under the charge of one teacher, in one room, it is not to be expected that a school will present, in all its features, the same evenness of performance that is looked for in schools where the teacher has but one class, all of nearly the same age, to watch and drill; but the results of Miss Stearns's faithful work are believed to be good, creditable, and satisfactory.
27
HYDE SCHOOL.
The grammar-school department in the Hyde School has suffered during the present year even more than the primary department, from a similar misfortune. Before the spring vacation, Miss Mary J. Fisher, the teacher, was called away by serious illness of a member of her family, which was followed by the sickness and death of others; so that her absence, which was at first expected to be only for a day or two, was prolonged until the end of the school-year. When she went away, Miss - Church was employed temporarily. When it appeared that Miss Fisher would not return before the spring vaca- tion, the services of Miss - Gifford were secured. At the end of the vacation, Miss Fisher not returning, Miss Church again had charge of the school for a day or two; but, not being able to continue in the place, the committee employed Miss Abby A. Tidd of Westborough, it was supposed only for a week or two; but it proved to be for the whole of the summer term. These frequent but unavoidable changes, and the constant uncertainty as to when the regular teacher would return, were not favorable to the discipline or progress of a school that has always been, in some respects, a difficult one. All the teachers employed as substitutes labored ear- nestly, and as successfully as it was reasonable to expect. Miss Tidd came to the task without much experience in teaching. The problems of discipline were a severe test of her capacity ; but she acquitted herself in a manner, that, in view of the conditions, was creditable; and, before the close of the term, the school was making good progress in study, although it had not recovered all the ground lost
28
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
by protracted attention to Centennial work before Miss Fisher's absence. Probably, if no other inter- ruptions had occurred, the school, under the regular teacher, would have made up the lost time more completely. The teacher and committee were look- ing forward with confidence to the examination at the close of the term to testify to the quality and success of her labors. The sudden death, by malig- nant diseases prevalent in the village, of two pupils of the primary school, caused so much alarm on the part of parents, that it was deemed prudent to close both schools immediately, a few days before the end of the term. Miss Fisher has not returned. Her place has been filled by Miss - - Smith, a graduate of the Boston Girls' High and Normal School, who had pursued a three-years' course of post-graduate study, and of whom there is good reason to expect excellent service.
The estimation in which Miss Fisher's long service in the school at Newton Highlands is held was emphatically expressed in this committee's last Report. Her retirement is much regretted.
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