USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1877-1878 > Part 12
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WEST-NEWTON DISTRICT.
PEIRCE, DAVIS, AND FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
IN presenting another annual report from the West- Newton District, it is believed that the work of the year which it covers has been eminently successful. The results developed in connection with its three schools - the Peirce, Davis, and Franklin - give assurance of increasing interest and healthful progress in the cause of education. No differences of opinion, nor conflict- ing interests or ambitions, affecting matters of policy or detail, have interposed embarrassments or hindrances ; while between master and assistants, and scholars and parents, harmonious co-operation has uniformly existed. Whatever may remain for criticism or improvement, it must be admitted that all our teachers have rendered efficient and conscientious service, and that our classes have been earnest and ambitious to make the utmost of their opportunities ; while parents and friends have manifested intelligent and appreciative interest in the success and usefulness of educational effort.
No new teachers have been added to our corps. Miss Hattie E. Gove, who had charge of the eighth class in the Peirce School, resigned her position in December. As several pupils had left the higher classes, since they were formed in the previous Septem-
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ber, to learn trades, or engage in other occupations, her class was divided as a matter of economy ; a part being placed in the room occupied by the ninth, and the remainder in the room occupied by the seventh class. This arrangement rendered it unnecessary to employ a new teacher ; so that, for the balance of the school-year, the corps of female teachers for this district numbered eleven instead of twelve, as before. Some other changes in arrangement of classes and in the assignment of teachers have been made with manifest advantage, and material saving of expenditure.
Under wise and prudent administration, the discipline of the several schools has been excellent, and has been . secured without severity or arbitrary resort. Every effort has been made to prevent tardiness and inexcusa- ble absence, which are not only great obstacles to the progress of any pupil, but, if prevailing to any extent, are sure to become serious hindrances in class-work. In this connection, both the committee and the teachers are pleased to acknowledge the personal interest and co-operation of parents, some of whom have been fre- quent visitors to our schoolrooms.
The graduating class numbered twenty-two, - eleven boys and eleven girls ; and we record with pleasure the fact that every one was fully entitled to the diploma awarded by the School Board for a successful com- pletion of the grammar-school course, and also to the certificate of admission to the High School, such award having been fairly and honorably earned in each case. The graduating exercises, which were held in the hall of the Peirce School, were of more than ordinary interest, and were enjoyed by a large and interested audience. Among other features of the programme,
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the recitation on the metric system of weights and measures was new and particularly interesting ; while many of the compositions would read well and grace- fully in any of our public journals.
We do not claim perfection for our schools, for many vital problems relating to their success remain un- solved ; but, that they are doing very much to prepare our boys and girls for great usefulness in their life- work, no attentive observer can for a moment doubt. But, in reviewing our year's results, many topics of great practical interest and importance are suggested. Beyond those of mainly local relation, two or three, briefly indicated, may not be inappropriate here.
While all our teachers are ever ready and anxious to discharge in good faith every duty delegated to them, experience in our own district has shown, as doubtless may be the case in others, that they are or may be too largely over-burdened with services of a contingent char- acter other than that of instruction. The elaboration of what some educator well designates as " statistical machinery " may be pressed to an unwarranted and inju- rious extent. Early and late, in school and out of school, from Monday morning till Saturday evening, constant and laborious effort may become necessary for service required in this connection, in addition to the discharge of duty as teachers. It is suggested that such proper curtailment of contingent service as will permit reasonable time for rest and relaxation may secure more successful and satisfactory work, without detracting at all from its standard of requirement or excellence.
During the year, we have been gratified with the special and earnest effort of our teachers to make study
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pleasant and attractive, rather than tedious and irksome, and to inspire their pupils with the largest measure of mental independence by a judicious omission of text- book routine, whenever practicable and advantageous. We speak of this practice because it has been a spe- cialty with some of our teachers, and because the benefits accruing therefrom in some of our classes have been most noticeable and encouraging. With a system of instruction partaking of such elements, and with a curriculum adapted in the best sense to the wants and capacities of scholars, the highest interests of practical education will be materially advanced.
In closing this brief report, one other suggestion seems pertinent; namely, the importance of a settled programme of examination and promotion. It is one of the essentials of a uniform system of public in- struction. The developments of the year have demon- strated, certainly in our own district, the necessity of such a provision. Teachers and classes entering upon the work of a school-year with established rules and regulations for their guidance should be assured of their continuance in force till its close, unless mani- fest defects and deficiencies shall induce the proper authority - the School Board - to sanction some new departure. Any other course or policy will be sure to result in dissatisfaction and disappointment, as well as in disadvantage and injury to scholars and classes.
But without meaning to favor, or even imply, the adoption of any iron rule in tests of scholarship, and believing, on the contrary, that examinations should be made as simple and practical as possible, we think it will be found that the injustice and injury resulting from a too liberal " scaling down" of the standard of
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acquisition, to enable even an aspiring boy or girl to stride over a class without accomplishing its work, or fairly earning promotion, will be disastrous in all present and prospective relations.
Such are some of the more notable facts and sug- gestions coming from our year's experience. It is modestly believed that they possess practical signifi- cance, and that they may be profitably considered, irre- spective of personal interests or local issues.
JULIUS L. CLARKE,
Chairman District Committee.
NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.
THE schools of this district have generally been in a satisfactory condition during the past year, the teachers having worked wisely and efficiently; and the pupils, with few exceptions, having made good progress and won deserved promotion.
The exhibition of the ninth class, in charge of Miss M. Abby Smith, in the hall of the Adams School, at the close of the school-year, was attended by a large number of the parents and friends of the pupils, and was ex- tremely interesting ; the exercises in composition, decla- mation, reading, and music being varied and excellent, and a lecture on the metric system, with samples and demonstration, by Master Walter C. Grant, one of the pupils, was remarkable for its good delivery and thor- oughness.
Mr. H. O. Martin of the Committee, who has had more particular supervision of the Adams and Jackson schools during the year, makes the following report of their condition : -
ADAMS SCHOOL.
The Committee having special charge of the Adams School would report that the school is in a prosperous
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condition. During the year the work has been well performed, the deportment has been good, and the pre- vious high standard of the school well maintained. But one change in the corps.of teachers has occurred, and that in the room which seems in the past to have been unfortunate in this respect. Very early in the school- year, Miss Hills, teacher of the seventh and eighth classes, resigned her position to accept a similar one in the neighboring city of Somerville. Her place was filled by the appointment of Miss Abbie J. Warner, a graduate of the Framingham Normal School, who brought to the work an experience of some three years. Under her management the school has been carried on so successfully, that the evil results which usually follow such frequent changes of teachers as have occurred in this school are not apparent.
JACKSON SCHOOL.
Since our last report to this Board concerning the Jackson School, important changes have been made in the corps of teachers. By the transfer of Mrs. Pitts to the Claflin School a vacancy was caused in the position of head assistant in the Jackson School. In filling this the Committee decided to appoint Mr. John C. Lyeth, a young man with little or no experience, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal School, who was willing to take the position at the prescribed salary. In some respects the anticipations of the Committee have been fully re- alized, in others they have been somewhat disappointed. Owing to causes entirely disconnected with the school, and of course beyond the control of the teacher, the at- tendance has fallen off somewhat; while, as a result of
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the persistent efforts of the teacher, truancy has de- creased so much, that the average attendance in this school will compare favorably with that of any other in the city. In the matter of discipline, however, the Committee are forced to acknowledge that the result has not been such as could be wished. But we hope, that, with time and more experience, such improvement may be made during the coming year as shall satisfy all rea- sonable expectations. Were we able to offer a more liberal salary with the position, we should, of course, be able to command the services of an abler and more experienced teacher ; but at present it does not seem advisable to recommend any change.
Another change of teachers occurred at the com- mencement of the year in the transfer of Miss Stearns from the Claflin to the Jackson School. This change has been eminently satisfactory ; and, with the exception above mentioned. the school is in good working order, and we may confidently hope for improvement during the coming year.
H. O. MARTIN.
CLAFLIN SCHOOL.
This school, which has been more particularly under the supervision of the chairman of the district com- mittee, deserves a favorable report for its last year's work.
The whole number of pupils in attendance has been 157, with an average attendance of 144, or ninety-two per cent, which is two per cent better than last year ; and promotion to advanced classes has, in almost every instance, been fairly won and awarded.
A marked improvement from last year was apparent
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to the examiner in the classes studying geography and arithmetic ; the recitations in those studies being gener- ally excellent, as were also the exercises in music and the discipline of all the schools. The recommendation of a former report, that particular attention be given by the teachers to thorough instruction in the first-men- tioned studies, so that those pupils who, from necessity or for other reasons, finish their school-education in schools of this grade, may have a competent knowledge of these branches, is believed to be important, and is repeated.
With few exceptions, the exercises in language, read- ing, writing, drawing, and spelling, were satisfactory.
In two of the schools, those of Miss Flint and Miss Ware, simple calisthenic exercises are in frequent use, with excellent results, the pupils engaging in them with great pleasure and animation ; whilst the orderly change and variety of position, and the good degree of exercise which accompanies the practice, evidently tend to health of body, cheerfulness and strength of mind, and give a stimulus to habits of attention and order beneficial in every requirement of the schoolroom. It would be a step in the right direction, and of great bene- fit, if similar exercises were introduced into every school of the city ; and it is to be hoped that the time is not distant when the ability to direct such exercises shall be considered an indispensable qualification for all our teachers.
In the early part of the year, Miss Wilder, in charge of the sixth class, was granted three months' leave of absence for purposes of rest and recruitment, at the ex- piration of which time she returned to her position of duty and usefulness with renewed health and vigor.
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During her absence Miss L. J. Taylor, a former pupil of the High School and resident of the district, was em- ployed as a substitute, and rendered very acceptable service.
At the close of the last school-year Miss Adelaide Reed, who for several previous years had been principal of the Claflin School, and had discharged the duties of that position with eminent ability, resigned her place, and Mrs. Alice Pitts, previously principal of the Jackson School, was elected in her stead. In her new position Mrs. Pitts has added to her well-earned reputation as a thorough teacher and disciplinarian, and great success and usefulness is anticipated for her in the future.
The Claflin School during the past year has enjoyed the visitation and oversight of the superintendent of schools, the subordinate but valuable services of the district master, has a trained and experienced principal and able assistant teachers, a large and convenient build- ing, a good location, and pleasant and ample grounds. With these advantages, however justly we may take pride in its past success, we confidently expect greater in the future.
H. S. NOYES, Chairman of District Committee.
NEWTON DISTRICT.
UNDERWOOD SCHOOL.
THERE is very little to record with reference to the work of a primary school. Year by year a new class of beginners enter, and have their first experience of school-life, to which many of them look forward with great dread. Thanks to the tact and enthusiasm of Miss Littlefield, they are rapidly convinced that going to school can be a very pleasant thing, and they are helped on by her judicious training to overcome some of the first difficulties up the hill of learning.
The second class is, in the fall and spring, uncomfor- tably crowded; and sometimes we have thought it might be wise to employ one more teacher ; but the expense has deterred us. The third class is taking up rather more work than has been usual hitherto, and shows, that, without unduly pressing the children, our primary department can go beyond the limit usually assigned to it. Considering the school as a whole, the year has been a successful one, with, perhaps, better results in some directions than the previous year.
GEO. W. SHINN.
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
BIGELOW SCHOOL.
The rules of the school committee require, that, at the September meeting of the Board, a report from each district committee shall be presented in writing, as to " the condition of the schools in their several districts."
As to the schools in this the Newton District, the Committee have nothing to report, except that they feel satisfied, well satisfied, with the interest shown both by teachers and children, and with the general progress of the pupils.
Your Committee, however, as suggested in their report of last year, think that some changes should be made in the course of study ; so that those who can not or do not wish to go to the high schools can get such a train- ing in the grammar schools as will be more practical and useful than our present system affords. What special change is needed, your Committee cannot say : they are only impressed with the importance of some change.
By the changes recommended by the special commit- tee in their report on school expenditures, and approved by the whole Board, the special teacher in music was dropped. This has caused some delay, of course, in getting fairly at work ; but your Committee think that the experiment should have a fair trial.
In the Bigelow School the head assistant is an ac- complished musician, and supervises the musical drill of some of the classes in that building.
There have been no changes in the regular corps of teachers, and none desired.
L. R. STONE,
For the Committee.
DRAWING.
THE report of the last three years tells much of the truth of this; a little more fully completed, it is as follows : -
1. A system of graded instruction for our schools, founded mainly on the South Kensington method, as exemplified in the course of study prepared by Walter Smith.
2. A belief, founded in both theory and experience, that such course in its first elements is adapted to the earliest school-going age ; for it presents both labor and amusement in as rational a proportion as any subject of elementary education, calls into continued activity the sense of sight, develops and co-ordinates muscular ac- tion so essential to writing, printing, and the many activities for which little hands were made.
3. The certainty that as large a proportion can learn this as any subject, with no greater disparity of attain- ment, and that it is in this important regard a subject for general instruction.
4. That it is a proper forerunner of any mechanical art, saving time in the learning thereof, and increasing the nicety of perception essential to artistic and exact execution.
5. That it is the fundamental support of all fine art ;
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and, though the public school does not pretend to give an artistic education, it is pleasant to know that the line of development of form-perception links as closely to all high art as to the . mechanic arts. Here, therefore, as elsewhere, we prepare the way, in some measure, for that life that is not nourished by bread alone.
6. It is the belief of a portion of the committee that the training in drawing should not be imperative in the High-school course, or any part of it : for this reason, for two or three years the study has not presented in this school a means of estimating the average attain- ment in the advancing grades of instruction. The suc- cess of a large majority of those who have entered with that zeal with which any study worth taking should be prosecuted furnishes abundant reason for its continu- ance therein ; and the ability of many of the pupils to enter profitably upon art courses in the Institute of Technology, the evening drawing-school, the college, or the Normal Art School, or to apply this knowledge for various home purposes, is pretty good proof that the course is mainly in the right direction, and that out of this preparatory training, now becoming common in many localities, is to grow - has indeed already grown in an appreciable degree - new ability to hold a high place in manufactures and all decorative art, and fur- nish, as it will by and by, some early trained talent in various branches of art, who by their advancing power shall be a great stimulus to those of lesser pur- pose, and so carry forward the whole art education of the country.
The success of the year in the primary and grammar grades is gratifying. It is not so great as would be easily attainable in the latter with less labor, had we
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already had one or two generations of teachers trained in and delighting in drawing.
Many of the present corps have put both labor and thought into this department. Their success gives new honor to their position.
A tabulated report of the instructor for the year, Mr. Berry, made with much care, and showing the com- parative quality of the work, was presented to the Board before the summer vacation.
The annexed list shows the names of the grammar and primary teachers, and in what subjects each has passed the committee's drawing examination. The character of the examination here indicated is about that of Boston, indicating no great art attainment, but the minimum which should represent a teacher's art- knowledge to handle with fair success the work in the public school.
The expense of the drawing department, owing to the stringency of the times, has been severely curtailed during the two past years.
We have only the highest commendation for the special instructor, who has during the past year prose- cuted her work at the Normal Art School, thus render- ing the advanced instruction to the upper High-school classes still more profitable to them, and, yet more, making the city expenditure in this department of the very highest utility.
Respectfully submitted.
HENRY C. HARDON. HORATIO S. NOYES.
MUSIC.
THE Committee on Music hereby present their semi- annual report, which is due at the November meeting of the Board. Until the close of the year, in June last, the instruction in music, under the lead of Mr. W. S. Tilden, continued as for years past, except that only three-fifths of the time previously used was employed, because of economical necessity. Still, even under this restricted policy, the wisdom of the employment of a special instructor in music was clearly seen. The
stated visits of Mr. Tilden to the various schools had their designed effect, by kindling interest in the depart- ment of music, by keeping up the ordinary practice of music to concert pitch, and by toning up the various teachers to the exigences of musical leadership.
At the end of the year, after a long and spirited dis-" cussion, it was voted by the Board to dispense with special instruction in music; and thus, against our better judgment, the cry for retrenchment that came up from so many quarters was heeded.
The present year's work was entered upon with the expectation that the teachers would care for the music in their respective rooms, and do this without allowing the department to run down on their hands. In some cases of special musical culture, this expectation has
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not proved false ; but it is evident that the mass of the teachers are not up to the standard of this requirement. It is also evident that the musical standing of our schools is fast sinking below the level maintained in years past. Still more, it is the judgment of the mas- ters that a special instructor in music is an imperative need of our schools.
Early in the year, a large and most respectable body of our citizens memorialized this Board, asking for the re-instalment of the special instructor in music. After a careful consideration of the subject, it was evident that the Committee favored the petition of these citi- zens, and were willing to re-establish the former status of music in the schools. As preliminary to definite action upon the subject, a request was sent up to the city government, asking them to authorize the requisite expenditure for the purpose. After its passage by the Board of Aldermen, the measure was defeated in the Common Council. In this shape the matter for the present year is destined to remain. Certainly the school committee have done all that it is possible for them to do in the premises; and the responsibility of defeating the wish of many of our best citizens, so ·definitely expressed, rests with our city fathers.
J. E. LATIMER, Chairman. AMOS E. LAWRENCE. LINCOLN R. STONE.
EVENING SCHOOL.
THE primary object of this school is to provide facili- ties for teaching boys and men to read, write, and keep accounts ; but, at the request of the principal, the experiment was tried during the year, of admitting females, and persons of both sexes who desired to pursue more advanced studies. With reference to the admission of females, experience has shown that it would be better to have them taught in a separate building, if any considerable number desire instruction.
The experiment of mingling the sexes did not prove very satisfactory. With reference to teaching the higher branches, we became convinced, that unless we increased our corps of teachers, and thus increased the expense, we could not do justice to the scholars for whom the school was mainly intended.
The results in the case of those who came to learn to read and write, and to get some knowledge of arithme- tic and elementary book-keeping, were very gratifying ; and the cost of the school is overbalanced by the fact that some who came to us unable to read at all now . read very well, and others who were further advanced have fitted themselves to keep simple accounts, and to enjoy their home studies.
The exercises of the school were occasionally enliv-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
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