USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1878-1879 > Part 10
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Of the number enrolled in this department at the commencement of the year, nineteen have been regular pupils, availing themselves of its entire course of pre- scribed study, so far as included in the year's pro- gramme. Others have devoted a portion of their time to mercantile branches in the several class exercises. As an evidence of popular favor and appreciation, it is a pleasure to record the enrolment of forty-two pupils in this course for the year 1879-80.
The master's systematic distribution of the work in this, as in other departments of the High School, has been exceptionally excellent, and, with the co-operation of his assistants in the adoption and application of the best methods of teaching, we are realizing in good measure the practical benefit contemplated in its estab- lishment. In a grouping of the several branches pur- sued, the average rank attained in proficiency has been especially gratifying. Coupling this result with other and personal facilities for observation and judgment, it is only fair to say that the assigned studies have been mastered with a degree of intelligence and profit developing one of the most important elements of edu- cational culture; viz., the discipline, growth, and en- couragement of mental forces into harmonious and independent activity.
In view of the small proportion of our High-school attendants who continue their educational course in academic and collegiate relations, and of the notable fact that so large a number leave the school to enter, often immediately, into the active occupations of busi- ness-life, it becomes at once apparent that the impor- tance and value of this department cannot be over- estimated. In its judicious combination of classical
35
HIGH SCHOOL.
and scientific instruction, neither in undue excess, are found the most essential helps to the attainment of that mental culture and development so necessary to effi- ciency and success in a struggle with the world. Not only to our young men, but to our young women as well, it insures effectual means for the achievement of usefulness and greatness in every sphere of contem- plated or probable effort. Endowed with such instru- mentality, our mercantile department pre-eminently commends itself to parents and pupils.
JULIUS L. CLARKE.
MATHEMATICAL DEPARTMENT.
The writer of this report is gratified to find the ad- ministration of the mathematical department of the High School in very able hands, and working, so far as he has seen, with an efficiency and success worthy of unqualified commendation. It is still further gratifying to observe that this but repeats the spirit of previous reports upon this important branch of our school-work.
The practical adaptation of the mathematical course to the individual pupil is a matter not less difficult than important, and worthy yet of serious consideration. While for service in mental discipline, and for many and varied applications in practical life, the study of mathematics has ever held, and, for these permanent reasons, ever must hold, a wide and important place in every wise system of education, yet, still, the fact, fixed by the decrees of nature, must not be lost sight of, that the faculty for mathematics is a very variable gift, and one not corresponding with the average richness and power of the same mind on other lines. Therefore a
36
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
most wise discrimination is important here, both on the part of school boards and teachers, that the rules and regulations of the former, and the demands of the latter, should not be oppressive upon those whom no fidelity of their own, no excellence of instruction, nothing, save Omnipotence itself, can make good in mathematics. It is believed, that, by the optional element in the High- school course, the discretion of our teachers, encouraged and sustained by the School Board, will ever keep any useless pursuit of mathematical studies at a minimum.
But it is to be regretted, that, in our grammar-schools, there is no such accommodating flexibility, while there are not wanting cases in which the strict enforcement of the regulation-tests in mathematics for promotion, and the unqualified exactions of teachers, amount to nothing less than crimes against nature. I am not aware that there is any adequate provision for such cases.
An unfortunate incident of the year has made perti- nent to this report the suggestion that it is hard to jus- tify that arrangement of studies, especially under a pro- fessedly elective system, which keeps out of reach, till the third year, such very practical branches as commer- cial arithmetic and book-keeping, while so many of our young men entering business-life take no more than one or two years of the course.1
W. S. SMITH.
THE CLASSICAL DEPARTMENT.
This department during the past year has been under the immediate charge of the master, aided by
1 See page 30 preceding for "defects in the details " of our system. If a modifying order of the Board, already adopted, to cover this matter, shall be found insufficient, further action will no doubt be taken. - A. E. L.
37
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Kent, Mr. Davis, and Miss Caroline Spear as assist- ants. The first three have taught both Greek and Latin ; while, of the ancient languages, Miss Spear has taught Latin only. We refer to the statistics on p. 23 for the number of each class engaged in the study of the ancient languages, the number of the last gradu- ating class who have entered college, and the insti- tutions they have joined.
There has been in this department the same earnest work as in the past; and the same effort on the part of the teachers to awaken and sustain the interest of their classes has borne the same good fruit. The pupils, designedly thrown much on their own resources, have welcomed their tasks, not merely as required forms for the solution of a problem, - entrance to college, - but as opening doors of knowledge otherwise closed, and as the most effective means of intellectual training. If the Greek and Latin be dead languages, the dissec- tion of them has at least been full of life. The study is made interesting ; and pupils are never more wakeful than when they are called to deal with a page of Xeno- phon or Cicero.
AMOS E. LAWRENCE.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES.
The studies embraced in this department, the number of pupils, the average attendance during the year, and the average proficiency in each study, as indicated by the examination in June, will be shown in the following table : -
38
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
STUDIES.
No. of Pupils.
Average Attendance.
Recitations.
Physics
78 in three divis'ns, 88 per cent.
20 per cent.
70 per ct.
Botany
59 in three
66
89
66
16
66
64
66
20
Chemistry
35 in two
92
66
36
.6
52
12
Astronomy
30 in two
66
85
23
65
06
12
Mathematics
(re-
view)
26 in two
66
87
66
12
66
68
20
metic
11 in one
94
66
20
70
10
Book-keeping
9 in one
85
-
100
66
-
Politics (for young men)
8 in one
93
10
85
66
5
Geometry,
loga-
rithms, &c.
1
99
66
-
96
66
4
66
257
90 + pr. ct. 21 per cent.
65 per ct.
14 per cent.
The number of pupils, as given in the above table, and their average attendance, is believed to be correct, the latter being a little below the average of last year. Whether the average proficiency of the pupils during the year is as correctly indicated by their recitations at examination is more uncertain. If correct, the record must be deemed satisfactory.
All of the studies enumerated, a number of which are not supposed to belong to the department of natural sciences, are taught by the sub-master, Mr. Sampson ; and the question naturally arises, whether one man can do full justice to such an array of studies and so great a number of pupils, especially when, as in this case, the teacher is much occupied with other details of the school.1
Owing to the crowding of so many parasites into the natural science department, physiology, which more
1 Our associate is forgetting, for the moment, the admitted competency of the sub-master to teach these branches, and that they are taught to different divisions of pupils, on different days, and in different terms of the school-year. That superficial instruction or study should result from these facts seems hardly a logical conclusion. Both will of course be elementary, but not necessarily superficial. - A. E. L.
Perfect.
Good.
Deficient. 10 per cent.
.
.
.
.
Commercial
arith-
39
HIGH SCHOOL.
naturally belongs to it, was given in charge of Miss M. Abby Smith ; and twenty pupils in that study were examined, with results, as to attendance and proficiency, very similar to those in the table.
H. S. NOYES.
Our High School is primarily designed for pupils who do not expect to continue their school-life beyond its walls. It has sometimes been represented that the energies of the teachers were given to classical instruc- tion, and that the arrangement of the course contem- plated chiefly the preparation of pupils for college. The opposite of this is the truth. Only a small minority of those who enter the school are looking to college ; and it is the aim, both of the teachers and the School Board, while not forgetting these, to give the best edu- cation possible to such as end their school-life with us. The natural sciences have therefore claimed no small share of their attention ; and whatever could be done, without too great an expense, to facilitate their study, has been wisely sanctioned by the Board. For this reason important changes have recently been made in the chemical room, involving slight expense, but greatly increasing its facilities. A window has been put in, fitted with inside shutters, for use in experiments requir- ing a dark room. The cabinet of minerals, and the case containing the metric system apparatus, have been re- moved, and permanently fitted in room 2. The force- pump, no longer needed, has been removed. The room thus obtained has been fitted up for work in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The fittings comprise a large hood, or case, with glass doors and glass ends, and having a pipe for ventilation, extending to the top of
40
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the building, and passing out through the roof. This so-called hood is one of the best features of the room. It is five long, two feet high, and one foot deep, and is lined at the top with tin to prevent its taking fire; and is furnished with three gas-fixtures, which supply heat for the work. In it is done all work with gases which emit an offensive odor, are poisonous or injurious such as sulphuretted hydrogen and hydrofluoric acid; and such liquids as are very volatile and inflammable, such as bisulphuret of carbon, ether, &c. Beside this hood are two small dark closets for such chemicals as are affected by light. Around the walls of the room are fitted shelves for chemicals and glass-ware; and below these shelves are placed benches for the pupils to work at. These benches are sheathed up, thus providing closets below for keeping apparatus, and are fitted with drawers for tools and nicer pieces of apparatus. Gas- fixtures are provided for furnishing light for the large closet and the tank-room, when needed, and for supply- ing heat for chemical work. The best feature of the room is an ingeniously-contrived piece of apparatus, ex- tending above and below the sink, by means of which the pupil is enabled to filter, with atmospheric pressure, in a few minutes, what would require hours by the old way. This instrument, which we call "The pump," will run five of these rapid filters at once, and at the same time produce five blasts of air for blow-pipe work ; thus doing away with the slow and laborious process with the mouth blow-pipe in blow-pipe analysis. The in- strument was made by Mr. O. B. Leavitt, from drawings which we furnished. It consists of a combination of lead and iron pipes, and a small copper air-chamber ; contains no valves ; can never get out of order ; and will
41
HIGH SCHOOL.
last till the lead and iron wear out. Its cost is but a few dollars ; and it supplies the place of ten separate pieces of apparatus, which, if purchased of the dealers in chemical ware, would cost (set up) about six hundred and fifty dollars.
These changes, now quite completed, have provided excellent facilities for five pupils to work at once (all the room will accommodate), which is equivalent to five hours a week of laboratory-work to twenty-five pupils. These changes have been made at the suggestion of the sub-master, Mr. Sampson, and under his supervision. The entire cost was a little over one hundred and fifty dollars.
A. E. L.
DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES.
In the French department, under the charge of Miss S. Alice Worcester, the classes this year are unusually large. The aggregate number of pupils in the High School electing the study of French exceeds that of last year by at least fifty (50). The college class num- bers eighteen (18). The pupils in all the classes mani- fest an unusual and gratifying degree of interest and enthusiasm in their work. That much of this is due to the more systematic method of instruction pursued in this department can hardly be doubted. Keetel's Ele- mentary Grammar has been substituted for that author's Analytical work, in order not only to an economy of time, but also to enable the teacher to direct the three- years' course in French to the best advantage of the pupil. Keetel's Analytical Reader has been introduced into the course, and is proving itself to be an excellent text-book. Under this improved method, the course in
42
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
French is assuming a shape which promises to give the pupils a thorough practical knowledge of the language, both written and spoken.
There were two classes in the German department last year. The advanced class was taught by Miss Worcester, and the class of those beginning the study by Miss Martha E. Foote. The latter class used Otto's German Grammar, studying about two-thirds of the grammatical part, going through the exercises, and read- ing some of the literature at the back of the book. The class also read some easy prose in Otto's German Reader. At the beginning of the year, the class num- bered eighteen (18). Of these, a majority were special students, several of whom dropped out of the class during the year.
During the present year both classes in German are to be taught by Miss Foote. The class beginning the study numbers twenty-one (21), and the advanced class three (3). The class of beginners seems to take hold of the work with energy and interest, and it is believed is doing well. It is hoped that the advanced class will finish Otto's Reader this year, and read also some classic German prose or poetry. Of this class Miss Foote says, " They disappoint me by having a better pronunciation, and by being more fluent in translation, than I feared from last year's work."
To this statement of the work done in this depart- ment during the past, and proposed for the present year, the Committee beg leave to add an expression of the conviction that what is known as the "thorough," or systematic method of instruction in modern lan- guages, is the best to be employed as regards both teachers and scholars. This method, as is known,
43
HIGH SCHOOL.
without ignoring the importance of being able to con- verse fluently in the language, aims to teach the pupil to translate and write it. The main grammatical princi- ples and constructions of the language are presented in systematic order through oral and written exercises in rendering the language into the vernacular of the pupil, and vice versa. When the pupil has acquired a fair amount of such grammatical knowledge, he is intro- duced to a Reader containing carefully graded and anno- tated extracts from good authors, with abundant references to the grammar, together with writing and conversational exercises based on the extracts. These extracts are selected not only with the view of interest- ing the pupil, but also of increasing his knowledge in the principles and idioms of the language, and impress- ing them upon his mind. If faithfully carried out, this method enables the pupil to lay a deep and broad foundation of knowledge, upon which he can afterwards build to any extent, easily, surely, and satisfactorily. This is the method of Keetel in his French Grammar and Reader. There seem to be no text-books in Ger- man equal to those of Keetel in French. Otto's books, in the hands of experienced teachers possessing a thorough knowlege of the language, give excellent results, and should not be displaced except by books plainly and positively superior.
OCTOBER, 1879.
THOMAS S. SAMSON.
44
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GRADUATES OF HIGH SCHOOL, 1879.
FOUR-YEARS' COURSE.
EDWARD L. BACON. FLORENCE E. BRIGGS.
CHARLES E. BECK.
FRONA M. BROOKS.
CHARLES C. BOTHFELD.
MARY H. BUCKINGHAM.
LOUIS A. COOLIDGE.
MARY E. CHAPIN.
AARON R. CRANE.
CORNELIA COLLINS.
JOHN W. DICKINSON, JUN.
MARGARET CONVERSE.
SYDNEY HARWOOD.
JENNIE M. DANIELS.
WALTER H. HOLBROOK.
LIZZIE B. FROST.
FRANK A. MASON.
LIZZIE C. LAWRENCE.
OSCAR H. PERRY.
ELIZA J. LOVELY.
FRED M. RICE.
EMMA A. MOORE.
ARTHUR K. STONE.
NORMA I. MORSE.
CHARLES P. WORCESTER.
ANNIE P. PORTER.
MAUD L. ATKINSON.
MARION E. SHELDON.
FRANCES E. BOWEN.
LIZZIE G. TOMPSON.
SUSAN C. WOOD.
THREE-YEARS' COURSE.
JOSEPH W. BRIGGS.
EDWARD D. HOLMES.
WALDO W. COLE.
ALFRED G. LOYD.
JAMES H. McGOVERN.
GEORGE J. MARTIN.
LENDO G. SMITH.
IDA COLLINS.
CORNELIUS S. CORKERY.
LIZZIE H. HENRY.
HENRY J. COX.
ANNA M. POND.
FANNIE A. BUSS.
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
NEWTON-CENTRE DISTRICT.
MASON SCHOOL.
MORE than the usual number of interruptions, inter- fering more or less with the progress of the classes, have taken place. Early in the year, Miss Ellen M. Cook, teacher of the first primary class, owing to fail- ure in health, was compelled to relinquish her charge, it was hoped for a few weeks only ; but the condition of her health soon made it evident that rest for the entire year was imperative. Miss Cook had proved herself a thoroughly earnest and successful teacher ; and her loss to the school, even for a brief period, was to be regretted.
Miss Martin, who, by assisting in the primary classes, had gained some knowledge of the methods of instruc- tion pursued, was appointed substitute. Her good judgment and determination to succeed enabled her to maintain a good degree of excellence in the class for the remainder of the year. With the beginning of the present term, Miss Cook has been able to resume her work, with promise of excellent results for the year to come. The first, third, and fourth classes have opened with so many pupils, that it has been found necessary
46
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
to temporarily appoint an assistant, whose time should be divided between these classes. Miss Martin has been appointed to the place.
Miss Ellena M. Thompson, teacher of the second primary grade, was also obliged, at the beginning of the year, to seek release in consequence of ill health. Leave of absence was granted her for the year. Miss Thompson had also proved herself a very successful primary teacher, conscientious and faithful. Miss Har- riette E. Bird was appointed her substitute. Miss Bird had also availed herself, to some extent, of the oppor- tunity afforded to gain a knowledge of the school by aiding the regular teachers, and was therefore the better qualified for the place. Her success was sufficient to justify the Committee in nominating her as teacher for the second class for the present year.
Miss Lottie P. Harbach, teacher of the third primary class, completed her third year with her usual marked success. Earnestness and enthusiasm were characteris- tic of her; and she was able to inspire her classes, in good degree, with these same elements of success. With the close of the year, Miss Harbach tendered her resignation, that she might seek the rest which five years of continuous labor in the Newton schools (two years in the Hamilton School) had rendered necessary for her. Miss Thompson, having so far recovered her health as to be able to resume her work, has been transferred from the second to the third class, as suc- cessor to Miss Harbach.
The year opened with an attendance in the fourth and fifth classes too large to be accommodated in their respective rooms, and each too large for one teacher to properly instruct. Accordingly, the larger part of the
47
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
fifth class was removed to the upper hall. Miss Clara A. Curtis, who had successfully taught this class for some two years, had resigned her position, much to the regret of both Committee and parents. Miss Mary Tenney, who was already experienced in the Newton schools, was appointed in her place. The remaining portion of the fifth class, with a portion of the fourth. was placed in charge of Mrs. Kate Taylor. The larger portion of the fourth class was placed in care of Miss Hannah Taft. The size and composition of this class made Miss Taft's work an arduous one for the year. Her success was as satisfactory as was to have been ex- pected. Miss Taft commences the present year under conditions of better promise. With the opening of the present year, it became possible to discontinue Mrs. Taylor's class, composed of divisions from the fourth and fifth classes, which was accordingly done. Miss Tenney now has charge of the entire fifth class.
Miss Maria F. Wood continues the efficient teacher of the sixth class.
With the beginning of the year, Miss Emma J. Hen- shaw entered upon her duties as teacher of the seventh class. While she has done good work, it is but reason- able to presume, that with the year's experience in our schools, and the needs of the class being better under- stood, she will, in the year to come, be able to do better work than in the past.
The eighth and ninth classes have been successfully taught by Mr. Albert L. Harwood, master, and Miss Mary L. Searle, head assistant. Eighteen pupils of the ninth class received diplomas, and all but one certifi- cates of admission to the High School. One also, from the eighth class, by double promotion, has been admitted to the High School.
48
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
It is a matter for congratulation that the grammar- schools of Newton begin the present year with an in- crease in the number of masters. A school, especially of the size of the Mason, having nine classes, and an aggregate number of about four hundred pupils, needs the entire time of one master.
In organizing under this new order, it was found advisable to remove the eighth and ninth classes to the upper hall, and use the former schoolroom for recitation purposes. This arrangement is found to be working with gratifying success ; and the Committee are con- fidently anticipating that the results of the present year will abundantly prove the wisdom of this change.
JAMES S. NEWELL, Chairman.
OAK-HILL AND THOMPSONVILLE.
The number of pupils in the Oak-Hill School con- tinues to be small, there having been enrolled three additional names only over the aggregate of the year last reported. These have been under the charge of Miss Mary E. Minter, so long the faithful principal of this school. Two of the pupils at the close of the year in June received diplomas testifying that they had hon- orably completed the course prescribed for the grammar- schools of Newton.
The necessities of the Oak-Hill School have seemed to your Committee to require a slight modification in its management, from which, under the guidance of the superintendent, good results are expected the coming year.
The school at Thompsonville continues in charge of Miss Helen E. Davis, and has opened the new year with a record-roll of thirty-five names, two less than it num-
49
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
bered at the close of the last school-year. These pupils are divided into three classes, - the first, second, and third, the older children of the neighborhood having been removed to the Mason School at the Centre. The average age of these classes is : of the first, five years ; of the second, seven years and a twelfth; of the third, nine years and a twelfth.
The attendance has been good, and the teacher seems to succeed in awakening the interest of the children, and securing their attachment. The location of the school proves to be a great convenience to the neighbor- hood, by making it easily accessible to the youngest children, even in the roughest weather ; affording them thus more days of instruction in a year than could otherwise have been secured.
AMOS E. LAWRENCE.
UPPER-FALLS DISTRICT.
PROSPECT SCHOOL.
BUT little can be said of the classes or of the teachers individually, without a repetition of the last report, with the exception of the filling of the vacancies exist- ing at the first of the year. Miss Maud McWilliams was elected teacher of the second class, but, after a few weeks' service, was released, that she might take a school in Boston. Her successor was Miss Lizzie W. Everett, and Miss Helen Norwood was elected teacher for the third and fourth classes.
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