USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1879-1880 > Part 10
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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
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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
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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,
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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.
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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
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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.
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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-
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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.
All the teachers have performed their allotted work successfully, each member of the ninth class having been prepared to enter the High School ; and the pupils of the other classes, with but a few exceptions, were fitted for promotion at the close of the year. The exhibition of the work of the classes in their rooms, and the grad- uating exercises in the hall, were very interesting ; and a generous, hearty approval was accorded by the visit- ors to all the teachers. The classes are evidently re- ceiving much benefit from the wise direction given by the superintendent. All who fully realize the responsi- bilities which teachers assume, and the amount of work required of them, know that the position is not one to be sought for its ease. One of their indispensable duties,
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
and which is too often overlooked in estimating the amount of their labor, is their previous careful prepa- ration on all the lessons of each day, without which, none can do their best work, and be prepared to meet the individual wants of their pupils. With whichever grade they may be connected, with a love for the work, they have a sphere of duty broad enough for the full exercise of the best talents, and an object to accomplish worthy of satisfying a reasonable ambition.
At the close of the year, Miss M. M. Miller, who had been an earnest worker, and successful teacher of the sixth and seventh classes for five years, declined to be a candidate for re-election, having made arrangements to assume, instead, the duties of a home.
Mr. Harwood's whole time will now be given to the Mason School, he having been for the past two years master of this in common with the Mason, Hyde, and Oak-Hill Schools, and in this time he has proved him- self worthy of confidence, both as a gentleman and teacher.
To the parents, I will briefly allude to the change in our school system, which gives to the schools the benefit of a master's whole time and his undivided interest, which will be of much benefit to the upper classes ; and, as we are situated, it has seemed to me to be one of our greatest wants that those scholars who enter the High School only to remain a short time, should, instead, have an opportunity to remain a year longer in our grammar-school. This, with a resolute purpose to ac- complish certain work, would be much more profitable for them than to spend the same time in the High School.
Without undervaluing the influence of the female
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
teachers, I claim that there is no position (it being bounded neither by caste nor creed) which opens so many grand opportunities for exerting good influences on the young as that of a resident master for our pub- lic schools ; and I shall be disappointed if our village does not receive the advantages anticipated from the change. In Mr. Frost we have a gentleman who is able and willing to work. in school and out, for the welfare of those who are intrusted to his charge, and who, in return, I trust, will receive your hearty co-opera- tion in every good work he undertakes.
J. A. GOULD.
HYDE SCHOOL.
During the last school-year, the first and second classes have been under the charge of Miss Alotta E. Stearns, this being her sixth year in this school. It was generally conceded that this school had never, under her charge, done better than during the past year. The exercises, presented by the school on " Parents' Day," -- entirely prepared and managed by Miss Stearns, - were exceedingly interesting, and seemed to completely cap- tivate the large attendance of parents, and other friends of the teacher and school. At the close of these ex- ercises, Miss Stearns's pupils - through their right- hand man, Master Eddie Crane - presented her with an appropriate and suitably inscribed gift.
The very uniform and kindly temperament of this lady had secured for her, during her long engagement in this school, many warm personal friends. Her con- nection with the school ceased with the school-year.
The third and fourth classes have been under the charge of Miss Cevilla B. Richardson, this being her
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
second year in this school. Every thing considered, the school perceptibly improved during the last half of the school-year. There was an unusually large attend- ance of parents and others at the exercises of the last day of the term.
A very pleasant episode of these exercises was a pres- entation to the teacher of an appropriate keepsake from her pupils ; Master Weston Allen acting as the speaker for the occasion. Miss Richardson's connection with the school closed with the school-year.
The fifth and sixth classes have been under the care of Mrs. Lilla M. Means, this being her second year. Besides having the exclusive care of these two classes, Mrs. Means is the acting principal of all the schools in the building. We use no unmeaning words when we record that this lady has not only done her specific work exceedingly well, but has been a judicious and efficient principal.
The exercises of the final day of the school-year were very fully attended by the patrons of the school and others ; and no one competent to discriminate could fail to discover clear evidences of superior teaching. Mrs. Means's services are still retained.
Miss Alice F. Whitcomb of Newton Highlands was selected from a large list of applicants to succeed Miss Stearns in the charge of the first and second classes, and began her work at the commencement of the Septem- ber (1879) term. Miss Whitcomb's record as a teacher is, without exception, most excellent. If she does not succeed here, she has lost her cunning, and the com- mittee in charge of this school will have made a mis- take.
Miss Alice M. Hammond of Wakefield, Mass., suc-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ceeded Miss Richardson in the charge of the third and fourth classes. This lady's history. as a teacher shows constant success. She has evidently commenced the new school-year in the Hyde School as mistress of the situation. It is hoped she will prove to be the right teacher and person in the right place.
The number of pupils attending the Mason School, but geographically belonging to the Hyde School, is twenty-one. This arrangement was made as a matter of economy. It was found, by conference with the prin- cipal of the Mason School and with the superintendent, that to send these twenty-one pupils to the Mason School would not increase the necessary teaching force in that group of schools; whereas, to retain them at the Hyde School would compel the fitting-up of an additional room and the employment of an additional teacher. It is not improbable, that, by the beginning of the September term, 1880, there will be sufficient material to justify establishing a school here for the seventh and eighth classes.
CHARLES E. ABBOTT.
AUBURNDALE AND LOWER-FALLS DISTRICT.
HAMILTON SCHOOL.
THE Hamilton School sustained itself fully as well as could have been expected under the disadvantages of the several changes of teachers that fell to its lot during the year. In the retirement of Mrs. Ellen M. Leland, who had been connected with this school for nine years, and most of that time as head assistant, the city of New- ton lost one of its most valued and successful teachers. Miss Anna G. Swain was consequently advanced to the position of head assistant ; while Miss Bancroft filled the vacancy thus caused for the remainder of the year. Upon the resignation of Miss Kimball, Miss Sarah H. Jumper was made teacher in the primary department.
An excellent class of ten pupils was promoted, entire, to the High School.
The present organization of the Hamilton School, securing the tried and undivided services of Mr. Leland as head master, Miss Swain as head assistant, and Miss Jumper for the younger classes, is regarded as a satis- factory and promising arrangement.
W. S. SMITH.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WILLIAMS SCHOOL.
Of the Williams, it is pleasant to observe that it is one of those Newton schools which our honored super- intendent takes particular satisfaction in introducing to the notice of those who are supposed best to appreciate a good school when they see it. Such a tribute as this should be most gratifying and encouraging to those teachers whose faithful and successful work commands such a recognition.
A superior class of fourteen members has been advanced to the High School, this year, without an individual failure.
The nine large classes in this school are getting to be about all the building can accommodate, as well as about as much as five efficient teachers can well care for.
The only change of teachers to be noticed is that in- volved by the additional masterships in the city schools. Mr. George L. Chandler, one of the three men chosen from the large number of candidates presenting them- selves, has been made head master of the Williams School ; while Mr. L. E. Leland, agreeably to his own preference, has returned to the mastership of his former charge in the Hamilton School.
W. S. SMITH.
WEST-NEWTON DISTRICT.
PEIRCE, DAVIS, AND FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
THE classes in these schools, with one or two excep- tions, accomplished the year's work allotted them in an exceptionally satisfactory manner. The primary classes have done more than the usual amount of work, the result of which we may reasonably expect will be more apparent in the classes to which they have been ad- vanced. The uniform good work of the lower grammar- classes was shown in their test-record, which, with very few exceptions, entitled them to promotion ; while the same record, together with the exhibition exercises of the ninth, or graduating class, showed a familiarity with, and thoroughness in, the work covered by the primary and grammar courses, gained only under the direction of experienced and skilful teachers.
We have not been exempt from the difficulty, ever attending graded schools, of making promotions at the close of the year, so as to equalize, as far as possible, the number of scholars in the different classes, and maintain the standard of promotion, and still do no injustice in individual cases, where, owing to circum- stances beyond the control of scholar or teacher, there has been a failure to attain the requisite rank for pro- motion.
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