USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1881-1882 > Part 9
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It must be remembered, however, that the study of English literature involves much more time than the pressure of other studies, and the limited time of a pupil in a High School, will permit. We can hardly hope to do much more than to point out how the field may be entered, and to show how it may be enjoyed.
With reference to the study of history in the High School, it is the view of the writer that much more ought to be done, both in the way of direct study, and in the encouragement of side reading. In making this statement, however, the difficulty of finding more time in our present crowded course suggests itself. In fact, the demands are already so great, that, unless some study now deemed necessary is neglected, it is hard to see how more time can be given to history as a study. Some-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
thing may be done by assigning themes, periods, admin- istrations, to be investigated in courses of home reading and conversation.
It is suggested that an informal talk between teacher and pupils upon historical events might occasionally take the place of a regular recitation, the pupils hav- . ing previously informed themselves, and being encour- aged to express their views.
In fact, the benefits of this conversational method should be considered by teachers in almost all branches ; the purpose of education being not only to impart facts, but to educe power.
G. W. S.
MATHEMATICAL DEPARTMENT.
The male teachers in the High School have entire charge of the mathematical department, and they have carried on the work the past year with most harmonious and successful co-operation.
The head master, Mr. Cutler, had a class in geome- try, made up chiefly of members of the first class, with some of the second who were to enter the Institute of Technology at the close of the year. Some of this class studied, besides plane geometry, solid and spherical trigonometry, accomplishing good work : others studied the use of logarithms, and other subjects which would be of special service in beginning their mathematical studies at college. In this class written exercises were given every week during the last term.
The master, Mr. Sampson, took the subjects of com- mercial arithmetic and book-keeping; two divisions of arithmetic and algebra in the fourth class; and the review mathematics - including arithmetic, algebra, and
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THE HIGH SCHOOL.
geometry - of those in the second class who were preparing for preliminary examinations in college. In the last class a large amount of written work was em- ployed.
The assistant master, Mr. Kent, took the remaining division in arithmetic and algebra in the fourth class, and the geometry in the third class. This statement of the distribution of the work, kindly furnished by Mr. Cutler, indicates how comprehensive, thorough, and well adapted to the interests of the pupils, is the ad- ministration of this branch of the High-school instruc- tion.
The new course of study has proved as desirable as was anticipated in this department. Great advantage was found in daily recitations. The single condition of the year's work which was regarded by common consent as unsatisfactory, was, that Mr. Kent, with the third class in geometry, consisting of fifty pupils, was not able to share in the advantage of daily recitations, but had only two regular hours a week for class-work. It is to be hoped that a remedy for this defect is not impossible in the nature of the case.
Though changes in the course of study have made algebra somewhat more compulsory, still all reasonable allowance is exercised towards individual preference and mathematical inaptitude. About seventy-five per cent of the fourth class take algebra, as against, per- haps, fifty-five per cent formerly. In cases where cx- emption from the study of algebra is allowed, special recitations in English are substituted.
Another innovation of the past year was a review of mathematics for about four weeks by the fourth class, as a special preparation for an casier mastery of the
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
difficulties of algebra. The change was so satisfactory in its results, that this review will hereafter introduce the High-school course of mathematics.
Except in the single matter of class inconvenience mentioned, the High-school mathematics are in an espe- cially satisfactory working-condition, every manifest re- quirement of the situation being fully supplied.
It is possible, perhaps, that the transition of classes from the grammar-schools to the High School is sus- ceptible of a more perfect adjustment. The most har- monious and effectively co-operative relationship between the higher and lower grades of our public-school system is a matter of superlative practical importance ever to be kept in view.
WILLIAM S. SMITH.
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THE HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATES OF THE HIGH SCHOOL, 1882.
FOUR-YEARS' COURSE.
HARRIET AVERY.
GEORGIE L. NORTON.
BELLE BLODGETT.
WILLIAM H. NOYES.
SUSAN H. BOIT.
GRACE T. PELOUBET.
GERTRUDE F. BRIDGHAM.
GRACE E. POWARS.
EDWIN W. BULLOCK.
CORA F. BUTLER.
CLARA M. RICHARDSON. LUCY C. ROSS.
ALEXANDRINE E. CHISHOLM. FANNY E. SMITH.
PAULINE L. DOLLIVER.
MARY L. SMITH.
LIVY H. DORCHESTER.
SANBORN G. TENNEY.
LOUISA M. EDDY.
FRANK H. UNDERWOOD.
GERTRUDE A. ELDER.
M. LOUISE WADSWORTH.
MARY A. ELLISON.
NELLIE P. WARREN.
JOSIAH F. FULLER, JUN.
GEORGE M. WEED.
HARRIET L. HOVEY.
MARY J. WELLINGTON.
ALBERT E. LEACH.
GEORGE R. WHITE.
THREE-YEARS' COURSE.
GEORGE E. BAIRD.
SARAH HOPKINSON.
MILTON H. BANCROFT.
SIDNEY R. BARTLETT.
CATHERINE T. CONDRIN.
SARAH L. PATRICK.
CHARLES W. DAVIDSON.
GEORGE F. POND, JUN.
BRIDGET E. DEVOY.
KATHRYN T. RAYMOND.
HARRY K. DRESSER. JOHN G. HARDY.
JOSEPHINE A. STEWART.
LILLIE C. MACKAY.
GEORGE W. LANE. ARTHUR H. PAGE.
GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
NEWTON-CENTRE DISTRICT.
MASON SCHOOL.
THIS school still holds the first place among the schools of Newton in point of numbers and daily at- tendance. During the year under review its register has contained four hundred and forty-four names ; and they have been instructed by the same nine teachers as last year. The interest of the pupils in their studies has been maintained at a high point; and the teachers have not lacked that enthusiasm which ennobles the pro- fession, and secures success. Mere routine work does not satisfy them. They are wakeful and earnest, and are therefore fruitful in expedients to rouse and fix attention, and give the freshness and interest of novelty to old and trodden paths.
The new year has opened auspiciously, with rooms fuller than ever before; and under the guidance of teachers refreshed by the long vacation work has begun with much zeal and promise. Mr. George A. Moore has been promoted to the position of master of the Hyde School, and his place in the Mason School has been filled by the promotion of Miss Sarah H. Munger ` to be head assistant. Her place as teacher of the
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
seventh class, thus made vacant, has been filled by the appointment of Miss Della E. Dodge of Stoneham. A further change in the teachers of this school is the addi- tion to the corps of Miss Mary E. Jordan, as teacher in the primary department, - an addition made neces- sary by the great increase in the size of the classes.
OAK-HILL SCHOOL.
In the published Report of the Board for the year 1881 there was expressed a hopefulness for this school that has not been fully realized in the results of the year's teaching. The school has been, now for the second year, in the charge of Mrs. Mattie S. Fowler, who, with some decided excellences that awakened our hopes, developed also as decided faults in management and teaching. As a natural consequence, the interest of the children flagged, the teacher's enthusiasm cooled, and the school suffered seriously, both in its discipline, and progress in study. The year on the whole has not been a successful one; and the failures of the teacher has entailed upon her successor a burden of labor that ought to have been spared him. The current year, however, has opened hopefully. Mr. Wilson has ad- dressed himself to the task before him with courage and tact ; and we look, with no small degree of confidence, for much better results another year than it has been our privilege to record for the two years last past.
The number of pupils enrolled is thirty-five, the same as last year ; and they range through eight differ- ent grades of advance. They are, however, grouped in five classes only, thus enabling the teacher to economize his time, and the labor of instruction.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
THOMPSONVILLE SCHOOL.
There has been little change in this school during the past year. It is still under the care of Miss Helen E. Davis, who has sustained her established character as an earnest and faithful teacher.
The greatest drawback to the full efficiency of the school is the irregularity of the pupils, - a matter, which, under the circumstances, the Committee cannot reach.
Perhaps the character of the teacher is more par- ticularly felt in the homes of the pupils in these outer districts than in the more central, where the children come in contact with so many influences besides that of the teacher.
We believe the influence of this teacher is strongly felt on the side of moral elevation, while good work is done for the pupils in their studies, as the rank they maintain after promotion to the Mason School testifies.
E. W. HYDE.
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
NEWTON UPPER-FALLS DISTRICT.
PROSPECT SCHOOL.
WALTER C. FROST Master.
MARTHA L. PERKINS
. Head Assistant.
ELLA F. CROOKER
. Assistant.
KATE P. RICHARDSON .
. Assistant.
LIZZIE W. EVERETT
. Assistant.
MARY P. FANNING
. Assistant.
THIS school has been favored the past year by ability to again secure for it the services of the teachers named above, all of whom have fully maintained the honorable standing in their positions which was accorded to them in the last school report.
The school has been exempt from sickness, with the exception of whooping-cough, which depleted the lower classes the latter part of the year. This was unfavorable for the recurrence of the annual visitation of the parents to witness the progress made; but exhibitions of the regular school-work was given in all the rooms, which was rewarded by a generous approval from the visitors.
JOHN A. GOULD.
REPORT ON THE HYDE SCHOOL FOR 1882.
This school has had, during the year, a complete change of teachers. Some of the changes were made by the District Committee with much regret, so far as the personal aspect of the cases was concerned, but
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
with a full sense of their responsibilities in the matter, and with the unanimous conviction that the best interests of the school demanded the action which was taken. The school was not well organized. It was not one school occupying five rooms, but practically five sepa- rate schools under one roof. From this state of things it is only natural to expect serious difficulties in the management and discipline of the school. It is hoped that one result of the recent changes may be a unifying of the school under one responsible head, - the master. He should be looked upon by the assistant teachers as their counsellor and guide, entitled to their confidence and their co-operation. He is regarded by the Commit- tee as responsible for the general progress, discipline, and management of the school; and so he should be considered by the pupils and their parents.
Since September the school has given promise of good results ; but it would be premature to pronounce judgment at this time.
The teachers of the school are, -
Mr. GEORGE A. MOORE . Master.
Miss CHARLOTTE E. CAMERON
. Head Assistant.
Miss JACOBS 1
. Assistant.
Miss GERTRUDE BLACKMAR . Assistant.
Miss MABEL R. WETHERBEE . Assistant.
Miss PHEBE E. CHURCHILL
. Assistant.
1 Miss Jacobs has resigned her place to accept a position in a high school, and Miss Gertrude Blackmar has been appointed on probation to fill the vacancy. Dec. 27, 1882.
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
AUBURNDALE AND LOWER-FALLS DISTRICT.
HAMILTON SCHOOL.
THERE are disadvantages at this school, which, though they cannot be fully obviated until increase of pupils shall justify the employment of a larger number of teachers, yet meanwhile they should be recognized and regarded with due allowance. Says one of the Hamil- ton teachers, " Having three distinct grades, as we do, there is a greater or less degree of confusion arising from constant and rapid changes from one thing to another. Press of work, and lack of time for individual help, are the greatest of my troubles in teaching. We are expected to give in as good written work at our quarterly examinations as teachers of one grade; and few take into consideration the fact that we have three times the ground to go over, with all its accompanying review and daily drills, that the teacher of one class has." Another teacher in the same building, referring to the general oral instruction which each teacher is expected to give, says, " A great part of this teaching is adapted to only a portion in the room. That for the youngest members is much too simple for the oldest, and that for the latter is beyond the comprehension of the former." It is reasonable that these representations have a hearing. It is not the thirty pupils, but the three grades in the room, that renders the work oppres-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
sive and discouraging: therefore it is plain that our smaller schools, where several grades are massed in one room, demand a proportionately larger number of teach- ers. For this reason, though the number of pupils at the Hamilton is not relatively large for the regular teachers, Miss Tuttle was employed as an assistant in- structor last year ; and she having declined re-appoint- ment, an opportunity to secure the return of Mrs. Leland to the field of her former successful labors was counted most fortunate.
Very pertinent to the report of this school are some further statements made by the teachers themselves. Says one, " Our scholars are well bred, well dressed, and well disciplined as a rule. We have a very kind and experienced master, and pleasant and helpful par- ents." Another reports as follows: "The attendance in my room is excellent (by that I mean very few unexcused absences), and truancy is unknown. The general feeling in the room is not to be absent except for sickness."
Such testimony as the above is doubly creditable, and could be given only where the mutual relationship of teacher, pupils, and parents, are especially satisfactory and encouraging.
The highly gratifying and prosperous condition of this school is largely attributable to its good fortune in the long-continued services of able teachers.
WILLIAM S. SMITH.
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
THE WILLIAMS SCHOOL.
These school reports can be but the briefest notice of the most important matters. It is not possible here to award the teacher the exact measure of worth or rela- tive standing, nor, indeed, is it necessary ; for every Newton teacher enters the year's work by an act of approbation, which should be an all-sufficient source of satisfaction and encouragement. When it is consid- ered that hundreds of able, accomplished, and experi- enced teachers are ever waiting on any vacancy that may occur, a re-appointment is invested with a signifi- cance more practical and weighty than any merely verbal tribute could convey.
Nor should parents expect to find in these pages all they ought to know of the school interests of their children. The public school itself is open to the freest inspection. The good of the children demands personal visitation, and the teachers all invite it. And, duty aside, there is no more beautiful and enjoyable scene in all our charming villages than the bright, earnest faces of our children and youth when lighted up with the glow and intelligence of their schoolroom work.
The Williams School has still continued subject to the misfortune of change, which has fallen much to its lot of late. This is a matter to be deplored, not only in respect to the particular department especially af- fected, but also as related to the harmonious action and efficient working of the entire course of instruction in the building ; for our graded schools demand, not alone a high degree of excellence in the individual teacher, but likewise an aptitude for co-operation in working
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
a uniform system, so that the pupil, in passing from grade to grade, shall not be as going from one school to another, but only as taking different stages in a school homogeneous throughout in all its discipline and meth- ods of instruction. To realize this practical unity and organism, even with good teachers, takes time: hence, one of the greatest evils of a change of teachers. Miss Hattie A. Ingraham, who had made a good record by her services in the West-Newton schools, now has charge of the second and third classes, which, by reason of ill health, Miss Merrill was reluctantly obliged to resign.
While the general deportment of this large school has been of marked excellence, there have been rare cases of stubborn insubordination. An idle, ungovern- able boy in school or at large, in the neglect and defi- ance of all provisions made for his welfare, is an offence and peril not to be tolerated. The way of such a trans- gressor should be made hard and short. Cases come up (and they are liable to continuous recurrence among so large a number of pupils) of a character not only to exhaust the resources of teachers, but also to challenge the wisdom, authority, and powers of the entire School Board : therefore the question is proposed to the Com- mittee on Rules and Regulations, whether there be not need of a more clearly defined course of procedure by which both teachers and school authorities may most kindly and wisely, but also most promptly and effect- ually, deal with serious and extreme cases of disorder.
Further delay of preliminary action in respect to improved school accommodations in this district can scarcely be short of criminal. Nearly one hundred of our children are doing their school-work in rooms which
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
necessitate frequent resort to gaslight, and in an atmos- phere which has been justly pronounced as " poison- ous."
Aside from these special discouragements, the condi- tion of the Williams School is to an unusual degree satisfactory.
WILLIAM S. SMITH.
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ยท REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE ..
WEST-NEWTON DISTRICT.
PIERCE, DAVIS, AND FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
THESE schools were fortunate in having the continued service of their entire corps of teachers. Having had an average experience of more than ten years each in these schools, they began the year with a thorough compre- hension of, and familiarity with, the work to be done ; and the devotion and faithfulness with which they per- formed their work place the community, and especially those parents having children in the schools, under lasting obligations to them.
The schools opened with an increased number of scholars over the preceding year, the largest increase being in the two primary rooms. There was a still larger addition in these rooms at the opening of the spring term, when it was found necessary to put an assistant teacher in each room. With the additional help, the work was satisfactorily done.
The failures in promotion in the different grades have been caused largely by irregularity of attendance, - an evil, which, though sometimes unavoidable, discourages the scholar, and imposes extra labor upon the teacher ; and, while most parents gladly co-operate with the teachers, some fail to appreciate the fact that the best success can be secured only where there is regular and punctual attendance.
E. W. WOOD, Chairman.
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.
THERE has been a very large increase in the number of pupils in this district during the past year. The primary rooms have all been overcrowded. So great was the pressure at the Claflin and the Jackson, that it became necessary to open another room in each build- ing, and employ additional teachers. In fact, at the Adams a new room was also opened at the beginning of the present year ; so that now all three of the build- ings in the district have each an additional room and teacher.
THE ADAMS SCHOOL
Has continued through the year under the same corps of teachers as the preceding year; viz., Mr. W. A. Spin- ney, Mrs. Edwards, Miss Haynes, and Miss Brierly. Mr. Spinney has manifested the same enthusiasm as ever, and has done even better work the past year than ever before. Miss Brierly has fully maintained her former high standard of success with the little ones. All the teachers have done their work well; and there are many regrets that Mrs. Edwards has terminated her very efficient services.
THE CLAFLIN SCHOOL
Had a change of principals during the year. Mrs. Pitts, who began the year with great zeal and with the prom- ise of her usual great success, was obliged to resign her
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
position. Her place, however, was very successfully filled by Mrs. E. F. Tucker, with whom the other teachers co-operated most cordially and faithfully. As a result, less harm came to the school from a change in the midst of the year's work than might have been feared. This school has an excellent corps of teachers, - Miss Wilder, Miss Ware, Mrs. Jones, - who have long and faithfully served the district, and never more faithfully, or with better results, than during the year covered by this Report. Mrs. Jones, who at one time had eighty pupils, was assisted by Miss Nellie Tewksbury, who, in April, was elected temporary assistant, and assigned a separate room.
Your Committee are gratified that at last the time has come when the strong and long-existing desire for a male teacher as principal of this building can be met, and that one has been elected, and entered upon his work.
THE JACKSON SCHOOL
Has been successful in all its departments. A more successful or useful corps of teachers than those em- ployed in this building it would be very difficult to find anywhere. Miss Eliza J. Lovely was added to the corps early in the year, and has fully met the high expecta- tions of the Committee in the kind of work which she has done, showing unusual tact and skill with the little ones. Mr. Edwards is remarkably well fitted for the somewhat difficult position which he occupies, being self-denying, enthusiastic, and patient. He fills this place so well, that it would be a serious misfortune to the school and community to transfer him to another position. On this account, and as his faithfulness and
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GRAMMAR-SCHOOLS.
success here stood in the way of his promotion to a position commanding larger pecuniary compensation, your Committee urged and secured a change in the Rules, which now place him on an equality in compen- sation with the masters. Miss Millard, Mrs. Clelland, and Mrs. Clark are all veterans in the school, and en- titled to the fullest confidence and credit, and are worthy associates of the principal. Miss Hotchkiss resigned her position during the year ; and her place has been filled by Miss Anna F. Gage with very satisfactory success.
It is with sincere gratification that your Committee renders a report so favorable in all particulars.
E. FRANK HOWE, Chairman. NEWTON, Oct. 23, 1882.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
NEWTON DISTRICT.
THE Rules of our Board require a yearly report of the condition of the various districts of the city, showing their condition up to the close of the school-year.
In making these reports there must always be a great sameness. It is interesting to watch the progress of each class, to see their development from year to year ; but there are few striking points that are worthy of record.
The attendance has been, from some cause, somewhat smaller than in the previous year. There are occa- sional complaints of tardiness, as well as non-attendance at school, upon the part of the pupils, for what some of the teachers think insufficient excuse. It would be well that parents should see to it that these faults, for which they alone can provide a remedy, should be cor- rected.
BIGELOW SCHOOL.
The year's work here has been good. The graduat- ing exercises of the ninth class were very interesting and creditable to all concerned. They were simple, but with latitude enough to show the character and thoroughness of their work.
The only change in the corps of teachers was the resignation of Miss Colley from ill health, after one year's service.
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GRAMMAR-SCHIOOLS.
UNDERWOOD SCHOOL.
This school has done its usual good work. The rooms have been well filled ; and, for the last few months of the year, it was necessary to employ an extra teacher to take charge of the large number who enter the school at the end of the spring vacation. To judge from the size and appearance of the little ones entering then, it would seem as if the age of admission should be changed to six years, or else, in addition to the re- quired vaccination certificate, a certificate of the age should also be furnished.
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