USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1882-1883 > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
The teaching of the older pupils in the room of the third class who had previously acquired strong bodies, was very successful, and it suggests to parents who have children of infirm health that there is not a neces- sity of sending them to school as young as is now practised.
Very extensive sanitary improvements were made in both houses during the summer vacation, which could have been delayed no longer without incurring great risk to the health of pupils and teachers. The im- proved system is now working very satisfactorily and is expected to meet all requirements of that kind for a long time to come.
JOHN A. GOULD.
41
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
LOWER FALLS DISTRICT.
HAMILTON SCHOOL.
The quiet uneventfulness of uninterrupted and prosperous work characterized this school the past year. The entire attendance was one hundred thirty- nine, an increase upon the previous season. The graduating class was the largest for many years, all fourteen of whom have entered the High School. Three keeping-rooms are occupied, with an average of thirty-five pupils each, while the fourth teacher hears her classes in a recitation-room. The no-recess plan has served so admirably here in the grammar depart- ment that it is desired for the primary classes also.
Mr. Leland's administration of this mastership, ex- tending now over a period of more than twenty years, has given him the complete mastery of his work, so that both the school building and the district are con- stantly under his hand and eye. He keeps a school, and also keeps the children of his charge in the school. He sees to it that no part of the one hundred thousand dollars annually appropriated for the cur- rent expenses of the common schools of Newton which comes to his constituency shall fail of its pur- pose in respect to a single child of school age, by enforcing, when necessary, both upon pupils and par- ents, the provisions of the laws. This is something more than the mere keeping of a school, and nothing less than the practical assurance of a common-school education to the entire community. This is a work
42
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
plainly impossible to masters who come and go, but one best performed by him, other things being equal, the largest part of whose working years have been given to a single field. Fortunate is that locality where this broad and special supervision is faithfully and efficiently carried out. And that master accom- plishes the highest achievement of his profession when he succeeds in inspiring his every pupil with the no- ble purpose of taking full advantage of his privileges in making himself a worthy, intelligent, and useful citizen of the Commonweath.
If a word further upon this important matter as related to the city schools as a whole be allowable here, it may be said that the question as to how many children of school age there may be in Newton to-day who by somebody's fault are left out or kept out of the common schools, is one which our statistics, elab- orate as they are, do not clearly answer; but that it is a question which manifestly demands an immediate and thorough investigation in any and every case where it has not been answered surely will not be denied by any one.
WILLIAM S. SMITH.
WILLIAMS SCHOOL.
After three years of successful mastership in this school. Mr. Chandler has entered upon his fourth sea- son with the situation more fully in hand than ever before. At advantage in the good-will of his pupils, in the confidence of the community, and in official ap- probation, he has reason to anticipate with special satisfaction the new order of things in prospect.
The only change in the list of teachers from the
43
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
previous year was in the primary department, where Miss Ingraham rendered her first and a very accept- able year of service.
Too prominent to pass unnoticed among the excel- lent features of this school is the extraordinary profi- ciency in vocal music attained under the rare training of the first assistant, Miss Pinnock.
The very prompt and effectual correction of an in- veterate case of truancy by an appeal to legal meas- ures, suggests for service as a guide to teachers, and a warning to the unruly, the posting of a card con- taining all legal enactments bearing upon school dis- cipline in some conspicuous place in each of our school buildings.
Want of room has been the great trouble with the Auburndale School of late, where packing has been pressed, not only to a very inconvenient, but also to a very perilous point, especially in the two upper rooms occupied by Miss Burbank and Miss Saltonstall. But by favor of a kind Providence, nothing worse came of it than a general detriment to school work. But, whatever the loss, it has thus come about that the absolute necessity of immediate provisions for bet- ter accommodations has been made apparent to all. And hence action has been taken which will make this year memorable as the end of an old and the beginning of a new order of things in this district. Of this action suffice it here to say that a work like the building of a schoolhouse, which in the ordinary course of things comes not oftener than once in a generation, is at least a formidable undertaking and seldom unattend- ed with special difficulties, delays, and disagreements. But, whatever obstacles of this or of any other sort
44
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
may have been encountered, it is especially gratifying to be able to say they have all been surmounted, and the wise and liberal provisions which have been made for the Auburndale district are, to an unusual degree, satisfactory to all parties concerned.
WILLIAM S. SMITH.
45
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
WEST NEWTON DISTRICT.
PIERCE, DAVIS, AND FRANKLIN SCHOOLS.
The school history of our district for the year end- ing June, 1883, presents few features of special interest. The administration of skilled and faithful teachers has secured a steady and healthy progress in the various grades under their charge. The results achieved in each department of our three schools have given additional proof of the wisdom and effi- ciency of the school system of our city. Errors in theory and practice may, and probably do, still exist to some extent, but their elimination may be safely intrusted to accruing experience and intelligent su- pervision
No serious interruption from sickness of either teachers or pupils has broken in upon our regular class work. Miss Calista S. Wood, of the Davis School, was granted leave of absence for the year for needed rest, and Miss A. Calista Hale, a graduate of the Worcester Normal School, was placed upon the Davis corps of teachers during her absence. Miss M. Alice Warren, who had been an assistant in the Pierce School, was appointed in place of Miss Mary J. Pickering, who resigned her position at the close of 1882.
The omission of the morning recess in some of our school grades, with the shortening of the session in accordance therewith, as authorized by the Board, has received the approval of both teachers and par-
46
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ents, and is believed to be a desirable modification of our rules in that behalf.
Among the pleasant occurrences of the year was the graduation of an excellent class from the Pierce School, many of its members entering the High School, and others going directly into business occu- pations, in accordance with previous intention. In this connection we are happy to record the presenta- tion to the Pierce School, by Mr. William E. Sheldon, of West Newton, of nearly one hundred volumes of educational works, which we trust may become the nucleus of a choice library for school reference and reading.
The regularity of attendance during the year, both in the grammar and primary grades, deserves special commendation. The few exceptions, smaller in ratio than in some years, were attended with the usual un- favorable results, as indicated by necessarily slow progress, failure in proficiency, and consequently in promotion, - evils which should receive prompt and earnest correction, both on the part of pupils and parents.
We have still to report an increasing attendance in nearly every grade, necessitating the employment of an assistant, Miss Jennie M. Daniels, in the pri- mary department of the Davis School, and also an additional teacher, Miss Helen M. Tolman, for the Pierce School, from the commencement of the present school year. The large increase of children of school age in our district is rendering more and more apparent the pressing necessity for more ample ac- commodations, so earnestly desired and labored for during the year. It is hoped that the present and
47
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
prospective want in this behalf will receive early and favorable consideration.
Current experiences in our own, as well as in other districts, suggest various matters of local and gen- eral interest which require no discussion here. These will receive due consideration in the annual reports of the Board and of the Superintendent. Some of them find new emphasis in a review of the year's exhibit, showing that it is the employment of mind in doing school work which best educates and calls forth its powers, and that every day of actual work lost must tell upon the results attained, proving, moreover, that the habit of punctuality and regularity should be formed during school life. In this connection we have to say that our children apply themselves to many things during the nine years below their High School course, and we take pleasure in bearing testimony to the large measure of success and thoroughness that rewards the labors of both teachers and pupils.
JULIUS L. CLARKE, Chairman.
48
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
NEWTONVILLE DISTRICT.
ADAMS SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
WILLIAM A. SPINNEY, Master, teacher of grade 9.
Miss V. A. HAPGOOD, First Assistant, teacher of grades 8 and 7.
Miss ABBIE I. FISKE, Assistant, teacher of grade's 6 and 5. MISS ESTELLA M. HAYNES, Assistant, teacher of grades 4 and 3.
Miss ANGELIA A. SMITH, Assistant, teacher of grades 2 and 1.
The teachers of the Adams School are to be com- mended for their efforts and their success. A good spirit pervades the school, such as is found in the minds of those who are conscious of success in the study for new knowledge, for a good method of learn- ing, and for a right training of the faculties.
It is the aim of the teachers to lead their pupils into the possession of the highest end that school exer- cises are adapted to produce, the power of self-control.
More assistance is needed in teaching the pupils of the first and second grades in the school.
CLAFLIN SCHOOL. TEACHERS.
HERBERT F. SYLVESTER, Principal, teacher of grade 8.
Miss LILLA T. WILDER, First Assistant, teacher of grades 7 and 6.
Miss MARY R. WARE, Assistant, teacher of grades 5 and 4. Mrs. LIZZIE JONES, Assistant, teacher of grades 3 and 2. Miss LYDIA A. BRIERLEY, Assistant, teacher of grade 1.
49
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
Mrs. E. F. Tucker, teacher of grade 1, resigned during the year, and her place was filled by Miss Brierley, who was transferred from the Adams School.
The school has been disturbed the past year by sickness, by a long vacation in term time for repairs to be made on the school building, and by overwork on the part of the teachers and pupils in attempting to accomplish a year's labor in much less than a year's time.
Both teachers and pupils have labored faithfully in their efforts to perform the tasks assigned.
The school building is now too small for the num- ber of pupils in attendance. The attic rooms are not proper places for the children, and the rooms on the first and second floors are already over-crowded. The system of heating and of ventilation, partly constructed last winter, should be completed.
It is recommended that the course of studies now taught be so modified that the pupils, by having less ground to pass over, may do what is required of them in a more thorough manner.
Additional means of teaching are needed. More blackboards, a better supply of reference books and books for supplementary reading, and simple apparatus for the illustration of some of the elements of knowl- edge, should be provided.
The school now has a janitor of its own. It is ex- pected that hereafter the school building and premises will be the objects of the undivided attention of one who will perform in a skilful manner the important duties of his office. The present plan of omitting the recesses is commended by the principal.
50
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
JACKSON SCHOOL.
TEACHERS.
GEORGE G. EDWARDS, Principal, teacher of grades 8 and 7.
Miss H. AUGUSTA MILLARD, First Assistant, teacher of grades 8 and 7.
Miss GERTRUDE G. TEWKSBURY, Assistant, teacher of grades 6 and 5.
Mrs. LOUISE W. CLELLAND, Assistant, teacher of grades 4 and 3.
Miss ELIZA J. LOVELY, Assistant, teacher of first division of grade 2.
Mrs. ABBY J. CLARK, Assistant, teacher of second division of grade 2.
Miss LOTTIE E. STEARNS, Assistant, teacher of grade 1, in the Athenæum.
It would be better for the school if all the grades belonging to it were collected into one building, and placed under the immediate supervision of the prin- cipal. If this were done, the different grades would more evidently form a part of one whole, and the work done in them would approach nearer to unity. This school is an important one, and deserves the special attention of those who have its management intrusted to their care.
The teachers have proved themselves to be efficient and faithful. They endeavor not only to teach in a thorough manner the various branches of study enu- merated in the course of instruction made out for the school, but they also endeavor with equal care to train their pupils in the principles and practice of good conduct. It should be the policy. of the Com- mittee to keep the teachers steadily in their places,
51
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
for a successful experience is invaluable to a teacher of the public schools.
It is expected that those who have charge of the public schools will not forget that good schools can- not exist without well-trained teachers to teach them ; that the course of studies pursued in the schools will determine the kind of knowledge the children will obtain; that the methods of teaching practised will give character to the quality of knowledge acquired, and to the mental training which the process of ac- quiring the knowledge will produce; that the best text-books can be selected by those only who use them; that a good schoolhouse is the product of an intelligent experience; and that a perfect attendance upon the schools is the result of constant attention on. the part of teachers, school authorities, and the people themselves.
J. W. DICKINSON, Chairman.
52
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
NEWTON DISTRICT.
As a whole, the condition of the schools in this district has been very satisfactory.
The attendance has increased, so that before long it will be necessary to have a class and teacher in the unoccupied room of the Bigelow Schoolhouse.
BIGELOW SCHOOL.
There have been three changes in the corps of teachers in this school. One of them, in the seventh class, was very unfortunate.
Near the beginning of the school year Mrs. Bake- man tendered her resignation on the ground of ill- health. Substitutes were employed for some time, but no one was found to fill the place. After a time Mrs. Bakeman's health so far improved that she felt able to again offer her services to the district com- mittee, and they gladly put her back in the place which she had so long and so well filled.
Early in the spring Miss Eudora Sanford felt obliged, by the state of her health, to resign the position of head assistant, and Miss George was ap- pointed in her place. Miss Sanford had been a teacher in this school for some years, and had always been conscientious, painstaking, and hard working.
At the end of the school year Miss Locke resigned her place in the fourth class to fit for Smith College.
The other teachers in this school still deserve the good opinion which your Committee and this commu- nity have of them.
53
GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.
UNDERWOOD SCHOOL AND LINCOLN SCHOOL.
These schools are in a very good state. The Underwood School has been so full that it has been again necessary to employ a temporary assistant, and the Lincoln School fuller than for some years.
It would be well to take some children from the North Village, which is so over-crowded, and put them in the Lincoln School, giving Miss Wilmarth an assistant. With forty children or thereabouts, it is rather hard to do the work in the three grades that she has without any assistance.
For the Committee Newton District,
LINCOLN R. STONE, Chairman.
EVENING SCHOOL.
THE Committee on the Evening School report that a school for instruction in elementary English branches and book-keeping was held three evenings each week, from November, 1882, to February, 1883, in the Lincoln Schoolhouse, on Pearl Street.
The school was under the charge of Mr. L. F. Warren and the following assistants: Emma B. Wil- kins, M. Alice Warren, Nellie B. Rand, Nellie P. Warren, Nellie M. Hart, Fannie A. Brackett, Char- lotte M. Wilkins.
Number of evenings school open . 40
The number of pupils enrolled was 100
The average attendance was 50
The largest attendance was . ·
90
The plan of the school and its success were as in former years. (Signed)
G. W. SHINN. C. H. STONE. L. R. STONE.
MUSIC.
THE Committee on Music, in submitting the report called for at this time, beg to be excused from giving anything but this short statement of the condition of music in the schools.
In the lower grades in some if not in all the schools there has been good work done and some improvement shown.
The special instructor in music, Mr. Roberts, how- ever, has hardly had a fair opportunity to show the value of his methods, on account of a long and severe illness the earlier part of the school year.
We bespeak for him a candid, patient, and longer trial.
For the Committee,
· L. R. STONE, Chairman.
NEWTON, MASS., Oct. 24.
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING.
THE evening class in mechanical drawing, estab- lished during the preceding school year at the Pros- pect Schoolhouse in Ward 5, was continued last winter, opening Dec. 12, and closing March 29.
The pupils being for the larger part the same that attended the class the winter before, a sec- ond year's course of instruction, more advanced and supplementary to the first year's course, was pursued ; and the class system of instruction was adopted to a greater extent in place of individual instruction. The teacher, Mr. H. N. Mudge, and the pupils expressed themselves as being well pleased with the kind and quality of the work done during the term. The at- tendance was not as large as it should have been, the total number of pupils at any time during the term being twenty-eight, against forty-three at the previous term. The average attendance the first month was nineteen, and for the term but thirteen.
Unusual social attractions in the village during the entire winter kept many persons from attending the school who were presumed to have an interest in its continuance.
The fact is again evident that the population of our city is unfavorably located for the best success of a
57
INDUSTRIAL DRAWING.
school of this character, as no section has yet fur- nished a sufficient number of pupils for a sufficient length of time, and other villages are too distant to draw from, therefore the Committee do not recom- mend the opening of another drawing school at pres- ent, or until the want of one is made manifest to the School Board.
J. A. GOULD. for the Committee.
SEWING.
. THE experience of the Sewing Committee during the past few weeks of school has served to confirm them in the opinion that no mistake was made when it was decided to introduce instruction. in sewing into our public schools. The long-felt need of some- thing more practical in our system of education seems to be in part met, and the hope is confidently cherished that this branch of study will soon take the rank it so justly deserves.
. The time which has been given to sewing as yet is too short for us to be able to speak of results. There are many encouraging indications. It is only by visiting the class-room during the sewing hour that one can form a correct estimate of the quality and variety of work done.
The sewing teachers are earnest and conscientious workers, not easily discouraged, though the work increases in magnitude. They sometimes feel that the best results are not obtained, because the work supplied to the children is that which is most con- venient and not that which is most suitable. If the work provided is beyond the child's capacity, progress is hindered and time wasted. We see no remedy for this till parents realize the fact, and are as anxious
59
SEWING.
for their children's advancement in sewing as in any other branch of school work. This will be a great gain, which will be perceived in more satisfactory re- sults.
The Committee have scarcely been prepared for the genuine and hearty co-operation which has been shown by a large number of the regular teachers. The cheer- fulness with which most of them have laid aside the regular work of the class-room, and the readiness with which they have given their own hands to the work, laying down pen and pencil and taking up the needle, have been exceedingly gratifying to the Com- mittee. Combined with this readiness to help is a feeling of responsibility in regard to success.
The almost universal testimony of the children is in favor of sewing. The order, neatness, and indus- try of the school-room during the sewing hour are scarcely less perfect than at other hours. While there is room for improvement, your Committee are reasonably satisfied with the work of the past seven weeks.
The rules adopted for the regulation of this depart- ment of instruction are herewith submitted .*
MISS A. A. SMEAD.
* See Superintendent's Report, pp. 71-73.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To His Honor the Mayor,
and the Honorable Board of School Committee of Newton:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, - The closing of the school year makes it my pleasant duty to take a general survey of the educational field and formally to report the result. I do so with the greater pleas- ure since, despite some untimely interruptions, it bears evidence of characteristic thrift. With our ante- cedents, the absence of any violent change or up- heaval is perhaps the best evidence of prosperity; for of schools it may be said as it has been said of nations, " Happy they which have no history!" The best work in the school-room cannot be reported. The quiet routine, with its thousand little details and its ten thousand subtle phases, where mind reflects mind, and heart touches heart, defies the nimblest pen; nor would a minute description of processes or a mere recital of every-day facts furnish either enter- tainment or instruction. At a period when educa- tion has come to be recognized as a science and many of its principles find ready acceptance, much that is vital to school interests may be safely assumed, while the attention is directed to those more salient features which mark the trend of doubtful theories. If I rightly apprehend the duties of your executive offi- cer, not the least important is carefully to watch and
62
· REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
faithfully to report tendencies in method and in work, and to secure if possible the best conditions for reap- ing the fruits of practical skill. Therefore, in what- ever particular this report may fail " in reviewing the work of the schools," it is hoped that it may not fail in properly estimating the importance of those move- ments whose issues are to determine the soundness of our theories and the value of our methods.
STATISTICS.
The statistical summary hereto appended will fur- nish the usual items to those interested. The school census of persons in the city between the ages of five and fifteen years on the first day of May, 1883, shows a total of 3,564 against 3,458 last year, a gain of 106, which is shared by every ward except the fourth, fifth, and seventh, in which there is a loss of 8, 10, and 1, respectively; while the average whole number in the schools shows nearly a corresponding increase.
It is gratifying to call attention to the improvement in attendance. An increase of more than one per cent for the year indicates a movement in the right direction, and betokens an amount of effort on the part of teachers which can be appreciated only by those who know the obstacles encountered. The reports of the High School, incorporated in this summary, exhibit in this particular an apparent fall- ing off from the record of the preceding year. This is due to the fact that hitherto the attendance of special students has not been recorded, or rather has been assumed to be uniform and regular, - a practice which, making a more favorable showing than truth
63
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
would justify, has been corrected. The law of de- cline, however, in the character of attendance through the several months, which has prevailed in this de- partment for a series of years, continues to operate with unabated force, reducing the percentage from 95.6 in September to 88 in June, - an evil which cannot fail to impair the efficiency of your most liberal provisions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.