USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1830-1859 > Part 3
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
8
has attended it, is no longer a matter of wonder. No one who has visited this school, could fail to see the interest, the enthusiasm even, manifested by the scholars in their studies, the respect and affection accorded to their teacher, the good order prevalent, the healthful moral influences exerted,-and, as the result of all, a thorough and practical acquaintance with the principles, as well as the details, of the various branches taught and studied. The training in this school is eminently fitted to make accurate and self-possessed scholars, and has no small influence in turning out solid and practical men and women.
-
IN connection with the foregoing statistics and par- ticular observations upon each school, the Committee desire to add a few suggestions of a more general nature.
I. In regard to the District Schools.
Taking the schools as a whole, the Committee have no hesitation in saying, that at no preceding period have they been in a better condition. In the main, they have been characterized by good order, ability and fidelity on the part of the teachers, diligent attention to study, and decided progress. We are aware that this is a good deal to be said; but we think the per- sonal observations made, will warrant these statements.
These results are due, in no small degree, to the excellent good sense of the several Prudential Com- mittees. For the most part, these Committees have felt the importance of their position, in some respects, more responsible and trying than that of the Superintending Committee. It depends, in large part, upon the Pru- dential Committee whether a district has a good or a poor school. And it is to be hoped that, hereafter, they will be more and more anxious to know all about a teacher, and suffer no consideration to have any de- termining influence upon their minds but the single question, "What do the best interests of the district
9
demand at my hands as its servant, and, is the proposed teacher competent to that work ?"
Your Committee are unanimous in the opinion, that the practice of employing female teachers for both sum- mer and winter terms is well adapted to our schools. The advanced scholars of all the districts are admitted to the privileges of the High School, and thus the size of the district schools is somewhat diminished, and the care of them every way more properly entrusted to females than males. To be sure, the appropriation for the district schools has been larger the past year, than heretofore, but the employment of female teachers has also served to lengthen the terms. The average num- ber of months' schooling has been seven to each district. This is a noble advance on preceding years, and it is most sincerely to be hoped that future years will witness as large appropriations, if not still farther advances.
Although, during the present season, the second term might have been deferred to the winter months without preventing even the smallest children from attending, still, the present course of having a few weeks' vacation, and then going on with the second term, and so closing before mid-winter, is to be pre- ferred. In most seasons, all would be better accom- modated in that way, than by a different course.
In every instance, but one, the same teacher has gone through both terms ; and in three cases, the teach- ers employed had previously served the town most faith- fully in the same capacity. They were, too, her own beloved daughters. The influence of this permanence has been most happy ; and we would earnestly recom- mend the engagement of tried and experienced teachers, where it can possibly be done, with a specific reference to their continuance in the work. The reasons why permanence is so desirable were particularly and forcibly dwelt upon in last year's Report, and must be obvious to every individual.
Your Committee have been pleased to notice the
10
degree of interest which parents have manifested in the schools, by visiting them and otherwise. It is in the power of parents to do very much for the encourage- ment of the teacher and the prosperity of the school. The duties of a teacher are hard, and often dishearten- ing. Parents should endeavor to make them as light as possible, by kindly inquiries, by visiting the school, and by showing in all their conversation with, or before their children, that they understand and sympathize with the trials which fall to the lot of every earnest and faithful teacher. And if the teacher is in the wrong, let parents be slow to believe it, exercise that charity which suffereth long and is kind, and which thinketh no evil ; and above all, govern their children more strictly at home. This is certainly the true method for all concerned to pursue, and if duly fol lowed, in nine cases out of ten the difficulty would be healed, and the teacher's labors prove successful.
The condition of the several school-houses is not altogether what it should be. It is well known that we do not as yet stand by the side of some of our sister towns, in the matter of school-houses. Without incur- ring great expense, the present buildings might be, and ought to be, improved. There is little or no means of ventilation, unless at the risk of taking cold, and the seats are anything but comfortable for their occupants. In some cases, for the want of more than a single chair, visitors are privileged with one of these seats. School- houses should always be constructed so as to give much larger floor room than we have in any of ours. They should also be kept well painted and in good repair.
II. In regard to the High School.
This school is of recent origin, established and main- tained by the town at some considerable expense. The condition of the school, its progress during the year, and the character of the teacher, have already been referred to. But the Committee cannot close their
11
Report without expressing their feelings more at length in regard to the importance of the High School, and the great desirableness that it should be made a per- manent institution in the town. The following points, which we think must commend themselves to every candid person, embody our views on this whole subject:
1. The High School is needed here. We have scholars enough to attend such a school, as is evident from the number that have attended the High School thus far. And there will be, from year to year, class after class coming up from our district schools, and knocking for admittance to the High School. What shall we do with these scholars, your own sons and daughters ? Tell them they must go back into the dis- trict school? Go to Phillips Academy, or the Pun- chard School in Andover, or the High School in Woburn, and tell the scholars there that they can get all the education they need in the district school! Carry this principle out, and you sweep away every academy and high school in the land. What shall we do with these scholars, your own sons and daughters ? Send them out of town to school ? But there will be no schools, high schools and academies, out of town, if the above principle be carried out, viz: That the district school is enough. A principle that is not sound in Wilming- ton, is not sound in Andover or Woburn. And more- over, the difference in the expense of educating forty scholars at a high school in our own town, and sending them abroad, is some thousands of dollars. And this money, instead of being kept in town, would go to other towns.
2. The High School tends to increase the population, wealth and respectability of the town. Every one will allow that the system of district schools tends to in- crease the population, wealth and respectability of a town. If District Schools do this, why may not High Schools ? Are High Schools worse than District Schools ? of a lower grade and less beneficial tenden- cy ? Do district schools tend to increase light and
12
knowledge, and therefore prosperity and respectabili- ty, but High Schools to increase ignorance and dark- ness, and so poverty and disgrace ? Let it once be- come a well-known fact that there is a good High School, permanently established in Wilmington, and families will not be quite so likely to pass us by, and locate in Andover and other neighboring towns. Ac- count for it as you will, the second question, always asked by families invited to take up their residence among us, is, " What are the advantages for education in Wilmington ?"
3. The High School brings some of the choicest bless- ings upon the sons and daughters of the town, and through them upon the town itself. What can you do better for your sons and daughters than to give them the opportunity of securing a good, thorough, liberal training, term after term, in a school of this character ? Estimate, if you can, the value of such an education. It is absolutely beyond computation. The worth of such a training can no more be stated in dollars and cents than you can state the worth of Liberty, or Virtue, or Relig- ion in dollars and cents. Your children will thank you a thousand times more, ten years hence, for giving them such advantages, than for all the increase of the estate you shall leave them, at the expense of such a school. The truth is, without this High School, not ten out of its forty scholars would have gone a single day to an Acad- emy or High School. And does it need any argument to show that what you do for the sons and daughters of the town, you do for the town itself? You ought not to expect to realize all this reflex influence in one year, or two, or five. Wait till your children are grown up, and then ask them, ask yourselves then, ask your fellow-citi- zens then, the value in a town, of a good, thorough-go- ing, generously supported High School ? Ask the ques- tion, then, whether it was the part of wisdom or folly to fight against, as an enemy, an institution eminently adapted to build you up and bless you more and more.
13
4. The principle upon which the High School is es- tablished is sound and just. What is that principle ? Taxation according to property valuation. What is there unjust in that ? Does not every tax-payer receive an equivalent for his money ? Yes. In the protection which the town secures to him and his property. In the additional value which such a school gives in the long run, if not immediately, to his property. In the higher character, and increased respectability imparted to the town, in which he shares. Education does much, very much, toward securing the protection which we already enjoy. It is one of the essential safeguards of that very security. It is one of the strongest bulwarks of law and order - good law and good order. No man, then, has a right to steal this protection which he enjoys in his person and property, and which he wants continued to him. It is perfectly right, that he should be taxed to uphold those things, which uphold him and his.
Again, if objection be made against taxation to sup- port a town High school, on the ground that it is un- just, the same objection lies, with equal force, against taxation to support town District schools. A man who has no children to send to the district school can make precisely the same objection, and you can say nothing against it. He may tell you, that if you ask the amount of his tax as a donation, very well ; but he cannot con- sent to be taxed to school other people's children. And so in regard to a great many other things -the pay- ment of State and County taxes - of town expenses, the building of bridges, poor houses, school-houses, &c., &c., and if we call it unfair and unjust in the one case, let us be consistent, and deny the right of taxation for the support of other objects, that stand on precisely the same footing. The fact is, if the town had only been as much accustomed to being taxed to support the High School as to support District Schools, and build school- houses and the like, there would be no more complaint in the one case than in the other.
14
5. Will not the citizens of Wilmington look at this question from a higher point of view than one of mere dol- lars and cents, and, laying aside all prejudice and passion and party feeling as unworthy of men, unite liberally and heartily in the support of so good and praiseworthy an enterprize ? It is much to our discredit, it is doing the cause of education a great and lasting wrong, to suf- fer prejudice or passion to blind our minds, or influence our action upon such a question as this. We do dishon- or to ourselves as individuals and as a town, to show or allow that the only motives by which we can be ap- proached or governed, are motives of excessive pecunia- ry saving. Economize, most certainly, we must, espe- cially in such times as the present. But there is such a thing as bad economy, an economy which is no economy at all ; an economy which is, to use a homely proverb, " penny wise and pound foolish." It is no economy to withhold education from your children, or furnish them with poor teachers, at half price. Such economy will never better the circumstances of a family or a commu- nity. It tends to poverty and ignorance and degrada- tion.
Why, let the question be urged, is it not the best thing, every way, in consulting for the interests of edu- cation, whether in our individual capacity, or as a town, to be governed by enlarged and noble views ? Why is it not a thing to be expected of men, that they will look at something besides the money side of every subject ? Why is it not right for those who have property to be taxed, as well as every other person to remember, that we shall soon die, and have done with our possessions- " Then, whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided ?"
All of which is respectfully submitted.
SAMUEL H. TOLMAN, WALTER BLANCHARD, LEMUEL C. EAMES,
School Com- mittee.
Wilmington, March 1, 1858.
REPORT
OP THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF WILMINGTON,
FOR THE YEAR 1858-9.
WOBURN : PRINTED BY JOHN J. PIPPY, "JOURNAL" PRINTING ROOMS. 1859.
REPORT.
The Superintending School Committee having attended to their duty, present the following Report upon the state of the Schools in this town during the past year :-
Dr. Toothaker having declined to accept his appointment as a member of the Superintending School Committee, his place was supplied at a legally called meeting of the Select- men and remaining members of the School Board, by the choice of Mr. Lemuel C. Eames.
No money was appropriated at the last annual meeting in March for the support of the High School; accordingly the High School has been sustained by private subscriptions, and for this reason the statistics of the High School are not included in the present Report.
The amount of money voted by the town for the District Schools, was seven hundred and fifty dollars, ($750.00.) This was equally divided between the five districts, giving the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) to each district. The amount received from the State, was forty. five dollars and fifteen cents ($45.15); making the whole amount expended for the district schools seven hundred and ninety-five dollars and fifteen cents ($795.15).
' Whole number of months' teaching in all the District Schools, thirty-seven and one quarter.
Average wages per month paid teachers, twenty dollars.
1
4
Whole amount paid teachers, seven hundred and forty-five dollars, ($745.00).
Average attendance in all the Schools the first, or summer term, one hundred and twenty-four; whole attendance one hundred and fifty eight.
Average attendance in all the Schools the second, or win- ter term, one hundred and eighteen; whole attendance, one hundred and forty-eight.
NORTH DISTRICT.
MISS CHARLOTTE' E. BLANCHARD, Teacher, both Terms.
First term, whole number of scholars, 46.
average
38.
Second term, whole
44.
average
35.
Length of both terms, 64 months.
This school was taught both terms by the same excellent teacher. It has been the good fortune of the town to enjoy the benefits of Miss Blanchard's teaching in different districts for a number of years, and all would rejoice could she be retained for years to come in the same capacity. The school under Miss B.'s care the past year was eminently successful. It appeared well not only on examination days, but at other times, and the cheerful, happy faces of the scholars always spoke volumes for themselves and their teacher. Dr. Brown has given special attention to this school ; the whole number of visits made by himself and the Chairman, was eight.
5
EAST DISTRICT.
MISS EMMA M. BUCK, Teacher, both Terms.
First term, whole number of scholars,
19.
average
17.
Second term, whole
19.
average
15.
Length of both terms, 74 months.
The number of visits made to this school was seven. Miss Buck's previous high reputation was fully sustained in all her labors for this school. The fidelity, and strict, yet perfectly wholesome discipline, which characterize Miss Buck's teach- ing, are worthy of all praise. No teacher can accomplish what was accomplished in this school, where these qualifica- tions are wanting. Your Committee are happy to say that the school under Miss B.'s management has been a hard working, labor-loving school. Consequently a progress was made that is good for something. Miss Buck's efforts in dis- ciplining the memory of her scholars were unwearied and exceedingly happy in their results. The high moral tone which pervades all her instruction, is particularly to be com- mended.
CENTRE DISTRICT.
MIss H. JOSEPHINE SLEEPER, Teacher, both Terms.
First term, whole number of scholars, 34.
average
Second term, whole
66
34.
average "
23.
23.
Length of both terms, 74 months.
This school was more frequently visited than any other in town, partly because it was more convenient to do so, and because the teacher was the only one in town who was teach- ing her first school. Your Committee felt anxious that the teacher, whose experience in the great work of instructing
6
was limited, might lay a good foundation not only for the sake of her present charge, but for her own future benefit should she hereafter engage in teaching. Miss Sleeper pos- sesses many qualifications for a successful teacher. With more experience, greater energy and a higher estimate of the absolute necessity of good order, as well as the importance of a commanding dignity on the part of the teacher, she would meet with deserved success. A somewhat different school would have been, perhaps, more suitable for Miss Sleeper's first attempts in school teaching. The examina- tions of the school were better than the Committee antici- pated.
WEST DISTRICT.
MIss ELIZA A. BRIDGES, Teacher, both Terms.
First term, whole number of scholars, 23.
average
Second term, whole
18.
19.
average 66 14.
Length of both terms, 74 months.
Your Committee having made five visits to this school are pleased to say that the expectations which were raised by . Miss Bridges' previous success in this district were fully realized in the improvement and general progress of the school the present year. Seldom have we witnessed better order or more careful instruction. The reading was marked by distinctness and precision ; the writing books were neat- ly kept, and showed much pains-taking; the spelling was good, and the appearance of the school generally, of a high order. We hope this school will maintain hereafter the no- ble stand to which it is now fast rising.
7
SOUTH DISTRICT.
MISS CAROLINE L. BRIGHAM, Teacher, both Terms.
First term, whole number of scholars, 36.
average 66 32.
Second term, whole
28.
average «
26.
Length of both terms, 84 months.
Four visits were made to this school during both terms. After the full proof which Miss Brigham has given hereto- fore of her superior qualifications as a teacher, it was to be expected that her labors this year would be successful. We have no hesitation in saying that the year has been a most profitable one to the scholars in this district. A kind, quiet, but efficient manner of government, fidelity and patience in all the smaller as well as the more obvious and prominent duties of the schoolroom, these and other excellent traits of character on the part of Miss B. secured a more than ordi- nary degree of thoroughness and enthusiasm in the studies pursued. The sickness of a large number of the pupils, and a severe storm, detracted somewhat from the interest of the closing examination. But teachers are reminded that the judgment of the Committee respecting the condition of any school is made up not solely from the public examinations, but more especially from visits made on the common working days of the school.
In closing their Report, the Committee would congratu- late the town upon the progress which seems to be making in the right direction in regard to the interests of common school education in this community. To be sure not all has been done that should be done; but still, more attention than heretofore is given to the character of teachers em- ployed, and a very strong determination is more or less prevalent in every district, to procure the very best teachers,
8
even though higher wages must be paid. Indeed it is com- ing, more generally, to be believed that no teachers are so expensive as poor ones. At this day, when so much is being done for the cause of education, it would be hardly possible for any community to withstand the good influences that are seeking throughout the Commonwealth to elevate our schools in the matter of teachers, school-houses, school regulations, amount of money appropriated, &c. We in Wilmington, it is to be hoped, have no desire to be behind the times in any of these improvements.
Nothing has taken place in any of the districts to inter- fere with the usual course of school matters, if we may ex- cept some unpleasant things in one of the districts, occurring at the commencement of the year, but which it will not be necessary to refer to particularly in this Report. Your Committee have sought to act with justice and impartiality, so far as they had anything to do in the matter. We will only add that such a state of things in any neighborhood or district is sincerely to be regretted. And we cannot but hope and believe that the experience of the past will suffice these, our friends and neighbors. We cannot but believe that they will incline to return to the good old ways of har- mony and union, and that during the coming year they will seek those things, which make for peace.
Your Committee have been pleased to notice the healthy moral influences which have been exerted in the several schools, in some of the schools especially. Teachers have felt to a good degree the responsibility which rests upon them in this matter, and have tried, by precept and exam- ple, to inculcate upon the minds of those entrusted to their care the great importance of gratitude to Him from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, reverence for his holy name, and a becoming observance of the Sab- bath, as well as other vital religious demands. We hold it to be in the power of those to whom we give up our children for education, to exert an influence over them in respect to their manners, behavior, and their religious training, which
9
will be for their everlasting good or evil. And in this land of the Pilgrims, and this day of acknowledged christian privi- lege, we also hold it to be an essential part of the teacher's duty to see to it that the principles of our holy religion are regarded, and that virtue and true piety are not lost sight of in the pursuit of earthly knowledge. Sad will be the day when the Bible is excluded from our common schools, and teachers, who are set to train our children during the most im- pressible period of their lives, pay no respect in their own con- duct or teaching to sound religious principles and doctrines.
One word in regard to a school of a higher grade than we can have in any of our district schools. We would most earnestly recommend that an appropriation be made this year for the support of such a school. As the High School is designed to be in every sense of the word a town school, open to all, without distinction, who are qualified to enter it, and conferring many essential benefits on the whole town, there can be no good reason why the town should not sustain it, rather than private individuals. Without wishing to go over in full the reasons given in last year's report for a High School in this town, we desire only to say, that those rea- sons seem to us as just, forcible and unanswerable to-day as ever. The influences and results of the High School have been good, invaluable. They have already more than repaid us for all that has been done and expended for its support. We now have a good schoolroom, and in many other respects we are better prepared than ever before to reap advantage from the money heretofore laid out. It is believed that an appropriation of $400.00 will be sufficient to procure a good teacher for the school the ensuing year, besides paying for wood, necessary repairs, &c. We hope that our fellow townsmen will see what is for their highest interest in regard to this matter as well as in respect to all our schools, and the great subject of education in all its bearings upon the present and the future.
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.